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]

Team Torke got in touch to inform us that after EFRA and BRCA homologated their Full Torke 6500 70C LiPo, the company has released a new LiPo pack called Stick Torke. With 4000mah & 30C the LiPo packs are available with Tamiya plug or Deans connector.

Source: Team Torke [team-torke.com]

In February VRC Pro will release the 2008 Bangkok World Championship track, one with the 205m long 1:10 ISTC lay-out, and one with the 155m 1:12 sportscar lay-out. Both tracks are highly anticipated by the electric racers as this track has become legendary because of the immensely close battle between Marc Rheinard and Atsushi Hara. This track is no longer in operation but in VRC Pro the track lives on and for sure we will see some close racing in both 1:10 and 1:12 racing.

1:12 Electric class launched
VRC Pro has released the 1:12electric Spec class shortly before Christmas. The class uses 10.5T motors with unboosted speed controllers. Available are the Intercept ER12, the Xray X12 and the Associated RC12R5, all chassis are link type as this is where this class is going with the introduction of the 1S LiPo cells. The spec class chassis and components are free for all members!

VRC physics engineer Todd Wasson has developed a complete new suspension model which accurately describes the link system. For the modified class the front suspension will receive a big overhaul as well as it seems necessary to include the exact 1:12 suspension model because of the effects it has on roll-center movement and because of its active caster geometry. The 1:12 modified class is slated for launch early February 2012.

VRC Pro World Champions
In December 2011 VRC Pro organized 4 World Championships which were won by 4 different racers. Each of the World Championship events was followed by The Masters, and invitation only multi-player competition for the top-12 of the championship.

The 1:8 nitro Worlds was held at Luxembourg and young Kevin Pignotti from Italy reigned as was to be expected as the top ranked racer in this class (and in fact also in the other classes). Alexey Babchenko (Ukrain) and Martin Wollanka (Austria) completed the podium. The Masters title was won by Babchenko with Pignotti suffering internet problem during these finals.

1:10 Nitro was won by Frank Hättich from Germany. This specialist in 1:10 nitro snatched victory away from Ronald Völker who fell just 3 seconds short from victory after a hard fought 45 minute battle at the Pegaso track in Mexico. Pongtorn Trayranaron from Thailand came in 3rd. With World Champion Hattich not being able to appear in the Masters race this title went to Ronald Völker who would have liked to go head to head with Frank.

The 1:10 electric ISTC title went to Ronald Völker (Germany) who displayed his awesome skills at the very demanding track of Eppelheim. The 2011 LRP TCM winner was virtually untouchable on this track, only Martin Wollanka from Austria managed to get to within 3 seconds from the World Champion. The big surprise in this Worlds was the 4th place of Mustafa Alp from Turkey who missed the podium by just 1/100 of a second against Kevin Pignotti. The Masters title was captured by Ronald Völker as well who drove all of his 4 finals within 1.5 seconds, a display of world champion driving!

The last Worlds was for 1:10 ISTC Spec with 13.5T motor, the most popular class in VRC Pro. And that showed in this championship with 404 racers participating! Alex Apostolides from Greece won just 0.6 ahead of Martin Wollanka and 0.8 sec. in front of Michael Derderian from France. The Masters title in this class went to Derderian.

Videos of all the Masters racers are available on the VRC Pro YouTube channel here.