Red RC » R On Road

May 2, 2023

Roche signs Japanese National Champion Yamashita

Following last week’s signing of Vesa Yli to it’s race team, World Championship winning 1:12 manufacturer Roche has announced the addition of 1:12 Japanese National Champion Kazuki Yamashita. Representing Yokomo in 1:10 Touring car, he will race with Roche P12 in coming years, also work on testing the new P12 chassis ahead of the 2023 1:12 World Championships which takes place in November in Florida. Commenting on the news, Yamashita said, ‘I am looking forward to the new challenges at Roche. And I would like to thank Max for giving me this opportunity, and I would like to work together to develop a high performance 1:12 chassis. I would like to focus on the World Championships in Florida this year and do my best’.

Source: Roche [rocherc.com]

May 2, 2023

Vejrak wins Hotrace Asia Cup

Meen Vejrak was the winner of the the inaugural Hotrace Asia Cup which was hosted at the Tom Racing Circuit in Hong Kong over the weekend. Attracting an international field, in qualifying it was the former 1:10 200mm World Champion who set the pace topping all four rounds of qualifying. Driving a Capricorn, the Maxima team driver would start from the TQ ahead Italy’s Carmine Riola, Australia’s Jeff Hamon and Hong Kong’s Lolo Sam. In the 45-minute final, Vejrak continued that form leading throughout the 45-minute encounter. Initially chased by Riola, the factory Infinity driver would retire with engines issues just as the race reached 1/3 distance. Promoting the Serpent of Hamon to second, Vejrak would win by a lap with the Infinity of Sam completing the podium. In 1:8 GT Wong Wai Kin took the win driving a Capricorn while in the 1:10 235mm final KK made it a clean sweep for the Italian manufacturer.

Image: Team Corona [Facebook]

April 28, 2023

Roche sign Vesa Yli in 1:12 team driver & design roles

1:12 World Championship winning manufacturer Roche has announced that the top Finland 1:12 and 1:10 onroad driver and professional R/C designer Vesa Yli is joining to their factory team. Ali will race the P12 platform and also manage the design and development of new P12 project with their new factory drivers. Commenting on the announcement Ali said, ‘I am super excited to join the Roche team for the next years not only a factory driver but I will also manage the design in the coming development projects! I would like to thank Max Ma for giving this opportunity to work together. I have always been a huge fan of the Roche products – the innovative design, super cool look and the performance has always been outstanding – it’s no wonder why they are World Champions! Really looking forward to hit the track with my new gear and give my best performance and knowledge to the team at the track and with design work as always!’

Source: Roche [rocherc.com]

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]