Red RC - RC Car News

Veteran racer and living RC legend, Barry Baker has announced his retirement from RC racing. With a 30+ year of racing under his belt “The Fabulous” as he is often called, has attended his last race this past weekend, standing on the podium with long-time fellows Mark Pavidis and Greg Hodapp.

After 30+ year of racing RC cars I have raced my last race. The passion for competition is still there but the fire and fun of racing is no longer.

After 30+ year of racing RC cars I have raced my last race. The passion for competition is still there but the fire and fun of racing is no longer. I tried to walk away a couple years ago but it was not the time and I always seconded guessed myself. Now I know deep in my heart that it is time. I have a wonderful family, a great woman in my life and an incredible job that keeps me on my toes each and everyday.

From my very first race at E&L Raceway in Del Mar to my last race at OCRC Raceway this past weekend, I have had many memorable times. The people and places I have met and seen I will never forget. After standing on the podium with Mark Pavidis and Greg Hodapp this past weekend in the 40+ class it really hit home and brought back so many memories. Racing has come full circle for me and that being said I am at peace with my decision, there will be no second guessing this time.

I have so many people to thank for making my RC racing career so great, I will personally reach out to them at a later time. I am not going to disappear, I am sure I will stop by a few races here and there but the racing is done.

As far as companies go I cannot forget to thank a few special ones that supported me throughout my racing … First and foremost are Yokomo and Team Associated/Reedy. My first main sponsor ever, Peak Performance motors. There are many others that have helped along the way as well, Trinity, Xray, Maxtec, Team Losi, AKA, Proline/Protoform, and many more, you all know who you are and I thank you for helping me win multiple National and worldwide titles.

Like I said before, I am sure you will see me watching and enjoying the racing action but it will be from the sidelines, the transmitter has been put away.

Thank you once again to all my friends who have supported me throughout my journey and to everyone at RedRC.net for what you do day in and day out since 2006!

Coming from JConcepts and made for Team Associated’s B64 line of 1/10th 4WD buggies is the new F2 body shell. Designed with aspects learned from the original Finnisher bodies, the F2 provides an even more aggressive look with included details which remain crucial to performance. An increased windshield angle provides a steady force upfront during mid-flight wind gusts on large jumps while the forward cab placement changes performance/visible bias which helps steering rotation in low traction corners. The side-pods have been simplified and chamfered to remove unwanted changes in height to neutralise the at-speed handling. The rear 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. In addition to the newly designed body, JConcepts has included two of the latest Aero rear wings. The body also includes window masks and a decal sheet and it is a drop fit for both the B64 and B64D.

Source: JConcepts [jconcpets.net]

The second round of the French Electric Off-road regionals was held at the La Brillanne track with about 75 drivers in attendance. Xray’s Armand Lantheaume would make a clean sweep in both the 2WD and 4WD classes by taking the overall TQs and wins. Lionel Labbez (Team Associated) and Arnaud Matohanza (Xray) came in 2nd and 3rd in the 2WD class while the 4WD podium was rounded out by Arnaud Matohanza (Xray) and Stephan Bellity (Xray).

2WD final results:
1. Armand Lantheaume – Xray
2. Lionel Labbez – Team Associated
3. Arnaud Matohanza – Xray
4. Titouan Lecuyer – Team Associated
5. FredericBlanchard – Xray
6. MichelBerty – n/a
7. CyrilHoussard – n/a
8. Jean BatisteMirabile – Xray
9. Michael Dalbard – n/a
10.Thierry Grimaudo – n/a
11.Nicolas Berget – Xray
12.Nicolas Dufour – n/a

4WD final results:
1. Armand Lantheaume – Xray
2. Arnaud Matohanza – Xray
3. StephanBellity – Xray
4. Titouan Lecuyer –  Team Associated
5. Sebastien Ehling – Xray
6. Jean Batiste Mirabile – Xray
7. Cyril Houssard – n/a
8. Anthony Mersch  – n/a
9. Jean Philippe Putiti – Xray
10.Alain Demourat – Xray
11.Remi Vandamme – Xray
12.Michel Berty – n/a

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]

The opening round of the Norwegian 1/10th Buggy National Championship was held this past weekend. In the 2WD class Marius Kristensen took the TQ after winning all three qualifying rounds, lining up in 1st on the grid in front of Daniel Solberg and Vidar Oen in 3rd. After the mains and when the dust had settled it was Daniel Solberg (Team Associated) who took the win after coming out successful in A1 and A3 while Marius took the win in A2 to grab the overall runner-up spot from Filip Uglehus (Kyosho) in 3rd.

In the 4WD Buggy class Marius Kristensen (Serpent) TQ’d by over a lap over Steffen on P2 and Filip in P3. In the opening A-main Marius opened a gap on the field and easily pulled away to win A1 by over a lap. A2 again saw Marius pulling away right from the start but when he got into lap traffic his margin on Filip began to shrink but ultimately he would bring home a 3-seconds win over Filip. With a win in A3 Vidar Oen (Xray) got himself the runner-up spot on the podium in front of Filip Uglehus (Kyosho).

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]

Coming soon from Serpent is the SRX8E 1/8th scale electric buggy kit. Based off of the Cobra SRX8 nitro buggy, the electric powered variant makes use the front and rear suspension components of its nitro sibling, it comes with 7075-T6 alloy C-hubs, steering blocks, uprights, and shock towers for durability while the 4mm alloy chassis allows to utilise the commonly used brick-type 4S LiPo battery layout but also an optional split-type dual 2S LiPo setup. The main chassis plate is of a very sturdy design with pockets for the drivetrain and electrical components, resulting in a low centre of gravity and thus increased corner speed.

