Red RC » R On Road

May 29, 2023

Nicholas Lee wins HKRCSA Cup Round 1

Attracting over 120 entries, the opening round of the latest season of the long running HKRCSA Cup took place over the weekend at Tom Racing Circuit in Hong Kong where Nicholas Lee would take the win. Making the trip from Singapore for the race, the factory Yokomo driver would open qualifying with a TQ run over the Xpress of Japan’s Yugo Nagashima. With four rounds of qualifying, Lee would secure the overall TQ from fellow countryman & new 2023 team-mate Ethan Cheng. A multiple winner of the Cup, Xpress driver Hay completed the Top 3 on the grid for the triple A-Mains. Winning both A1 and A3 from Serpent driver Kenrick Fong, Lee would secure the overall win leaving the rest of the podium to be decided in A3. Keeping ahead of Fong for the A3 win, the result would give Hay second overall in the tie breaker as Fong completed the podium ahead of another Serpent of Patrick Chau. In the Stock class Hong Kong driver Tiger Drity took the win over Lam Suen and Joey Chan for an all Xray podium.

Image: Nicholas Lee [Facebook]

May 28, 2023

Takahata successfully defends JMRCA 1:8 Onroad title

Mugen Seiki’s Shoki Takahata has successfully defended his Japanese 1:8 Onroad National Championship title with a tone to tone victory at Infinity International RC Speedway. Topping all four rounds of qualifying to secure the overall TQ honours from fellow Mugen driver Hayato Ishioka, the reigning World Champion lead all 187-laps completed over the 45-minute final. Proving his closest challenger, the Infinity of former 1:10 Nitro Onroad Naoto Matsukura finished just 6-seconds back having qualifier 3rd. With Ishioka encountering problems that would see him retire after 15-minutes, Shinnosuke Yokoyama would complete the podium having started from fifth on the grid. World Finalist Shinya Shimazaki maintained position qualifying and finishing 4th with Yuya Sahashi completing the Top 5. The Infinity International RC Speedway will host the 23rd edition of RC racing’s original World Championship category from October 27 to November 5. Red RC will be travelling to Japan to tell the story of how the title unfolds.

Image: Atsushi Hara [Facebook]

May 28, 2023

Greiner wins ENS Germany

Capricorn’s Dominic Greiner has won the opening round of the Euro Nitro Series in Germany. The reigning European 1:8 Onroad Champion took victory at the Ettlingen track from Infinity’s Jilles Groskamp who finished less than 6-seconds back at the end of the 45-minute encounter. Having secured the overall TQ on Saturday, Toni Gruber lead out the 12-car field but after just 18-laps hit issues that would drop him to last place. This resulted in Simon Kurzbuch’s Mugen taking over the lead but as the race approached half distance he too hit problems as he flamed out. Groskamp and Merlin Depta then took turns at the front before Greiner took charge of the lead in the final quarter of the race where he would stay to the finish. Setting the fastest lap of the race, Gruber wold recover to salvage a podium finish from the weekend. Bumping up from the B-Main Tobias Hepp would finish fourth with Alex Thurston and Teemu Leino completing the Top 6. In 1:10, Top Qualifier Melvin Diekmann converted for the win ahead of French duo Quentin Leroux and Basile Concialdi.

Image: Oli Meggit

May 28, 2023

Takahata Top Qualifier at Japanese 1:8 Onroad Nationals

Mugen Seiki’s Shoki Takahata will start on the TQ at the Japanese 1:8 Onroad National Championship which are taking place at this year’s IFMAR World Championship host circuit Infinity International RC Speedway. The reigning World Champion and defending JMRCA Champion locked his OS powered MRX6 into the overall TQ when he made it three from three in the penultimate round which brought Saturday’s action to a conclusion. Attracting a field of 63 drivers, with one last qualifier still to run on Sunday morning it is ISTC World finalist Hayato Ishioka who holds second ahead of the Infinity of multiple World Champion Naoto Matsukura and his team-mate Takaaki Shimo.

