The No Name RC Podcast

The NNRC News Show is back!

In this episode of the Story of a World Champion series, Lefty sits down with 2012 IFMAR 1/8 Off-Road World Champion Robert Batlle to tell the full story of his unforgettable championship run in Argentina. Robert takes us back to his first World Championship as a 14-year-old in 2002 and the journey that eventually led him to the top of RC racing. He shares the incredible story of winning the 2012 Worlds Warm-Up with the Mugen MBX6—only to be told just one month before the World Championship that he had to race the brand-new MBX7. With rain limiting testing in Spain, Robert and his team drove thousands of kilometers across Europe chasing dry tracks, even using headlights from full-size cars to continue testing after dark. Robert breaks down the tire and setup decisions that helped him survive the brutally rough Argentina track, his battle with Ty Tessmann, his patient strategy during the 60-minute final, and the emotional final lap when he realized he was about to become World Champion. We also talk about his $20,000 Worlds-winning bonus, the promise that resulted in him buying Mugen kits for the friends who helped him prepare, how becoming World Champion changed his career, and his thoughts heading into the 2026 IFMAR World Championship in Texas. This is Robert Batlle: 76 Laps to Glory—the story behind one of RC racing's most memorable World Championship victories. Thank you for listening and supporting The No Name RC Podcast. — Lefty ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS ⏱️ 00:00 – Intro 00:45 – Robert's IFMAR Worlds career 05:25 – Preparing for the 2012 Worlds 09:32 – Mugen gives Robert the new MBX7 13:57 – Testing under car headlights 22:08 – The rough Argentina track 24:26 – Robert's tire & race strategy 34:32 – Breaking down the 2012 Worlds Final 45:04 – The final 90 seconds 48:36 – Robert's emotional victory interview 53:59 – How much was the World Championship bonus? 1:01:06 – Preparing for the 2026 Texas Worlds 1:04:19 – Who will win the next Worlds?

The road to the 20th 1/8 Off-Road IFMAR World Championship continues as Lefty and longtime Kyosho legend Mic Cradock revisit the unforgettable 2012 Worlds in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mic shares stories about customs problems, security concerns and the atmosphere surrounding the event. He also takes us behind the scenes of Elliott Boots' dominant qualifying performance, the steering-servo failure that ended Elliott's championship run in the semifinal and the debate over whether the overall TQ should receive a guaranteed place in the final. The episode concludes with Robert Batlle's breakthrough World Championship victory, his remarkable consistency at the highest level and the story behind his lucky number 36. Watch the full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7lEH58-llM

The modern era of the 1/8 Off-Road IFMAR World Championships begins! Lefty and longtime Kyosho legend Mic Cradock revisit the rain-soaked 2008 Worlds in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Atsushi Hara used consistency and fuel strategy to deliver Hot Bodies its first World Championship. They also look back at the dramatic 2010 Worlds in Pattaya, Thailand, where Cody King defeated a stacked field to capture Kyosho's eighth 1/8 Off-Road World Championship. Hear the stories behind Charlotte's mud-soaked track, pizza-cutter tires, Mike Truhe's incredible speed, the arrival of a new generation and two unforgettable championship victories. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5yPuPLIaLo

Expect the Unexpected: 2006 IFMAR Worlds in Jakarta Lefty and longtime Kyosho legend Mic Cradock revisit the unforgettable 2006 IFMAR 1/8 Off-Road World Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia. Mic shares the story behind Mark Pavidis' long-awaited World Championship victory, the brutally rough track, risky setup decisions, fuel-strategy drama, Yannick Aigoin's costly rollover, and the pressure surrounding the Kyosho team. Plus, plenty of hilarious and unbelievable stories from racing around the world.

The First American: History of the 1/8 Off-Road IFMAR Worlds – Part #5 The road to the 20th 1/8 Off-Road IFMAR World Championship continues as Lefty and longtime Kyosho legend Mic Cradock revisit the 2002 Worlds in Punta del Este, Uruguay. Hear how Greg Degani became the first American 1/8 Off-Road World Champion, the problems that ended other contenders' chances, and why Degani's dedication never received enough credit. They also move into the 2004 Worlds in Sweden, Guillaume Vray ending Kyosho's winning streak, technical controversies, and the beginning of a new media era for RC racing.

Kanai Gets His Win! | History of the 1/8 IFMAR Off-Road Worlds – Part 4 Lefty and Mic Cradock continue their journey through IFMAR history, revisiting Daniel Reckward's 1998 World Championship victory in Portugal and Yuichi Kanai's emotional first Worlds win in Las Vegas in 2000. Hear stories about the legendary RB WS7 engine, brutal rental cars, the enormous Las Vegas driver stand, Mic getting married during the Worlds, and Kanai finally becoming World Champion with the buggy he helped design. Watch the full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy50X1_ZU30  

The Italians fight back in Part 3 of our History of the 1/8th IFMAR Off-Road World Championships! Lefty and longtime Kyosho legend Mic Cradock revisit the 1994 Worlds in Austria and the 1996 Worlds in England. They discuss Maurizio Monesi's second World Championship, Alex Laffranchi's surprise victory, Kyosho's growing dominance, changing track designs, tire development, pit stops, wild travel stories, and plenty of behind-the-scenes memories. Watch the video version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW8S4CzVyGM

Lefty is joined again by longtime Kyosho legend Mic Cradock to continue the history of the 1/8th IFMAR Off-Road World Championships. Mic shares firsthand stories from his first Worlds in Bangkok, Thailand, in 1990 before moving into the rain-soaked 1992 Worlds in Germany, where Kunihiro Toge delivered Kyosho its first of eight World Championships. They also discuss early RC technology, track conditions, tire development, international travel and the beginning of Japanese dominance in 1/8th off-road racing. Watch the video version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2g5yld6E1E

