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Sparko is dropping the grub screw from shock mounting on its F8 buggy. The company has introduced 7075 hard-anodized threaded shock pins that mount directly into the shock, a setup it calls simpler and more secure than the previous hardware.

According to Sparko’s product announcement, the pins are machined from lightweight 7075 aluminum and get a hard-anodized finish for wear resistance. Because they thread straight in, there is no grub screw to fuss with. Sparko says that means a cleaner install and more consistent handling, run after run.

Sparko also engineered the pins with vibration in mind. The left-side pins are reverse-threaded, which the company says keeps them from loosening from vibration. The hard-anodized coating is described as wear-resistant, while the 7075 material is called strong, light, and race-ready.

The pins carry part number #F840910P. Powerhobby handles US distribution for Sparko products.

Built for the F8 platform

The pins are designed for the Sparko F8, a 1/8 nitro pro buggy that Sparko says was engineered with professional-level racers in mind. The company says corner speed drove every design decision, while build quality and durability stayed uncompromising. Sparko calls the F8 a future-focused platform, with optional upgrades and performance parts developed through testing by its factory drivers and engineers.

The F8 name, according to Sparko, references one of the most sophisticated fighter jets ever built, reflecting the precision and advanced engineering inside the buggy.

The F8’s standard suspension already includes 16mm bladder-type big-bore shocks with gold titanium nitride-coated shafts and 7075 hard-anodized aluminum shock bodies, so the new pins match the material and finish used elsewhere in the suspension. The shock hardware also includes pre-marked spring collars for height adjustment and a lower spring retainer screw that keeps the spring and retainer locked to the lower ball cup. Stainless steel front and rear quick-release lower pins make getting the shocks off the car quick work.

Sparko’s F8 spec sheet continues beyond the shocks. Up front there is a 16° aluminum C-hub for sharp steering response, a rigid front upper arm, and an aluminum steering bellcrank for a slop-free feel. The drivetrain is a three-differential design with 43/13 ring-and-pinion gears front and rear, a 46T spur gear and 13T pinion at the center, a dogbone center driveline, and universal driveshafts at the outdrives. A molded electronics tray can be fitted with optional grommets to help keep dust and moisture away from the receiver, battery, servo, and AMB transponder.

The F8 also comes with two sets of front and rear anti-roll bars: 2.3mm and 2.5mm front bars plus 2.6mm and 2.8mm rear bars, with other rates offered as optional parts. The suspension arms use carbon inserts for extra rigidity, and the rear arms can be run in long or short configurations with adjustable offset inserts. Sparko also gives the F8 body and its 3-in-1 rear wing system a role in the tuning package; the wickerbill can run with holes, without holes, or removed.

The F8 line isn’t just nitro anymore. Powerhobby lists the F8E Electric Pro Buggy Kit as the electric version of the F8 Nitro Buggy. That kit is described as a 1/8 brushless buggy with a multi-configuration battery mount, accepting 2x 2S stick or shorty packs or brick 4S or shorty packs. Its feature list includes alloy caster blocks, steering knuckles, a carbon fiber top plate, and center diff plates.

The new threaded shock pins are one more option for a platform Sparko says is built to evolve. Sparko points to SparkoRacing.com for more information on the F8 and its parts.

Two top deck options for the GTXE’27

XRAY is adding two carbon center top decks to the option-parts range for its GTX8 car, both built for the flat-chassis GTXE’27 layout. The company calls them authentic option parts. The choice is straightforward: run a stiffer deck when you want a more rigid platform, or run a softer deck when you want more traction and a car that is easier to drive. XRAY presents both pieces as tuning components, not as changes to ride height or suspension geometry.

The stiff option: #354253-H

The stiffer route is a wider, reinforced carbon center mounting plate carrying the code #354253-H. XRAY says the goal is less chassis flex in the center of the car, which translates into a more immediate steering response, sharper precision, and increased stability during high-speed cornering. The recommended window is medium to high-traction tracks, where the reduced flex is intended to add corner speed and make the car more precise through corners. XRAY specifies high-grade carbon construction for this deck.

