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Hess Toy Truck has put its 2026 holiday set on the road, and this year the company is bringing two firsts to its collectible lineup: a garbage truck hauler and an ATV-style snow plow. Announced out of New York on Oct. 19, the 2026 Hauler Truck and Snow Plow pairs a longtime fan-requested vehicle with a design that has never appeared in a Hess collection before, all in one two-vehicle set.

Two-vehicle first for Hess

The set is available now, exclusively at HessToyTruck.com, for $49.99 plus tax, with Energizer batteries and free standard shipping included. Together, the vehicles carry 84 lights, offer seven light patterns, and produce six sound effects — figures Hess says are the most ever featured on any holiday Hess Toy Truck. The set ships in signature Hess holiday packaging with a custom-illustrated winter action scene, designed for gifting, collecting, and display. The company says the set is for kids and collectors alike.

The Hauler Truck: a fan request comes to life

Headlining the set is the Hauler Truck, a triaxle, six-wheeled waste-collection truck in Hess’s classic green and white with reflective chrome-colored accents. It is one of the most requested designs from fans, and it carries 72 LED lights that can run steady or in animated flashing modes.

Four cab-top buttons each trigger a different realistic sound effect — engine start, horn, backup alert, and compacting — and each button is paired with its own animated light pattern. A push-button release lifts the rear hatch and plays a compacting sound, opening the internal cargo bay. A slide-out loading ramp then provides access to the Snow Plow, with its own dedicated deployment sound. The Hauler rolls on six free-rolling wheels across three axles, includes three AAA Energizer batteries, and measures approximately 10.25″ L x 4.375″ W x 5.25″ H.

Inside the cargo bay: the Snow Plow ATV

The hidden Snow Plow is an off-road quad-style ATV and another first for Hess. It is built for quick, action-heavy play with a pull-back motor and an adjustable plow blade for clearing snow. Turning the rider’s helmet activates its 12 steady-on lights. The vehicle has six wheels on three axles, includes three A76 (LR44) Energizer button-cell batteries, and measures about 4.75″ L x 2.75″ W x 2.375″ H.

Designed to load into and deploy from the Hauler’s rear ramp, the Snow Plow completes the 2-in-1 combination behind the set’s 84 total lights.

STEM curriculum and a plush companion

Hess says it will continue its educational program by working again with Baylor College of Medicine to provide a free STEM curriculum guide that uses the 2026 Hauler Truck and Snow Plow as a learning tool.

Also available while supplies last is the My Plush Hess Truck: 2026 Monster Truck, a squeeze-activated soft toy for younger fans. Priced at $39.99, it is the seventh entry in Hess’s award-winning plush series, which is recognized for comforting lights and sing-along songs. Hess describes the plush as safe for kids of all ages.

Fans who want Hess Toy Truck updates can text “HESS” to 437788 to sign up for mobile alerts. Hess also points collectors to its Facebook and Instagram pages.

A holiday tradition since 1964

Hess Toy Truck has been a holiday tradition since 1964, and the company calls the line among the best-selling toys annually and a highly sought-after collectible. With two brand-new vehicles, 84 lights, and six sound effects, the 2026 Hauler Truck and Snow Plow is on sale now at HessToyTruck.com while supplies last.

Hitec has expanded its RC charger range with two new models: the four-port RDX4 1000 and the dual-port DCX2 1600. The RDX4 1000 is an AC/DC unit built for charging multiple packs; the DCX2 1600 is a DC-only charger with 1600W of combined output.

RDX4 1000: Four Ports, AC or DC

The RDX4 1000 can handle four batteries independently. On 100–240V household AC, its charge circuit reaches 500W; from a 9–36V DC source, it can reach 1000W. Ports B and C handle up to 25A (500W each on DC), while Ports A and D are rated at 15A (250W each).

Battery support spans several chemistries:

• LiPo, LiHV, LiFe and Li-ion: 1–6 cells
• NiMH/NiCd: up to 15 cells
• Lead-acid: 3, 6 or 12 cells

Lithium packs get Balance Charge, Charge, Storage and Discharge modes with an integrated individual-cell balancer. NiMH/NiCd users get Re-Peak and Delta-Peak modes plus charge/discharge cycling, while lead-acid batteries have AGM and Cold Charge programs.

