Red RC - RC Car News

Coming from JConcepts is the F2 buggy bodyshell for the Team Associated B6 and B6D. Based off of the original Finnisher body, the F2 is a drop fit for the popular B6-series buggy with cut-lines being included on each side of the body to accommodate stand-up 3 or 4 gear and lay-down transmission layouts, giving all out versatility. With the evolution of race tracks, complicated circuits combining more aggressive jumps and extremely high-speed corners, JConcepts incorporated many features which provide several benefits in the most critical situations. Increased windshield angle provides a steady force upfront during mid-flight wind gusts on large jumps. Forward cab placement changes performance/visible bias which help steering rotation in low traction corners. The side-pods have been simplified and JC-chamfered to remove unwanted changes in height to neutralise the at-speed handling. The front of the pods have a dual step, scoop treatment which give a first in class look to the F2 body. The rear of the cab has the Finnisher step feature which allows the placement of a secondary side window and also several louver options off the rear which can be trimmed to allow air to escape at the top of the body. In addition to the newly designed body, JConcepts has included two of the latest Aero rear wings used by Ryan Cavalieri, Ryan Maifield and Spencer Rivkin to a 1st, 2nd and 4th place finish at the recent 2017 Reedy Race of Champions.

Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]

Making his debut for new chassis & electronics sponsors Yokomo at last weekend’s Reedy Race, Atsushi Hara has chosen the Japanese company for his 2017 electric offroad campaign. One of the most versatile and successful racers in R/C, the 2-time World Champion will bring his vast experience to assist with their off-road program in preparation for the upcoming World Championships in Xiamen, China, as well as helping to develop their racing ESC and motor systems.

This year the IFMAR Offroad World’s will be held in China, which I am excited to attend as part of Team Yokomo. I would like to thank the owner of Yokomo, Mr. Yokobori and the entire team for the opportunity. Having some experience as a member of this team in the past, I am hoping to work well with all the drivers and factory staff. My focus this year will be to bring my form to 100% through the races and help the team bring home a World’s win. Being on a strong team is very motivating and I’m really looking forward to the challenge!

Source: Yokomo [teamyokomo.com]

Tekno RC have announced the signing of Portugal’s Ricardo Monteiro to their factory team. Ricardo’s experience and talent will be a great asset to their expanding European team as well as Tekno RC racers in the EU region. His first race for his new sponsor will be the Oleiros Trophy race in February and he had the following to say:

When the opportunity came to work with Tekno, I knew I had to take it into consideration. The quality of the cars plus the people that I would work with made for an easier decision. I would like to thank Ilias Arkoudaris, Daniel Lewis and all the guys involved, I believe we will have an awesome partnership together. I am already working hard getting to know the products and will be at the tracks soon with the new cars, they are awesome!

Source: Tekno RC [teknorc.com]

Yeah Racing have introduced their new aluminium motor fan mount with 40mm Tornado fan unit. Machined from black anodised 7075 aluminium and featuring a wire-hiding channel the mount features a set screw to tighten down the clamp on the motor can and to lock it at the desired angle. The mount comes including a 40mm Tornado fan but it can also accommodate smaller 30mm units.

Source: Yeah Racing [yeahracing.com]

Coming from Schumacher is the new Atom CC GT12 Racer 1/12t scale on-road kit. Alongside the original SupaStox Atom, the Atom CC features a carbon fibre chassis and the ability to adjust the battery mounting position. The CC is ideal for the driver that likes a more responsive and edgy feel to their car. The kit is available in two specifications, as Pro variant including a lightweight ball differential, Contact wheels with improved flex and handling characteristics, and side dampers, and also in the slightly lower spec Sport variant that utilises a rigid rear axle, no side dampers and old-style Contact rear wheels. Both variants will hit the stores late February.

Features:
– Carbon fibre chassis for improved response
– Adjustable battery position for balance tuning, more forward option
– More forward servo position with improved chassis mounting
– Smaller steering ball grippas
– Lightweight ball differential with 3-screw wheel fixing and carbon axle (Top Spec)
– Separate springs for independent roll and bump stiffness adjustment
– Balanced rear pod assembly
– Contact wheels with improved flex and handling characteristics (Top Spec)
– Range of World Championship winning Contact foam available
– Extra low motor position
– Lightweight low centre of gravity CNC alloy motor mounts

Source: Schumacher [racing-cars.com]

Round four of the Czech HIT 129 Winter Racing Series was held at the sports hall in Holesov. The weekend started off on Friday evening with free practice and resumed early on Saturday morning with more practice and the qualifiers. In the premier class of Touring Modified the race was on between top qualifier, Matej Sulc and Kuba Simurda who started from the 2 spot on the grid. In the opening final Matej was able to keep a tight racing line, leaving no room for Kuba to pass. In the second and third final though the pole sitter made smaller mistakes, allowing Kuba to go in front and to ultimately walk away with the win. Second place went to Matej while local driver, Ludvik Kurecka completed the podium result.