Retail listings describe the same plate as a carbon center mounting plate for the GTXE flat chassis, with the job of reducing torsional flex and creating a firmer connection between the top and bottom elements of the chassis. It is a structural part rather than a drivetrain or electronics upgrade: installation uses standard kit fasteners and common hobby tools, and no electronic or drivetrain changes are required. The listing also cautions that on low-traction surfaces, the added stiffness can reduce compliance and may require softer suspension tuning.

The softer option: #354253

On the other end of the range is a narrower and softer top deck listed as #354253. XRAY suggests this version for most track conditions, with extra traction and a less demanding driving experience. It is also the company’s recommended initial setting before moving toward stiffer configurations.

The 354253 is precision-machined carbon fiber and shares the same GTXE flat-chassis fitment. Product information says it works by changing center-section stiffness and shifting how flex is distributed around the drivetrain, which lets drivers alter front-to-rear balance without touching suspension geometry. The same information suggests evaluating the part as part of a full setup session rather than expecting an instant verdict from a single run.

Fit for the GTXE’27 flat chassis

Both new decks are aimed at owners of the GTXE’27. XRAY’s presentation for the car describes it as a 1/8th electric GT with a new flat 3mm aluminum chassis, no front kick-up, and a lower center of gravity. The platform teams the aluminum chassis, aluminum bulkheads, and one-piece carbon top deck in what XRAY calls the GT Alu Backbone Framework. The new center plates slot into that structure as another possible flex-tuning point.

The GTXE’27 feature list covers plenty of other changes as well: revised front and rear bulkheads for the flat chassis, a stronger and lower motor mount, an aluminum center shaft stand, a receiver box, a carbon ESC plate, and titanium turnbuckles. The rear bulkhead is shaped to accept the upper center top deck mounting. The feature list also calls out Swiss 7075 T6 aluminum in key chassis parts and HUDY special hardened pins in the center driveshaft assembly. The new top decks are designed to fit within that updated package.

Availability and lead times

Retail listings are live now. RCJAZ lists both parts, #354253-H and #354253, with worldwide shipping. The shop warns that some XRAY items may be out of stock and need to be ordered from the factory, with a ready time of about 4-6 weeks. Customers who place that kind of order accept the wait so the retailer can order directly from the manufacturer.

Both plates are listed for GTXE flat chassis configurations, including the GTXE 2027, so there are two distinct tuning paths for the center of the car.

OttOmobile has fired off a fresh round of 1:18 scale announcements, and while most of the new models won’t land until early 2027, the brand’s headline act—the BMW M4 GT4 24H Nürburgring 2026—is scheduled to arrive later this month. That’s the one to watch if you’re a motorsport fan.

Seven New Models on the Horizon

The company revealed seven new resin miniatures, each carrying its own product number. The lineup mixes modern race cars, ’80s and ’90s hot hatches, and a street-legal TCR weapon:

• OT1427 – BMW M4 GT4 24H Nürburgring 2026
• OT1317 – Dacia Duster Redust Sport 4×2 hybrid 2025, Green
• OT1405 – Ford Fiesta MK1 XR2 1981, Diamond White
• OT1409 – Renault 14 TS 1983, Rouge 705
• OT1337 – Rocket Bunny Aero (V1) Mazda RX7 (FD3S) 2025
• OT1412 – Volkswagen Golf 7 Oettinger TCR Germany Street 2019, Candy Red
• OT1407 – Volkswagen Golf VIII R333 LTD Edition 2023, Lime Yellow Metallic

As the announcement notes, most of these will arrive in early 2027. The exception is the BMW, which is coming much sooner.

The BMW M4 GT4: A Winner in Miniature

The BMW M4 GT4 model reproduces the car that took part in the 2026 24 Hours of Nürburgring. That race saw the updated M4 GT4 competing in championships around the world, and on the famous German circuit, car #145 was entered by Cerny Motorsport. The driving quartet of Joshua Bednarski, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Peter Cate, and Tom Schütze took the win in the GT4 SP10 category and finished a solid 24th overall when combining the GT4 and GT3 classes.

OttOmobile’s miniature captures that exact livery, with the car in 1:18 scale and built from resin. As with the rest of the brand’s output, it’s hand-assembled and hand-painted, and produced in limited, numbered editions. There’s a maximum of two per customer.

Reservation and Shipping Timeline

If you want the BMW M4 GT4, you’ll need to act fast. The reservation deadline is 25 September 2026, with payment due by 10 February 2027. Shipments are scheduled to start in February 2027, so you’re looking at a bit of a wait even though the model arrives in shops later this month according to the announcement.