The reverse-discharge feature on Ports B and C lets one pack transfer energy to another, so less of that energy goes to waste. It can also act as a power supply for pit gear like tire warmers, rated up to 30V at 6A, and its 100W USB-C PD 3.0 port can top up phones, tablets and other mobile devices. Battery resistance metering, terminal voltage control, capacity cut-off, a safety timer, a smart ventilation fan and a flip-up backlit display are part of the feature set. A PC interface uses Hitec Charge Manager software for firmware updates; the version Hitec lists for select RDX chargers is V1.15, dated January 2026. Discharge circuit power is rated at 10W, and the charger measures 5.75 x 4.84 x 3.46 inches at 2.659 lbs.

DCX2 1600: Dual-Port DC Power

The DCX2 1600 runs from a 9–49V DC input and delivers up to 1100W per channel, or 1600W combined across both ports. Each port charges at up to 32A, and parallel mode can push 33–50A into a single 2–8S lithium pack.

Battery support on the DCX2 1600:

• LiPo, LiHV, LiFe and Li-ion: 1–8 cells
• NiMH/NiCd: up to 20 cells
• Lead-acid: 3, 6 or 12 cells

Reverse discharging can shift up to 1100W between Channel A and Channel B, cutting wasted energy. With an optional AD380 or AD350 connected, Channel A can discharge at up to 40A. The charger adds battery resistance metering, an external temperature sensor port and Bluetooth control through Hitec’s LinkPowerX app for iOS and Android. It also functions as an adjustable 5–36V power supply, delivering up to 32A/1100W for tire warmers and other pit gear, and its 100W USB-C PD 3.0 port charges mobile devices. Balance, standard, storage and discharge modes cover lithium chemistries; Re-Peak and Delta-Peak modes handle NiMH/NiCd packs. Terminal voltage control, capacity cut-off, a smart ventilation fan and a flip-up display round out the feature list. Discharge circuit power is 45W, and the unit measures 5.51 x 4.25 x 1.71 inches at 1.17 lbs.

The DCX2 1600 ships with an XT90 DC input cord terminated with 4mm bullets. A DC power supply and parallel charging cable are sold separately.

Pricing

Hitec lists the RDX4 1000 at $349.99 (part #44454) and the DCX2 1600 at $189.99 (part #44403). Both chargers are listed on HitecRCD.com. Hitec’s product pages note that its online store ships chargers and accessories only to US addresses due to legal restrictions and liability issues; orders with non-US shipping information are refunded in full.

One model engineer’s completed Moriya Fan recently turned in a serious endurance performance: more than five hours of continuous running on each of two days, all driven by a small meths burner.

The builder shared the run in a Home Model Engine Machinist forum post titled “My Moriya Fan,” explaining that the hot-air engine was finished a few years ago and was recently brought out for a two-day Model Engineering society fundraising event. According to the post, the engine held a constant rpm and “never missed a beat” on either day. The same post offered a short verdict: “I am really pleased with how it runs.”

A Flame-Powered Stirling Classic

The Moriya Fan is a hot-air engine designed by Prof. Jim Senft, identified in project notes as Dr. James R. Senft of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. It is a Stirling engine powered fan, part of a design lineage that goes back to Rev. Dr. Robert Stirling’s 1816 hot-air engine. The engine works on the temperature difference between its heated and cool ends, with the cold end machined from aluminum, according to a scaled-build project page. The builder wrote that they “never fail to find it fascinating how that small flame from a small meths burner produces pretty effective mechanical rotation.”

Senft also has six books listed on Goodreads. The book Steam and Stirling Engines You Can Build includes the Moriya Fan project, and a Model Engineer forum thread notes that the plans are also available from a couple of American college websites. Senft’s Goodreads author listing shows six books under his name, with An Introduction to Low Temperature Differential Stirling Engines listed as his most popular title.

Plans, Books, and Wood-Stove Ideas

The same Model Engineer discussion includes a practical tinkering question. One modeler asked about modifying the Moriya to run on heat from a wood stove instead of the alcohol lamp shown in the plans, wondering whether shortened legs would work or whether an aluminum plate would let the hot end rest on a stovetop. He also asked whether anyone had already built the engine and whether he could post a picture of it from the Senft book.

