This Week in Radio Control: New Products from Past to Present
RC News for August 31 – September 4, 2026
This week brought us a chain-driven piece of RC history, two new 1/8 racing buggies, a unicorn-themed monster truck and enough new setup equipment to make “I think it feels faster” an increasingly weak argument.
Here is what caught our attention:
Team Associated Recreates Jay Halsey’s Chain-Drive RC10
Team Associated has introduced the RC10 4WD Jay Halsey Chain Drive Edition, inspired by the prototype Jay Halsey raced at the inaugural IFMAR Off-Road World Championships in 1985.
After winning the 2WD championship, Halsey drove the experimental four-wheel-drive RC10 to second place. The new kit celebrates that car with a working stainless-steel chain, hardened sprockets, adjustable chain tension and a carbon-fiber chain separator.
The chassis also receives short front arms, long-travel aluminum shocks, ball differentials, CVA front axles and a classic gold chassis. A Protech-style body and Halsey-inspired wing complete the vintage look.
This is not an exact replica of the 1985 prototype, but it may be the closest most enthusiasts will get to putting one on the track.
The kit is listed at $459.99, with shipping planned for October. Team Associated currently limits direct preorders to two per customer, although it has not stated how many kits will be produced.
6056 Team Associated RC10 4WD Jay Halsey Chain Drive Buggy
Link: www.AMainHobbies.com
SWORKz Launches Its Fifth-Generation 1/8 Buggy
SWORKz unveiled the new S35-5 nitro buggy and S35-5e electric buggy on September 2. Preorders are open, with worldwide sales scheduled to begin September 14.
The SWORKz S35-5 and S35-5e build on the previous S35-4 EVO platform with revised chassis geometry, updated suspension components and a new shock system. The shock updates include new X-ring seals and dual mounting-height options. The upper shock-tower positions build on the previous geometry, while lower positions reduce the center of gravity for high-grip tracks.
SWORKz has also developed a new Samurai Competition spring range for the cars.
Offering nitro and electric versions at the same time gives racers a common platform regardless of which form of expensive dirt throwing they prefer.
SWorkz S35-5 Nitro Buggy
SWorkz S35-5e Buggy
Link: www.sworkz.com
Tamiya Brings Back the DN-01 as an SR Kit
Tamiya announced the DN-01 SR chassis kit, a performance-focused version of its RWD DN-01 buggy.
The package includes several upgrades that owners would otherwise purchase separately. These include a slipper clutch, aluminum suspension mounts, aluminum motor plate, universal driveshafts and hex wheel hubs.
The DN-01 uses a longitudinal battery position with electronics placed along each side. Its flat underside helps the car slide over track obstacles, while long suspension arms and four-wheel double-wishbone suspension handle the bumps. A TRF201-style body and rear wing are included. The motor and electronics are sold separately.
The original DN-01 never became one of Tamiya’s most common platforms, which makes the SR version an interesting release for both builders and Tamiya collectors.
58761 Tamiya DN-01SR Buggy Kit
Link: www.AMainHobbies.com
Losi Adds Sparkle Smash to the Mini LMT Line
Losi expanded its Mini LMT Monster Jam lineup with the 1/18 Mini LMT Sparkle Smash.
The officially licensed truck features a hand-painted body with rubber ears, mane, horn and tail. Underneath the unicorn costume is a proper hobby-grade solid-axle monster truck.
It includes 4WD, metal differentials, aluminum suspension links, sway bars and threaded oil-filled shocks. Power comes from a 380 brushed motor and included 2S Smart LiPo battery. The radio, battery and USB-C charger are all in the box, making this one of the week’s most beginner-friendly releases.
It can race, perform wheelies and attempt backflips. Whether a unicorn should perform backflips, though, is a question Losi has bravely answered for us.
LOS01026T5 Losi Mini LMT Sparkle Smash RTR
Link: www.HorizonHobby.com
Racing Bull Introduces the Mini28
Slovenian manufacturer Racing Bull entered the small-scale racing market with the Mini28 1/28 competition kit.
