Red RC » R On Road

April 26, 2023

BRCA 2WD Onroad Nationals R1 Adur – Report

The first round of this year’s BRCA 2WD Onroad National Championships took racers to the Adur circuit. After a nice day practice day on Saturday, overnight rain meant a slight delay to proceedings and with the rain continuing on and off there was likely to be a few surprises. In F1 qualifying it was the Luke Lee show taking all three qualifying rounds with his Xray from brother Michael’s Schumacher with James Greener lining up third with his Xray. The finals saw a repeat performance with Luke taking all three legs for the overall win with young Jonathan Ellis taking third overall with his Xray by virtue of a brace of thirds. In FWD, the first round of qualifying went to a surprised Jamie Donovan with his ARC R12FF from Alex Bold’s Mugen MTC2 FWD and Aaron Rose’s Schumacher. Alex took rounds 2 and 3 to secure pole from Jamie and Aaron. The first leg of the final’s saw Alex take the win from Dale Burr. The second leg saw a 1-2 for the Schumacher duo of Aaron and Jamie Hickin, so all down to the final leg to decide it. It was Alex who took the win with Jamie bouncing back in second and Aaron in third. So, the overall win went the way of Alex and his Mugen from Aaron and Jamie.

View FWD Podium here

April 26, 2023

Joe Richardson joins Yokomo HK/China

In what Team Yokomo says is their final driver announcement of 2023 following a raft of driver signings recently, the Japanese manufacturer has through Yokomo HK/China signed Joe Richardson to the team. On joining the team, the British racer, who is based in Hong Kong/China, said, “I am very excited to be joining the Yokomo HK/China team for the coming year and beyond! I am very proud to be supported by such an incredible RC brand with a lot of history and many WC’s under their belt. I cant wait to get started with the new BD12.”

Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]

April 25, 2023

Shepherd to cease business

Onroad nitro stalwarts Shepherd has made the sad announced that it is to cease business at the end of June. The German based manufacturer was a pivotal brand in the racing scene and was also a great supporter of racing with CEO Patrick Schafer, a accomplished racer himself, one of those who played a major role in the establishment of the Euro Nitro Series. That support helped the ENS grow into a major Worldwide series that attracted drivers from around the globe really raising the profile and interest in the category during its peak years. Shepherd Micro Racing was originally set-up by Patrick’s father Werner, who loved his racing and being track side, but since his passing the ‘fire of passion’ in the company has dwindled and following 15-years as CEO Patrick is making the difficult decision to stop the business. That said they are in talks with several interested parties about keeping the Shepherd legacy alive. Having had the pleasure of working with Patrick and his father over the years, visited their factory, and enjoyed the height of the Kurbuch/Shepherd era, Red RC would like to thank Patrick for all he did for nitro onroad racing and wish him well in his new projects. Thanks for the memories.

Read Patrick’s full statement here

April 25, 2023

Puse joins Yokomo in dual Australian role

Team Yokomo has announced John Puse as part of their growing on-road team in Asia. A multiple Australian National Champion in the Stock category, Puse is now racing mainly modified and has stepped up to assist the racing community down-under. On the announcement he said, “It’s an honour to represent Team Yokomo as I know the innovation is never ending, the quality is never overlooked, most importantly, the teamwork and the fun never stops. Taking both a team driver and management role in Australia, we will continue to grow, succeed and develop our leading products as a leading team.”

Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]

April 24, 2023

Balestri wins EFRA GP

Dario Balestri took the 1:8 win at the EFRA GP race in Leno, Italy, over the weekend, the Infinity driver leading home the ARC of Silvio Hächler and Capricorn of Mirko Salemi. In qualifying, it was Balestri who took the TQ ahead of fellow World Champion Simon Kurzbuch with Francesco Tironi, Hächler and Toni Gruber making up the Top 5 places on the grid. In the 45-minute final it was Balestri who control the race taking victory from Hächler, a late mistake from team-mate Tironi ending the potential for an Infinity 1-2 finish. Having come through from the last chance final to secure P11 on the grid, Salemi came through to complete the podium.

Image: Dario Balestri [Facebook]

April 21, 2023

Ronnefalk joins ARC for 1:8 Onroad campaign

ARC has announced that Offroad star David Ronnefalk is to represent its brand in 1:8 Onroad and have a go at the sport’s longest established category. Having achieved the top prize in Offroad when he became the IFMAR 1:8 Buggy World Champion in Las Vegas in 2016, the Swede has had a number of electric onroad outings but now will take on nitro. Having been mentored in his professional racing career by Adrien Bertin, Ronnefalk will be able to capitalise on the Frenchman’s vast onroad racing experience having up until last year been the only driver to have won both the 1:8 and 1:10 Onroad World titles. Commenting on the announcement, the reigning European 1:8 Buggy Champion said, ‘I would like to thank Jones Chu of ARC for giving me the chance to enjoy some 1:8 OnRoad when time allows from my MAYAKO Off-Road program. Always thought that 1:8 On-Road is the F1 class of RC and I appreciate ARC supporting me with the equipment needed to go race. I have a great mentor in Adrien Bertin when it comes to this class and it will be fun to go “play” a bit when we will have some CT engines ready to test for this category. Together with Matrix Tires and Xtreme Aerodynamics I think I have a good program also for this class. Looking forward to try the new R8.4 out on the track once they have opened for the season in my area.

Source: Team Titan [team-titan.com.tw]

April 20, 2023

Miguel & Pereira win Portuguese TC opener

Last weekend saw the opening round of the four round Portuguese Electric Touring Car Championship take place at the ARMAIA track in Vilar de Luz. Better known by it’s fast flowing circuit, technical corners and a “pass or fail” chicane near the rostrum, gives thrilling moments of driving. In 13.5T Blinky qualifying, Daniel Lima driving his Awesomatix TQ’ed with a clean and flawless run with Hugo Miguel’s Mugen securing P2. With the main straight giving way to the grid for the finals, great starts by all drivers saw them following each other in a train fashion. In the end, two wins for Miguel secured him the overall win ahead of the Awesomatix of Rúben Francisco with the similar car of João Pires completing the podium. In Modified, it was the Xray of reigning Champion José Pereira who took the TQ and win ahead of Frédéric Santos and Paulo Mota.

Source: Hugo Miguel

April 19, 2023

Yokomo sign Stock specialist Shimizu

Continuing a busy few weeks of driver announcements, Team Yokomo has added Stock Touring Car Specialist Kenichi Shimizu to its factory team. The Japanese driver is a leading competitor in the class and as well as racing the brands cars he has been recruit by team in a technical role given his well-known for his technical knowledge. In this role, Shimizu will be assisting and providing customer support in Japan.

Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]