Time stamps  00:00  - Intro  7:47 - David's Early beginnings  16:38 - Houston RC Scene back in the day  22:00 - Slick tires: Where born at M&Ms 24:16 - When did David Start Travelling  26:12 - Driving for XRAY RC America  28:50 - Chris Crews - Crews Control  30:33 - The ⅛ Off-Road Boom  32:08 - Reno Savoya and the attitude era of ⅛ rc  36:43 - David Spashett story  38:59 - Is ⅛ bigger now than 1/10 & Diversification of Avid  52:06 -  Avid & Kurt Wenger Split ways And Other Bearing Companies  56:43 - How did Avid survive over the years  59:53 - Pivot to Tires or Car? 1:10:31 - How Joor Told Jason Avid was making tires. 1:16:36 - Working with the Competetion  1:20:29 - Carpet Tire Design & ⅛ Tires  1:23:50 - Cost of making tires  1:28:57 - Sponsorship & Is RC Still Cheap to Race  1:34:28 - Spec Tires  1:44:47 - Carpet Racing the Future  1:51:53 - David's local track: & other opinions for tracks 1:59:36 - Sponsored Culture  2:14:20 - Still Selling Bearings & Future of Avid 

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS ⏱️ 0:00 – Intro 7:50 – Jconcepts | Catching Up 18:10 – Hitec RC | News 19:52 – Völker to RC Maker 25:23 – Future of Mugen Onroad Program 29:20 – What's the future of Phi's engine program? 38:38 – Invisiblespeed | Pre Race Talking points 39:52 – The new Schedule at the Nationals 52:15 – The track 59:45 – ML Toys | Race Recap 1:03:21 – Electric Truggy Recap 1:05:27 – Nitro Truggy Recap 1:07:58 – Electric Buggy Recap 1:13:47 – What's going on with Ryan Lutz? 1:18:04 – Electric Buggy Finals 1:25:45 – Nitro Buggy Recap 2:03:31 – The Incident 2:42:27 – The Big Debate About Future of Racing in America 3:23:17 – Sidewinder | Winners, Losers and Gossip 3:25:50 – Ending ramblings  In the No Name RC Race Recap Show #15 we cover the 2026 1/8th Offroad ROAR Nationals with Max and Lefty!

0:00 – Intro & Rant 16:57 – Catching Up with Max & Will 28:26 – RC News 39:03 – Slick-Tire Racing 43:39 – 2026 Silly Season 59:52 – Ronald Völker Leaves Mugen 1:17:55 – European Championship Recap: The Track 1:30:43 – Spec Tires but No Tire Limits? 1:44:03 – 2WD Recap: Congratulations, Marcus Kærup! 2:12:42 – 4WD European Championship Recap 2:40:15 – Winners & Losers 2:49:48 – Is Marcus Kærup the Best RC Racer in the World? The 2026 RC Silly Season is heating up, and the EFRA 1/10th Off-Road European Championships gave us plenty to discuss! In NNRC Show #353, Lefty, Max, and Will talk about:

In this episode of Coffee & RC, Lefty is joined by Pekko Iivonen to recap the 2026 EFRA 1/8th Off-Road European Championships. We congratulate Juan Carlos Canas on capturing his third European Championship before breaking down the biggest stories and performances from the event. Pekko also shares his own race experience, including an incredible LCQ victory followed by a charge from 13th on the grid to finish 8th in the A-Main. We also answer questions from the live audience and discuss all things RC racing. Grab a coffee and enjoy the conversation! ☕ Buy Your Hosts a Coffee! If you're enjoying the content and would like to support us directly, you can buy us a coffee using one of the options below. ☕ Support Lefty • Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/leftythegreat • PayPal: paypal.me/kkwhite78/10 ☕ Support Pekko • Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/pekkoiivonen Every coffee and tip is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support! ❤️  

T Time Stamps : 00:00 intro Max lefty catch up  25:26 - BRCA 1:8 Nats  30:07 TNR Arenacross  34:46 - Jermaine Robinson Fastest 1:8 Racer in Cali!  38:49 - Cali King of Club Racing  41:11- LCRC - Party Rock Race  42:40 -  JConcepts INS RD #3  44:10 - Schumacher dominates on carpet at INS 49:07 - Domnic Paccione Best Spec Driver in the World & Spec vs Mod tangents  1:03:20 - ⅛ needs a mechanical difference  1:08:20 - SWORKZ LCG Conversion  1:34:09 - More Vintage Releases 1:38:40 -Light Weight Gears

Daniel came over from Norway for his first INS race and left with wins in both 2WD and 4WD Mod after a brutal weekend on one of the toughest carpet tracks we have seen. The RC One layout had concrete walls, a tricky quad jump, changing track conditions, and plenty of carnage, but Daniel managed the chaos and came out on top.   In this episode, we talk about his wins, the battle with Taylor Sontag, Brennan Schimmel's speed, the Schumacher team effort, European vs American track styles, and what makes RC One such a unique challenge. Huge thanks to Daniel for coming on and sharing his thoughts after a massive weekend for him and the Schumacher team. ☕ Buy Your Host, Lefty, a Coffee! Enjoying the content? Support Lefty with a coffee using either option below: ☕ Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/leftythegreat

Time Stamps: 00:00 - Intro and Welcome, Kevin  27:12 - How Beach RC pushed Amain  34:18 - Bicycle Integration into Website Hurt AMain  41:56 - Online sales are the

