Red RC » R On Road

May 12, 2026

Rheinard announces Awesomatix departure

Multiple World Champion Marc Rheinard has announced his departure from Awesomatix after six years with the manufacturer which only came into being at the height of the career of one RC racing’s true legends. The electric onroad star has been their lead driver since his departure from Infinity at the end of 2019, the initial deal to run Aersomatix done through his brother’s successful Tonisport business. While a fourth ISTC World title has eluded the German, achieving a podium in 2024 with the unique Oleg Babich designed touring car, they did enjoy plenty of successes including most recently the 2025 1:12 European title and the 2024 Electric Touring Car European title. In a post on his social media, Rheinard said, ‘Hey Friends, Today I would like to announce my departure from Awesomatix. A bit more than 6 years ago, Oleg gave me the chance to join his fantastic race team. At a time he backed me when I unfortunately did not have the best moments in my career and this will never be forgotten! I would like to specially thank Oleg as well as Max Mächler for great years with good success for all of us.’ With 2026 marking 22-years since he claimed his first World Championship, he added, ‘A true honour for me but now it is time to move on! I wish everyone in the team as well as the factory lots of success and I will always keep great memories in my mind! Last but most important, I’m happy that after talking to Max and Oleg we end our cooperation in a good way and keep the relationship positive. Thanks a lot for all and see you on track!’ With a huge following around the world, especially among Tamiya fans, it will be interesting to see what brand of car he will race next.

Source: Marc Rheinard [Facebook]

May 12, 2026

Power HD servos for Almonte

Leading servo manufacturer Power HD has announced that multiple ROAR Nitro Onroad Champion Jose R Almonte has officially joined its team. The factory Serpent driver, who took the 1:8 GT win at this year’s 50th anniversary Florida Winternats, will officially represent Power HD as part of his dual 1:10 and 1:8 GT racing program. On the announcement, the Dominican Republic racer, who other successes include the 2025 KO Propo Grand Prix, said, “I’m honoured to join Power HD. Their servos are known worldwide for their reliability, speed, and durability. I’m excited to represent Power HD on the track, fight for more championships!’

Source: PowerHD [chd.hk]

May 11, 2026

Balestri & Groskamp win ENS season opener

The latest season of the Euro Nitro Series kicked off at Minidrom Ettlingen in Germany over the weekend where it was double success for Infinity with Dario Balestri winning 1:8 and Jilles Groskamp winning 1:10. In 1:8 qualifying it was the Mugen Seiki of Simon Kurzbuch that set the pace, the Swiss driver topping all four qualifiers to secure TQ honours ahead of Balestri. Counting two P2 runs it was the Capricorn of reigning champion Toni Gruber who completed the Top 3 on the grid ahead of Serpent pairing Marco Weigerding and Mirko Salemi. In the 45-minute final, Kurzbuch would lead away but with 8-minutes done as the former World Champion exited pit lap after his second stop attempting to keep his lead he and Balestri made contact with the Italian land on his roof. While Kurzbach waited this allowed Gruber to the lead. The German would lead until the 25-minute to go mark when Balestri squeezed passed as the leader exited pit lane after refuelling. Unfortunately just after stopping for new tyres Gruber would suffer a problem retire in pit lane. This left Balestri to lead the race home for the final 20-minutes chased by Kurzbuch. Starting from 11th on the grid, Dutch Infinity driver Robbin Hertong completed the podium ahead Weigerding, Rick Vrielijnck, and ARC’s Silvio Hächler.

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May 9, 2026

Serpent legend Salven joins Ielasi Tuned

Ielasi Tuned engines has welcomed veteran 1:8 Onroad racer & Serpent legend Michael Salven to its team. The announcement was made at this weekend’s opening round of the 2026 Euro Nitro Series at Minidrom Ettlingen in Germany. A World Championship Top Qualifier, a European Champion, and multiple German Champion, Salven has been both successful as a racer, since joining Serpent in 1980, and as chief designer of their cars over the last three decades. In joining Daniele Ielasi’s engine brand, a racer with whom he enjoyed many on track battles, Salven joins Serpent’s star driver Andrea Catanzani in representing the Italian company and running their Pista Team Edition engine.