The kit utilises a combined speedo and steering servo mount as well as a compact receiver box that allows to fit even modern built-in antenna receivers that are usually taller than standard units. Other chassis features include receiver wire mounts for clean wire routing, quick release battery mounts as well as composite chassis braces for optimised flex characteristics.

The drivetrain is equipped with large volume gear differentials with foam volume compensators, a long aluminium front and short spring steel rear centre driveshaft, a sliding aluminium motor mount as well as spring steel transmission parts. The kit is rounded out by a low-profile medium downforce body shell and a high-downforce wing and it will hit stores about mid-May.

Features:
– Hard-coated 4mm 7075 T6 aluminium chassis
– Block-type battery layout with long front centre shaft and short rear one
– Easy access receiver box and speedo/servo holder
– Smart integrated-design chassis stiffeners
– Machined aluminium 15° C-hubs, steering blocks, uprights, shock towers, one-screw motor holder and centre diff brackets, as well as suspension mounts
– Hard-coated big bore shocks (emulsion/membrane) with hard-coated aluminium shock standoffs
– Durable suspension arms with top and bottom mounted inserts
– Coated– aluminium suspension holders with a variety of possible inserts
– Spring steel pivot pins rotate in pivot balls for minimal friction
– Angled steering system with adjustable Ackermann and integrated effective servo saver
– 3 large volume durable gear differentials with foam compensator inserts
– Easy access differential cases
– Spring steel transmission parts, CVD-style drive shafts and rear centre dog bones, rubber dust covers on front and rear CVDs
– Black coated 7075 T6 aluminium front centre shaft
– Ball-raced front and rear anti-roll bars with Serpent pivot ball linkage system on the arms
– Top quality NSK ball bearings in main areas
– Lightweight hard-coated aluminium track and steering rods
– Low-profile medium downforce body shell and polycarbonate mudguards
– Large high downforce moulded straight type rear wing and strong mono-type adjustable wing mount

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]

Ahead of the forthcoming Shizuoka Hobby Show Japanese company O.S. Engines have released first informations the new MAX-12TG Ver.III Plus Racer Pack and two MAX-21XR-B Ver.2 based engine packs. Starting with the 1/10th scale on-road engine, the MAX-12TG Ver.III Plus Racer Pack includes the previously limited edition .12 engine and also the M1007SC manifold and T-1080SC exhaust pipe with the two making for increased low-RPM torque and power. It is understood that the engine set also includes standard and turbo combustion camber inserts.

Also new is the O.S. 21XR-B Ver.2 club-level nitro GT and off-road engine. The power plant targets club level drivers and it features the 21J3 3-needle carburettor with 7mm and 8mm venturi inserts. The engine is available separately or as GT combo including T-2060 exhaust and 70mm manifold and it also comes as Buggy combo set including a T-2090 exhaust and 75mm manifold. More information and images of both engine packs should become available in time for the release.

Source: O.S. Engines [os-engines.co.jp]

Round 1 of the Dutch Electric On-road National Championship was held at the HFCC Racing Club in Den Haag. The tight low-grip track was a bit of a challenge for most drivers but come Sunday the grip level raised, making for some good racing. The fight for the win in A1 was on between Robert Krens and Rob Janssen. In the final stages of the leg Robert, who was in the lead, made a small mistake, allowing Rob to pass and to bring home the win.

Right from the start of A2 Rob, starting from the 2 spot on the grid, got under pressure from P3 Bart Wubben, forcing Rob to drive a defensive line. Ultimately Bart would find a way past in lap 3 but later in the run Rob would be able to take back P2 and he would also make a move on the leader but he unluckily hit Robert and had to wait for him. With both Rob and Robert having scored a win and a 2nd place finish, leg 3 would bring the decision for the overall win. Early in the run the top 3 would break away from the field again and the three would swap positions constantly. About five minutes into the race, Robert made a small mistake entering the straight, allowing Rob to take the lead and to finish the leg in front of Robert to grab the day’s win from Robert Krens and Sybrand De Boer.

Final results:
1. Rob Janssen
2. Robert Krens
3. Sybrand De Boer
4. Bart Wubben
5. Richard Arts
6. Ronald Arts
7. Stefan Rommens
8. Fokke Groen
9. Xavier Debroye
10.Jari Van De Wal

Source: HRC Distribution [hrcdistribution.com]

Japanese company ABC Hobby have introduced the 2017 version of their popular Gambado 1/10th M-size FWD car kit. Based off of the previous version the 2017 variant features redesigned aluminium steering knuckles, new 3mm carbon fibre upper suspension plates with stabiliser mounts as well as a new aluminium rear suspension brace for improved overall rigidity. The chassis accepts 208mm to 210mm wheelbase body shells and it will hit stores soon.

Source: ABC Hobby [abchobby.com]

Coming from Tamiya is the Mazda RX-7 FD3S drift car kit on the proved TT-02D 4WD chassis. Made for entry-level drifting or as a base for further customising, the shaft-driven car features a clear, highly detailed RX-7 body shell, it comes with multi-spoke chrome rims, special drift tyres and the kit will hit stores in early July.

Source: Tamiya [tamiya.com]

The opening round of the Swiss 1/8th Off-road National Championship was held this past weekend. In the Expert class Patrick Hofer would bring home the win in the 45-minute main final one lap ahead of Team Associated teammate Robby Lüber while Jeremy Pitted (HB Racing) ended the race in 3rd, some eight seconds short of Ronny’s time.

Source: Team Associated [facebook.com]