Red RC - RC Car News

Video – Invitational Class Rd9

Posted: 21 Jan 2018 12:02 PM PST

Spencer opens final day with win to tie for the lead with Cavalieri

Posted: 21 Jan 2018 12:01 PM PST

Spencer Rivkin got the final day of the Reedy Race of Champions off to the best possible start taking a win, while in the same heat overnight points leader Ryan Cavalieri got a third behind Joona Haatanen. The win puts the Associated driver equal on 13 points with his team-mate and reigning champion Cavalieri. For the other title contenders the day didn’t start so well with Dustin Evans having worked his way up to 2nd made a mistake that would drop him back to 4th. Getting his first pole position start Ryan Maifield couldn’t convert it into a much needed win, the race the most stacked of the 7th round. A mistake at the triple would allow Ty Tessman to go to the front and pull clear while a subsequent mistake would drop Maifield back to 5th with him recovering to take 2nd ahead of Dakotah Phend and Evans. In the other of the encounters Rob Gillespie registered his first win of the event heading home the Reedy Race’s first ever female racer Malin Karlsen.

Starting from fourth on the grid, Rivkin summed up his race as ‘really solid’. He continued, ‘I knew I had the points leader in my race and the more top guys in my race the better so I can race them and build points’. Asked about track conditions, the 2015 World Champion said, ‘I was running bald tyres and had pretty good grip. I was running on my own and didn’t have to race anyone but I think tyres in the next few races are going to be critical’. For his next race, Rivkin will start from last on the grid alongside Cavalieri.

Commenting on his race, third still his lowest finish of the 9 rounds of racing run so far, Cavalieri said, ‘I got a really good start but got tapped from behind at the first jump and then had my work cut out. Everyone made it challenging’. He continued, ‘the track is more slimmy so it made things more difficult but my mistake coming onto the straight was what really cost me. 3rd is not bad but now I’m sharing the lead so I need to buckle down for the next few’.

Sitting second a point behind Cavalieri going into the round, Evans who lined up 8th said, ‘It was a stacked heat but got a perfect start. I got up to second but then made the exactly same mistake as Cavalieri. Everyone is making mistakes so I can’t be too hard on myself but the 4th hurts’. Dropping to third in the points, he concluded, ‘I’m still in contention so I’ll keep pushing in the next one’.

View the event image gallery here.

Vigor RC M12 brass balance weight

Posted: 21 Jan 2018 09:05 AM PST

Made for the Sanwa M12 series of transmitters is Vigor RC’s 90g brass balance weight. Purpose designed for the use with the M12, the weight will improve the balance of the radio when mounted in the rear part of the battery tray. The result is a more effortless and less tiring use of the transmitter even during long main finals.

Source: Vigor RC [vigorrc.com]

VP Fuels sign Wataru Takashiro

Posted: 21 Jan 2018 08:43 AM PST

VP Fuels USA have announced the signing of top Japanese pilot, Wataru Takashiro to their team for 2018. Wataru will use VP fuels throughout his campaign that will see appearances at all major races in Japan and overseas, such as the IFMAR World Championship in Australia, while he will also be offering trackside support.

Source: VP Fuels [vpracingfuels.com]

Castle Creations Sidewinder 4 BL speed controller

Posted: 21 Jan 2018 06:52 AM PST

Castle Creations have introduced the fourth generation of their popular Sidewinder brushless speed controller, the Sidewinder 4. The all- new and improved ESC builds upon Castle’s most popular platform – the Sidewinder 3. The the fourth generation is the first platform running Cryo-Drive technology which reduces operating temperatures in all applications as it is a combination of software enhancements and precision fluid dynamics. The new case is designed specifically for maximum airflow from the huge 30mm fan included with the Sidewinder 4. These changes result in cooler ESC temperatures, increased runtime and power handling. All of these improvements mean drivers can gear more aggressively for more speed and harder/longer runs. The speedo is still waterproof and compatible with the optional Castle Link USB programmer. The speed controller is available separately or as combo package with a range of 14xx series motors.