OttOmobile’s Approach

OttOmobile is known for producing collectible die-cast model cars in 1:18 and 1:12 scale, using resin for its hand-assembled, hand-painted creations that come in limited and numbered editions. The company also runs a monthly club, which has recently featured models like the Ford Focus WRC and Volvo 850 BTCC, and includes the occasional hidden “Golden Ticket” in orders.

For those wanting to pre-order any of the newly announced models, the official advice is to connect with site sponsors—that’s the easiest route to secure your favorites.

A Diverse Lineup

The rest of the new batch covers a lot of ground. The Dacia Duster Redust Sport is a modern hybrid, while the Ford Fiesta MK1 XR2 and Renault 14 TS are pure ’80s nostalgia. The Mazda RX7 with Rocket Bunny aero brings a JDM tuning flavor, and the two Volkswagens—a Golf 7 Oettinger TCR street version and the limited Golf VIII R333—cater to modern VW fans.

Each model has been assigned its product number, and collectors can expect the usual OttOmobile treatment: resin bodies, careful attention to detail, and limited production runs.

Mark Your Calendars

With the BMW M4 GT4 arriving imminently and the rest following in early 2027, there’s plenty for diecast collectors to look forward to. The reservation window for the BMW closes on 25 September 2026, so if that’s the one you’ve been waiting for, don’t sleep on it.

Furitek has a new steering servo for its smallest crawler family, and it brings a lot more torque than the existing direct-replacement part. The Raptor 11KG High-Speed Steering Servo is built for Furitek’s 1/24 and 1/18 RC crawler platforms, with the Titan Buggy Ultimate 24 and Titan Buggy 18 at the top of the compatibility list.

Big Squid RC reports the servo is a direct fit for those two buggies. Furitek’s own product pages add the Titan U4 Ultimate 24, TerraX, and Terra Comp to the direct-fit list as well.

More steering muscle in a small package

The Raptor’s headline spec is an 11 kg-cm torque rating. Furitek’s existing steering servo for the same Titan buggies, the FUR-2832 unit, is rated at 2.2 kg of torque. Furitek says the extra steering authority helps keep the wheels pointed where you want them in technical crawling, steep side-hill situations, and high-load conditions where tires are heavily loaded against rocks or obstacles.

The servo is also fast. At 8.4V, it reaches 0.08 sec/60°. Furitek lists additional response times of 0.13 sec/60° at 4.8V, 0.12 sec/60° at 6.0V, and 0.10 sec/60° at 7.4V. Operating voltage spans 4.8V to 8.4V.

Built for harder crawling

Furitek’s product description frames the Raptor as a unit for demanding crawling use, specifically calling out technical crawling, high-grip tires, and aggressive steering loads. The hardware matches that positioning: a 6061-T6 full-aluminum case, high-strength steel gears, dual ball bearings, and a 25T output spline with a Ø4.94 mm shaft. A matching 25T aluminum servo horn is included, along with mounting hardware.

The rest of the spec sheet is compact and detailed: 2μs deadband, 333Hz/1520μs operating frequency, 500–2500μs pulse width, 180° ±10° travel, and a working range of -20°C to +60°C. The servo body measures 23 x 12 x 27.4 mm and weighs 20 ± 1 g.

Plug-and-play with Furitek Micro RX

The Raptor comes wired with a JST ZHR-3 1.5mm pitch connector, which lets it connect directly to compatible Furitek Micro receivers and compact electronics. On supported platforms, that means no bulky standard servo connector or adapter is needed.

Furitek lists direct receiver compatibility with:

• Nano GT5 Receiver for Flysky FS-GT5
• Micro SLT2 Receiver
• MicroNode Receiver included with MicroFlex 4WS
• MicroNode Receiver included with MicroFlex PRO 4WS
• GRIPOR V2 Micro Receiver
• FUR-2690 MicroPython RXF Micro Crawler ESC with built-in 4CH receiver for MicroFlex 4WS
• FUR-2691 MicroPython RXF + MicroFlex 4WS transmitter combo

Five rigs on the direct-fit list

The Raptor is not limited to the two Titan buggies named in the original announcement. Furitek positions the servo as a direct-fit replacement and performance upgrade for five platforms: the Titan Buggy Ultimate 24, Titan Buggy 18, Titan U4 Ultimate 24, TerraX, and Terra Comp.