The RWD chassis uses a rigid front end rather than conventional front suspension. Controlled movement comes from Racing Bull’s rear 3D Flex Pod System, which can be tuned with interchangeable springs.
A complete car weighs approximately 133 grams with electronics installed. It supports brushed and brushless motors and is designed primarily for indoor racing.
The Mini28 takes a different approach from many established micro pan cars. That makes it more than another tiny chassis with carbon fiber attached to it.
Racing Bull Mini28 Chassis Kit
Link: www.RacingBull.si
Roche Updates Its 1/12 Pan Car
Roche announced the Rapide P12V3, the latest version of its competition 1/12 pan car.
The new Roche Rapide P12V3 uses a narrow 7075 aluminum chassis designed to reduce contact with the track during cornering. Wider graphite front arms are intended to smooth steering response.
Roche also revised the aluminum battery tray, electronics positions and chassis mounting points to improve weight balance and flex. The V3 includes approximately 15 listed updates across the chassis and rear pod.
This is a specialized race kit, but its design provides a useful reminder: in pan-car racing, a millimeter here and a few grams there can become a full evening of setup discussion.
Roche Rapide P12V3 Pan Car Kit
Link: www.RocheRC.com
SkyRC Shrinks the Dual Charger
The new SkyRC T120 Pico is a compact AC charger with two independent outputs. It provides up to 120 watts of total power, divided into two 60-watt channels. Each side can deliver up to 6 amps and can operate with separate charging settings. Supported battery types include LiPo, LiHV, LiFe, Li-ion, NiMH, NiCd and lead-acid packs. The charger also provides storage charging, internal-resistance measurement and an adjustable DC power-supply mode.
For hobbyists maintaining several smaller packs, the ability to charge two batteries without carrying a large power supply could make the T120 Pico a useful bench or travel charger.
CH003 SkyRC T120 Pico
Link: www.AMainHobbies.com
Ruddog Adds a Digital Ride Height Gauge
Ruddog introduced a Digital Ride Height Gauge with a measuring range of 2mm to 40mm. That broad range makes it useful for 1/12 pan cars, touring cars, buggies and many 1/8 vehicles.
The gauge features an aluminum housing, large digital display, rechargeable battery and USB-C charging. A calibration tool and protective case are included.
Digital measurement cannot choose the correct ride height for you, but it can help you return to the same setting. Repeatable measurements are far more useful than declaring that the left side looks “about right.”
RP-0901 Ruddog Digital Ride Height Gauge
Link: www.Ruddog.eu
JConcepts Gives the CAT PB an Early-2000s Makeover
JConcepts released the Dragonator body for the Schumacher CAT PB. Its angular cab, tall side pods and rear fin draw inspiration from buggy bodies of the early 2000s. The design gives CAT PB owners an alternative to the familiar cab-forward shapes found across modern off-road racing.
The clear polycarbonate body includes protective film and requires trimming and paint.
It is aerodynamic, distinctive and unlikely to be confused with the car beside it. That is becoming an achievement in modern buggy-body design.
0742 JConcepts Dragonator Body Set
Link: www.AMainHobbies.com
New Parts and Limited-Edition Pieces
• Tamiya announced an officially labeled limited-edition panel set for the Fighter NXGEN. The package combines clear-smoke body panels with camel-yellow roll-cage pieces for the DT-04 chassis.
47535 Tamiya Fighter NXGEN DT-04 Clear Smoke / Camel Yellow Body Set
Link: www.AMainHobbies.com
• Klinik RC released new aluminum differential and pinion-bearing eccentrics for the Kyosho MP11. The precisely machined parts reduce movement and deflection inside the gearbox under load.
Klinik RC Kyosho MP11 Aluminum Diff Height Inserts
Link: www.KlinikRC.com/
• T-Works introduced a cleaner-bottle nozzle that directs liquid onto a cloth instead of spraying it into the air. It is a small tool, but wasting less cleaner and coating fewer nearby objects with accidental overspray sounds useful.
TT-142 T-Works Cleaner Liquefy Nozzle
Link: www.RC-TWorks.com