Specifications:
– Input voltage range: 2S-3S LiPo; 6-8 cell NiMH
– BEC specifications: 5.0 volts fixed, 2 amps.
– Operating environment: Waterproof design allows for use in nearly any environment
– Brake: Proportional
– Reversible: Yes, but may be disabled for racing
– On/off switch: Yes
– Cooling fan: 30mm fan included
– Dimensions: 52.92×38.05×32.56mm
– ESC weight (w/wires): 64g
– Connectors: 4mm female bullets for motor connection

Source: Castle Creations [castlecreations.com]

Video – Invitational Class Rd8

Posted: 20 Jan 2018 07:43 PM PST

Cavalieri leads from Evans going into final day

Posted: 20 Jan 2018 07:43 PM PST

Ryan Cavalieri leads the way going into the final day of the Reedy Race of Champions tomorrow but only by a single point from team-mate Dustin Evans. The final round of action on the second day of racing at OCRC Raceway saw Joe Bornhorst hold on for the win ahead of Spencer Rivkin, the joint leader after 4WD, dropping to third in the standings as a result. Next up, Cavalieri took advantage of an easy heat draw coming through from 5th on the grid to rack up his 5th win of the event ahead of Cole Tollard. It was the concluding race though that was the most stacked with Evans, Ryan Maifield, Ty Tessmann and Jared Tebo in the field. A good start saw Jake Mayo lead for 5 laps before Evans came through and pulled out a lead. Behind, after a bad start, Maifield stormed his way back through the pack finally getting second with a great pass on Mayo when he jumped down his inside on the triple in front of the drivers stand. With the pass coming late in the race, the World Champion hadn’t time to do anything about Evan’s lead.

Continue reading this report here or view our complete coverage here.

Cavalieri leads from Evans going into final day

Posted: 20 Jan 2018 07:42 PM PST

Ryan Cavalieri leads the way going into the final day of the Reedy Race of Champions tomorrow but only by a single point from team-mate Dustin Evans. The final round of action on the second day of racing at OCRC Raceway saw Joe Bornhorst hold on for the win ahead of Spencer Rivkin, the joint leader after 4WD, dropping to third in the standings as a result. Next up, Cavalieri took advantage of an easy heat draw coming through from 5th on the grid to rack up his 5th win of the event ahead of Cole Tollard. It was the concluding race though that was the most stacked with Evans, Ryan Maifield, Ty Tessmann and Jared Tebo in the field. A good start saw Jake Mayo lead for 5 laps before Evans came through and pulled out a lead. Behind, after a bad start, Maifield stormed his way back through the pack finally getting second with a great pass on Mayo when he jumped down his inside on the triple in front of the drivers stand. With the pass coming late in the race, the World Champion hadn’t time to do anything about Evan’s lead.

With just four more races between him and a potential 5th Reedy Race title, Cavalieri said, ‘I had a good jump on Cole (Tollard) and got up to second pretty much straight away and then Joona (Hataanen) had a mistake at the triple and I was in the lead. I got my head down to put a solid run but ended up backing it down to save my tyres’. Asked about tyre wear, the Associated driver said, ‘the track feels pretty good but its pretty abrasive. I think tyres will be a factor tomorrow’.

‘That was a stacked race’, was Evans description of the second 2WD encounter. The former Champion continued, ‘Gillespie and Mayo were fast and Tebo was going well that time too. I drove too timid at the start and Mayo pulled away but I knew Maifield was coming and told myself don’t let him catch you so I started pushing.’ Looking to the remaining four races, he said, ‘I’m excited to go into the final day with the opportunity to race it out for the the win’.

With second behind Evans moving Maifield up to fourth in the points ahead of Yokomo team-mate Lee Martin, the British driver having a tough start to 2WD having held the joint lead after 4WD, he said, ‘It was ok. It was another stacked race. I though I had the inside line on Brent (Thielke) but he went as well and I got collected and was 9th on the first lap. I don’t know how but then I found myself in 3rd position. Then I passed Mayo but by that time Dustin was too far ahead to catch’. Going into the final day, the 2015 Champion said, ‘the track was a lot different in the last one, it’s weird, it feels both slimmy and grippy so for tomorrow I with try a different set of tyres’. He concluded, ‘I also have some better starts’, him starting out the day with pole position start and ending the event with a front row start.

