Red RC » R On Road

March 18, 2026

FEMCA issues apology over World Championship cancellation

The governing body that represents 15 nations in Asia & Australasia and the IFMAR Bloc that is responsible for the staging of this year’s 1:12 and ISTC World Championships, FEMCA has issued a public apology to drivers over the cancellation of the races at Hongyu GDC in China. FEMCA President Leonard Kee, who only took over as head of the bloc last May from long serving Trevor Reid, made the apology via a Facebook post on the FEMCA page in which he explains that the lack of necessary government approvals to host the races ‘blindsided both the organizer, GDC, and myself’. From Malaysia and well known throughout Asia for his race announcing, Kee also stated that, ‘We understand there is a lot of rumor and speculation within the community, but we will not be engaging with conjecture’ adding ‘China and GDC remain top-tier in our community, with a venue many consider the finest. I, too, felt deeply disappointed—an “Et tu, Brute?” moment—when those entrusted didn’t fulfill their role.’ With alternative venues being talked to by IFMAR in order to host the Worlds later this year, FEMCA is set to continue as the host Bloc with an announcement on the rescheduled date/venue imminent.

Read full FEMCA apology here

March 18, 2026

Hongyu GDC Worlds track layouts

A week from today these are the tracks that would have greeted drivers from around the world as they arrived at the Hongyu GDC track in Foshan, China, for what should have been the official registration day of the 22nd running of the IFMAR 1:12 World Championship. As we all frustratingly know unfortunately last week IFMAR found themselves in the unenviable position of having to announce the cancellation of the event, together with the ISTC Worlds that was to follow. This was ultimately due to necessary government approvals to host the races not being in place. With approval for the venue to host the event revoked abruptly as the RC industry and host track made final preparations for what is our Olympic Games, having waited the 2-year cycle for the world’s most important race to come around, talks to get new approvals from the newly appointed staff at the Chinese National RC body for the original dates proved unsuccessful. The cancellation sent a huge shockwave through the racing community and the IFMAR Board of Directors are currently working on potential dates and venue options so as we can still crown World Champions in 2026. An announcement on this is expected in the coming days. What is even more frustrating is that race organiser Gavin Kwok has the stage set for these World Championships but unfortunately not the piece of paperwork to allow the best racers in the world race on it. The new Touring Car Track layout )main images) has been down for a number of weeks with no running permitted on it as part of the IFMAR rules while the 1:12 got a huge transformation from that that was used at the FEMCA race last December. The totally new layout and design was created by Pawel Kowalski from Polish track builders Racestars, who built the recent MIBO International dual track layout and have created tracks for the ETS and EOS.

View 1:12 track layout here

March 17, 2026

PNWC 2026 – Announcement

PN Racing has announced that the annual PNWC will take place in the Netherlands in 2026 with Mini-zshop.nl in Munnekeburen hosting the World Cup for 1:28 from November 5-8th. With the 2025 PNWC hosted by 5280 Raceway in Colorado, USA, the classes most prestigious race returns to Europe for the 20th edition having previously been staged in France in 2024. At Mini-zshop.nl drivers can expect a world-class track layout designed to test every driver’s precision, speed, and setup at one of the premier facilities in the country. Registration open date will be announced soon via the Mini-zshop.nl and official PN Racing social channels.

Source: PN Racing [pnracing.com]

March 16, 2026

Catanzani opens Italian GT title defence with Naxos win

Serpent’s Andrea Catanzani opened his AMSCI 1:8 GT Italian National Championship title defence with the perfect weekend winning the opening race of 2026 with victory. Racing at Naxos World in Sicily, the home track of 1:8 GT World Champion Alessio Mazzeo, Catazani took the TQ honours with three TQ runs. Returning to the championship again in 2026, Nova Engines backed Turkish offroad ace Burak Kilic qualified P2 on his debut running a Raptor, with Raptor team driver Mazzeo completing the Top 3. Round 1 of the 3 round championship, setting the only 26-lap of the 30-minute final Catanzani took the win by 9-seconds over Mazzeo with Kilic completing the podium ahead of the Genius of reigning European Champion Filippo Beretta.

Image: Andrea Catanzani [Facebook]

March 13, 2026

‘The Direct Drive Experiment’ – Insights Video

With his ‘The Direct Drive Experiment’ generating huge interest and online technical debates, Infinity team driver Jilles Groskamp has in response to the massive reaction to the ‘teaser video’ produced a second video regarding the unique four in-wheel drone motors powered IF14 Speciale. In the second video the Electric and Nitro Touring Car World Champion goes into more detail about the car build and technology used and is joined by Hans who started the project over a year ago and who brought Groskamp onboard to bring things to the next stage. While Groskamp answers questions regarding the drivability of the car, Hans gives a nice insight into the controlling of the motors and the creation of the software differential. The big debate on Unsprung Weight is also addressed. Watch the Insights Video here.