Touring Modified final results:
1. Kuba Simurda
2. Matej Sulc
3. Ludvik Kurecka
4. Karel Kratochvil
5. Michal Vitamvas
6. Oliver Havranek
7. Mateusz Ogonowski
8. Vit Parak
9. Ladislav Lebanek
10.Martin Kratochvil

In the Touring Stock class it was young Oliver Havranek who made a clean sweep to take the win and to overcome his unusually low sixth place finish in Modified. Karel Kratochvil wasn’t too far away, however, this time it just wasn’t to be. Behind the two, Karel’s son Martin beat the only lady of the race, Marketa Vitamvasova for third.

Touring Stock final result:
1. Oliver Havranek
2. Karel Kratochvil
3. Martin Kratochvil
4. Marketa Vitamvasova
5. Tono Sloboda
6. Jakub Dalecky
7. Filip Rajdus
8. Ludek Maler
9. Radko Cernohous jr.
10.Roman Spanel

In the Formula class Lukas Hoch scored another victory to his already impressive list. Tone to tone win in each of the three final legs handed him yet another overall win with Tomas Rajdus obtaining the runner-up spot at round 4. Right behind Tom there was a fight for third position between Ales Horak, Martin Janicek and Svetlin Douhlevski, each securing one third place finish and at the end Ales would be able to grab the final podium spot.

Formula final results:
1. Lukas Hoch
2. Tomas Rajdus
3. Ales Horak
4. Svetlin Douhlevski
5. Martin Janicek

In 1/12th Open Ludek Szostek was the man to beat and so the race for the remaining podium spots was on and ultimately it was Radim Hruska who left Martin Zvara behind in third.

1/12th Open final results:
1. Ludek Szostek
2. Radim Hruska
3. Martin Zvara
4. Roman Krejci
5. Jiri Rybak

In the LeMans class Martin Zvara jr. fend off Roman Krejci for the win. Even though Roman secured TQ in his favourite 2WD class, a second place overall was best what he could achieve after the finals. Ludek Szostek came in third from Ivo Kavanek and Ladislav Holasek. The Truck class had Milan Peska being in control of things with Richard Granat second and Jiri Hrabec third. Finally in the Hobby category, Radko Cernohous kept his TQ and grabbed the victory from Radovan Solansky, who was able to overtake Daniel Hons for the third place. The unlucky fourth spot remained to Karel Kostka while Petr Krizak finished fifth.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]

Last weekend saw the fourth round of the BRCA LMP12 national series took place in South Shields, just south of Newcastle. The venue was filled with memories for some, having been used for the 1998 onroad IFMAR World Championships, in which David Spashett won all three classes. Returning for the 2017 event were not only David Spashett, but also a host of the UK’s leading drivers. With Alexander Hagberg away on Touring Car duty, the field was very even, meaning that a huge number of drivers went into the weekend looking for the win. Over the meeting three classes were contested, 13.5 on Saturday and on Sunday the field was split into Sports Modified (13.5) and Modified (6.5). The track laid out by the Barley Mow club was a large and open design, which required a car to flow well, whilst being very precise.

On Saturday the track was constantly evolving, with the last round proving the quickest. In the end it was the Roche 2017 of Adam Catchpole who took advantage of the conditions to post his first pole position of the year. David Spashett missed the rocket round and ended second on the grid by just a tenth of a second. The only other driver close to the two Roche drivers in qualifying was Andy Murray, whose Eclipse was just over a second off pole. The seven drivers from fourth, Craig Nutting, to Mark Stiles in tenth were covered by under four seconds.

The final saw Adam power away into the lead, but contact between Adam and Andy Murray saw both drivers drop down the field, and Craig Nutting and Ollie Payne move into the leading positions. At just under four minutes Craig was unfortunate to find his car catching a lose join in the carpet, which meant the track was blocked and the race was stopped. After much discussion and referral to the rules the race was classified based on qualification positions. Very unluckily for Craig and Ollie, but somewhat fortunately for Adam. All three drivers were campaigning the new Roche 2017, so which ever way the new car would have been victorious at its first national.