View the event image gallery here.

Video – Invitational Class Rd7

Posted: 20 Jan 2018 05:11 PM PST

Wins for Maifield, Cav and Tessmann in 2WD opener

Posted: 20 Jan 2018 05:11 PM PST

There were wins for Ryan Maifield, Ryan Cavalieri and Ty Tessmann in the opening round of 2WD at the Reedy Race of Champions, Cavalieri’s win moving him back into the lead of standings. Having tied on points with the reigning champion at the end of 4WD, Dustin Evans and Spencer Rivkin turned back row starts in second places while Lee Martin could only manage 4th from 5th on the grid. The opening heat saw pole sitter Maifield jumped off the line by Jared Tebo. Having had a lack lustre 4WD part of the event, it looked like the Kyosho driver might redeem himself with a good result but at the triple in front of the drivers stand his car broke handing Maifield a lead he would build to over 7-second by the end, Rivkin finishing second. Next up Cavalieri took just two laps to get from 5th on the grid to the front with Cole Tollard and JP Richards providing the entertainment as they battled for second, Tollard taking it. Starting on his own on the front row and on the preferred outside line, Tessmann took full advantage having a lonely race as Evans worked his way through the field. Recovering from an earlier crash, he would take second when Schumacher’s Michal Orlowski had a mistake in front of the drivers stand.

Continue reading this report here or view our complete coverage here.

Wins for Maifield, Cav and Tessmann in 2WD opener

Posted: 20 Jan 2018 05:10 PM PST

There were wins for Ryan Maifield, Ryan Cavalieri and Ty Tessmann in the opening round of 2WD at the Reedy Race of Champions, Cavalieri’s win moving him back into the lead of standings. Having tied on points with the reigning champion at the end of 4WD, Dustin Evans and Spencer Rivkin turned back row starts in second places while Lee Martin could only manage 4th from 5th on the grid. The opening heat saw pole sitter Maifield jumped off the line by Jared Tebo. Having had a lack lustre 4WD part of the event, it looked like the Kyosho driver might redeem himself with a good result but at the triple in front of the drivers stand his car broke handing Maifield a lead he would build to over 7-second by the end, Rivkin finishing second. Next up Cavalieri took just two laps to get from 5th on the grid to the front with Cole Tollard and JP Richards providing the entertainment as they battled for second, Tollard taking it. Starting on his own on the front row and on the preferred outside line, Tessmann took full advantage having a lonely race as Evans worked his way through the field. Recovering from an earlier crash, he would take second when Schumacher’s Michal Orlowski had a mistake in front of the drivers stand.

Summing up the first of the six rounds of 2WD, Maifield said, ‘that was my first front row start. Tebo got a better start off the tone so I was just planning to be patient behind him but he ended up breaking at the second triple’. The Yokomo driver went on, ‘I was doing the (Monster) triple but had a few issues so I went back to doubling it and my overall time was still fast’. On his car, the World Champion said, ‘overall the car is really good. It is easy to drive and has good corner speed’.

Having declared 2WD was his preferred class at the end of 4WD, Cavalieri declared his win ‘a good start’. The Associated driver continued, ‘the car felt pretty good and I just kept it out front’. Planning a small set-up change for the day’s closing encounter, the multiple World Champion said, ‘I’m going to make a slight adjustment and hopefully that will make the car even better’.

Notching up his second win of the event, Tessmann said, ‘My car had pretty good grip but I thought it would be a little higher. Starting at the front I just cruised around’. The Xray driver said while he is ‘happy how the car is working’ he had some concerns over his tyres. He said, ‘my tyres are getting like slicks down the middle which I am worried about but I’m told they get better as slicks’. Having had an easy start to 2WD, for the second round he faces a bigger challenge saying, ‘I started at the back for the next one so we’ll see what happens’. Finishing second behind Tessmann, Evans said, ‘Starting from last I’m really happy with second especially with Ty starting at the front. This is an important result’.

View the event image gallery here.