That also puts it in a different class from the older FUR-2832 steering servo, which supports 6V and 7.4V operation and is rated at 2.2 kg of torque. Furitek’s product summary describes the Raptor as combining high steering torque, fast response, compact dimensions, and direct Micro RX compatibility into one upgrade for the 1/24 and 1/18 crawler line. Furitek lists the Raptor on its general product page as well as in the Titan Buggy collection section of its store; the older FUR-2832 unit carries a $19.99 listing price.

Price and part number

The Raptor 11KG carries part number #FUR-2837 and a $39 street price. It is listed on Furitek’s product pages and offered through retailer HeliDirect. Each package includes the servo, one 25T aluminum servo horn, and mounting hardware.

Team Yokomo is adding pink and bronze to its Racing Performer DX2 brushless drift motor lineup, giving drifters two new anodized looks that match the company’s SD3.0 Competition color scheme. The new versions were announced on September 9, 2026, and cover the 11.5T and 13.5T classes.

New Colors, Same Drift-Focused DNA

The Racing Performer DX2 is a sensored brushless motor built for RC drifting, and Team Yokomo describes it as a top-of-the-line performer in that role. The DX2 series is built around a high-rotation Type-R specification, and its earlier launch introduced four anodized colors at once: blue, purple, red, and black, covering 11.5T, 13.5T, and 15.5T. Earlier coverage of that launch listed an approximate MSRP of ¥19,000. The new color treatment covers the 11.5T and 13.5T versions.

Each motor ships with a 200mm sensor cable and carries a price of ¥19,000. Yokomo lists four part numbers covering the two new colors across the two turn counts:

• RPM-D2115RPI / RPM-D2115RBZ — Racing Performer DX2 Type-R (11.5T) pink/bronze — ¥19,000
• RPM-D2135RPI / RPM-D2135RBZ — Racing Performer DX2 Type-R (13.5T) pink/bronze — ¥19,000

Designed for High-Rev Drift Work

Team Yokomo says the DX2’s high-revving character suits P-tile and concrete surfaces. The company also highlights the motor’s sound, describing an appealing roar when the throttle is opened. The motor uses a separate-case design, which Team Yokomo says gives it a high-contrast appearance that makes the anodized finish stand out. The company says the motor’s straight-line acceleration remains strong even in today’s increasingly high-speed drift scene. A reinforcing ring on the rotor, carried over from earlier versions, protects the magnet and helps keep throttle control sharp.

The drift pedigree of the DX2 family goes back further. DriftMission, which covered the initial DX2 Type-R release, described the Racing Performer DX series as highly popular as a brushless motor for drifting. That coverage also noted that Team Yokomo’s KAI won the WTDC world-class drift event in Malaysia using a DX2 prototype 11.5T. The same report described the 13.5T as slightly milder and easy to use on P-tile surfaces, while the 15.5T used a changed rotor size for a more torque-filled feel.

Hardware Behind the Finish

Product details from Key City Hobby describe the DX2 Type-R as using a lightweight CNC-machined 7075-T6 aluminum housing that supports heat dissipation and car balance. The listing also mentions a precision rotor and stator for smooth transitions and aggressive acceleration, adjustable timing for fine-tuned control, and a fully rebuildable design. According to the same listing, the 11.5T, 13.5T, and 15.5T variants suit a wide range of track types, from grippy surfaces to smooth P-tile.

Matching the SD3.0 Competition Look

Both new colors are tied to the recently released SD3.0 Competition motor’s color scheme, according to Team Yokomo. The same pink look appears on a limited-sale Super Drift SD3.0 Competition kit on the official Yokomo site, priced at ¥143,000 including tax. Yokomo’s product page describes the kit as a special limited color version of the popular SD3.0 and says the specification upgrade is enough to make it feel like a brand-new machine. The kit includes aluminum front and rear suspension arms, aluminum rear hub carriers, an aluminum heat-sink motor mount, an aluminum/graphite battery holder, and a new-design front steering block with adjustable trail.

