January 30, 2026

2026 Asia Nitro Party Chassis Focus Index

Last weekend Red RC kicked off our 2026 race coverage by travelling to China to the impressive Hongyu GDC track in Foshan for the inaugural running of the Asia Nitro Party.  A brand new nitro onroad race providing an international stage for the category, it attracted a stacked international entry that only looks set to grow after a successful first edition.  With newly crowned IFMAR 1:8 GT World Champion Alessio Mazzeo and his Raptor leading the biggest category, 1:8 GT, in 1:8 GP it was IFMAR 1:8 Onroad World Championship Top Qualifier Andrea Catanzani and his Serpent who led the entry.  Come the finals however the Italians couldn’t put their name on the race’s opening role of honour, that instead going to France’s double European Champion Bernard-Alain Arnaldi and Genius in GT and Infinity’s Naoto Matsukura in 1:8 GP.   Over the busy weekend of high revving racing action we managed to get our hands on 8 cars from 6 different manufacturers and for those who missed the any of these chassis focuses as part of coverage from the Asia Nitro Party we have compiled them in our first Chassis Focus Index of 2026.

View Chassis Focus Index here


January 30, 2026

Bittydesign 499 R | T 1:10 190mm LMH Bodies

Italian body shell producer Bittydesign has joined the Hypercar class with the release of its 499 body, the 1:10 190mm shell available in an R and T variant depending on intended chassis use.  The 499R is specifically developed for the latest ultra-low profile touring chassis, this Hypercar body was born for maximum performance.  It only fits on the latest generation of 1:10 touring cars with an ultra-low profile chassis.  For older chassis, the limit is 53mm height from the ground for the front and rear shock towers.  The 499T (red paint scheme) is the only Hypercar body in the world specifically developed for the Tamiya TT-02 and similar high-profile chassis, a perfect fit with no contact with the shock towers.

View more images here


January 30, 2026

Gens ace iCheck B36 Smart Battery Checker

Battery manufacturer Gens ace has released this new Smart Battery Checker called the iCheck B36.  With an intuitive interface and high-visibility display that’s easy to read even in bright outdoor racing conditions, the unit allows you to instantly monitor voltage with its real-time battery monitoring offering a detailed view of working parameters.  With active cell balancing and built-in multi-safety protections it features Smart auto-stop.  Compact & portable and with easy one-touch operation it also has USB charging output.

View Specs & more images here


January 30, 2026

Xray confirm Zalewski & Bayer for MIBO International

Xray has confirmed that defending MIBO International 2WD Champion Bartek Zalewski and reigning EFRA 2WD European Champion Martin Bayer will lead their offroad team at the fourth edition of the Czech race on February 27-March 1st.  The Slovakian manufacturer is a multiple champion of the Michal Bok organised international indoor event that uniquely brings together both onroad and offroad racers with the building of two side by side tracks.  Last year young Polish star Zalewski made it two successive winning years in Hrotovice, having headed an Xray 1-2 with Bayer in 4WD in 2024.  Held at the Sport V Hotel in the town of Hrotovice, MIBO International is officially a two and a half day event and gets underway on the Friday afternoon with practice allowing for travel Friday morning.  Counting new 4WD World Champion Marcus Kaerup, Ronald Volker, Michal OrlowskiBruno Coelho, and Joern Nuemann as winners, the race’s capped entry limit makes for a relaxed schedule meaning plenty of time in the evening to wind down and socialise over dinner after each day’s racing.  For full details of the 2026 MIBO International Race and to register to be on the grid you can visit the Mibosport website by clicking here.

Source: MIBO [mibosport.com]


January 30, 2026

Infinity IF18-3 Aluminium Top Deck

With it 10-years since the IF18 1:8 Onroad chassis made its debut and continuously evolving from the original model, Infinity is releasing the option of an aluminium top deck for the latest IF18-3.  Machined from lightweight aluminium, this 2.0 mm top deck for the IF18-3 combines high rigidity with just the right amount of flex for high-speed performance.  It features a sharp, aggressive appearance and delivers a uniquely responsive driving feel compared to a carbon top deck.

Source: Creation Model [creationmodel.net]


January 30, 2026

Hobbywing XeRun V10 G4R ‘Team Edition’ ROAR Motors

To meet the updated rules regarding epoxy use introduced by ROAR, the governing body of racing in North America, Hobbywing North America has released a limited production run of G4R ‘Team Edition’ motors.  Available in 13.5, 17.5, ad 21.5T variants, the Team Edition motors are G4R motors with Non Epoxy Stators to meet the updated Roar Rules regarding epoxy usage.  Using the highest level production standards these motors are built and tuned to the same specifications as the team motors used to win World and National titles and come with high torque tuning rotor pre-installed.

Source: Hobbywing North America [hobbywingdirect.com]


January 30, 2026

Serpent SRX8Te RTR Truggy

Serpent has released its 1:8 Truggy platform as a Ready to Race version with the introduction of the SRX8Te RTR to its 1:8 offroad range line-up.  Factory assembled with pre-set electrics, the RTR Truggy comes complete with pre-painted body & large rear wing, pre-mounted Truggy tyres with features including an aluminium chassis plate, big bore shocks, anti-roll bars, and 3 geardiffs.  For power it is fitted with a waterproof 150A speedo (6S compatible), 2000 KV brushless motor, and 25kg metal-gear DragonRC servo, which is all controlled by a 2.4 GHz transmitter.

View feature list & more images here


January 29, 2026

PR Racing 2026 PR SB401-R

Taiwanese buggy manufacturer PR Racing has announced the upcoming release of their 2026 PR SB401-R 1:10 4WD Buggy.  Available in both Carpet (One-Way Slipper Clutch Version), and Dirt (Center Diff+Slipper Clutch Version) kits, the buggy features 13.0mm Smooth Coated 2026 Type R shocks with 18mm Springs.  The Carpet kit gets new Front and Rear Suspension Mount are 1mm narrower.  New shock seal caps and seals give ultra-smooth operation.  The buggy also gets a New Aluminium Servo Mount, New high tensile steel turnbuckles, and New Front One-Way seat (Carpet kit).  Featuring Gullwing rear wishbones these along with the front wishbones are supplied in medium hardness plastic.

View SB401-R Kit Specs & more images here


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