Video – Invitational Class Rd6

Posted: 20 Jan 2018 02:01 PM PST

All tied at the end of 4WD at Reedy Race

Posted: 20 Jan 2018 02:00 PM PST

It is all tied at the top of the standings at the Reedy Race of Champions as the action gets ready to switch to 2WD at OCRC Raceway in California. Wins for Dustin Evans, Lee Martin and Spencer Rivkin in the sixth & final round of 4WD bring the trio equal on points with early leader Ryan Cavalieri, the reigning champion concluding 4WD with 3rd in the most stacked heat of the round. In the opening encounter Martin took advantage of a front row start getting the holeshot and going on to win comfortably from Rob Gillespie and back row starter Dakotah Phend. The second heat was a similar story with Evans benefiting from the P2 starting spot to get the jump on JP Richards eventually finishing 6-seconds ahead of the Yokomo driver. All attention was on the stacked 3rd heat, Rivkin & Cavalieri on the front row, Tessmann 6th and Maifield 8th. In the end it was Rivkin who took it, capitalising on a mistake by Cavalieri with Tessmann getting up to 3rd while a fast Maifield couldn’t get a break. Catching up to the leaders, his challenge came to an end when he collected an out of shape Tanner Denney leaving him to finish 4th.

Continue reading this report here or view our complete coverage here.

All tied at the end of 4WD at Reedy Race

Posted: 20 Jan 2018 01:58 PM PST

It is all tied at the top of the standings at the Reedy Race of Champions as the action gets ready to switch to 2WD at OCRC Raceway in California. Wins for Dustin Evans, Lee Martin and Spencer Rivkin in the sixth & final round of 4WD bring the trio equal on points with early leader Ryan Cavalieri, the reigning champion concluding 4WD with 3rd in the most stacked heat of the round. In the opening encounter Martin took advantage of a front row start getting the holeshot and going on to win comfortably from Rob Gillespie and back row starter Dakotah Phend. The second heat was a similar story with Evans benefiting from the P2 starting spot to get the jump on JP Richards eventually finishing 6-seconds ahead of the Yokomo driver. All attention was on the stacked 3rd heat, Rivkin & Cavalieri on the front row, Tessmann 6th and Maifield 8th. In the end it was Rivkin who took it, capitalising on a mistake by Cavalieri with Tessmann getting up to 3rd while a fast Maifield couldn’t get a break. Catching up to the leaders, his challenge came to an end when he collected an out of shape Tanner Denney leaving him to finish 4th.

Reacting to his third win, Martin said, ‘I looked at the heat sheet and it looked like it was one I could win’. Starting second, the Yokomo driver added, ‘2nd spot is better because its on the racing line and there is good drive so was aim was to get the lead on the first lap and control it from there and it worked out’. Looking to 2WD, the World Championship podium finisher said, ‘My 2WD was good in practice but that was a couple of days ago but hopefully its all still good when we go out for our practice run but I’m looking forward to the 2WD racing’.

‘Pretty straight forward’ was how Evans summed up his race. The Associated driver added, ‘JP gave me a lot of respect and I really appreciate that. Once I got a bit of gap I was just trying to cruise it home’. A former Reedy Race Champion, the Colorado based driver said, ‘I’m in contention going into 2WD and my car was really good so I’m looking forward to racing it out’.

Rivkin called his latest win ‘a solid race’. The 2015 World Champion continued, ‘I let the race fall into place and was not too aggressive at the beginning. Pole is not a great starting spot so I followed Ryan and when he had a bobble coming onto the straight I got the drag on him and took the lead. After that I just made sure to hit my marks’. On the switch to 2WD, the 2016 RROC podium finisher said, ‘I’m pretty excited for 2WD’.

‘I should of been able to better my points or at least get a 2 but a mistake cost me at the end’, was Cavalieri’s reaction after the race. Chasing a fifth Reedy Race title, the Associated driver concluded, ‘2WD is always my preferred class and my car was good in practice so I’m looking forward to good heads up racing’.

View the event image gallery here.