The NNRC News Show is back with another episode! Max and Lefty explore some breaking industry news as Javier Garcia gets appointed as IFMAR section chairman, the biggest races in the past few weeks such as the Jconcepts ONS at Adrenaline and ETS at Apeldoorn as well as the coolest new releases in the RC Market! Time Stamps: 0:00 - Intro & Catchup 8:52 - Industry News  9:40 - Javier Garcia Interim IC Director at IFMAR  24:41 -Rick Howhart Departs from AR after 19 years  29:28 - Race Results  30:33 - JBRL  33:05 - Brca 1/10 the Nats rd #3 34:41 -Spanish Nats RD #3  38:25 - ONS RD #2 44:50 - GT Euros 51:22 - Italian Race  57:48- Barrufolo Wins Kyosho Masters  1:00:23 - ETS RD #1 1:17:29 - New Releases - AE Drops1/8th Platform  1:34:56 - Sparko F8 SE  1:36:16 - AE FTE RC10 Truck  1:40:34 - Avalon TC Body  2:11:02 - 3d Printed nitro pipe Manifold?  2:15:10 - R1 Wurks Titanium Driveshafts  2:18:24 -TLR RPP is Back  2:21:04 -  David Ronnefalk Buys Latera Racing  2:25:26 - Max Rear vs Mid Motor Rebuttal  2:38:27 - Conclusion 

Daniel came over from Norway for his first INS race and left with wins in both 2WD and 4WD Mod after a brutal weekend on one of the toughest carpet tracks we have seen. The RC One layout had concrete walls, a tricky quad jump, changing track conditions, and plenty of carnage, but Daniel managed the chaos and came out on top. In this episode, we talk about his wins, the battle with Tater Sontag, Brennan Schimmel's speed, the Schumacher team effort, European vs American track styles, and what makes RC One such a unique challenge. Huge thanks to Daniel for coming on and sharing his thoughts after a massive weekend for him and the Schumacher team. Can Daniel carry this momentum into Round #3? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️

The first ever episode of the NNRC News Show is now here. Max and Lefty explore past races, the biggest announcements as well as the hottest new releases!  

Yes yes yes indeed! Nitro is the glory but Ebuggy pays the bills! In this episode of the No Name RC Podcast, Lefty, Max & Pekko sit down to geek out over the 2026 IFMAR Worlds Warm-Up Race from Thornhill Raceway in Texas! The boys break down Davide Ongaro's domination, Ryan Maifield's charge through the field, Matty Polito's impressive pace, and what this race really means heading into the Worlds later this year. The conversation gets heated as the crew dives deep into the tire sauce controversy, IFMAR's enforcement plans, and whether the Worlds Warm-Up was actually useful for the top drivers. They also compare American, European, and Asian track styles, discuss setup philosophies, fuel mileage strategy, and what it's truly going to take to beat Ongaro at the Worlds. Plus plenty of classic NNRC bench racing, RC industry talk, laughs, tangents, and chaos along the way! Thank you to all of our sponsors, patrons, YouTube members, and listeners for the continued support of the NNRC. #NNRC #RCRacing #IFMAR #NitroBuggy #RCPodcast

Show #350 – The No Name RC Podcast | Paul Wynn of JConcepts In this episode, Lefty sits down in person at the JConcepts warehouse with Paul Wynn—national champion, former Schumacher USA team manager, and a key figure behind the growth of JConcepts. From 1980s Florida parking lot racing to competing at the World Championships and helping build one of the biggest brands in RC, Paul shares an incredible journey through the evolution of RC racing. The guys dive into old-school racing culture, the legendary rivalries, the shift to modern high-tech racing, and what it really takes to support top drivers today. They also break down body design, aerodynamics, tire choices, racer mentality, and the future of RC racing—plus why grassroots racing might be the key to growing the hobby again. If you love RC history, behind-the-scenes insight, and real talk from the industry—this is a must-listen. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Intro & JConcepts HQ 00:21 – Meet Paul Wynn 01:01 – Getting into RC (80s parking lot racing) 02:12 – Early Florida RC scene 03:24 – First big races & Winter Champs 04:31 – Turning serious & sponsorship 07:37 – Influences & early legends 10:10 – Associated vs Losi rivalry 12:48 – Early 90s racing grind 15:23 – On-road success & podiums 16:31 – National title & Schumacher 18:32 – World Championships experience 22:14 – Working at Schumacher USA 27:06 – Touring car boom & decline 31:17 – Grassroots racing importance 36:26 – Joining JConcepts 41:30 – Learning body design & molds 43:40 – 3D printing & modern production 47:12 – Aerodynamics in RC 51:47 – Racing vs basher market 56:00 – Tire choice & driver support 59:30 – Racer mentality & aggression 1:03:05 – Young drivers vs pros 1:06:30 – Modern track trends 1:10:18 – Entry-level challenges 1:12:27 – Are cars too fast? 1:17:00 – Old school vs modern RC 1:19:53 – Growth of JConcepts 1:21:56 – Paul's current role 1:23:50 – Life outside RC 1:26:00 – Outro  

00:00 Intro 00:37 Episode overview 05:27 Alan's RC beginnings 08:10 Hobby shop & early RC racing 13:06 Northeast RC history 21:43 EMS career & return to hobby 23:18 Decline of hobby shops 30:15 Birth of ML Toys 34:51 Product growth & R&D 38:25 Leaving the hobby shop 42:07 ML Toys today 44:19 Power Wheels industry insight 49:30 Racing vs bashing 57:55 Power Wheels shutdown (Mattel) 1:00:43 Building new ML Toys cars 1:07:12 Back to RC racing 1:11:08 Motorama & racing scene 1:15:50 Battery swap innovation 1:20:24 Final thoughts

Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro   02:24 Meet Racing Jason   05:04 Building the Viral Backyard Track   06:33 How He Got Into RC & Racing   09:36 Sprint Car Racing Background  16:14 From Racing to DirtFish Instructor   19:02 Backyard Track Vision & Growing RC  21:15 Are RC Race Days TOO Long?   23:21 The Problem with Current Formats   29:30 Backyard Track in Action  33:29 Jason's NEW Race Format Explained   36:05 Can This Work at Big Races?   41:07 Making RC More Exciting to Watch   44:12 Do We Need a Pro RC Series?  50:53 How Do We Grow RC?   58:12 Woes of Turn Marshaling 1:02:59 Track Design & Layout   1:04:15 How to Build Your Own RC Track  1:13:47 What is DirtFish Rally School?   1:19:29 RC vs Full Scale Racing  1:27:54 Final Thoughts   1:32:00 Outro   Show #348 – Racing Jason & His Awesome Backyard RC Track In this episode of the No Name RC Podcast, Lefty sits down with Racing Jason — the creator behind one of the most talked-about backyard RC tracks in the world. Jason shares his journey from growing up around off-road racing to competing in full-scale sprint cars, and how that passion led him into RC and building a unique track layout deep in the Pacific Northwest. We dive into: • The evolution of his backyard RC track and design ideas • His background in full-scale racing and transition into RC • His role as a driver instructor at DirtFish Rally School • The current state of RC racing formats and why change is needed • Ideas for shorter race days and more engaging racing • Hosting backyard races and experimenting with new formats • Advice for anyone looking to build their own RC track This is a great conversation about creativity in RC, growing the hobby, and thinking differently about how we race. If you have guest suggestions or want to be featured on the show, reach out — we're always looking to highlight people doing cool things in RC. Thank you to the NNRC squad around the world for your continued support.

Time stamps: 5:33 -  Start in RC and With Matrix  11:18 - Full Time F1 Engineer  18:49 - Nitro On Road Racing  21:53 - 1/10 Nitro vs ⅛ Nitro Onroad 27:33 - Poor On Road Nitro Worlds Attendance?  33:28 - On Road GT Racing ?  37:40 - F1 & RC Geometry The Same Data Collection and Analysis  46:23 - Aero in RC  52:07 -  The IWI Pitwatch 56:46 - Connect watch to Count laps  Show #347 – IWI Pit Watch & Nitro On-Road Science Mode with David Loppini In this episode of The No Name RC Podcast, Lefty sits down with David Loppini, an Italian RC racer and Formula 1 vehicle dynamics engineer currently working with the Audi F1 project. David shares his journey through 1/10 nitro on-road racing, working with Matrix, and how his career in motorsport engineering developed from RC racing into the world of Formula 1. We also dive into how concepts like suspension geometry, aerodynamics, data analysis, and simulation translate directly between full-scale motorsport and RC cars. The episode also features a product spotlight on David's new creation — the IWI Pit Watch, a smartwatch designed specifically for RC racers that helps manage lap times, pit strategy, fuel windows, and race schedules during events. If you enjoy the technical side of RC racing, engineering discussions, and innovation in the hobby, this is a great episode to check out. Topics covered in this episode: David Loppini's RC racing background Racing 1/10 Nitro On-Road in Europe Working in Formula 1 vehicle dynamics Suspension, aero, and setup crossover between F1 and RC Data, telemetry, and the future of RC racing The new IWI Pit Watch and how it works Thank you to all the NNRC listeners around the world for your continued support. Nitro is the glory… but E-Buggy pays the bills.

Time Stamps: 0:00:00    The No Name RC Podcast 0:04:21    Jconcepts | Catch up 0:10:42    Hitec RC | News 0:20:55    Release of the B7.1 0:38:18    Additively manufactured metal gearbox by Schumacher 0:48:44    Release of the 22X-4 2.0 1:03:31    Invisible Speed | Recent races: MKGP 2026 1:35:36    EOS Pre race talking points 1:58:02    ** Advertisement break ** 1:59:36    ML Toys | Race Recap: EOS Daun 2:01:19    2wd Recap 2:18:00    4wd Recap 2:31:35    Sidewinder Fuels | Winners & Losers 2:42:00    Gossip of the week 2:57:31    Outro Show #346 – It's All About 1/10th Scale Racing | EOS Daun, MKGP & Tech Deep Dive The boys are back — and this one is a full-on 1/10th scale racing deep dive. In this episode of The No Name RC Podcast, we break down everything happening in the 10th scale off-road world right now, including EOS Daun and MKGP, along with major technical discussions around new car releases and evolving setup trends. We cover: EOS Daun race recap (2WD & 4WD) MKGP inside a UK shopping center Team Associated B7.1 updates Schumacher's 3D-printed gearbox innovation TLR 22X4 2.0 release Shock technology evolution and flapper piston debate Transmission layout trends (3-gear vs 5-gear) Carpet vs dirt driving styles Prototype “B6.7” rumors spotted in the pits The current state of European 10th scale racing This episode is a proper racer's conversation — long-form, technical, and focused on where 1/10th scale is heading. If you're serious about 10th scale off-road racing, this is one you don't want to miss. Thank you to all of our sponsors and supporters for keeping the podcast going.

The Winter Project - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u44qrLTs2k0 00:00:00 Intro 00:05:15 Paul Thacker Intro 00:12:00 Snow Machines! 01:00:00 Life after Injuries 01:16:15 Segway into RC 01:37:40 When the hobby becomes a job 01:43:50 Getting big sponsors into RC 02:05:00 Outro

Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Intro 00:04:50 Jussi Luopajärvi 00:16:58 Origins of Test Logger 00:23:10 Data logging 00:41:08 Test Logger Analyzer Pro Features 00:51:55 Vision for the future 00:58:10 2011 Vaasa Worlds 01:25:55 World Championship Series? 01:43:53 Hydrogren RC cars 01:53:42 OutroProduct Spotlight: TestLogger w/ Jussi Luopajärvi In this episode of the No Name RC Podcast, Lefty is joined by Jussi Luopajärvi, the creator of TestLogger, to break down how data logging, telemetry, and analysis can help RC racers improve lap times, consistency, and car setup. Jussi shares how TestLogger was inspired by full-scale motorsports, how racers can use data to better understand their driving and vehicle behavior, and why structured testing is becoming the future of RC racing. We also talk about the evolution of RC technology, lessons from professional motorsports, and how tools like TestLogger can benefit racers at every level — from club racers to top competitors. If you're into RC performance, tuning, and getting faster through smarter driving, this episode is a must-listen.