Source: Jilles Groskamp [Facebook]

March 13, 2026

1:12 & ITSC World Championships in China Cancelled

Unfortunately the news and outcome no one in racing wanted but IFMAR has just confirmed that upcoming 1:12 and ITSC World Championship in China has been cancelled. The World governing body, who has been working hard with the host in the background since issues came to light two weeks ago, made the announcement in its lastest update on the event after the host has as yet been unsuccessful in obtaining he necessary government approvals to host the 2026 IFMAR Electric Track World Championships as scheduled. With less than 2-weeks until the 1:12 Worlds was to get underway at the Hongyu GDC track in Foshan, and no confirmed venue for the race, IFMAR had little option but to cancel the scheduled running of both events. China was announced as the host of the 2026 1:12 and ISTC Worlds in January 2025 and then when organiser Gavin Kwok opened the brand new world class Hongyu GDC in September last year there was huge anticipation for spectacular back to back World Championships. Unfortunately with the out break of the war in Iran raising concerns over the event, ultimately it was to be issues with permits from the Chinese National RC body that ultimately forced IFMAR’s very tough decision. With racers now faced with losing their flights, IFMAR has said they will issue a formal letter, along with supporting documentation, to assist racers with refund requests and potential insurance claims by the end of the weekend. Not a good day for RC racing, having followed Gavin Kwok’s efforts and work input to host these World Championships and create a World class stage on which to see the best drivers in the world fight it out, only to have an element outside of his control bring the whole thing crashing down, we hope Hongyu CDG, can welcome the world through its doors again in the near future. IFMAR say its Board of Directors will now aim for the rescheduling of the 2026 IFMAR Electric Track World Championships later in the year. While Hongyu GDC continues to try and secure the necessary government approvals, IFMAR say they will also consider other potential venue options.

Read full IMFMAR Update here

March 13, 2026

RC Maker announce Brunet as new European Team Manager

Australian manufacturer RC Maker has announced that its leading team driver Antoine Brunet will take over the role of European Team Manager. The French racer, who joined RC Maker as a driver at the end of 2024, takes over the role from Timo Siebert who appointed the touring car newcomer’s first European team manager last Summer. On the announcement RC Maker owner and designer Ryan Maker said, ‘It’s been an awesome first installation year into the highly competitive European Racing Scene! Around a year ago, Timo took on the role of European Team Manager and has helped us to begin making our mark in Europe. He worked tirelessly to get us to the point we are now, and we’re forever grateful for all his hard work. Now that he’s decided to step back and focus on his personal racing, it’s time to turn the page on a new chapter! Antoine Brunet has cemented himself in the heart of our brand, showing us week after week his dedication to moving us forward as a both a manufacturer and a team. He brings with him incredible talent and drive, as well as a passion for procuring a hard working, helpful and motivated team which stands behind the brand. I’m excited to work with Antoine now not only as a driver, but as our European Team Manager! We have lots of exciting announcements ahead as we continue to grow in Europe, and we can’t wait to share them with you!’

Continue reading here

March 12, 2026

2026 Speed King Tour Rd1 – Report

The first round of high profile Japanese Speed King Tour 2026 took place at Super Rajikon Oomiya indoor tarmac track in Saitama prefecture on March 8th. To allow drivers prepare for the upcoming ISTC Worlds in China, the Modified TC0 class didn’t run at the season opener with the TC1 and TC2 classes making up the schedule. Xray driver Rento Sasaki showed his ability at TC1 class (Stock) A final. Rento did perfect start from pole position and never made mistake to take the win. Yuto Sakai and Taku Wakamatsu tried to catch Rento up but couldn’t pull it off. The 2025 TC1 class ‘Speed King’ Champion this was the perfect start to Rento’s title defence. In the TC2 class (G Force motor and ESC), TQ driver Manabu Ota made a good start and led the race until half of the A-Final. Atsushi Fujimaki had been chasing Ota and did brilliant overtake to take the lead. Fujimaki kept his position to the finish and Ota could not get P1 back. Masayuki Higo finished 3rd from No.4 grid. Round 2 of Speed King Tour will be held at New Next Rush Circuit outdoor tarmac track at 26th of April.

Source: Speed King Tour [speedkingtour.com]