Red RC

August 16, 2025

Balestri defends European title to go 3-in-a-row

Dario Balestri has successfully defended his EFRA 1:8 Onroad European Championship title, the Infinity driver going 3-in-a-row when he clinched the 2025 title at the Halifax track in the UK today ahead of Top Qualifier Simon Kurbuch and Carmine Riola. Qualifying 2nd, Balestri would make the pass for the lead on Kurzbuch coming onto the main straight as the race approached the 8-minute mark and once in front the Italian controlled the 45-minute encounter to win by over 9-seconds. While Balestri established his lead, the only time the reigning World Champion relinquished that lead being when he was the first driver to pit for a full tyre change, the main entertainment came from the battle between Kurzbuch’s Mugen Seiki and Riola’s Infinity as they swapped position. In the dying moments of the race Riola was all over the back of the Swiss driver but attempting a pass with half a minute left on the clock he went off the track rejoining a distance third to complete the podium ahead of Capricorn’s Mirko Salemi. The fourth of the direct qualifiers Serpent’s Andrea Catazani would fail to finish due to engine issues, Teemu Leino would crash out just after 5-minutes, and a difficult day for Capricorn’s Toni Gruber would end with a DNF, the German having had issues in his Semi and had to come through the Last Chance Qualifier to line-up P11 on the grid. For Balestri today’s title win means he is again the double nitro onroad European Champion having won the 1:10 Nitro Touring title in the Netherlands in June and today brings his EFRA European Championship tally to 11 titles.

Image: RC Racing TV [rcracingtv.com]

August 15, 2025

Leadfinger Racing RC10B84 Retro-Mod Body

South Carolina based body shell producer Leadfinger Racing has updated its Retro-Mod body to fit the latest Team Associated RC10B84 1:10 4WD Buggy. The Retro-Mod Buggy Body is a nostalgic throwback that pays homage to the golden era of RC racing. The body design captures the essence of classic RC aesthetics while incorporating modern engineering and performance enhancements. Perfect for enthusiasts and collectors alike, the Retro-Mod Buggy Body brings back the iconic style of yesteryears. Each body is sold clear and ready for paint with included window masks. The Retro wing is sold separately.

view more images here

August 15, 2025

Kurzbuch is European Championship Top Qualifier

Mugen Seiki’s Simon Kurzbuch is the Top Qualifier at the 2025 EFRA 1:8 Onroad European Championship in England, the Swiss driver topping 3 of the 5 qualifiers to secure pole position ahead of the Infinity of defending Champion Dario Balestri. With Balestri holding the overnight TQ, both drivers having posted a TQ run each on Day 1 of qualifying at the challenging Halifax track, today Kurzbuch kicked things off by taking his Energy fuelled Ielasi Tuned powered prototype Mugen to the fastest time in Q3 ahead of Capricorn’s Mirko Salemi as Balestri DNF’d. With the penultimate qualifier lastingt less than a minute for Kurzbuch, it was Infinity’s Carmine Riola who took that TQ ahead of Balestri. The fifth & final round however Kurzbuch just got the better of reigning World Champion Balestri, the separation 4/10ths of a second, to lock in the overall TQ. With the Top 4 going directly through to tomorrow’s 45-minute Main 3rd and 4th on the grid went to Raiola and Serpent’s Andrea Catanzani. Top British contender Alex Thurston just missed the cut and he will lead out the first of the Semi Finals while Toni Gruber is on pole for the other Semi.

Image: Ielasi Tuned [Facebook]

August 15, 2025

MST RMX 4 S PRO Drift Car Kit

Drift RC specialist Max Speed Technology has revealed their all new RMX 4 S PRO Drift Car Kit which is set for released in September. Their latest kit embodies the next generation of RWD drift cars, built upon today’s mainstream design and enhanced with innovative features. The RMX 4 features three Adjustable Wheelbase Options, 257, 266, & 275mm, for versatile body compatibility. An Innovative Subframe Design enables quick and easy removal of the rear suspension system while a Quick-Release Gearbox Design for simplified maintenance and differential access. New Short Rear Suspension Arms enhance lateral weight transfer for improved stability and control. The S PRO version includes a Gear Differential as standard. The included Anti-Torque 4-Gear Transmission is easily convertible to a standard 3-gear layout for torque-positive setup. Other features include new Steering Arm System with fine Ackermann adjustment and built-in 3° caster angle to reduce steering pump. The car also gets all new ATK V3 Knuckle Set optimised for large steering angles; 0° trail for fast initial response, wide throw for maximum drift angle.