00:00 - Intro  06:31 - Welcome Marcus & Early Beginnigs  20:47 - First Euros Race  26:41 - First Foray into Nitro and 2nd Euro Win 33:54 - Driver Marcus looked up too 35:37-  Rivalry with Broc start EOS?  38:32 - 2023 Worlds in USA  44:14 - Back To Nitro 49:47 - 2025 Worlds Warm Up  53:43 - 1/10 World Championship 2025 2WD leg  1:11:38 - 1/10 Worlds 2025 4WD Leg  1:24:16 - Beef with Broc  1:26:30 - 1st Florida Carpet Championship  1:29:37 - Ebuggy World Championship  1:38:10 - What's Next for Marcus ?  1:39:39 - RC for a living? 1:42:10 - What does Marcus do in spare time   

Time Stamps : 00:00 - Intro Happy NY! 05:56 - Max & Lefty What's new  15:07 - What is the RC Silly Season?  23:05 - ⅛ Off- Road Chassis Moves  31:00 - Wallie - HongNor and another company for career opportunities? 38:44 - Adrien Pariente to Sparko 41:39 - Oceania RC Silly Season  43:07 - 1/10 Chassis Moves - Jorn Neauman - WIRC 47:10 -Brennan Schimmel to Schumacher  51:10 - Where is Tater Sontag? 53:23 -  Tire Silly Season Moves - Matrix Pushing in USA  1:06:42 - HOTRACE Moves  1:10:56 - JConcepts Sign Burak Kilic  1:13:36 - Exodus of drivers from Hotrace and where they went.  1:24:32 - Small But Significant Moves 1:31:32 - Max Tangent - Death of Nitro Onroad  1:38:56 - Joona Haatanen - Ruddog Electrónics  1:42:00 Final SillySeason Synopsis - Tire W@r 1:53:09 - Economics - Companies switching up strategies & conclusion  The first recorded episode of 2026 is here, and Lefty & Max are breaking down everything that happened during this year's RC Racing Silly Season. While this off-season didn't bring the massive chassis shakeups we've seen in the past, there are still major storylines that will shape the 2026 racing year. From driver moves and team changes to tire wars, sponsorship shifts, and the business side of RC, we dig into what really matters—and what it means for racers, brands, and fans moving forward. In this episode, we discuss: • Why this Silly Season was quieter than previous years • The most important chassis and team changes • Major tire market moves and new brand pushes • Dakotah Phend to Matrix and its industry impact • Driver moves across the USA, Europe, and beyond • The economics of RC racing: contracts, support, and sustainability • What to watch heading into the biggest races of 2026 Whether you're a hardcore racer, industry insider, or longtime RC fan, this episode delivers honest bench racing, insider perspective, and real talk about where the sport is headed. Nitro is the glory… but E-Buggy pays the bills.

05:35 -Bongiorno Nicola  8:12 - HOTRACE Factory in Italy & USA  12:23 - RC Off Road Tire Development  17:44 - Unseen Costs of Tire development 23:22 -  Carpet Tires USA & Europe  26:36 - Rough Cost of producing 1/10 Slick Tire  29:05 - ⅛ Tire Market & New Indoor Tire  32:27 - ⅛ tire harder to develop than 1/10  33:08 - Thoughts On RAWSpeed Sale 35:32 - Expansion of USA Team?  38:47 - Marco Leaves Again Why?  41:09 - Two More Drivers Leaving Why?  45:26 - Drivers on No Tire Contracts? 47:00 - Plans for New Euro drivers?  50:20 - Nicolas Thoughts on Spec Tires 1:03:36 - How to Save Nitro OnRoad  1:17:51 - Sport vs Hobby & Future of RC  1:22:00 - Lefty wants a celebrity RC race  1:34:12 -Conclusion    In this episode, Lefty sits down with HotRace Tyres boss Nicola Marrone for one of the most honest and insightful RC conversations of the year. Nicola joins us from his factory in Italy to talk about what it really takes to build world-class tyres, the massive cost and grind behind R&D, the differences between U.S. and European carpet racing, and how tyre development affects performance at the highest level. They also dive deep into: • The true cost of a winning tyre and why volume matters • New 1/8 indoor tyre developments and preparation for Worlds • Marco Baruffolo leaving HotRace and possible big-name moves coming • Why some drivers deserve big contracts… and why some don't • A heated debate: Spec tyres vs Open tyres at IFMAR Worlds • Is RC a hobby or a real sport? Nicola explains why it absolutely is a sport • How RC can grow globally and why celebrity involvement could change everything If you love real RC talk, business truth, passion, and behind-the-scenes insight into the RC industry, this episode is a must-listen. Support the NNRC Patreon & YouTube Members help us keep the lights on—thank you for the continued support! Support the companies that support the podcast! Links and partners in the episode notes. Nitro is the glory… Ebuggy pays the bills. Enjoy the show!