From Boeing Surplus to SolidWorks

The Moriya has also inspired larger and digital interpretations. One project page documents a 2X Scale Moriya Hot Air Fan, which began after the builder’s son Tad asked for help with his own Moriya. The builder had a 3-inch-thick aluminum plate from Boeing Surplus in Seattle, and since that thickness was twice what the standard Moriya called for, the whole project was scaled to 2X size. The fan blades on that build sweep an 18-inch circle, while the railing next to the unit stands 32 inches high. The page notes that the build progressed through the winter months before spring yardwork halted further progress.

The design has also been recreated in CAD. A SolidWorks CAD project shared by Manar Dhiab produced a detailed 3D model of the Moriya from Senft’s original technical drawings, with parametric modeling, motion animation, and a kinematic study used to validate the mechanism. Dhiab described the project as combining precise engineering and poetic mechanics, observing that a simple candle is enough to spin the fan without electricity, thanks to the temperature difference.

The Next Senft Build Is Underway

The forum builder is already moving on to another Senft design. Jim Senft’s Moriya Major is the next project, and the builder said they are really looking forward to getting it running. Their posted feeling: they will “specialise in Hot Air engines for a while.” With the Moriya Fan’s five-hour endurance runs now complete, the Moriya Major build has just begun.

RC4WD has three billet-aluminum beadlock wheel sets in the spotlight: the Center Line 2.6″ ST02, the Slasher 2.6″, and the Turbine 1.9″ Super Deep Dish. All three are CNC-machined from billet aluminum and use a standard 12mm hex fitment, according to the spec sheets posted by RC4WD.

Quick spec rundown

All three fit standard 12mm hex hubs.

• Center Line 2.6″ ST02 (#Z-W0170) — $139.99. Chrome-plated, fits 2.6″ tires, 75.0mm OD, 40.0mm width, 4.0mm negative offset, 159g per wheel. Includes four wheels, M2 hex tool, and Center Line decal sheet.
• Slasher 2.6″ (#Z-W0162) — $139.99. Chrome-plated, fits 2.6″ tires, same OD/width/offset, 157g per wheel. Includes four wheels and M2 hex tool.
• Turbine 1.9″ Super Deep Dish (#Z-W0097) — $159.99. Silver anodized, 54.0mm OD, 61.0mm width, 5.2mm center hole, 14.7mm negative offset, 135g per wheel. Includes four wheels and 1.5mm hex tool.

Center Line ST02 2.6″

The Center Line 2.6″ ST02 is the licensed entry in the group. RC4WD says the wheel is officially licensed by Center Line and available only through RC4WD and its dealers. The chrome-plated wheel is designed for 2.6″ tires and has a 75.0mm (2.95in) outer diameter, a 40.0mm (1.57in) width, and a 4.0mm (0.16in) negative offset. Each wheel tips the scale at 159g (5.61oz).

Set #Z-W0170 is priced at $139.99. The box includes four Center Line ST02 wheels, one miniature M2 hex bolt tool (Z-S0626), and one Center Line decal sheet.

Slasher 2.6″

RC4WD’s second 2.6″ beadlock is the Slasher. It uses the same chrome-plated billet aluminum construction as the ST02 and matches its outer dimensions: 75.0mm (2.95in) OD, 40.0mm (1.57in) width, and 4.0mm (0.16in) negative offset. The Slasher is also listed for 2.6″ tires. The spec sheet puts per-wheel weight at 157g (5.54oz).

Slasher set #Z-W0162 carries the same $139.99 price. It includes four Slasher wheels and the same miniature M2 hex bolt tool found with the ST02. The Slasher package does not list a decal sheet.

Turbine 1.9″ Super Deep Dish

The third set moves to 1.9″ sizing and brings a different finish. The Turbine 1.9″ Super Deep Dish Aluminum Beadlock uses a silver anodized finish rather than chrome. It measures 54.0mm (2.12in) outer diameter, 61.0mm (2.40in) wide, with a 5.2mm (0.20in) center hole and a 14.7mm (0.57in) negative offset. Each wheel weighs 135g (4.76oz).

Turbine set #Z-W0097 is priced at $159.99. It includes four Turbine wheels and a miniature hex bolt tool meant for M1.6 scale bolts (1.5mm hex, Z-S1328).