Maifield beats Cavalieri to register 1st win

Posted: 20 Jan 2018 12:14 PM PST

Ryan Maifield kicked off Day 2 of the Reedy Race of Champions this morning by registering his 1st win at the 24th running of the unique event. Starting 6th on the grid for the fifth round of 4WD action, it was a loaded heat containing three World Champions with Ryan Cavalieri on pole and Spencer Rivkin 8th. While Cavalieri pulled clear from the front and looked on target to extend his lead in the points, Maifield quickly moved his way to the front and with relative ease reeled in his great rival setting up the first real ‘Ryan & Ryan’ show of this years event. Banging wheels and tangling cars, it was Maifield who came out with the win from Cavalieri with Rivkin working his way up to third. In the other big encounter Lee Martin held off a very determined Dustin Evans to win the second heat of the round while 2016 Champion Dakotah Phend claimed his first win the final encounter ahead of Joe Bornhorst and a recovering Ty Tessmann. Starting on the front row alongside pole sitter Joona Haatanen, the pair tangled on the drag into the first corner dropping the Canadian to the back of the field.

Continue reading this report here or view our complete coverage here.

Video – Invitational Class Rd5

Posted: 20 Jan 2018 12:12 PM PST

Maifield beats Cavalieri to register 1st win

Posted: 20 Jan 2018 12:12 PM PST

Ryan Maifield kicked off Day 2 of the Reedy Race of Champions this morning by registering his 1st win at the 24th running of the unique event. Starting 6th on the grid for the fifth round of 4WD action, it was a loaded heat containing three World Champions with Ryan Cavalieri on pole and Spencer Rivkin 8th. While Cavalieri pulled clear from the front and looked on target to extend his lead in the points, Maifield quickly moved his way to the front and with relative ease reeled in his great rival setting up the first real ‘Ryan & Ryan’ show of this years event. Banging wheels and tangling cars, it was Maifield who came out with the win from Cavalieri with Rivkin working his way up to third. In the other big encounter Lee Martin held off a very determined Dustin Evans to win the second heat of the round while 2016 Champion Dakotah Phend claimed his first win the final encounter ahead of Joe Bornhorst and a recovering Ty Tessmann. Starting on the front row alongside pole sitter Joona Haatanen, the pair tangled on the drag into the first corner dropping the Canadian to the back of the field.

Commenting on his win Maifield said, ‘I started 6th but got by guys fast enough and made a good move around (2nd place start) Reno (Savoya). I made slight changes to my car and it was better and easier to go fast. I knew I was faster on the left side of the track than Ryan. Then I made mistake and tangled with him which allowed Spencer to catch us so then I backed it down. When Spencer dropped back I started to push again and landed on his (Cavalieri’s) inside and kept it there to the end’. Reflecting on his performances yesterday, the World Champion said, ‘there were a couple of driver errors on my part and I wasn’t feeling great but I got a early night and I’m feeling better today. The track is also better today but I have another hard race in the next’. Going up again Cavalieri and Rivkin again in the final 4WD encounter, the heat will also have Tessmann on the grid, the Yokomo driver will start behind them all in 9th position.

‘It was pretty good’ was Cavalieri’s thoughts on Round 5. Winning 3 of his four encounters yesterday with a third in the closing round, he said, ‘I knew my car was a little slower than needed to race Maifield. I had opportunities and it was a really good race but went wide on the triple’. The reigning champion continued, ‘I gave up too much time in the first minute. I should have been able to open up a bigger lead and hold that gap better’. For the last 4WD encounter the Associated driver will start on the front row along pole sitter and team-mate Rivkin.

Martin summed up his second win by saying, ‘It was pretty OK. It was good starting on the outside (of the front row) because it has a little more traction and I could get the holeshot’. He added, ‘the pack got held up a little behind me and by the time Dustin got through I had a cushion. He was catching but made a few mistakes so I didn’t have to push hard and risk wrecking my stuff’. With the win, the Yokomo driver moves up to second in the points standing on the same points as Rivkin and 1 point up on Evans.

‘From 6th that was good’, was Evans view of the race. The former Champion added, ‘I was super patient behind JP (Richards) and Chad (Due) and by the time I got by, Lee had a good gap but I was catching him. I was on a mission with that one’. Having clashed with Martin yesterday, ‘I clipped the triple coming onto the straight, I was pushing really hard. I probably didn’t need to be because I was catching him but I’ll take 2nd from 6th.’

View the event image gallery here.