00:00:00     Intro 00:05:31     World Champ 00:11:27     Broc's Beginnings 00:20:04     Leaving AE for Schumacher 00:28:45     Schumacher Development 00:37:35     New 4wd 00:46:45 - Working on Himself 00:55:40     Worlds 01:03:27     Rivalry brewing? 01:05:50     Back to Worlds 01:11:38     Plans for next year 01:15:04     Outro Fresh off claiming the 2025 IFMAR 2WD World Championship, Broc Champlin sits down with Lefty to unpack one of the biggest seasons of his career. This is Broc at his most open and honest—breaking down the highs, lows, pressure moments, and the mindset shift that took him to the top. In this episode, Broc shares: • How he nearly missed the Worlds and struggled through a rough start in practice • The bold setup gamble that completely changed his week • His move to Schumacher and the development of the new shaft-drive 4WD • The warm-up heat battles, the jump-section controversy, and the official protest • His evolution as a racer—faith, maturity, and learning to win and lose with grace • What's ahead for 2026: EOS, INS, and possible 1/8-scale racing If you enjoy real RC conversation—mindset, rivalries, setups, and race-week chaos—this episode is a must-listen. Follow & Subscribe: Leave a review, follow the podcast, and share with your RC friends—your support keeps the NNRC rolling strong!

Time Stamps 00:00:00      Intro  00:07:25      JConcepts Catuchup  00:24:00      Hitec RC News 01:20:00     Tekno RC Silly Season 01:55:50      Recent Races 01:57:10      AE Vintage Race 2:21:28        AMS 2:49:15        FCC 03:17:10      1/10th 2027 worlds Location 03:34:15      Sidewinder Racing Upcoming Races 03:37:03      Outro (Lefty for PRESIDENT) Show #339 – The No Name RC Podcast | RC News & More with Max, Will & Lefty The full NNRC crew is back together for a loaded episode packed with RC news, race recaps, industry debates, and behind-the-scenes insight from across the RC world. Lefty recaps his massive six-week USA RC tour, including Masters of Dirt, the Alabama Manufacturer Shootout, and the Florida Carpet Championships. Will talks about racing, content creation, and the response to his Worlds vlog, while Max dives headfirst into the latest RC controversies, touring car development drama, and the business side of pro racing. The crew also discusses the growing 1/8 short course trend, future IFMAR Worlds host locations, pro driver economics, tire controversies, and how the RC industry is evolving heading into 2026. As always, expect unfiltered opinions, real talk, and passionate bench racing from the NNRC squad.  

Time Stamps: 00:00 - Intro  4:30 - Welcome Robert 6:00 - Year 1 at SWORKz 10:22 - Role at SWORKz  14:12 - Car development & testing 19:25 Euro Vs USA car setup  22:20 - No SWORKz at 1/10 Worlds 28:31 - New 1/10th cars and future  32:56 - HOTRACE tires development  35:40 - Process of Making RC Tires 42:20 - 36 MOOD  45:15 - RB36 Ultimate Racing Engine  50:15 - Robert's Patreon  58:59 - Robert's Longevity & Brand  1:08:07 - Mitsubishi Monteros & Conclusion 

In this episode, Lefty sits down with three-time European Champion Reno Savoya for a deep and detailed conversation about the brand-new Kyosho MP11 and Kyosho's renewed push in 1/8 off-road racing. Reno shares the real story behind the MP11 project — how the design began, why Kyosho chose a ground-up rebuild, and how modern tools like 3D CAD and 3D printing transformed the development process. He also talks about his long career across Europe, Australia, and the United States, his role inside Kyosho's racing program, and what the MP11 brings to today's high-speed, high-grip tracks. The discussion also covers:

⏱ Chapters 00:00 Intro & sponsors 06:16 Mark goes full-time on YouTube 19:50 Area RC warehouse & vision 34:04 MSM Southern Showdown + No-Sandbagging Rule 38:08 True Street Drag Series 41:29 Class structure & culture talk 57:12 Bashing vs Racing + industry chat 1:12:17 MSM goals & future vision Show Title: Mark Santa Maria 3.0 — From Bashing to Racing, Area RC, MSM Series & Growing the Hobby In this episode, Lefty sits down once again with Mark Santa Maria (MSM) — one of the most influential voices in RC media and the man bridging the gap between bashers and racers. The two dive deep into Mark's journey as a full-time YouTuber, his brand-new Area RC warehouse project, and how he's helping newcomers find their way into RC racing through innovative events and creative content. Mark talks about leaving the IT world to pursue YouTube full-time, the vision behind Area RC — a 5,000 sq ft “RC Fantasy Factory” where fun, accessibility, and creativity come first — and how his MSM Southern Showdown and True Street Drag Series are redefining entry-level RC racing. They also dig into broader industry topics like burnout, event economics, and the ongoing debate between bashing vs. racing. The conversation highlights how RTR cars, brands like Traxxas, Losi, and Techno, and media creators all play key roles in growing the hobby. If you love RC, whether it's nitro, electric, racing, crawling, or bashing in the backyard, this is a must-listen conversation about the passion, grind, and innovation driving the RC world forward.