The new DX2 motors give builders a way to coordinate the powerplant with the SD3.0 color look. The pink and bronze versions are listed at ¥19,000 each and include the 200mm sensor cable.

Minichamps has rolled out its Week 37, 2026 diecast lineup, and it’s a short but Porsche-focused list. The four-model drop, reported by DiecastSociety.com, includes three 1:18-scale 911s and one 1:43-scale BMW XM. For Porsche collectors, that means a police-liveried 993, a red 993 Turbo and a 1972 Carrera RS. For BMW fans, it’s a modern XM in black metallic with Red Label branding. The outlet frames the week as a quiet one, with the Porsche trio carrying most of the news.

The 1:18 Porsche trio

The most detailed story in this batch is the 1993 Porsche 911 (993) Polizei, reference 155061190. French outlet PDLV reports that Minichamps is bringing back this police car rather than adding a brand-new model. The company officially announced the Polizei version last year, and the first series sold quite well. Collectors who missed the original get another chance, but the reissue carries a roughly €130 price tag; PDLV says the exact on-sale date has not been announced yet.

According to PDLV, the Polizei model is built in zamac and has no opening parts. It is based on the real 911 preserved at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, and the miniature reproduces the roof lights, roof speaker and large antenna, along with some interior equipment. The steering is functional. The lack of opening panels is a recurring complaint from collectors at this price point, and PDLV says non-opening doors are harder to justify for a manufacturer of Minichamps’ standing.

The second 1:18 Porsche is the 1995 911 (993) Turbo in red, reference 155061170. The third is a 1972 911 Carrera RS in orange with black decoration, reference 100066024. The Week 37 list identifies those two by model, model year, color and product number.

A single 1:43 addition

Minichamps is also adding the 2023 BMW XM in black metallic to its 1:43 Red Label series. The model carries reference 410023301. The XM appears as the only 1:43 release in this four-item batch.

Sealed metal and the reissue debate

DiecastSociety.com’s release note doesn’t hide its frustration with Minichamps’ production philosophy. The outlet says the brand remains convinced that sealed metal is the right way to build models, and argues that if Minichamps is going to stick with sealed bodies, it should price them more aggressively. It points to Solido as a maker offering semi-opening options. PDLV’s report on the Polizei makes a similar point, noting that collectors complain about the absence of opening parts at that price and that non-opening doors are harder to justify for a top-tier miniature brand like Minichamps.

PDLV also places the Polizei reissue in a broader trend at Minichamps. The French outlet says development output is more limited than it used to be, and the company has been turning to regular reissues of existing molds. That approach gives collectors a chance to buy models they missed, but PDLV cautions that a slower stream of new developments could eventually weaken interest in the brand. It also notes strong collector demand for police vehicles and says the reissue will probably be successful.

Everything in the Week 37 update is tied to four product numbers: 155061190, 155061170, 100066024 and 410023301. The biggest availability question, at least for the Polizei reissue, is timing: PDLV reports that no commercial release date has been made public.

RC shelves took a serious trip back in time this week, with Tamiya unveiling two limited-edition reissues and an upgraded return of the Lamborghini Cheetah. There was new hardware elsewhere too: Yokomo revealed a Team Spec touring car for the gap between rookie and pro, and Team Associated’s first 1/28 International Race reportedly drew around 200 entries. CompetitionX’s September 5–11 roundup frames the week as one where micro racing outgrew its casual side.

Tamiya’s Retro Wave: Falcon, Cheetah, Countach

The Falcon 2026 Limited Edition returns to the 1/10 two-wheel-drive buggy formula Tamiya first sold in 1986. It keeps the original’s plastic bathtub frame, polycarbonate suspension pieces and familiar body shape. The update list includes universal driveshafts, full ball bearings, CVA oil dampers and refreshed graphics that keep the original’s spirit; a 540 brushed motor and ESC are in the box. Tamiya has labeled the run a limited edition without stating how many will be produced. The kit carries item number 47532.

Also back is the 1/12 Lamborghini Cheetah (58754), a military-styled model with a hard desert-yellow shell, detailed interior, hidden body mounts and updated semi-pneumatic tires. The chassis relies on double-wishbone suspension, adjustable torsion-bar springs, a duralumin plate and a sealed gearbox; a torque-tuned motor and ESC are included. TamiyaBlog notes the real Cheetah was unveiled at the 1977 Geneva Motor Show and developed alongside Mobility Technology International as an all-terrain military vehicle for the U.S. market. The prototype never reached production. A separate TamiyaBlog notice points to a November release window for the Cheetah and Falcon.

