After it’s recent TQ and win in the 13.5 GTP class at last week’s Snowbirds the On Point Racing OP12C is now available in black. With so many different cars out there and their ability to mate parts from various cars to their own, it only made sense to to offer a more neutral color so you could have one of the best looking as well as best handling 12th scales on the market.

The OP12C features:
- Capable of 5 battery positions
- Three post top deck design, for easy battery changing and rigidity
- More space for electronics and wiring, due to three post design
- Split rear cross brace for more space, better motor mounting and more weight placement options
- Damper tubes for smoothest dampening
- Longer wheelbase for LiPo racing
- Wider front track width for LiPo racing
- Fits any 1/12 servo
- Fits AE R5 front end
- Any 1/12 center-shock and rear axle fits
- Available in both Orange and Black anodized aluminum parts for eye-catching effect
- US high quality graphite and aluminium
- 7075 Aluminum pod plates
- Four bolt top pod plate for maximum strength
- Includes chassis, cross brace, top deck, bottom plate, stand offs, shock mount, shock tower, front bulk heads, front arm inserts, damper tubes and pod plates.

Source: On Point Racing [onpointracing.com]

Xtreme Racing has once again stepped up to bring you a complete line of Carbon Fiber items for the Losi 5ive truck. The lineup includes 6mm thick heavy duty shock towers for the front and rear, 3mm brake discs, mud guards, Standard size servo mounts both with and without a nifty transponder mount and even a mount for your GoPro camera.

Source: Xtreme Racing [xtremercracing.com]

Matrix Racing tires have announced that they have signed Shepherd driver Ronald Volker to use their tires for 2012. The deal which was finalised at last week’s Nuremberg toy fair will see the German electric ace run the Italian foam all season which will include the Winternats in Florida, European Championship in Italy, World Championships in Bangkok and other select races.

Source: Matrix Tires [matrixtires.it]

Capricorn have released their new 1/8 ‘reverse’ on road clutch. After various tests by Capricorn drivers, this new configuration that follows the current trend which sees a flat flywheel and tapered clutch shoe plate makes the clutch more progressive with good initial engagement. The weight of the flywheel is only 5.3grams which saves engine power and Capricorn has also decided to reduce the prices of all its 1/8 and 1/10 clutches.

Source: Capricorn [capricornrc.com]

This past weekend saw the Euro Indoor Race, held at the superb Black Country Arena facility in Charleroi, which is host to round 2 of the EOS in March. There were 142 drivers from 12 different countries in attendance and the race fell on the debut weekend of the new Schumacher SV2, so Tom Cockerill was in attendance with his new car. With Friday as open practice, 6 rounds of qualifying on the Saturday and 6 leg finals on the Sunday, there was plenty of track time for all drivers.

4wd:
Tom was looking very good with his Cat SX3 during practice, and this pace showed in qualifying, with him taking 5 of the 6 qualifying rounds in dominant fashion. Tom was joined in the A final by Belgium Team Driver Bart Van Echelpoel. Come the finals it was a totally different story, with 3 different drivers winning two legs each. The racing was very fast and close, leading to little mistakes from the top drivers, allowing others to get through. At the end of the finals, it would come down to count back between Tom and Nathan Ralls. Tom took the win by virtue of his faster final time, showing the pace of the SX3.

2wd:
The 2wd qualifying was very different to 4wd, with it been much closer racing and several drivers been on similar pace. Anyone of 5/6 drivers could have taken the top spot, with 4 different drivers taking round wins. However, it was Tom Cockerill that rose to the top with the new SV2, by virtue of the quickest top qualifying run. Tom was joined in the A final by team driver Nicolas Risser who qualified 5th. The 2wd finals were another dominant display by Tom, with him taking 4 of the first 5 finals to take the overall win and top off the perfect weekend. Nicolas finished 4th overall, just missing out on the podium.

Source: Schumacher [racing-cars.com]

Top international on road racer Jilles Groskamp has signed to race with Hot Race tyres for the 2012 season. The decision was made following extensive testing at the Pre Worlds in Bangkok, where Jilles was pleased with their performance. The Capricorn/Orion driver will participate with Hot Race tyres in this year’s European Championships in Cassino as well as the 1/10th 200mm World Championships in Bangkok.

Source: Hot Race Tyres [hotracerc.com]

ORCA have announced that they have signed factory Xray driver Alexander Hagberg. The Swedish driver, who previously drove for LRP, had the best possible start to his new relationship by taking his first big international win at the Snowbird Nationals last weekend in Florida. Alex had this to say:

After five years as a team driver for LRP Electronic in Germany, I would like to thank them for their support over the years. They helped to start off my international career. In 2012 I am changing to ORCA electronics in all my cars. I was immediately impressed with the on-track performance of these products, which provide a good feeling, power, efficiency and consistency for all conditions. I started out my cooperation with ORCA in the best possible way with a win in the Touring Car Modified class at the recent Snowbird Nationals in Florida. I hope that this is only the start of a long and successful relationship with ORCA.

Source: AME [team-ame.com]

Previously released for the RX8, Xray have now released these conical clutch washer springs for the NT1 clutch. These spring washers offer more consistent clutch operation for maximum punch. When using the standard spring, after the clutch is set for the first time the spring becomes deformed over time and needs retightening. This new conical clutch washer spring set allows the clutch to retain its setting for a very long time without needing readjustment.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]

JConcepts have introduced the Finnisher body design specifically for 1/10th truck racing. The TLR 22-T Finnisher body is a drop fit for the popular vehicle and bears a stunning look with its massive front headlight and grill coverage. Increased windshield angle provides a steady force upfront during mid-flight wind gusts on large jumps. Forward cab placement changes performance / visible bias which helps steering rotation in low traction corners. The side body panels have a strong and chiseled look, including a recessed area in the center that extends forward, ending near the front wheel well. The front hood has been simplified removing unwanted changes in height to neutralize the at-speed handling. The chassis side-guard to body fit has been tightened up by way of a bendable flap. Where applicable, the flap touches off against the side-guard which helps eliminate large empty voids that contribute to mid-flight directional changes.

Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]

A brief report from the 1/12th 13.5 GTP class at last weekend’s Snowbird Nationals in Orlando, Florida. It was On Point Racing’s German team driver Markus Mobers that took the top spot in qualifying, doing so in the final round to start on pole ahead of Larry Fairtrace and World Champion Naoto Matsukura in 2nd and 3rd respectively. In the final Markus drove his Team Orion powered OP12C to the win by just 1.3 seconds ahead of Andrew Knapp in 2nd, with Mike Blackstock completing the podium in 3rd.

Source: On Point Racing [onpointracing.com]