View more images here

August 14, 2025

Team Associated RC10 Stealth ATC Transmission Kit

After all of their vintage RC10 kit releases, Team Associated has now re-released its Stealth A.T.C. (Associated Torque Control) Transmission. A revolutionary advancement in RC racing, it was developed by Cliff Lett to give the new RC10 “Team Car” a competitive edge. Released in 1990, the Stealth featured a compact, low-friction, and fully enclosed 3-gear design that significantly improved efficiency and durability over the original 6-gear transmission. Its debut took place at the 1990 ROAR Off-Road Nationals held at Hobby Haven Raceway in Des Moines, Iowa. where the transmission proved its worth as Team Associated drivers dominated the field. Lett’s engineering focused on optimising power transfer, reducing rotating mass, and simplifying maintenance – all of which contributed to the Team Car’s immediate success. The Stealth quickly became the gold standard in competitive off-road RC, influencing future transmission designs across the industry and solidifying Associated’s dominance throughout the early ‘90s. Its legacy continues as a defining innovation in RC racing history. The Stealth ATC Transmission kit includes everything you need to convert, replace, or refresh the transmission of your favourite RC10 buggy is included in this Stealth Transmission kit. In addition to the Stealth gearbox you get the updated V2 Octalock slipper system, plastic transmission brace, case-to-motor plate seal, 75-tooth 48-pitch Octalock spur gear, molded gear cover, steel ball bearings, and ball differential.

View RC10 compatibility list & more images here

August 14, 2025

R1 Wurks XB4 Rear Carbon Fibre Shock Towers

More carbon parts from California based R1 Wurks with the released of these Rear Carbon Fibre Shock Towers for the Xray XB4 1:10 4WD Buggy. The CNC-machined high-strength high quality carbon fibre towers are a direct replacement for the standard and optional rear XB4 shock tower. They are available in two in two premium finishes, Matte Forged and Gloss 3K Plain Weave, and offer in two options, the 3-Dots HS Bulkhead Rear tower or the Standard Tower HS Bulkhead, Lower.

View additional image here

August 14, 2025

Balestri holds overnight TQ at 1:8 Onroad Euros

Infinity’s defending Champion Dario Balestri holds the overnight TQ at the 2025 EFRA 1:8 Onroad European Championship which is taking place at the Halifax track located in the centre of the UK. The 23rd running of the championships, the Italian posted the fastest time of today’s opening two qualifiers after a mistake led to a P8 run in Q1. The first of the five scheduled qualifiers would see Mugen Seiki’s Simon Kurzbuch top the times ahead of Top Seed Carmine Riola, the Infinity driver the most consistent as he posted the second fastest time for both rounds. While Balestri set the pace in Q2, a moment for Kurzbuch in the second half of the 4-minute qualifier meant the former World Champion ended up 14th fastest but with 1 of 2 counting he sits second, his Q1 TQ time over 2-seconds slower than the reigning World Champion’s Q2 effort. Riola sits third going into tomorrow’s three remaining qualifiers ahead of Capricorn’s Toni Gruber, counting a P3 from Q2, and Serpent’s Andrea Catanzani, who was third fastest in Q1. Reigning British Champion Alex Thurston completes the Top 6 with his Mugen Seiki with 3 of 5 set to count for the final qualification ranking.

Image: Red RC File

August 13, 2025

CRC F-Won Diff conversion kit

Following the recent release of their very well received F-Won, CRC has release this Ball Diff conversion kit for the 1:10 Formula car kit. Containing all the items you need to convert the stock solid axle on the F-Won to a ball differential car it is works great for asphalt and lower grip. You will need diff balls in the correct size to match your diff gear. CRC gears use a 2.5mm ball while Kimbrough and others use 1/8″. Also new from CRC bearing adapters to convert the Imperial front bearings to the metric F1 front wheels.

Source: Calandra Racing Concepts [teamcrc.com]