Niche British 1:12 Mini kit manufacturer Mardave has released an updated version of their Viper Oval Mini, the Viper #26. This is the Mardave Viper 26 Oval Mini as used by current World Champion Mark Steele. For 2026 Mardave has made a few changes including a new battery tray, wider front track, and new servo position to make this even more competitive in ’26. The Viper #26 will be on sale in a couple of weeks.
Infinity’s Naoto Matsukura set the pace in Free Practice today ahead of the first running of the new ‘Asia Nitro Party’ onroad race at Hongyu CDG in China. A driver would just a month ago TQ’d a round of qualifying around the same track at the FEMCA Asia Championship, he would top the times from fellow Japanese compatriot Sinnosuke Yokoyama. Returning to nitro racing to support the hosting of what track boss Gavin Kwok will become a major race fixture on the international nitro racing calendar, Chinese racer JJ Wang made it two Mugen Seiki’s in the Top 3 behind Yokoyama MRX-7. Expected to be the pace setter in the 1:8 Onroad class, Serpent’s World Championship Top Qualifier Andrea Catanzani would have a difficult day struggling to find a good balance but once we down to times counting tomorrow in qualifying he is sure to be right in the mix.
Czech ESC manufacturer Elceram has announced the addition of reigning European Spec Electric Touring Car Champion Ádám Izsay as a Factory Team Driver. The Hungarian, who last September took up a full time role in R&D with long time chassis sponsor Xray, had been with Hobbywing for 7-years and switches to Elceram where he will join Xray offroad car designer Martin Bayer in representing the brand’s unique speed controller around the World. On the announcement Adam said, “I’m extremely excited to join Elceram for 2026, not only as a driver, but also will be taking part in product development. I have been following their growth and success since the beginning and was always impressed what Jan and his Team could achieve in such a short time. From my first laps with the ESCs I had an amazing feeling, I can’t wait to start working together with Jan, Anna and everyone at Elceram!”
Source: Elceram [Facebook]
1:8 GT specialist Natanaele Senesi has set the pace in free practice ahead of this weekend’s inaugural Asia Nitro Party at the impressive Hongyu GDC track in China. An event that has generated a lot of excitement within the Asian nitro racing scene since the 2026 1:12 & ISTC World Championship venue facility announced the annual event last October, 1:8 GT is the biggest category with over 50 drivers taking part. The 2024 European Champion would top the times from reigning World Champion Alessio Mazzeo, both drivers running Raptor cars after Senesi, who runs under his own Senesi Motorsport banner, made the switch from an Xray based car to Raptor. The move came about as a result of Senesi’s engine sponsor Gimar, which in 2024 took over the Raptor project. Also a factor in the switch was the ability for Senesi to produce his own Senesi Motorsport edition Raptor kit which features a number of his own design elements. Another of the fast European’s making the trip to Foshan, and believing the would escape the cold weather back home, it would be Genius Racing’s Bernard-Alain Arnaldi who completed the Top 3. While all hugely impressed with the new RC facility, drivers have been badly caught off guard by an unseasonable cold spell to hit southern China. With most drivers seeing the podium photo from last weekend’s Sweep Asia Cup race at the track, in which winner Bruno Coelho, Michal Orlowski are both wearing shorts, and basing their clothing choices from that they packed for much warmer conditions than what has greeted them. There does however appear to be a big jump up in temperatures for tomorrow’s qualifying with it then set to hit in the region of 23 degrees for Sunday’s finals. On track the low temperatures have also added to the challenge of getting heat into the Sweep rubber tyres used in 1:8 GT, the compound selected ahead of the race based on racing in temperatures double that of what has been experienced so far.
Italian engine manufacturer Picco has unveiled their all-new Monza-X .21 1:8 onroad competition engine. Describing it as the latest expression of their high-end racing philosophy for the 1:8 onroad competition class, it is the result of decades of hands-on experience in precision manufacturing, advanced material selection, and surface treatment technologies, combined with an intensive development program carried out throughout the 2025 racing season. At the heart of the Monza-X lies an all-new, exclusive 10-port cylinder, entirely developed in-house. Its port layout and internal geometry are the result of extensive fluid-dynamics studies and track validation, providing a substantial increase in power output while maintaining excellent fuel efficiency and thermal stability. The long-stroke architecture has been carefully engineered to generate strong and consistent torque across the entire RPM range, resulting in outstanding drivability, immediate throttle response, and superior acceleration out of corners. Supplied with an 8.5 mm venturi, to ensure long-term durability and mechanical efficiency, the engine features a DLC-coated crankshaft, specifically treated to minimise friction, reduce wear, and protect against oxidation. The rotating assembly is completed by a 14 mm rear Swiss ceramic ball bearing and a meticulously aligned knife-edged aerodynamic connecting rod, designed to reduce turbulence and mechanical losses at high RPM.
New from Italy’s Fenix Racing comes their latest Pro10 body called the ‘Etna’. Its design has been completely developed using one of the most advanced CAD systems available and its mold ensures unparalleled symmetries thanks to the use of 6-axis CNC. Particular care has been taken in designing a bodywork that suit drivers of all levels. The Fenix Racing Etna explores the possibility of customising the front aerodynamics of the body shell and for the very first time, ‘canards’ front wings can be used to tune the front of the model. Front canards can be used to improve stability and maneuverability, giving Etna an unique agility in the class. Etna is available in 0.5mm and 0.75mm crystal clear lexan and it’s made to fit most popular 235 Pro10 models.
Italian Yokomo distributor Mikimodel has released this Arm Conversion Kit for the Japanese manufacturer’s MS2.0 1:10 Electric Touring Car. Under its Mikimodel Special Parts and after months of development the long and painstaking project has resulted in the new arms with adjustable camber and caster. The arms were chosen to provide greater stability than traditional tie rods. Mikimodel say the classic tie rod system causes a continuous change in caster throughout the ride, resulting in a loss of feeling when riding. However, this way everything remains much more stable and the ride is much, much safer! The project took so long precisely because they wanted to be sure that the system could be robust and reliable. The arms are very strong, durable, and flex-free, allowing for much more precise and stable handling on the run. Camber can be adjusted with a simple 1.5 mm wrench, while caster requires replacing a simple carbon plate. Caster comes standard with 4 degrees of front and 2 degrees of rear. Optionally, they can be adjusted to 3.5 degrees at the rear and 5 degrees at the front.
Serpent has announced the addition of experienced Italian nitro racer Mirko Salemi to their factory team. The 1:8 Onroad stalwart moves to Serpent following a stint with Capricorn with who he became an Euro Nitro Series race winner at the end of the 2023 season. Joining compatriot & recent World Championship Top Qualifier Andrea Catanzani in campaigning the Viper 990R in 2026, on the announcement Salemi said, ‘I’m very happy to join this team, so rich in history and so many successes. We have big goals and hope to achieve great results together. I thank the entire team for their trust and look forward to 2026, which is already ready to begin.’
Source: Serpent [serpent.com]