Common packaging details

All three sets are four-wheel packs, and all three include a miniature scale hex bolt tool. The tool differs by set: the two 2.6″ wheels share the M2 hex version, while the 1.9″ Turbine ships with the 1.5mm hex driver for M1.6 scale bolts. The Center Line ST02 adds a Center Line decal sheet to its box.

Store info and product numbers

RC4WD lists all three sets on StoreRC4WD.com under their respective product numbers. The Center Line ST02’s product description pairs the Center Line license with a note that the wheels are sold only through RC4WD and its dealer network. The Slasher (#Z-W0162) and Turbine (#Z-W0097) sets are available in the same store.

Power Lab Vol. 10 is here

Team Cayote has posted the tenth installment of its Power Lab video series, and the new episode focuses on the ESC settings that can turn a good run into a fast lap. Patrick Beck hosts Vol. 10, talking through Boost and Turbo settings — the parameters Team Cayote says can make a car quick around the track when adjusted correctly.

The episode is aimed at helping racers understand how to handle Boost and Turbo and find the right combination on track, according to the announcement. It went live on Oct. 16, 2026, adding another tuning-focused entry to the Power Lab series.

Why Boost and Turbo are core Cayote tuning tools

Boost and Turbo are not just topics for the video; they are also part of how Team Cayote’s ESCs are set up for competition. The Crest 8 ESC, built for top-level 1/8 racing on off-road or on-road tracks, supports boost and turbo timing among more than 30 adjustable parameters. It also includes multiple preset modes, multiple protection functions, a high-power BEC, offline data recording, reverse-mode protections, and connection to Cayote’s B-Tune app.

For 1/10 competition, the Team Cayote Racing ESC is pitched at high-end racing. It offers three preset modes, sensored or sensorless control, more than 30 adjustable parameters, extensive protection, a powerful BEC, offline data recording, and data analysis.

The CREST X family takes tuning deeper

Cayote’s CREST X family shows how far the brand pushes Boost and Turbo tuning. The CREST X EVO page says the EVO delivers up to 64 degrees of Boost and Turbo timing, with a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 processor running at up to 108MHz. According to Cayote, that gives the EVO five times the computing power of the original CREST X, which the company says improves acceleration and braking performance.

The EVO also supports adjustable PWM frequency for both throttle and brake, letting drivers fine-tune response to match track conditions. Users can connect the optional BTUNE module for wireless adjustments, data reading, and firmware updates through a mobile app. The EVO page also highlights a metal-framed cooling fan with a four-vent design, advanced reverse polarity protection, and an external switch interface for easier wiring.

The earlier CREST X ESC is a 1/10 unit rated at 160A continuous current and 1100A peak, with BEC output selectable at 6.0V or 7.4V. It runs sensored or sensorless motors, supports firmware upgrades, records extreme and real-time data, and can be programmed with the Xlink Program Box, optional B-Tune connection, or the internal program port. Its spec sheet lists motor compatibility for 1/10 touring cars of 4.5T or higher and 1/10 off-road vehicles of 5.5T or higher, with 2S LiPo batteries.

More 1/10 racing options in the lineup

The range also includes the CREST RS 120, a 120A ultra-light ESC for serious 1/10 racing. It has advanced cooling tech, multiple preset modes, RPM limit control from 10K to 88K, data logging, and app-based tuning, and it is aimed at stock, on-road, off-road, and drift applications.

The CREST RS 60 & 80 ESCs target 1/10 on-road, off-road, and drift racing with reverse polarity protection, built-in capacitors, RPM limiting in the 10K–88K range, and app-based data logging. Cayote says they deliver smooth throttle response, efficient heat control, and easy installation, making them suitable for both competitive racing and everyday bashing.

Cayote’s B-Tune system is BQB certified for Bluetooth compliance, with the BTUNE module sold separately.

How to watch

The new Power Lab episode is live from Team Cayote. For US buyers, Cayote products are distributed by AMain Hobbies. More details and links are available on Cayote’s site.

A 1:12 First for the Uno Turbo

Laudoracing-Models has unveiled a 1:12-scale resin replica of the 1987 Fiat Uno Turbo i.e. — and the announcement describes it as a worldwide first for this particular car. The model was announced on October 18, 2026, with pre-orders open at the time of publication. The maker is first to market a 1:12-scale specimen of this specific model worldwide.