The third Tamiya announcement is the Lamborghini Countach 5000S Limited Edition on the TT-02 shaft-driven 4WD chassis, a platform Tamiya positions as beginner-friendly. The kit includes a clear Countach body, white mirrors and rear wing, plated light housings, a 540 motor and an ESC. Its listed price is $189. TamiyaBlog’s background on the Countach runs from the 1971 prototype through the LP400 in 1974 and the 5000S of 1982; roughly 320 5000S cars were produced by 1985.

Yokomo’s Middle Step

Yokomo’s Rookie Speed RS2.0 Team Spec sits between entry-level touring cars and full professional racing hardware. The dual-belt 4WD kit arrives with a batch of chassis changes: graphite shock towers and an upper deck, shorter aluminum shocks, alloy steering parts, and fresh pulleys and bulkheads around the center of the car. Yokomo lists the kit at ¥49,000, with U.S. pricing closer to $200. The part number is YOKRSR-020.

1/28 Scale Gets a Moment

Team Associated’s first 1/28 International Race reportedly attracted approximately 200 entries. For CompetitionX, that participation backs up the signal from recent chassis and equipment launches: micro racing is becoming a serious category in its own right, not just a small-space pastime. The company also added a Factory Team 4.5mm short nut driver, a compact aluminum tool for 1/28- and 1/24-scale wheel nuts.

More Tiny Tools and Upgrades

Furitek’s Raptor 11KG High-Speed Steering Servo is built for the Titan Buggy Ultimate 24 and Titan Buggy 18 platforms. It has an aluminum case, 11kg-cm of torque and a claimed 0.08-second transit time per 60 degrees. That combination is aimed at quicker steering response without adapting a larger servo. Since micro sizing is not a universal standard, fit should be checked before using it elsewhere.

Exotek’s updated Clip-On Aero Heatsink V3 is narrower to fit modern short-stack motors. It targets 1/10 and 1/12 pan cars, weighs 8 grams and uses shaped fins to guide air across the motor. The low-profile clip-on design is intended to leave room for rear-mounted cooling fans and low bodies. Exotek prices it at $16.95 and notes it will not fit the company’s F1Ultra chassis.

Injora released brass front portal knuckles and differential covers for the Redcat Vertex-10 and Vertex-10W. The machined parts put extra weight low on the axles, which may help stability on steep obstacles, and they work as more durable replacements for the stock components. The set is listed as VER10-01.

Eight truckloads of dirt turned the floor of the Orleans Arena into an off-road course earlier this month, and more than 400 drivers showed up with 1,000 race entries. The occasion was the 2026 Team Associated Vintage Off-Road Championships in Las Vegas, and the turnout is the latest proof that vintage RC racing has grown into a full-blown destination hobby.

Big Squid RC’s Backyard column made the point in the event’s aftermath: old cars aren’t just being preserved anymore. They’re being built, modified, tuned, raced, crashed, repaired, and raced again. People are traveling across the country for events like this one, and manufacturers and aftermarket companies are supporting the scene with re-releases, reproduction parts, and hop-ups for platforms designed decades ago.

The Las Vegas event, by the numbers

The championships ran September 2-6 at The Orleans Hotel and Casino. The event was open to all brands and drivers of every skill level, with VIPs, RC legends, and world champions racing alongside everyone else. Competition spanned 13 classes across 2WD, 4WD, and truck platforms from the late 1970s through 2000, split into OPEN and STOCK categories. OPEN classes allow heavily modified cars; STOCK classes are for purists who want fewer modern modifications. Champions were crowned in each class.

The track was built inside the 9,500-seat Orleans Arena, a Boyd Gaming venue, and was modeled after the dirt-track layout used at the 1987 IFMAR World Championship at Romsey Off-Road Club in Hampshire, England, where American driver Joel Johnson won the 2WD world title. Up to 15 cars raced at a time, with some reaching 35 mph. Spectator admission was free.