Timestamps:   00:00 – Intro/ad reads 06:00 – Catch up with Max & Will 13:08 – RC News (presented by Hitec RCD) 14:11 – JConcepts P2X 2WD Body Shell Update 19:45 – Schumacher 2WD Car Tech Talk (Champlin's Winning Ride) 24:30 – Front Shocks: in front or behind the tower? 29:41 – Laydown vs. Layback Gearbox Debate 35:43 – Mugen 4WD Prototype Analysis (Burak's Ride) 45:40 – Kyosho's Return & State of Their 1/10 Program 50:00 – Race recap (presented by Side Piece Racing & Latera Racing) 51:52 – Pre Race talking points 1:04:22 – Track Flow: Corners, Off-Cambers, Jump Sections 1:14:26 – 4WD Reversed Layout: Step-Up, Triples & Challenges 1:27:20 – Wrap-Up & Announcement of Part 2 (Race Recap Deep Dive)   The No Name RC Podcast crew dives into Part 1 of our recap of the 2025 IFMAR 1/10th Off-Road World Championships from Hills Off-Road RC Raceway in Sydney, Australia

00:00 Intro & AZ October Fest 2025 promo 02:58 Episode setup – SOTA Shock Inserts deep dive 04:51 Guest Matt Austin joins (SOTA RC Products) 06:02 Matt's RC background & idea origins 20:01 Early prototypes & shock-dyno breakthrough 28:07 How the SOTA system works (pills, 3 damping zones) 38:07 Tuning range & damping curves explained 44:38 Rebound, bladders & oil considerations 52:14 Real-world setups for high-grip & bumpy tracks 1:14:16 Starter charts, oil temps & tuning tips 1:19:07 Oil life, durability & maintenance 1:24:33 Future plans & new variants 1:35:30 Price, availability & wrap-up Show #331 – The No Name RC Podcast | SOTA Shock Inserts Deep Dive In this episode, Lefty sits down with Matt Austin from SOTA RC Products to take a deep dive into the innovative SOTA Shock Inserts. These position-sensitive shock systems are changing how racers handle bumps, jumps, and rough tracks. From the idea sparked during lockdown, through 400+ prototypes and dyno testing, to the final product now being used worldwide—Matt explains everything you need to know about SOTA. We cover how they work, how to tune them with different “pills,” setup examples for smooth and bumpy tracks, oil choices, and why racers are calling it one of the biggest RC suspension upgrades in years. If you've been curious about progressive damping, shock dyno data, or simply want your buggy to handle better, this podcast breaks it all down.

00:00 - Intro  6:42 - Who is Andre Selvaggi  14:35 - Kyle McBride the Fastest Australian, but Retired  19:32 - Andrew's Home Track Keilor is all about that oil 25:15 -  Australia 1/10th Off Road Scene  37:05 - Chargers Rc BMX track surface 41:33 - Vaasa World's Last Real Off Road WC - History of Worlds Since 2011 58:03 - Hobby Action Spec Tire Amonut Rant  1:02:55 -  Raw Speed Spec Tire  1:07:45 - Tire Wear, Track Conditions  1:11:05 - New Dirt Bought in - Unknown Factor  1:14:20 - Lots of money spent by companies sending drivers for WarmUps  1:15:42 - Track Change & How Track will Evolve 1:24:04 - Track Maintenance during the race 1:28:20 - Setup, Prototypes, Science Mode & More  1:36:36 - Aero - Why it's important at this race 1:48:00 - Who is Not attending the Race  1:58:12 - Favorites & Predictions Driver Analysis  2:11:03 - Alex & Lefty's Top Ten 2:19:45 -Bench Racing Q& A & Conclusion  The 2025 IFMAR 1/10th Off-Road World Championships are almost here, and the RC world is buzzing with excitement! In this episode, Lefty is joined by Andrew Selvaggi, Team Associated Australia Manager, to break down everything you need to know before the racing begins in Sydney, Australia. We dive into the freshly rebuilt Hills Off-Road RC track, discuss the unique challenges of outdoor 1/10th racing, and tackle the hot topic of control tire vs. open tire formats. Andrew shares insider knowledge on track prep, setup strategies, and what to expect as grip levels change throughout the event. We also cover warm-up race results, possible prototype cars, and predictions for the drivers to watch—including Spencer Rivkin, Marcus Kaerup, Michal Orlowski, Davide Ongaro, Broc Champlin, and hometown favorite Lachlan Donnelly. Whether you're a racer, fan, or just love RC, this episode delivers expert analysis, race previews, and the stories behind the biggest outdoor 1/10th race of the year.

⏱️ Timestamps (00:01)

⏱️ Episode Timestamps (00:00) - Intro  (05:24) How Jimmy connected with NNRC & Ignite RC beginnings (11:08) Hobby shops, Traxxas vs race brands & bringing new people into RC (16:15) Why Traxxas Slash was so important for RC racing (19:06) Short course & drag racing trends – from Slashes to DR10s (31:53) Keeping RC fun vs. taking racing too seriously (39:20) Ignite Design RC conversions & charity race stories (42:26) Development of Ignite gas truck kits & Classic RC integration (51:08) Partnership with Nova Engines – challenges & breakthroughs (1:03:10) Novarossi's history, Serio influence & engine improvements (1:09:33) Designing reliable engines vs. overpowering screamers (1:20:28) Future plans: 1/8 scale engines & product strategy (1:31:12) Visiting Nova factory in Italy & small-business culture (1:37:01) Supporting small RC shops & final thoughts

The No Name RC Podcast – JConcepts INS15 Round #4 at HobbyTown HobbyPlex w/ Alex Sturgeon In this episode we're back with another JConcepts Indoor National Series (INS15) recap, this time from the legendary HobbyTown HobbyPlex in Omaha, Nebraska. Joining Lefty is Alex Sturgeon, the man behind the HobbyPlex track and race program, to break down everything from the facility setup to the exciting mains.

The No Name RC Podcast – JConcepts INS15 Round #4 at HobbyTown HobbyPlex w/ Alex Sturgeon In this episode we're back with another JConcepts Indoor National Series (INS15) recap, this time from the legendary HobbyTown HobbyPlex in Omaha, Nebraska. Joining Lefty is Alex Sturgeon, the man behind the HobbyPlex track and race program, to break down everything from the facility setup to the exciting mains.