The miniature is a sealed, static, non-opening piece. The official product listing places it in the store’s Italian cars category and marks it as online-only and new. The listing describes a resin main body with additional plastic, metal, and decal elements, rubber wheels that do not steer, and a red finish. It weighs 1.86 kg, is about 30.36 cm long, 13 cm wide, and 11.41 cm tall, and comes in a 40 x 20 x 18 cm box. The listing also notes that spare parts are available and lists the production year as 2026/27.

Collectors will notice the product code LM088A-12 on the official page. The initial DiecastSociety.com writeup still had the product number marked TBD.

499 Pieces and a Pre-Order Price

The official page labels the Uno Turbo an exclusive pre-order. It is currently marked NOT AVAILABLE, with estimated availability by the end of June 2027. Laudoracing-Models calls that estimate prudent and says the date can change.

The run is limited to 499 pieces. The current pre-order price is €192.42, down from a listed €212.42. The company says buying during pre-order locks in the price, while the final price when the model becomes available may increase. The store’s pre-order section frames ordering early as a way to secure new miniatures at a reduced rate and avoid stock shortages.

The same pre-order program includes a broader roster of Italian-themed resin releases. Among them are 1:18-scale Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo I 1991 variants, Alfa Romeo Alfasud TI 1.5 Q.V. 1982 versions, and several Fiat 128 1100 CL 1976 colorways. The catalog also lists accessories, such as a resin finish line and podium for the Puma Dune Buggy, due in December 2026.

The Maker Behind the Model

Laudoracing-Models was born in 2013 from a passion for model making. The company says its focus is on high-quality miniature cars, primarily Italian automotive icons from the 1970s through the 1990s. It got its start with 1:24-scale models, then expanded into its current 1:18-centered lineup, along with newer 1:12, 1:43, and 1:64 lines. It says every model it produces is a tribute to automotive history, and it describes its catalog as spanning legendary road cars and racing vehicles.

According to the company’s own story, after a few years of development the first models went on sale and proved successful, including the Fiat 128 Coupé in several versions and the Fiat 127 Series 2 with CL and Sport variants. Its development process, it says, relies on experts including journalists, former pilots, and former mechanics. The maker describes its goal as allowing collectors to travel back in time through identically reproduced models, and it lists elegance, tradition, and uniqueness as core values. It adds that its purpose includes sharing a passion for model making and helping customers discover an era or story they have not known. The company says it has served enthusiasts, collectors, and curious newcomers since 2013.

The new 1:12 Uno Turbo is another addition to that Italian-focused catalog. Pre-orders are open now via the Laudoracing-Models official store, with deliveries estimated for the end of June 2027 and the company warning that both the arrival date and the eventual price remain subject to change.

Four New 1:18 Releases for March 2027

OttOmobile has another batch of sealed 1:18 resin models scheduled for March 2027, and the announcement deliberately covers different corners of car culture. The mix includes a Gendarmerie service car, a stanced estate, a rally-derived Clio, and a modern GT4 racer.

The four releases are:

• OT1253 – Alpine A310 1600VF Gendarmerie, Blue 1974
• OT1396 – Audi RS 4 (B5) Avant “stanced”, Avus Silver 2025
• OT1263 – BMW M4 GT4 Paul Ricard Pro-AM Winner 2026
• OT1394 – Renault Clio Williams Maxi “Kit Car”, Blue Sport 1995

Diecastsociety, which reported the lineup, highlights OttOmobile’s continued commitment to stretching its usual assortment. The report says the batch touches both the service and the tuner side, and it singles out the BBS wheels on the classic Audi. The Alpine A310 1600VF Gendarmerie is listed in Blue 1974. The Renault Clio Williams Maxi “Kit Car” appears in Blue Sport 1995, pointing to the rally-kit-car era. On the tuner side, the B5 Audi RS 4 Avant is shown as a “stanced” Avus Silver 2025 build, while the BMW M4 GT4 is tied to the Paul Ricard Pro-AM Winner campaign from 2026.