Each race entry came with a swag bag of race memorabilia, special access, and a $100 discount on a Limited Edition RC10 designed specifically for the event. Registered participants could also get the exclusive 2026 Las Vegas 91 Stealth Kit, an RC10 buggy with gold and black anodized components. Vendors on site sold cars, parts, and accessories between heats. After racing on Saturday, September 5, a banquet gave VIPs, legends, racers, and guests a chance to meet; each paid racer received one free ticket.

Vintage machines, modern support

Kurt Busch, former NASCAR Cup Series champion and a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2026, would race his own RC cars at the event, according to KLAS 8 News Now. Busch competed in Las Vegas RC races as a youth, and he was inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame at the Orleans Arena in 2015.

The championships were the second at the arena; Team Associated’s vintage event debuted there in October 2025. In the same report, Team Associated business development manager Michael Wortel said the championships have grown since their inaugural year. The field stretched from beginners to former world champions, with the machinery itself as the main draw.

Much of that vintage reverence traces back to a single machine: the original Team Associated RC10, known as the Gold Pan. It debuted in 1984 with an aircraft-grade 6061 aluminum alloy tub chassis and swept the top three spots at the inaugural 1985 IFMAR World Championship, cementing its status among collectors and racers who still chase that era’s designs. Tamiya recently announced an updated Falcon that addresses some of the shortcomings of the original, and Team Associated continues bringing old names back into circulation. On September 3, the company announced the RC10 4WD Jay Halsey Chain Drive Edition Kit, named after the driver who won the inaugural 1985 IFMAR 2WD World Championship for Team Associated.

Big Squid RC’s column also noted that re-releases, reproduction parts, and modern aftermarket support mean racers don’t have to risk an irreplaceable 40-year-old survivor to enjoy the old-school experience. That mix of nostalgia, competition, building, tuning, collecting, history, and community is what has made the scene work. LiveRC carried live and archived results, scoring, and video from the event.

Team Associated’s roots go back to 1964, when aerospace technicians Roger Curtis and Lee Yurada founded the company in Lynwood, California, as a slot-car business, then pivoted to radio-controlled cars in 1969 alongside Gene Husting. More than six decades later, that history has landed the company’s flagship vintage event at a Las Vegas casino arena.

Injora has released brass front portal knuckles for the Redcat Vertex-10 and Vertex-10W. The new part, listed as VER10–01, is now available at injora.com. Big Squid RC reported the release, and the part is aimed at owners of these 1/10-scale R/C crawlers.

What the new knuckles offer

Each knuckle is machined from durable brass and has an anodized black finish. The per-piece weight is 70.6g. As a pair, the knuckles add up to more than 140g of front weight. According to the product description, that extra front weight improves crawling performance, and the knuckles are also described as improving durability and stability. The material is listed as brass, and the finish is described as a premium look.

Price and availability

The knuckles are priced at $43.99. They are listed on Injora’s website, with the product page providing the part number, material, and per-piece weight. The knuckles are made specifically for the Vertex-10 and Vertex-10W. According to the report, they are part of a selection of upgrade items that Injora has released for those trucks.

Other brass upgrades in the catalog

Injora’s website also includes a section for steering knuckles and a separate section for upgrade parts for RC crawlers and trucks. The steering knuckles section is described as covering knuckles and caps upgrades and replacements for RC crawlers, and the upgrade-parts section covers crawlers and trucks. The catalog includes other brass weight-add components for different 1/10-scale platforms.

For Traxxas TRX-4 and TRX-6 models, Injora lists a black brass counterweight drive housing, part 8252. Each piece weighs about 55g. The product page says the part adds weight for increased stability when passing obstacles. It is made from high-quality brass, has a hard black coating with chamfered edges and an etched Injora logo, and the coating is described as adding a bright touch while helping prevent corrosion. The part name is listed as portal drive housing inner, front, and the package includes two outer portal drive housings. The same product page describes it as an upgrade part and notes compatibility with Traxxas TRX4 and TRX6 original parts, and says the steering knuckles can change the center of gravity and help ensure the best balance. It also warns that the product is not for children under 14 and is not a toy.