Image: Atsushi Hara [Facebook]

May 28, 2023

Gruber TQ’s ENS season opener

Capricorn’s Toni Gruber has TQ’d the opening round of the Euro Nitro Series in Germany. With 2023 a big year for 1:8 Onroad with the return of the World Championship after a four year break, this year’s ENS is an opportunity for Europe’s top drivers to get in some top level competition ahead of the trip to Japan in October. The first of three rounds that make up this year’s series, Gruber secured the overall TQ in Ettlingen when he topped the final two qualifiers with his Ielasi Tuned powered C804. Behind the German, former World Champion Simon Kurzbuch secured P2 for Mugen having TQ’d the opening qualifier. Fastest in Q2, reigning European Champion Dominic Greiner will start P3 ahead of Capricorn team-mate Merlin Depta with Team Shepherd’s Lars Hoppe and Infinity’s Jilles Groskamp completing the Top 6. In 1:10, Melvin Diekmann secured the TQ topping 3 of the four qualifiers for Capricorn with Q3 pace setter Milan Holthuis lining up second.

Image: Toni Gruber [Facebook]

May 25, 2023

Shepherd finds new ‘World Champion’ owner

Some great news coming from Germany is that onroad nitro manufacturer Shepherd has found a buyer that will see the brand continue into the future. Having recently announced it would cease operations in June, the brand that found its start from the chassis project of iconic Italian engine manufacturer Picco, is set to be taken over by a former World Champion with Shepherd announcing on social media, ‘We are thrilled to announce that a successor has been found for the iconic brands Shepherd Micro Racing and Brilliant RC. Brace yourselves for a revelation like no other! Imagine a former IFMAR World Champion, boasting an impressive track record of over 20 years in the RC-Car industry. The anticipation is building as we speak, with the final details of this monumental arrangement being ironed out behind closed doors. In just a matter of days, the veil of secrecy will be lifted, revealing the visionary who will lead these brands into a glorious future. Stay tuned, dear friends, for the emergence of a new chapter shrouded in mystery and allure. We cannot wait to share this thrilling news with you all very soon. Keep your eyes peeled, for greatness awaits!’ Definitely exciting developments for the nitro onroad scene and we look forward to the announcement of the new owner in this 1:8 Onroad World Championship year, this the 23rd running of the Worlds for IFMAR oldest category. We suspect the new owner might have no issues sourcing engines!!

Source: Shepherd Micro Racing [Facebook]

May 25, 2023

Flavio Elais claims 5th South American 1:8 Onroad title

Team Shepherd driver Flavio Elias has claimed his 5th South American 1:8 Onroad Championship title at Club de Aeromodelos de Chile. The leading Brazilian onroad nitro driver showcased his exceptional skills, securing an astonishing fifth title in this prestigious competition. Elias demonstrated his dominance right from the start, winning all four qualification rounds and claiming the pole position for the final race. With high expectations surrounding him, he was poised to deliver yet another remarkable performance. As the final race commenced, Elias wasted no time at the start and quickly pulled away from the rest of the field. With each passing lap, he extended his lead, impressing the audience with his rapid and precise manoeuvers with his Velox V8.2. After 45 minutes of intense racing, he crossed the finish line as the commanding leader over the Infinity of Matias Otaegui. The other Shepherd drivers also left their mark on the competition. Alexandro Giardino delivered a solid race, securing a excellent fourth-place finish. Displaying his talent and technical understanding of the model car, he showcased the strength of the Shepherd team. Alvaro Jara achieved an impressive fifth-place finish, while Pablo Riveros, Reinaldo Gil and Pablo Baudino secured a respectable 8th – 10th place position, contributing to the overall success of the Shepherd team.

Source: Shepherd [team-shepherd.com]

May 25, 2023

Mattia Collavo joins Serpent Factory team

Following on from the significant announcement that Oliver Mack has joined the brand, Serpent has added experienced 1:8 Onroad specialist Mattia Collavo to their factory line-up. Making the move from Mugen to Serpent, Collavo will campaign the company’s latest 990 1:8 Onroad chassis with Ielasi Tuned engines for power. Commenting on news, the personable Italian said, ‘I am very happy to join the serpent team, i see it as the beginning of a nice and long cooperation, i will do my best at national and international race, thank Serpent and Star RC for the opportunity.’

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]