Official BMW M4 Race-Car Imagery

Alongside the model codes, OttOmobile has also generated official images of the BMW M4 race car. The images accompanied the new-model announcement. Diecastsociety raises the possibility that these are the first officially generated race-car images from the model industry, but the report leaves the question open, ending the thought with “possibly.”

Resin, Hand Assembly, and a Monthly Club

OttOmobile’s website describes the company as a creator of collectible die-cast model cars in 1:18 and 1:12 scale. Its product pages describe the miniatures as “resin models, hand-assembled and hand-painted, produced in limited and numbered editions.” The March 2027 cars sit in that same sealed-resin family.

The official news feed also shows a monthly release rhythm. The Club formula introduced in January has continued through 2026, with five 1:18 scale models each month and three Golden Tickets hidden in some customer orders. Recent official posts also highlight a 1/18 rally package built around Ari Vatanen’s 1988 1000 Lakes BMW M3, complete with a Prodrive service van and flatbed trailer, plus a 1/12 Volkswagen Beetle and the dedicated GT4 range on the OttOmobile site.

The GT4 Side: A Second BMW M4 GT4 Is Already Listed

OttOmobile’s GT4 page describes the category as series-derived racing cars that combine performance, reliability, and controlled costs for affordable competition. The official range already includes a BMW M4 GT4 24H Nürburgring 2026 model, catalog number OT1427, dated February 2027.

The product page identifies it as car #145 entered by Cerny Motorsport and driven by Joshua Bednarski, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Peter Cate, and Tom Schütze. According to the model description, the quartet won the GT4 SP10 category at the Nürburgring 24 Hours and finished 24th overall when GT4 and GT3 classes were combined. The miniature is described as a hand-assembled, hand-painted 1:18 resin replica of the #145 Nürburgring car, and its technical listing notes no opening parts.

The listing also says the updated BMW M4 GT4 was competing in numerous championships around the world in 2026 and appeared at the start of the Nürburgring 24 Hours. That gives the range two BMW M4 GT4 variants close together on the calendar: the Nürburgring car is set for February 2027, while the Paul Ricard Pro-AM winner arrives with the March 2027 lineup.

Spark has a new wave of diecast models on the way, and the October 2026 release announcement puts endurance racing front and center. The 1:18 lead item is a Le Mans prototype, while the 1:43 lineup reaches back to the 1950s.

1:18 Le Mans Headliner

The lead model is 18S1357, an Oreca 07-Gibson #24 Nielsen Racing car from the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans. Spark’s listing shows E. Pearson, D. H. Hansson, and J. Doohan as the driver names. Production photos for the entire announcement are already available, so collectors can inspect the liveries before any model reaches shelves.

Limited 1:43 Field

The 1:43 group is a strictly limited production run: each model is capped at 300 units. All of the small-scale subjects are racing cars, and the list spans nearly four decades of motorsport, from mid-1950s Maserati sports-racers to early-1990s Porsche endurance machinery.

Maserati gets three entries, all 300S models: the #1 winner of the 1956 1000 km Paris, the #35 third-place finisher at the 1955 Sebring 12 Hours, and the #2 winner of the 1957 Cuba Grand Prix with Juan Manuel Fangio.

Porsche is the most heavily represented marque, with five 964-generation cars in the small-scale lineup. The group includes the 911 964 Carrera RS that finished 9th at the 1992 Nürburgring 24 Hours with W. Röhrl, A. Bovensiepen, R. Kussmaul, and G. Memminger, plus four Spa 24 Hours entries spanning 1991, 1992, and 1993. Among those are the #20 911 Carrera 2 RS, the #54 964 Carrera 2 Cup, and two 964 Carrera 2 cars wearing #24 and #27.

Alfa Romeo is represented by a pair of GTV6s: a #44 Jolly Club car from 1983 and a GTV6 from the 1985 24 Hours of Spa. BMW has one entry, the 325i E36 #184 from the 33rd Nürburgring 24 Hours in 1992. The French contingent includes a Peugeot 505 #17 ‘Hertz’ from 1982, a Renault 5 Alpine #35 from 1980, and a Renault 5 Turbo #4 from the 1980 Tour Auto.