Source: Ielasi Tuned [ielasituned.com]

May 6, 2026

Branson returms to Nitro Onroad with Ielasi Tuned

Nitro Touring Car World Championship podium finisher Kyle Branson is to make a return to nitro racing with Ielasi Tuned engines. The British racer, who has been running competively in Electric Touring Car in recent years is making a come back to nitro in preparations for this year’s IFMAR Nitro Touring Car World Championship in Gubbio, Italy, this September. Branson who opened his 2026 season with a win at the opening round of this year’s British Electric Touring Car National Championship, achieved 2nd place at the 2018 Nitro Worlds in Miami behind Naoto Matsukura. On his deal with Ielasi Tuned, Branson said, ‘Huge thanks to Daniele and Sabrina for the trust in having me join their great team. From the first time I ran the engines I was super happy with the performance and Daniele’s track support is second to none. I’m looking forward to getting back in to nitro racing and can’t wait to hit the track soon.’

Source: Ielasi Tuned [ielasituned.com]

May 4, 2026

Nicholson wins NSW State Title

The New South Wales State Titles for 1:10 Electric Touring Car took place over the weekend with Schumacher’s Simon Nicholson taking the Modified title. Racing at the Australia’s most famous onroad track as host of two World Championships, 68 drivers made the trip to the John Grant International Raceway just outside Sydney. With 3 from 5 rounds of qualifying to count, it was 2024 National Champion Nicholson who secured the TQ topping two rounds. Behind him it was RC Maker’s Jeff Hamon who secured P2, the previous NSW Champion fastest in Q5. Also racing for RC Maker, young Lincoln Codd took the opening qualifier on his step up to Modified to completed the Top 3 on the grid. In the finals, Nicholson would win A1 & A2 to lock in the title. Qualifying P4, RC Maker’s Jeffrey Mackie would win A3 to finish runner up with team-mate Hamon completing the podium from Codd on tie break. In 13.5 Touring Car, ARC driver Marcus Askell took the title ahead of the Xray of Top Qualifier & National Champion Michael Stone. Awesomatix driver Tim Hilyear completed the podium.

Image: Simon Nicholson [Facebook]

May 4, 2026

Double success for Wood at British 1:8 Onroad Nationals

Shepherd’s Tim Wood completed a double win at the latest BRCA 1:8 Onroad British National Championship, Brookland Raceway hosting a double header weekend of the BRCA Championship. After a tough opening race to the season at Halifax last month, that race was won by defending champion Alex Thurston, the World Championship finalist took the Round 2 TQ and win ahead of team-mate David Spashett with Craig Hook completing the podium. Resetting for Round 3, again it was Wood who was the benchmark this time taking the TQ ahead of the similar package of Andrew Hastings. In the half hour final, Spashett unfortunately an early retirement, Wood completed the perfect weekend to claim maximum championship points that put him top of the standings and giving an absent Thurston work to do over over the rest of the season. Craig Hook and Neil Driver completed the Round 3 podium. Round 4 of the championship takes drivers to the Cotswold track on June 6/7.

Image: Shepherd Micro Racing [Facebook]

May 4, 2026

Lee wins Malaysia ISTC 2026

Xray team driver Nicholas Lee made the trip across the border from Singapore to neighbouring Malaysia to contest the Malaysia ISTC 2026 and come away with the Modified win. Attracting over 100 drivers, the SACC RC Park hosted race would face some rain disruptions, but over the four rounds of qualifying it was Lee who set the pace to secure the TQ ahead of the Axon of fellow Singaporean Zaccheus Lam. The Xray of Sean Lee completed the Top 3. In the double finals, Lee won the opening encounter from Malaysian Mugen Seiki racer Shahrin and a repeat win in A2 over Lam gave him the overall win. Lam and Shahrin completed the podium. In Stock 13.5, well known Asian race announcer Daryl Thong made a successful return to racing to take the TQ and win ahead of Faric Au and local racer Yozo for an all Xray podium.

Image: SACC RC Park [Facebook]