Time Stamps: 00:00 - Intro 8:00 - Funny Portugal Stories          20:17 - Rc News 28:48 - Ebuggy Track Talk  56:48 - Practice Day #1 1:10:09 -  Practice Day #2  1:14:09 - Qualifying Day #1 1:26:27 - Day# 1 Qualifying , LCQ 1:33:24 - How did Pekko Regroup 1:48:50 - Finals day 1:50:20 - Practice A Final - Best Race  1:53:48 - Orlowski's Plans didnt work. 1:55:31 - Ongaro Canas Clash & The Aftermath 2:08:11 - A Final #2 Congrats Marcus Kaerup 2:11:59 - A Final #3 2:15:19 - JQ Rules are Rules Icing The Kicker 2:23:10 - Schumacher Drivers using XRAY cars? 2:25:55 - What If Maifield & Phend Ran Mayakos? 2:31:30 - Team Associated Flowers! 2:36:49 - Winners & Losers 2:50:32 - More Bump Ups 2:58:35 - Charging at pit table is safer 3:01:28 - No Track Announcing Complete Silence  3:09:50 -  America Vs Europe - History lesson & Conclusion 

00:00 Intro and Catch up with Will & Lefty 15:53 - ETS Rain  25:05 - Lefty's travels  27:50 - Pre-Race Talking Points  29:07 - The Track Same But Different  46:10 - Qualifying Recap  52:37 - A Finals 2WD 1:10:18 - 4WD Finals  1:25:20 - A3 Final was F@cking Crazy  1:34:36 - Post-Race talking points  1:37:55 - XRAY didn't sell 4WD tires to non XRAY Drivers for 2WD 1:45:04 - Driver Celebrations Against the rules? 1:50:58 - Beach RC Winners & Losers  1:56:59 - New Cars in the Pits 2:07:00 - Closing Thoughts On Euros & Conclusion

00:00 - Intro 7:30  - Nitro Buggy Euros Ongaro's Kryptonite 9:10  - Rc Racing: How it started for Ongaro 18:03  - Joining Team Associated 19:45  - No wing No Problem:2017 NEO Win 24:20  - 99 Problems but a Gyro ain't one- 1st World Championship  31:35  - How did things change after the first WC? 32:56  - DNC - Not Ongaro's Favorite Style of Race 34:31 -  RCGP Thunder Alley  36:04 - Staying Sharp with Practice during COVID years 39:14 - New Rivalry with Canas aka JC3 42:13 -  2022 Redovan World Championship #2 46:55 - 2023 1/10th World Championship  53:00 - The Split with longtime mechanic Verry  56:02 - Joining MATRIX Tires  1:01:07 - 2024 World Championships 1:07:18 - TireGate 1:10:20 - Adrien Bertin Expertise & Influence  1:13:23 - Thornill thoughts and coming to the USA to practice  1:17:23 - Italian Rc Scene  1:22:25 - Mental Focus in Rc Racing 1:25:13 - Ebuggy Euros Kerfuffle with Canas  1:34:22 - Which American driver is Ongaro's biggest competition  1:38:36 - Top 25 Rc Rankings  1:38:36 - Ongaro outside the track 1:43:20 - Pistol Grip Radios & Conclusion    In this special episode of the NNRC Podcast, we sit down with Davide Ongaro, the reigning 4X IFMAR World Champion, to dive deep into his legendary RC career, from his humble beginnings at age 5 to becoming one of the most dominant forces in 1/8th off-road racing. We cover:

We're back with another packed episode diving into the JConcepts INS15 Series! Join Lefty and Jason Ruona as they break down all the action from Round 3 at Island Speedway and preview what's to come at Round 4 at the legendary Hobbyplex in Omaha.

00:00 – AZ October Fest 2025 Announcement 01:11 – Show intro & Ryan Stiles Harris joins the show 04:30 – Reactions to Ryan's first NNRC appearance 08:30 – RC media, controversy, and public perception 15:20 – Creating authentic content vs. chasing views 19:00 – Leaving Horizon & focusing on racing 22:00 – Loyalty to Techno RC and racing confidence 28:30 – Setup talk & how small changes make a big difference 32:00 – Young talent in RC & consistency vs. speed 38:30 – Thoughts on race media and coverage challenges 39:00 – Industry changes: TLR, team strategies, and brand shifts 46:00 – Driver influence on car sales and brand image 52:00 – Reflections on legendary drivers & current form 59:00 – Career advice for young racers & professionalism in RC 1:07:00 – Staying focused & the content creation mindset 1:14:00 – Silly season talk & pick predictions 1:21:00 – Can RC racing go mainstream? 1:28:00 – What race formats and events could help grow RC 1:32:00 – Broadcast ideas for a wider RC audience 1:40:00 – Growth fears & overcoming ego in the industry 1:47:00 – Burnout, motivation, and rediscovering your passion 1:51:00 – How big is RC really? The bubble vs. reality 1:54:00 – Gatekeeping vs. mentorship: growing the hobby the right way 2:01:00 – Final thoughts on content, growth, and the future of RC Ryan Stiles Harris is back! In this episode, we catch up with one of our most popular and thought-provoking guests for a deep conversation about racing, content creation, industry shifts, and the soul of RC. Ryan opens up about his departure from Horizon, why he remains loyal to Techno RC, and how his mindset around racing and content has evolved. We dive into setup nuances, the importance of mental preparation, and how small changes can make a big difference on the track. Ryan also shares his thoughts on young talent in the scene, the role of influencers, and whether RC can truly go mainstream. We also explore the current state of 1/10 and 1/8 racing, the impact of pro driver visibility on brands, and how the RC community can grow without losing its identity. Whether you're a racer, content creator, or long-time hobbyist, this episode is full of honest insight, strong opinions, and real talk about where RC is today—and where it could go next. Ryan's YouTube Channel ; https://www.youtube.com/@RyanHarrisRC