Looking deeper into the small-scale driver lists, the 1985 Spa GTV6 was shared by D. Schwartz, A. Thibaut, and J. Vignon. The BMW 325i E36 carried T. Voigt, C. Mühlberger, and D. Möller-Sonntag. The Porsche #20 Spa entry lists F. Kreutzpointner, D. de Radigues, and A. Bovensiepen, while the 1993 #54 Cup car was driven by M. Piessens, I. Viaene, and T. Joosen. The Renault 5 Alpine #35 is credited to Joël Gouhier, and the Tour Auto 5 Turbo to J. Ragnotti and JM. Andrié.

Build Notes and Retailer Listings

Mint Models describes the Oreca 07-Gibson as a benchmark LMP2 prototype and cites its 4.2-litre Gibson GK428 V8. Its product page also notes that Spark models are hand painted, decorated, and assembled.

Retailer listings tied to the Le Mans Oreca subject are already showing up. Raceland has the 1:43 Oreca 07-Gibson Nielsen Racing #32 from Le Mans 2026 listed for pre-order, described as a resin model about 10cm long. The same retailer also lists a CLX Motorsport Oreca 07-Gibson from the same race. Mint Models has a 1:18 Oreca 07-Gibson #14 listed with Lütke, Beche, and Estre as the drivers.

Release Timing

There is no official release date attached to the press release. DiecastSociety.com notes that none was mentioned and suspects the models could arrive in early Q1 2027. Until then, the production photos offer a detailed look at what Spark has in the pipeline.

Maker Faire Brno returns this weekend with a program that fills the city’s exhibition halls with robotics, 3D printing, space projects, and hands-on craft. The eighth edition opens October 17–18 at Brno Exhibition Centre. Since launching in 2019, the fair has grown to around 7,500 visitors and several hundred makers from Czechia and beyond. The Make More team organizes the event, with Fab Lab Brno as a key community partner.

The venue is part of the appeal: Brno’s Exhibition Halls offer dramatic architecture, soaring ceilings, natural light, a planetarium, a sprawling main hall, and plenty of nooks to explore. Around every corner, visitors will find curiosity in action, clever engineering, creative experiments, and serious maker talent.

Workshops for every skill level

Hands-on workshops are central to the weekend. The 2026 lineup covers 3D printing, robotics, electronics, space engineering, textiles, and hands-on crafts, with sessions ranging from short 30-minute introductions to deeper 90-minute dives. Activities are aimed at children, teens, adults, and families. Some workshops start with absolute basics; others dig into the tools and techniques used by engineers and designers. Many give participants something tangible to take home, whether it’s a robot, a print, a circuit, or a creation that’s entirely their own.

Prusa Research and the Maker Challenge

Prusa Research will be hard to miss. A driving force behind the growth of Maker Faires across Czechia, the company is the event’s general partner. Its Maker Challenge invites visitors to take a broken or unneeded object, combine it with 3D printing, and turn it into a smart educational aid, game, or gadget. Prototypes must fit in a standard school backpack (40 × 30 × 15 cm), and the best project wins a new Prusa 3D printer. Can’t make it to Brno? Prusa will also be at Maker Faire Rome the following week.

Projects worth finding

The fair’s project list spans engineering, art, science, and everyday problem-solving. Among this year’s highlights:

• SIMPLIXITY, a custom-designed 3D-printed loudspeaker from Acoustika 3D, invites visitors to open it up and see how enclosure design shapes sound.
• Sublisica shows how maker Jan Grygerek built his own engraving machine to preserve tiny frozen soap-bubble crystals on glass.
• Biouhel turns pruned garden waste into biochar, a porous carbon-rich material that helps soil retain water and nutrients.
• Masaryk University will bring computer science into the physical world with a robot that draws with a pen and a marionette controlled by the visitor’s movements.
• KAMaRAD, from Brno University of Technology, combines cameras, sensors, and millimeter-wave radar to detect road hazards and help protect cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
• A high-performance 3D-printed RC jet boat with onboard telemetry uses a water pump/jet, durable engineering polymers, and an ESP32 chip to send GPS speed, battery voltage, and key operating temperatures to shore in real time.

Other hands-on stops include a bearing workshop where visitors remove and reinstall bearings from skateboards, bikes, and roller skates, plus Bača Customs’ wooden gravity racers and RaveBOX, a synthesizer-sequencer hybrid that grew out of a playful electronics experiment.

