November 5, 2024

Nova X3B | X5B 1:8 Offroad Engines

Italian engine manufacturer Nova Engines has released two brand new 1:8 Offroad engines.  Claiming ‘the “X” revolution starts today’, the X3B and the X5B are the result of intense research and technological development and of the experience gained with their drivers on tracks all over the World.  While issuing external images of the 3 port and 5 port engines, Nova hasn’t shown any images of their latest 3.5cc power units internals.

View engine specs here


November 4, 2024

Berkan Kilic wins IBR Padova Winter Cup

Berkan Kilic took the double win at the IBR Padova Winter Cup over the weekend, the Mugen Seiki driver taking the eBuggy win ahead of Riccardo Berton who made his unofficial return to Kyosho at the race.   In qualifying at the impressive Italian indoor dirt track, it was Berton with his plain white bodied Kyosho who took the overall TQ in electric but after some very close racing with Kilic it was the later who came away with the victory.  Sworkz driver Marcel Trieb would complete the podium.  With the Winter Cup attracting almost 200 entries, Kilic would also give Mugen success in the Nitro Buggy category securing the TQ and win.

Image: Riccardo Berton [Facebook]


November 4, 2024

2025 EFRA European Championship Calendar

Hosting its AGM over the weekend in Brussels, Belgium, EFRA, the governing body for RC racing in Europe, has released a provisional 2025 race calendar of which the European Championships are the highlights.  Made up of 13 European Championship deciding events, it will all kick off with the 1:12 EC in Belgium at the end of March and concluded with the only remaining European B Championship for 1:8 Buggy which takes place at the end of September in Italy.  EFRA also announced the awarding of 2026 European Championship to tracks with the Fuencarral circuit in Madrid, Spain, home to the annual international Buggyland race, set to host the 1:8 Buggy Championships.  Other confirmed 2026 locations include Bourg-en-Bresse in France which will be the venue for the 1:8 Onroad Euros while Steyregg in Austria has been selected to host the 1:10 Offroad Championships.  Electric Touring Car will return to Mini Circuit ‘Ville de Luxembourg’, the iconic Luxembourg track having last hosted the Euros in 2009.  Two significant points to come out from the EFRA AGM include the 1:12 section making the decision to modernise the bodyshell rules in coming years, bringing in the styling and design of modern LMDh/IMSA endurance racing cars. In 1:8 Offroad, control tyres will now be mandated for the 2025 European B 1:8 Buggy Championship.  The new rule allows each tyre manufacturer to nominate control tyres for use during the event.

View calendar dates here


November 1, 2024

Xray XB2 ’25 1:10 2WD Buggy

Xray has unveiled its latest 1:10 2WD Competition buggy with the release of the 2025 iteration of its XB2 platform.  Available in both Carpet and Dirt editions, the platform features a thinner 2.0mm aluminium one-piece chassis which improves traction while a Unified mid-length chassis balances rear traction & steering response.  The rear chassis section has been widened to improve stability and a new unique Flat Chassis Brace adds tunable flex control.  Redesigned RF (C) arm holder integrates with Flat Chassis Brace. Updated longer side guards extend flex control & include a new fan mount position.  The new 3G gearbox has been updated for the lower chassis brace and the buggy also get a new lowered motor mount.  An Aluminum rear roll center holder adds a 3rd roll center position & clearance for the rear anti-roll bar collar.  Other updates include shorter front arms for improved handling characteristics while redesigned rear arms add a 3rd shock mounting location for additional tuning options.

View the full XB2’25 presentation here


October 31, 2024

JConcepts S35-4 Evo P2 Body

JConcepts has officially released its latest 1:8 Buggy body shell design with the introduction of the P2 for the Sworkz S35-4 Evo.  Debuting it at the 2024 Mugen Challenge and then bringing it to the recent IFMAR 1:8 Offroad World Championship in Spain, the P2 was originally created for the 1:10 racing.  The Florida company built up a prototype using styling cues from the World Championship winning body used by Spencer Rivkin in 2019, and reaching back to 2010, they experimented with a tall stabilising fin on the rear of the body.  For a fresh season of competition, JConcepts has incorporated a small mini fin placed behind the rear of the cab that does not interfere with the engine head.  In the rear, the ramping feature that is so popular on the P2, creeps up behind the cab and engine head to create extra force and stability.  At the front of the body, the powerful and wide cab of the Punisher series pushes the P2 through the corners with speed.  The top of the cab is reinforced, and the fin stabiliser whisks through the turns and has a driving sensation like the S15.  The sidepod has built-in clearance with heavy chamfering at 2 angles and multi-angle S15 winglets.  The windshield has a large format, completely recessed, and includes railing up the front and over the cab.  In front, a deflection shield stands strong supporting the front of the body and allowing multiple angles for aerodynamic catch.

View more images of P2 in Juan Carlos Canas paint scheme here


October 31, 2024

World Champion Ongaro confirmed for SIGP debut

Triple back to back 1:8 Offroad World Champion Davide Ongaro is the latest driver to be confirmed for the SIGP International Offroad Grand Prix in Xiamen, China.  It will be factory Team Associated driver’s first time to travel to China and the impressive 3-circle ARC International RC Racing Track, the Italian & current 1:10 4WD Buggy World Champion not yet racing 1:10 electric when the track hosted the IFMAR World Championship in 2017.  With Germany’s Joern Neumann and American Ryan Lutz as past Champions, 2024 will be the first running of the SIGP post Covid with organisers confirming last week that Xray’s Bruno Coelho, winner of the SIGP Onroad event earlier this year, will return for its offroad event which takes place from December 11-15th.

Source: Sunpadow [sunpadow.com]


October 31, 2024

T-Works B7 Rear Anti-roll bar Bearing Mount

New from T-works is this Aluminium Rear Antiroll Bar Mount with bearings for the Team Associated B7 2WD Buggy.  Made from 7075-T6 aluminium with a black anodised finish for strength and durability, the bearings reduce friction and improve the rotational efficiency of the parts making the rear antiroll bar more responsive and precise.

Source: T-Works [rc-tworks.com]


October 31, 2024

ROAR announces 2025 Nationals Calendar

ROAR, the the sanctioning body for RC racing in the United States & Canada, has announced the track locations and dates for its 2025 National Championships.  While a suitable venue for the 1:8 Onroad Nitro Nationals is still being sought, the 2025 Nationals will kick off with the 1:10 Onroad Carpet Nationals at 360 RC Raceway in New Rochelle, New York, which is home to the annual MonTech NYGP.  Later in the same month Amain will host the 1:8 Electric Offroad Nationals at it track in California.  Next up it will be the 1:10 Offroad Nationals which will be hosted by Hoosier RC Hobbyplex in Indiana in May.  June will see the turn of 1:8 Nitro Offroad drivers to battle it out for National honours as they travel to the Thornhill Racing Circuit in Texas.  In August the 1:10 Carpet Offroad Nationals will take drivers to Iowa to the Island Speedway Offroad facility.  Set to wrap up the National Calendar in October, CenCal Speedway in Fresno, California, will decide the 1:10 Onroad Paved National titles.

View official 2025 calendar here