April 26, 2024

2024 Philippine Masters Chassis Focus Index

Last weekend Red RC made our third trip to Manila for the world class offroad event that is the Philippine Masters.  Famed as being Asia’s biggest annual 1:8 Offroad race, the Circulo Verde track is renowned for its difficulty and 3D style build with this year’s 12 edition of the race using a new method to seal the surface.  This resulted in minimal tyre wear even over the 1-hour Main final in which Team Associated’s Davide Ongaro recovered from an early flame out to take his fourth win in the capital city.  The first time Sparko was officially represented at the race, a great driver by Ryan Pavidis netted the American runner-up spot.  Great to see the legendary Atsushi Hara back racing at the the front end.  It was great to once again do a chassis focus with him, Sworkz hooking him up for the event, and it great to see the former World Champion enjoying his racing so much once again.  Attracting 205 entries from 16-nations, we got the chance to photograph buggies from 9 drivers representing 7 different manufacturers as well as the TQ & winning Sworks truggy of Bulgaria visitor Plamen Petrov we will have compiled into our latest Chassis Focus Index.

View Chassis Focus Index here


April 26, 2024

Hobbywing XeRun XR10 Pro WP

Hobbywing has released a new waterproof version of its very popular XeRun XR10 Pro ESC called the XR10 Pro WC.  Distinguished by its colour, its waterproof and dust-proof design exceeds IP67 industrial standards.  Suitable for Modified and Stock competition in 1:10 onroad and 1:10 offroad it features built-in reverse polarity protection circuit, newly added smart fan start & stop function, and the maximum brake force adjustment has been expanded with it supporting 101%-150% active braking.

View more images here


April 26, 2024

Associated release Reflex 14B 1:14 4WD Buggy as kit

Team Associated is now offering its 1:14 scale Reflex 14B Kit 4WD electric buggy in kit form.  Designed with performance in mind, the buggy is fully adjustable through the turnbuckles, springs, fluids, shock tower hole placement, gearing, and the included Factory Team parts making the Reflex 14B Kit perfect for any terrain you can throw at it.  Additional features include three sealed differentials, aluminium steering rack, and lightweight aluminium center driveshaft.  These innovations have increased the potential for grip and corner speed, which leads to faster lap times and an overall thrilling-to-drive feel.

View features & more images here


April 25, 2024

JConcepts LD3 | L1R turnbuckle kits

JConcepts has released titanium turnbuckle sets for Schumacher’s LD3 2WD Buggy and Cat L1R 4WD Buggy.  The 3.5mm Fin turnbuckle sets are designed specifically for style, durability, and performance.  The base of the design is centred around a .143” (3.7mm) titanium hex size which gradually tapers down into a 3.5mm thread base design which accepts the Schumacher ball-cup after modification.  The focus of the styling surrounds the lengthened adjustment hex area and the “finned” cuts that rotate about the centre.  The Fin turnbuckles are lightweight, and the original design brings out the glamour and quality that makes titanium one of the most sought-after exotic materials in the world. The JConcepts turnbuckles are produced with left- and right-hand threads with the left being conveniently marked for easy orientation.  With two colour choices offered, the burnt blue turnbuckles have intentional sporadic coloring ranging all around the blue spectrum.  In order for these turnbuckles to be used properly on the Schumacher ball-cups, its necessary to carefully drill out the plastic parts using a 3.2mm drill bit (not included).

View the Cat L1R set in stealth black here


April 25, 2024

VP Pro ‘Hot Pink’ 1:10 Buggy Wheels

It might not be to everyone’s taste, but following the success of the colour in it’s 1:8 range, VP Pro has added the ‘Hot Pink’ colour option to its range of 1:10 Buggy wheels.   The rims come in standard 2.5mm offset with three front options, Carpet tire, 2WD Front & 4WD Front, to match with the single rear wheel offering.  For TLR buggy owners they are preparing to release a TLR offset version soon.

Source: VP Pro [vp-racing.com]


April 23, 2024

Rivkin makes it 3 in a row with ROAR Nationals double

Team Associated’s Spencer Rivkin made it three consecutive years of being crowned 1:10 Offroad ROAR National Champion with a buggy double at the 2024 Championships held at the Beach RC & Hobbies track in South Carolina.  A relatively small entry by US race standards, 93 drivers making for a total of 201 entries, all the major contenders where there for the Mod 2WD and 4WD titles.  In qualifying it would be former World Champion Rivkin with the 2WD TQ ahead of the similar buggy of Aydin Horne and the TLR of Dakotah Phend.  4WD would see the Top 2 order reversed with Horne the Top Qualifier from Rivkin with Schumacher’s Broc Champlin 3rd.  With Horne getting passed Rivkin to take A1 and Rivkin then taking A2 it went to A3.  While Horne laid down the fastest lap, he couldn’t get by Rivkin who eventually took the win by 9/10ths of a second and with it the overall title with Phend completing the podium.  In 4WD, Rivkin got by Horne in the first two encounters to seal the deal early.  Winning A3, Horne took the runners up spot with 2WD World Champion Tater Sontag completing the podium for TLR.  Horne wouldn’t go home empty handed however taking Stadium Truck title ahead of Rivkin and the Xray of Tom Rinderknect.

Image: Team Associated [Facebook]


April 22, 2024

XRAY XB2 Alu Servo Holders & Graphite Bridge

Xray continue to roll out new parts for its XB2 1:10 2WD Buggy with this new Alu Servo Holders & Graphite Bridge.  It reinforces the front part of the car and ensures more reliable servo mounting.  . A direct replacement for standard composite servo holders, the upper graphite bridge features extra space for transponder.  The aluminium stands may be used with or without graphite bridge offer flex tuning options.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]


April 22, 2024

Serpent Mini Spider RTR 1:24 EP Buggy

New from Serpent is the Mini Spider RTR, a small 1:24 EP buggy. This fun buggy is made of super elastic plastic to absorb shocks well and equipped with high-grip offroad wheels and utilising the latest technology.  The coreless motor accelerates the RC car up to 20km/h.  If this is too fast for you in the living room or children’s room, you can also reduce the speed thanks to a rotary control nub.  Throttle/brake and steering commands are sensitively implemented in full proportion by the 2.4GHz remote control.  Due to the modern transmission system, several vehicles can of course be driven at the same time.  So nothing stands in the way of the mini Grand Prix at home!

View more images here