Repair, danger, and the main stage

Making doesn’t stop at the workshop tables. The Repair Zone returns with makers and educators fixing broken objects on the spot around the Fab Lab truck, along with practical repair workshops. A dedicated Danger Zone offers a contained space for action demos, including unconventional hovercraft races, custom go-karts, and wild bikes.

On the main stage, Saturday’s program runs from a 24-hour Student Hardware Hackathon and ESERO Czech Republic’s space-education session to Prusa Research’s Maker Challenge, physics-and-chemistry science shows, an aurora talk, and right-to-repair discussions. Sunday brings hackathon awards, DIY digital footwear, student-built AI projects, experimental design, and an open mic for makers.

Also at the fair: Czech Railways will have a train driver simulator and virtual-reality look at railway jobs, while ČEZ’s Svět energie offers VR tours of power plants. The festival runs Saturday 10:00–18:00 and Sunday 10:00–16:00.

Schumacher is giving its Eclipse 6 LMP12 racer a bolt-on chassis overhaul. The company has announced the U9620 Eclipse 6 Steel Chassis Upgrade Set, a package built around a 1.1mm spring steel chassis and aimed at the high-grip conditions commonly found in LMP12 racing.

What the steel chassis changes

The key plate is a specially developed spring steel chassis that is 11.5mm narrower than the standard platform. At the same time, the reduced thickness drops all chassis-mounted components 0.9mm lower. Schumacher says the result is an ultra-low center of gravity, increased mid-corner rotation, and a wider setup window, with the spring steel material tuned for smooth, predictable performance.

LiveRC’s coverage of the same press release adds another number: the steel chassis weighs 91.2g, or 7g more than the standard 2mm alloy chassis. Schumacher describes the package as engineered for fast yet easy-to-drive characteristics, with a smoother feel that suits the high-grip conditions typical of 1/12th-scale LMP12 racing.

What’s in the U9620 set

The upgrade kit includes the steel chassis, carbon fibre topdecks, side links, and specially designed mounting hardware. The mounting screws require a Torx T7 driver; Schumacher specifically mentions the Takashima T7 driver TKSM-185 as one option. LiveRC adds that the Takashima T7 driver and handle set is available separately.

Schumacher has also assigned spare part numbers to the new components: U9621 for the steel chassis, U9622 for the 120-degree lower screw set, U9623 for the side links, and U9624 for the carbon fibre topdecks. The spare part designations list both E5 and Eclipse 6 for U9621 through U9624, so those parts are shared across the two cars. The upgrade is not limited to the Eclipse 6 either, as the kit itself is also compatible with the earlier Eclipse 5.

The Eclipse 6 connection

The Eclipse 6 is Schumacher’s professional 1/12th-scale LMP12 chassis kit, listed under part number SCH-K218. Retail listings describe it as a competition car with back-to-back IFMAR World Championship pedigree. The kit already includes race-oriented pieces such as an ultra-smooth front suspension with a new hub carrier and kingpin assembly, a revised rear pod assembly, big-bore side and centre dampers, low-CG CNC alloy motor mounts, and an enclosed front spring design. Other updates on the car include two-piece rear hex wheel clamps, slide-in ride height spacers, and a 0.75mm adjusted pod offset in the updated rear pod. Suggested electronics compatibility includes Sanwa micro servos such as the PGS-HR and SRG-HR, with an ultra-lightweight floating servo mount for other brands, according to retail descriptions.

The published spec sheet lists the car as a 2WD, on-road, electric competition model, with a 280mm length, 172mm width, 202mm wheelbase, and a top speed above 40mph. It is sold as an unassembled kit, and retailers list a 2-channel radio, motor, servo, electronic speed controller, 1S LiPo battery, bodyshell and paint, and wheels and tyres as the items needed to complete it.

The new steel chassis upgrade is aimed at racers who run LMP12-class cars in high-grip conditions. LiveRC’s report adds that the upgrade set is also compatible with the Schumacher Eclipse 5, so the same conversion applies to both cars.

Price and availability

The U9620 Eclipse 6 Steel Chassis Upgrade Set is priced at £149.99. Schumacher’s announcement points customers to Racing-Cars.com. For context, UK retailer Wheelspin Models lists the complete Eclipse 6 chassis kit at £319.99, with an RRP of £359.99.