Burch Is IFMAR World Champ

RC America/Xray/Max Power driver Ralph Burch just won the 2010 IFMAR Nitro World Championships in Houston, Texas! It is not only the first World Title for the 43 year old Burch, but also for Xray and Max Power. Burch, who was pitted by teammate Drew Ellis during the hour-long final, finished one lap up on second place.

Our congrats go out to Ralph Burch, Drew Ellis and the rest of the RC America team, who have been supporters of P1 Brand since we launched in 2009.

Above photos are courtesy of RedRC.net, where you can read the full story.

2010 IFMAR Worlds

The 2010 Electric IFMAR 12th Scale/ITSC Worlds is officially underway in Germany. The week-long, biannual event has kicked off with the start of the 12th scale class, featuring approximately 120 entries from around the world. Defending 2008 Champ, Naoto Matsukura from Japan, is a heavy favorite. Among the drivers representing the US are Paul Lemieux, Rick Howart and Josh Cyrul, who probably has the best chance at making the Final.

The folks at RedRC.net have been providing fantastic coverage (including on-camera interviews hosted by Scotty Ernst). Be sure to check the site daily for all of the latest updates and photos.

Above photos and videos courtesy of RedRC.net

BMW x KOONS x LeMANS

BMW has apparently 'revived' their tradition of Art Cars. The program, which dates all the way back to the late 70's, has paired the automaker with well-established, blue chip artists to collaborate on unique, one-off promotional machines. Love him or hate him, there's no denying the success of Jeff Koons in the world of contemporary art. Employing his vast laboratory of assistants, and working in conjunction with BMW engineers, Koons created a unique, digital graphic that was applied to a BMW M3 GT2, which will compete in the 2010 24 Hours LeMans.

We were delightfully surprised to see some of the video clips on the BMW site, that detail some of the creative process. Koons, always the self-confident and self-promoting salesman, kept his public relations 'authenic' and went so far as to suit up for some test laps. (We certainly can't fault the man for conducting his own field research!)

Previous participants in the program include Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Raushcenberg, Andy Warhol, and Frank Stella. We're pretty ceretain that Koons is ecstatic to be add his own name to that roster of 20th Century greats...and you can get all the details at the BMW Blog.

photos and video, BMW©2010, bmwblog.com

Hara Upsets the Field

The latest round of the Euro Touring Series has just wrapped up at the Dutch MACH circuit, with Atsushi Hara making a rare appearance in the series. Starting from the 4th spot on the grid, Hara was able to take advantage of his raw horsepower (clocking in at a mind boggling 115+ kph/70+mph) on the long backstraight. It was the debut race for the new Hot Bodies TCX platform and Hara clearly reminded everyone why he is still a contender at any event he attends.

Listen to ETS co-organizer and race director, Scotty Ernst, make the call on A2.

Photos and video courtesy of RedRC.net. See more info/photos here.

GO FASTER

Go Faster, The Graphic Design of Racing Cars by Sven Voelker. With sound bytes like "...war paint and visual anarchy," you know it's going to be good.

A fascinating vignette about the nature of motorsport livery and the evolution of necessity.

"You'd never guess it, but these big toys for big boys were at the height of their design during the 1970s – by sheer chance. Mechanics and team members – not designers or marketing strategists – adorned racecars with all of those flashy stripes, logos, numbers and colors prevalent at any Formula 1 race today. After compiling more than 100 examples of sleek cars from this glory age, Go Faster-author Sven Völker takes us for a joy ride at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart for a whip-fast lesson in competitive war paint, visual anarchy and piggish car designs."

And thanks to our colleague, Andy Cruz at House Industries for the original link.

Images courtesy and copyright of Gestalten and Sven Voelker.

STARK + INTERSECTIONS = 21st Century SOAP BOX RACER

Although it's technically NOT a work of motorsport engineering , it's still a marvel. Industrial designer, Phillipe Starck, has created a very memorable one-off soap box-style racer, with all of the typical eye for detail that one would expect from Starck. Elegant lines, quality materials and built for both style and speed.

Luther's x Austin Speed Shop x House Industries

Our friends at House Industries continue their involvement with all things custom, this time at Luther's and Austin Speed Shop in Austin, Texas. On display will be the C1932 Ford Coupe that was previously featured here...

We’re descending upon Luther’s Austin for a high octane hoedown that rides the fine line between art, commerce, haute design and true dirt-under-the-fingernails craftsmanship. Hike your eyeballs on a fresh coat of hand-rubbed House Industries original art, finely tuned over-engineered consumer products and, for one night only, Angel Cruz’s incomparable C1932 Ford five-window coupe.

Help us kick off the exhibition with a short duh-sign lecture at the Austin Speed Shop,where we’ll break down our 17-year history of clutchless paradigm speed shifts. Angelo Cruz will also recount his gas pump-jockey dreams and how they manifested themselves into his C1932 Ford coupe. After skipping around a few oil puddles and sheet metal shavings, adjust your chin-stroke grease goatee for the short ride over to Luther’s on SoCo for the 7:30 exhibition opening.

Brian Regan on Monster Trucks

Stand up comedian absolutely NAILS the typically overzealous, post-race, American driver interview with this inspired (by NHRA Legend, John Force, we're guessing) impression. Listen below...too funny. Enjoy.

Editorial on EFRA/Indoor Euros/Finland

The 1/10th Electric Touring Class remains relatively healthy in Europe at the moment, especially when compared to 1/10th Electric Touring in the United States. This may be partially due to professionally-produced, and quickly posted, webisodes like the one above. Originally posted upon the EFRA website, up-to-date information such as this, provided by the race organizers/producer/promoter, creates not only a more professional industry standard, but it also helps to build brand awareness and generate participant buzz. Those are the types of marketing results that governing bodies such as EFRA (and North America's equivalent, ROAR) must achieve and maintain for the healthy growth of organized racing.