13.5 final results:
1. Adam Catchpole – Roche/Trinity
2. David Spashett – Roche/Trinity
3. Andy Murray – Schumacher/Fantom
4. Craig Nutting – Roche/Trinity
5. Mick Farrell – CRC/Reedy
6. Matt Lax – CRC/ORCA
7. Ollie Payne – Roche/Trinity
8. Luke Burley – Xray/Trinity
9. Mark Jewitt – Roche/Trinity
10.Mark Stiles – Yokomo/Reedy

Sunday saw two classes being raced. In the Sports Modified class the battle for pole position was between four drivers, with Aidan Ripley, Mark Jewitt, Luke Burley and Craig Nutting all running at a very even pace. In the end the four were covered by just over a second with Mark’s Roche on pole from the Schumacher of Aidan Ripley and the Xray of Luke Burley. The final was a real classic with Craig moving past a slow starting Luke and the applying pressure to the leading two. A touch between Mark and Aidan saw Craig take the lead with Luke moving onto the back of the lead battle. For the final three minutes of the race the leading quartet were under a second apart, with Craig just sneaking across for the win from Mark and Luke.

Sports Modified final results:
1. Craig Nutting – Roche/Trinity – 41 laps
2. Mark Jewitt – Roche Trinity – 41 laps
3. Luke Burley – Xray/Trinity – 41 laps
4. Neil Diver – Roche/Trinity – 40 laps
5. Aidan Ripley – Schumacher/Fantom – 40 laps
6. James Stewart – Team Associated/Reedy – 40 laps
7. Gavin Clinch – Roche/Trinity – 39 laps
8. Andy Sawyer – Corally/LRP – 39 laps
9. Nigel Hale – Team Associated/Reedy – 38 laps
10.Joshua Coult – Schumacher/Fantom – DNS

The Modified class saw Adam Catchpole continue his form from the stock class, in the end taking his immaculate handling Roche to a comfortable TQ by over half a lap from Schumacher’s Andy Murray and Roche’s Ollie Payne. The final was a demonstration drive from Adam as he cruised to the victory by over half a lap from teammate Ollie Payne, who in turn was nearly a lap in front of Chris Kerswell. The top three were all running the Roche car, so the result saw a clean sweep of the event from the brand.

Modified final results:
1. Adam Catchpole – Roche/LRP – 45 laps
2. Ollie Payne – Roche/Nosram – 45 laps
3. Chris Kerswell – Roche/GM – 44 laps
4. Andy Murray – Schumacher/Fantom – 43 laps
5. David Spashett – Roche/LRP – 43 laps
6. Mark Stiles – Yokomo/Reedy – 43 laps
7. Mick Farrell – CRC/ORCA – 43 laps
8. Matt Lax – CRC/ORCA – 42 laps
9. Matthew Varrah – Roche/Trinity – 42 laps
10.Leigh Dibble – Schumacher/Fantom – 40 laps

The next round of the series takes place at the Swifts Raceway venue in the North of England on the 18th of February.

Source: BRCA [brca.org]

BMT from Italy have introduced the high traction rear end upgrade set for the 984 on-road car. The included parts move the inner lower suspension pins closer together which results in improved overall traction, stability and higher corner speeds. On top of this the rear end is also more stable under braking. Included comes a new rear bulkhead cover, a new rear lower arm mount and redesigned, longer damper mounts.

Source: BMT [bmt-team.com]

The opening round of the Greek Off-road Xray Racing Series was held at Fanatix Racing Track’s new astroturf off-road track in sunny but cold weather conditions. The low temperatures made things a bit slippery but once everyone got used to that things heated up in the three classes of 2WD Buggy, 4WD Buggy and SCT. In the 4WD class it was Tasos Paparegas (Xray) who came out fastest after the triple A-mains from brother John Paparegas (Xray). John Takas (Xray) rounded out the top 3 podium result.

In the 2WD class it was Sikianakis (Xray) who took the win from Amaksas (Team Associated) in second and Papacharisis (Yokomo) in third. Finally in the Short Course class it was Nikolopoulos (Kyosho) who walked away with the win from Kemos (Kyosho) and Michalodimitrakis (Kyosho).

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]

Coming from Samix and made for the Serpent Cobra GT 2.0 and 3.0 are the version 2 aluminium gear box covers. The braces allow for easier gear mesh adjustment due to giving better visibility of the parts involved, plus they are also light of weight and add visual impact. The parts are available in orange or gun metal anodising.

Source: Samix [rcsamix.com]