January 15, 2026

Smith & Stafford win at EssexCarpetClash Rd4

The fourth encounter of the 6 round EssexCarpetClash took place last weekend in the UK where Round 3 double winner Ben Smith & his Schumacher took the 2WD while the Team Associated of Ellis Stafford took the 4WD honours.  For many it was the first race of the year, with a few looking forward to trying their new equipment they had received from Christmas, with the organisers creating a flowing track with a double jump section and dog leg table top would challenge the drivers.   In 2WD it seemed to be a battle between Smith and Harley Eldridge for the entire day.  Both managed to top the qualifying sheets twice so it came down to the fastest time which was Smith.  Next to line up on the grid for third and fourth would be a fight between Aaron Nash and Oliver Nattress, again joint on points with Nash having the faster time.  Alfie Castle would get to grips with the track after round one putting in some decent times with Billy Fletcher having a very consistent day.  The finals would be a continuation of qualifying and would be a fight on track between Smith and Eldridge.  Smith was able to wrap up the day with two leg wins with Eldridge consistently finishing in the top three.  Aaron Nash was able to secure the bottom step of the podium with two decent leg finishes.

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January 15, 2026

Yokomo SO3.0 Limited Edition 2WD Buggy

Hot on the heels of Team Associated launching its latest 1:10 2WD Buggy contender, Yokomo has unveiled a limited edition of its SO3.0 2WD Buggy.  Originally launched in November 2024, the Limited Edition has undergone a number of upgrades and is sold as fully-optioned kit.   The Japanese manufacturer say that with the SO3.0 Limited Edition,  ‘Every component, from the drivetrain to the suspension, has been meticulously selected without compromise.  This limited edition features the ultimate specifications used by expert drivers as standard. You can acquire this luxurious package, comparable to factory team specifications, at a reasonable price.’  The kit will start shipping at the end of January.

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January 15, 2026

Duraes joins Boots at GRP Tyres

Following the major announcement of top 1:8 Offroad racer Elliott Boots as their first factory supported driver for 2026, GRP Tyres continues to finalise its team line-up with the announcement of new Hong Nor signing Carlos Duraes.  The Portuguese driver will now officially represent the Italian tyre manufacturer using their Ai-TECH 1:8 Buggy Tyre Ranged which it introduced last May.  Adding to the range with the launch of their 5th pattern, the Micro, at the end of last year, announcing their latest driver signing GRP founder Maurizio Gandini posted, ‘I, Maurizio, together with Susi and Sara, owners of GRP, are proud to announce Carlos Duraes as an official GRP Factory Team driver for 2026. Fast. Experienced. Consistent. Carlos has been a proven reference on Portuguese tracks for years, recognized for his racing mindset, technical precision, and ability to push development where it really matters: on the track.  This is not just another signing.
It’s a clear step forward in our Buggy program.  And it’s only the beginning.’  Duraes added, ‘Extremely happy to join GRP!  I’ve been racing with their tires from last year and felt their quality was top notch with great performance and comfort driving around different track conditions. Thank you.’

Source: GRP [grpgandini.it]


January 14, 2026

Team Associated RC10B7.1 Team Kit

After numerous 1:10 2WD Buggy re-releases, Team Associated is kicking off 2026 with something modern & new for racers with the announcement of the RC10B7.1 Team Kit.  The RC10B7.1 Team Kits boast the new long-arm suspension geometry, weight-centralised electronics layout, KPI adjustable steering blocks, and increased tunability throughout the whole chassis.  These innovations have increased the potential for grip and corner speed and an overall smoother drive feel.  As will previous RC10 2WD buggies, Associated offer a Dirt version in the RC10B7.1D and with fully interchangeable parts between the two kits this allows the user to pick and choose what configuration they want to use depending on track conditions.

View Kit Features & more images here


January 14, 2026

Sworkz Apollo II eEVO RTR Electric Buggy

One of offroad racing’s leading brands, Sworkz has announced a new RTR 1:8 Electric Buggy with the release of the Apollo II eEVO RTR.  Describing the assembled buggy as ‘perfect for beginners and seasoned racers who want a competitive buggy without the hassle of assembly’, the Apollo II is based on the Taiwanese manufacturer’s competition spec S350 PRO Buggy with S35-4E updates.  Features include a T7075 Aluminium Main Chassis and Front & Rear Pro Shack Towers while the Ready To Run electrics include components manufactured for Sworkz by leading race brands.  The ESC and 2200KV motor are manufacturer by Hobbywing  while the 12kg metal gear steering servo is made by Savox.  The buggy is finished with Sworkz own brand TPRO KeyLock racing tyres on black spoked wheels.

View Specs & more images here


January 14, 2026

Haatanen completes ’26 program with Matrix tyres

Having switched electronics for 2026 from Reedy to Ruddog Racing, long time Team Associated team driver Joona Haatanen has been announced as part of the Matrix Tires offroad team.  The 2025 European 2WD Buggy podium finisher and German National Champion makes the switch between Italian tyre manufacturers finalising his 2026 race package with the move to Matrix from Hotrace.  On the announcement, the popular Finn, who now lives in Germany, posted, ‘Last announcement for program of 2026!  Joining Matrix Racing Tires/Xtreme Aerodynamics and will be using their products on my Team Associated 1/8 and 1/10 buggies!  Thanks to Christian and rest of the team for this opportunity, let’s see what we can achieve together.’

Source: Joona Haatanen [Facebook]


January 14, 2026

T-Works 1:8 Offroad 4-Shoe V2 Clutches

T-Works has updated their 4-shoe clutches for 1:8 Offroad use with the release of the V2 version of its 32mm and 34mm options.  Available with a base of an aluminium or steel flywheel, each set contains four specifications of springs (0.9-1.1mm) and is equipped with a full set of high-quality accessories.  The flywheel features a lightweight design, enabling precise and smooth power transmission, with the options of material allowing you to choose what is best for your racing needs.

View flywheel here


January 14, 2026

Infinity IFB8 CFRP Shock Towers

Infinity has released new CFRP front and rear shock towers for its IFB8 1:8 Buggy Platform.  By using 5mm thick Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), the shock mounting angle is optimised.  With the front tower this improves road‑holding performance and enabling more precise, controlled cornering.  The new rear tower improves rear‑end stability and provides a more confident, planted driving feel.  The CFRP versions also offer a weighting reduction over the kit’s original aluminium parts – a 12-grams saving for the front and a 13-grams saving for the rear.  With both the front and rear GRFP towers fitted together on the IFB8, they deliver even greater overall chassis balance.

Source: Creation Model [creationmodel.net]


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