March 29, 2024

IFMAR announce 1:8 Offroad Worlds return to Redovan

IFMAR has made the somewhat surprise decision that 2022 World Championship hosts Redovan in Spain will again host the 1:8 Offroad World Championship in 2024.  With it a week since it was announced that originally selected hosts Brazil would be unable to run the event for the FAMAR Bloc, alternative host countries quickly surfaced keeping hopes alive of the Championships remaining in South America.  Bolivia was quickest off the mark followed by Mexico and then former hosts Argentina.  However on discussing the situation the IFMAR Board of Directors have made the somewhat controversial decision to revert to the previous host bloc EFRA, with the well known Baldo brother’s family owned track given the task of once again hosting the sport’s biggest race.  Executing an excellent World Championship in 2022, where Davide Ongaro defended his title win from four years earlier in Australia, last year the track also hosted the European Championships for a second time.  IFMAR’s own rules stipulate that a new acceptable host must be received from the Bloc within one month of notice of the originally selected venue no longer being in a position to host the race which was the case.  With this in mind IFMAR’s decision is one that is sure to divide opinions and alienate the RC community in South America but it also raises questions about the process for selecting World Championship hosts going forward.  In our opinion while the ultimate goal of any World Championship is to crown the best driver in the World it should also be an opportunity to showcase RC Racing in its best light to new audiences, something we believe is often missed or over looked.

Read full IFMAR announcement here


March 28, 2024

TLR World Champions T-shirt

2WD Buggy World Champions TLR have released a brand new t-shirt to commemorate the 2023 IFMAR World Championship title won by team driver Tater Sontag last September in Chandler, Arizona.  The Next Level Apparel Unisex Cotton t-shirt is a 4.3-ounce 90% cotton/10% poly blend and features TLR team branding on the front while a large rear print marks the teenager’s win ahead of outgoing 2 time World Champion Spencer Rivkin.

Source: TLR [horizonhobby.com]


March 28, 2024

Trinity Gen 2 MX8 & MX10 ESCs

Horizon Hobby owned Trinity has released the second generate of MX8 and MX10 electronic Speed Controllers for 1:8, 1:10 and 1:12 competition use.  The MX8 Gen 2 220A Sensored ESC has been designed for the most competitive 1:8 scale offroad racers offering an industry leading 220-amp constant power rate and an incredible 1000-amp burst rate.  All this power comes in a sleek black machined aluminium case designed for maximum heat dissipation.  This second generation of ESC also features a 32-bit microprocessor for more powerful processing capability and more precise power output.  Each MX8 comes with 10-gauge wire, fan, and built-in wireless module.  A shortened receiver connector wire comes standard to make sure your wiring looks clean.  The MX8 Gen 2 ESC can be programmed by connecting to the Trinity Programming App from your phone.

Continue reading here


March 28, 2024

Pålsson joins Matrix Tires

Top international female offroad racer Jessica Palsson has been announced as part of the Matrix Tires Racing Team for 2024.  Previously running for Hotrace Tyres, switching between the two Italian manufacturers will see the Swedish driver & EFRA Ambassador now running on Matrix Tires as part of her 1:8 Offroad programme representing HB Racing.  Palsson has had a strong start to her 2024 season winning 2WD Buggy at Euro Buggy Masters in Malmo, this year’s event also doubling up as the Warm-up Race for the EFRA 1:10 Offroad European Championships.

Source: Matrix [matrixtires.it]


March 28, 2024

Xray XB2 Alu Steering Blocks & C-Hubs with Backstop Set

More new parts for Xray’s XB2 2WD Buggy with this complete Alu Steering Blocks & C-Hubs with Backstop Set.  Ultra-strong construction provides very long life and durability in even the most extreme racing conditions.  Using the steering blocks in an aluminium material reduces flex, and improves consistency, and will free up the car. Suitable for all track conditions.  The aluminium parts are more reliable and stronger.  Both steering blocks and C-hubs have an universal design which allows to install the individual parts either on left or right side.  The C-hub features extra mounting hole for a backstop set screw that allows to adjust maximum steering angle.  The set incudes also three types of graphite extensions for steering blocks for super fine steering characteristics adjustment.  CNC-machined from Swiss 7075 T6 aluminium and black coated they are a direct replacement for the standard composite parts and fit all XB2, XT2 and SCX kits.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]


March 27, 2024

McBride confirmed for Philippine Masters return

Fresh from his National Championship double title win over the weekend, Kyle McBride has been confirmed for making his return to the Philippine Masters in Manila next month.  The Australian was a regular visitor to the event prior to Covid but missed the return of the event last year as he took a break from international competition in 2023.   Now back on the international stage with Kyosho, having attending the opening round of the Asian Buggy Championship in New Zealand last month,  the World Championship finalist is looking forward to the second round in the Philippines.  The 12th running of what has become Asia’s biggest annual 1:8 Offroad race, McBride said, “Super excited obviously, the Philippines track is one of the best in the world in my opinion.  We’ve had the pleasure of going there quite a few times in the past.  They are super nice people, Edward and all of his crew offer lots of hospitality and it’s always a world-class event.  Obviously a lot of top drivers are going this year so it’s going to be one of the big ones.  They always build super technical but fast and flowing layouts.  We can’t wait.”

Source: Asian Buggy Championships [Facebook]


March 27, 2024

Xray XB4 Graphite Narrow V2 Chassis Side Guards

Xray has added to its range of side guards for its XB4 4WD 1:10 Buggy with the release of a third option, the Graphite V2 Narrow Front Chassis Side Guards.  These have a narrow front profile and chamfered edges to reduce chassis scrub on jump entry, significantly improving consistency and handling over jump features.  These side guards are stiffer in the longitudinal direction to improve stability but still allow for some chassis twist that can help generate traction.  Coming as a set of a left and a right guard, they are made from premium-grade graphite material, the side guards are an important part of the chassis flex adjustment for the majority of track conditions.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]


March 27, 2024

Raceform Offroad Lazer Jigs facelift

Following on from its Bling Series Colorway Lazer Stand release last year, Singapore’s Raceform has given its range of Offroad Lazer tyre gluing jigs a facelift with a range of high hologram glitter count colour options.  The jig also gets with some minor adjustment to make sure they work even better then the previous version.  The Lazer Jig range helps to easily and conveniently glue tyres, ensuring reliable bonding of rubber and rim.

Source: Raceform RC [raceformrc.com]