For Axial SCX10 III and Capra models, Injora sells a two-piece brass portal steering knuckle housing set. The per-piece weight is 148g. The set is listed as a replacement for the original plastic steering knuckle part AXI232006 and is said to lower the center of gravity and improve stability. The compatibility list covers Capra AXI03004B, AXI03022B, AXI03000, and AXI03000B. It also covers SCX10 III Base Camp AXI-1375T1, Jeep Gladiator AXI03012 and AXI03006B, and Jeep JLU Wrangler AXI03007 and AXI03007B. The listing also notes the parts are not for children under 14 and are not a toy. Both product listings include a California Proposition 65 warning for California residents.

Stated purpose

For the Vertex-10 and Vertex-10W, the stated purpose of the new brass front portal knuckles is to add front weight for improved crawling performance. The product details tie the 70.6g per-side weight to that goal, while also citing durability and stability benefits. The part number is VER10–01 and the material is brass.

Where to get them

The VER10–01 brass front portal knuckles for the Redcat Vertex-10 and Vertex-10W are available at injora.com. The listed price is $43.99.

R1 Wurks has a new answer for RC10 racers chasing weight savings: a titanium hinge pin set machined in-house on a Swiss lathe.

The company says the pins are made from premium Grade 5 titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) and that the entire set weighs 44% less than steel hinge pins. It describes the pins as “the perfect upgrade for any racer looking to reduce vehicle weight while adding precision, performance, and style.”

Swiss Machining and Cold-Formed Threads

R1 Wurks says the pins are manufactured to tight tolerances using a Swiss lathe the company describes as one of the most sophisticated available. The threaded sections are cold-formed through a thread-rolling process rather than cut. According to R1 Wurks, cut threads disrupt the metal’s natural grain, while rolled threads keep that grain structure continuous and result in stronger, more uniform threads.

The new set targets the RC10 platform, with a note to verify compatibility by checking the included sizes against your model’s specifications. It contains two 1/8-inch pins in each of five lengths with M3 threads: 20.4mm, 25.4mm, 31mm, 35.7mm, and 50.9mm. M3 lock nuts are not included.

Three finishes are offered: natural titanium, blue, and bronze. The natural titanium version is SKU #900328-S at $54.99. The blue and bronze versions are SKUs #900328-BL and #900328-BR, each priced at $64.99.

Caring for Anodized Titanium

Since the blue and bronze finishes are anodized, R1 Wurks includes care guidance. Anodized titanium can temporarily change appearance from normal handling; skin oils, fingerprints, dirt, and other contaminants can make the color look dull, uneven, or different from its original state. The company says the original color can often be restored by wiping the surface with a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol, then letting it air dry or finishing with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. It warns against abrasive cleaners, polishing compounds, steel wool, and aggressive scrubbing, which can damage or alter the anodized finish.

More Titanium Hardware From R1 Wurks

The RC10 set is not the company’s only titanium hinge-pin offering. R1 Wurks also lists DC1-series parts for Team Associated vehicles: rear outer hinge pins (SKU 990058) sold as a pair, claimed to be 56.22% lighter than steel, with a durable 2.0mm hex and a direct-fit design; a front inner hinge pin set (SKU 990061) also sold as a pair; and a full set (SKU 990062) with all pins in titanium and the rear outside pins finished in gold titanium nitride. R1 Wurks lists the front inner set as a hop-up for the Associated B6.3. The DC1 options are listed for a broad range of buggies and trucks, including Team Associated models such as the RC10B84, multiple RC10B6.x and B74 models, the RC10B7, RC10T6.2/T6.4/T7 trucks, and RC10SC7, as well as R1B and the R1 DC1.

R1 Brushless Motor Lab, LLC, identified in the R1 Wurks listings as the independent manufacturer and seller of aftermarket parts, says it is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Associated Electrics. It also says model names such as “B7” are used strictly for compatibility and identification purposes.

RC10 Still in the Spotlight

The new pins arrive as Associated Electrics continues to develop the RC10. Its RC10 Factory Team Kit #6049, created by the AREA 51 Factory Team, is described as drawing on more than 40 years of racing heritage and countless World Championships. Associated Electrics calls the RC10 one of the best performing 10th scale buggies of all time. That kit includes new Factory Team captured hinge pins along with big bore shocks, 12mm wheel hexes, and the new Mirage Pro body. For RC10 owners looking to cut weight, R1 Wurks is offering the new titanium set as an aftermarket upgrade.

Pricing is $54.99 for natural titanium and $64.99 for blue or bronze.