A manufacturer that appears to be making waves with its new XB5 1:8 Buggy, announcing recently AMain Hobbies as its new US distributor, Hong Nor has unveiled their new official team wear for the 2026 season. The 2023 1:8 GT World Champions, the Taiwanese company’s black hoodie and light blue t-shirt feature Hong Hor branding on the front with the HN logo on the rear. Both items will be available in the usual range of sizes and will go in release in January.
SkyRC has introduced their all-new professional tyre warmer system, the TWneo. The set-up combines advanced tyre heating technology with a built-in 80W high-power discharger in a compact, race-ready unit. TWneo offers Quick and 3-Stage Heating modes, independent heat control for each wheel, and high-precision temperature sensing for consistent grip from the very first lap. The RC Gears App enables wireless control, real-time monitoring, and fine-tuning, while XT60 DC and Type-C PD dual input options ensure flexible power delivery at the track. With multilingual UI support and robust safety features including adjustable safety timer and cutoff voltage, TWneo delivers a smarter, faster, and more intuitive tire-warming and energy-management solution for serious racers.
Australia’s Grand Prix 3D (GP3D) has introduced this Lucas Agitator 1:12 replica pan car, a faithful recreation of one of the most distinctive and innovative 1:12 designs of the 1980’s. The kit captures the original Agitator’s unique design and engineering approach, while being recreated with modern materials, techniques and manufacturing accuracy. The chassis features a carbon fibre main plate, unique actuator suspension geometry, and a rear pod design true to the original car’s character, making it equally suited to vintage display or driving if desired. GP3D’s approach focuses on authenticity over reinterpretation, with parts designed to reflect the original components as closely as possible while maintaining reliability and ease of assembly for today’s racers and collectors. The Lucas Agitator replica is a very limited release – with only 7 kits available! You must be quick to get this unique collectors item before they are gone. Shipping will commences early January.
Japanese manufacturer Yokomo has announced a new driver development system it is calling its ‘ABC Driver System’. The 2016 Touring Car World Champions, a title they won with Ronald Volker when 2026 host nation China last held racing’s most important title race, Yokomo say the are introducing the new system to form a team to maximise its brand presence. Under the new hierarchy, the team pyramid structure will be headed by the Global Manager under which there will be the A level of drivers. These ‘Factory Team Drivers’ will be race international winners and be directly included in product development feedback. The B level will be formed of Regional Team Drivers with the objective of winning regional races and providing advice for local users. The C level will be for ‘Grassroots Ambassador’ and is for Influencer on social media. Having led the brand for the last number of years achieving a Worlds podium in Italian in 2022, Christopher Krapp will fill the role of Global Manager while the Factory Team drivers for 2026 will be Frederick Hovgaard, Antoni Caretti, Natanaele Senesi, and Fabian Luca Widmer.
Team Associated’s option parts & accessories brand Factory Team has introduced these new -4 offset aluminium rear hubs. The hubs serve as a direct replacement for the plastic -4 rear hubs on the Team Associated RC10B7 1:10 2WD Buggy. For use on buggy platform they need to be paired with the appropriate 81mm arms, 71mm CVA bones, and B74 CVA axle. With the trucks you can simply install them because the appropriate CVA bones and axles come in the kit. The benefits of the aluminium hubs are the added rigidity and weight difference. The weight difference is a nice tuning option for those that want to change the amount of unsprung weight. The hubs are offered in both blue or black in your choice of standard or HRC geometry.
Source: Associated [associatedelectrics.com]
1:28 specialist manufacturer RC Atomic has presented what it calls the most advanced of their AWD competition cars, the BZ Master Edition. Set for release on December 26th, this fully re-designed of their winning belt drive 4WD chassis comes after years of experience and listening to racers opinion around the world. Features of the BZ Master Edition include a new main frame which integrated the front and rear bulkhead, spur gear mount, motor mount and the chassis plate. All these parts are machined in a single 7075 alloy to make sure the perfect alignment of the drive chain parts. The car has a 50:50 mid belt design: equal belt length of front and rear to have more on power steering. CNC made Ball-head type suspension system significantly reduce wobble and slop. There is quick adjustment of the camber angle through the turnbuckle screw on upper arm. All the suspension arms are made 7075 alloy, provide extra rigidity and stability in large super high-speed tracks. With the Active Rear Toe system you can easily adjust the rear toe angle and you can change the mid corner rear grip of the rear by adding or reduce shims. 24mm wide battery compatible the kits come with aluminium chassis with ability to add side wings and mass weights (optional parts) to reduce the chance of traction roll and add stability
Japanese engine manufacturer O.S. Engines has introduced their all new O.S. Speed R21 Shimo Edition 3 1:8 Onroad engine. The latest collaboration engine with O.S. Team driver Takaaki Shimo, the engine features spacer(s) on exhaust section of the crank case that help to provide more linear from low to top end. The cylinder liner is now 9 port with new treatment of the piston for longer life of the engine. The carburettor, to avoid fuel leakage and air in the line, uses “Dust cover ring” to make the idle better and stable. On the exterior, the engine uses deep gold outer head, venturi to create all new look. To maximise the performance, a combo set of the engines comes with TR03 EFRA2196 + MR05.
Reigning ROAR 1:10 2WD Modified Buggy Champion Brennan Schimmel has announced that his short stint with Xray has ended. One of a number of drivers left without a drive at the end of 2024 after Team Losi Racing cut its race team, the Virgina driver would end the 2024 season winning at the U.S. Carpet Offroad Championships with a borrowed car before being announced as part of Xray’s US Distributor RC America’s alongside new star signing Dakotah Phend, the pair going on to win both titles at the Dirt Nationals at at Hoosier RC Hobbyplex in May. The 23-year-old announced the end of his run with Xray posting on his social media, ‘A year goes by fast. 2025 was filled with lifelong memories. I came into this season with no real idea of what was ahead, and it turned into the best year I’ve had in Modified in the few years I’ve been running it. Becoming a National Modified Champion, along with a few wins and countless podiums, made this season unforgettable. More importantly, my goal going into 2025 was to come out a better person—not just on the track, but off it as well—and I truly believe I did just that. With that being said, my short time with XRAY has come to a close. I want to thank Drew Ellis, Brian, John and the rest of RCAmerica/Xray. Stay tuned for what’s ahead into 2026 and beyond!!’
Source: Brennan Schimmel [Facebook]
