Welcome back intrepid readers! We apologize for the delay in this weeks news; unfortunately the latest round of winter storms here in West Virginia left us without power or internet service for a short time this week. No worries though, we are back, albeit a day late, with a healthy amount of news for the week and a little bit of controversy in the full size racing field to chew on at the end. Let’s dive in and see what’s new!
TEAM ASSOCIATED
New from TA this week are a few parts for 2wd buggy racers, whether that be RC10B7 drivers or those who chose to build their own chassis to compete with. First up are new 67mm universals for the RC10B7 and are designed for use with the -4mm hubs and 81mm arms. These slightly shorter universals can also be used when a specific setup configuration renders the longer 69mm universals unusable. The part number for these universals is listed as #92573 and the announcement can be found here.
For drag racers or dirt oval fans that choose to build their own race chassis and use off-the-shelf suspension and drivetrain pieces in their cars Associated has a new option for you! The RC10B6 Builders Support Kit 2 includes a host of new parts and pieces designed to give you the tuning options and parts support you’ll need to compete, no matter the class. New to the kit and not seen in the first release are B7 rear hubs, B74 outer hinge pins with 3mm lock nuts, updated B6.4 front end with gull wing arms, ball stud mounts, steering bellcrank, steering rack and top plate, B6.4 -1 scrub steering blocks, wide pivot aluminum rear arm mounts for use with B6.2 69mm CVA bones, B6 fiberglass rear shock tower, updated B7 shock rod ends, 13mm big bore threaded body aluminum shocks with X-ring seals, orange front and red rear springs for a usable baseline setup whether used for on-road or dirt oval, a lightweight aluminum top shaft, 3 options for transmission style included in the box (laydown, layback and standup as well as 5mm thick 12mm aluminum wheel hexes.
Item #90053 RC10B6 Builders Support Kit 2 https://www.associatedelectrics.com/news/latest_products/3026-new-rc10b6-builderrsquos-support-kit-2/
JCONCEPTS
The brilliant minds at JConcepts have been very busy this week, cranking out parts for new an old platforms alike. Whether you like to race the latest platform or are into the vintage scene JC has you covered! Beginning with the current generation racing chassis’, specifically the RC10T7 and RC10SC7, JC has a new, premium-quality, chassis protector. Since these trucks have aluminum chassis’, tracks (especially indoor carpet and turf) require the use of a chassis protector to prevent damage to the track surface, while outdoor racers use them to prolong the life of these expensive slabs of aluminum. Anyone that owns an aluminum chassis vehicle knows the heartbreak of that first deep gouge from landing flat off of jump and finding that one piece of gravel that poked its head above the dirt. JConcepts’ chassis protector is cut from thick, motocross graphic grade vinyl, and covers the chassis completely, providing protection while also adding a huge splash of style to the underside of the chassis. On a personal note, I run a JConcepts chassis protector on my personal RC10B7 Late Model and carpet cars; they’re among the best in the industry and the price is hard to beat. Each kit includes the main chassis protector as well as three separate rear bulkhead pieces; extending the life of the chassis protector as this is the highest wearing area of the vehicle. Part numbers for the T7 and SC7 are #5340 and #5341, respectively. A link to JConcepts official announcement can be found here.
For 2wd buggy racers, especially those who compete on carpet and astroturf, balancing traction is a delicate matter. Too much front traction and the car loses forward drive out of the corner and becomes darty and unpredictable. Too little front traction and the car pushes and the driver has to consciously slow down to let the car catch up, killing lap times. Racers have been gluing sidewalls and trimming rows of pins since the beginning but the advent of a slim front tire was an evolutionary step forward. JConcepts currently has a dish whell in slim called the mono but chose to design a new wheel that adds style and a retro vibe while also fitting this popular tire size option. Introducing the Pioneer Slim, a retro-styled front wheel that blends old-school fluoro colors and 3-piece style with modern manufacturing technology and design elements into a wheel that looks as home on an RC10B7 as it does on an RC10 Worlds Car. The screw pattern mimics the style of retro 3-piece wheels and the center cap can be removed for a different look. These wheels utilize an industry standard offset for multi-platform compatibility, has a sturdy 12mm hex pocket for secure mounting and is offered in four colors: white, black, fluorescent yellow and retro pink.
Item #3476 (add the letter of the color desired) Pioneer Slim Front 2wd Wheels https://blog.jconcepts.net/2026/02/jconcepts-new-release-2-2-2wd-buggy-slim-front-wheel/
Rewinding to the early days of off-road buggies we find JConcepts line of option parts for the re-released Team Associated RC10 1989 Worlds Car. A mix of 3d printed parts, machined aluminum options and even a steel weight plate, these parts will take your retro ride to the next level of performance. Included in this release of parts (each of which are sold separately) are:
3d Printed Front Bumper
3D Printed Electronics Tray and Battery Box
Machined Aluminum Servo Mount Bracket
3D Printed Body Mount Pads
Steel Front Weight Plate, 28g
Aluminum Clamping Servo Horns, 23t and 25t
For further information, including additional photos and part numbers, please click here.
Rounding out this weeks releases from JC are new front and rear wheels for the RC10 in stock 2.125″ front and 2.0″ rear versions. Front wheels utilize 3/16×3/8″ non-flanged bearings and have the popular 80’s 2.125″ bead mounting diameter, meaning both 2.0″ and 2.125″ bead tires will fit. Rear wheels utilize the standard 2.0″ bead mounting diameter and include adapters for both 1/4″ and 3/16″ axle configurations. Both front and rear wheels are available in white, black, fluorescent yellow and retro pink options; part numbers are the same for each pair of wheels, simply add the letter of the desired color after the number.
Front RC10 Wheels #3478
Rear RC10 Wheels #3479
Link: https://blog.jconcepts.net/2026/02/jconcepts-new-release-rc10-2-125-front-2-2-rear-wheel/
PROTEK
New this week from ProTek is a stacking car stand that allow two cars to be stored in a vertical orientation, saving bench space while looking pro. Rigid aluminum legs provide the backbone to the structure while strong nylon arms hold 1/10 vehicles comfortably or 1/8 models snugly. The stand folds for easy storage and a carry bag is included for simple transport to the track.
Item #PTK-8390 ProTek 2-Car Stacking Stand https://www.amainhobbies.com/protek-rc-2-layer-1-10-1-8-car-display-stand-200x240x325mm-ptk-8390/p1669315
AXIAL
When Axial released the original SCX10 Honcho drivers quickly added Toyota grille and headlight decals to make it into an actual Tacoma (some even added HPI Mini Trophy bed sides to the rear cage section to add to the look) but Axial themselves never admitted that it was a Toyota to get around copyright issues. Fast forward more than a decade and Axial released a 1/24 Lexus, meaning that they had obtained licensing from Toyota, leaving fans of the brand yearning for a proper Tacoma but alas one was not made available. The SCX6 got the Honcho treatment shortly after its release as well but still no licensed Yota mini truck. Finally, Axial hit us with a licensed Toyota, and despite not being a Tacoma, it is an SR5 Extra Cab, the Tacoma’s Father when it comes to the family tree. The truck is officially licensed and captures the 1987 model truck in great detail (at least when it comes to the body. The chassis is another story…). Under the body lies the SCX10iii chassis with its AR45 portal axles (with new licensed cases), licensed Pro-Line Super Swamper tires on Trail Gear Creeper Lock beadlock wheels (which look amazing in the brushed aluminum), the LCX-U transmission with dig, aluminum threaded body dampers, Trail Gear rock sliders with integrated battery tray, clipless body mounts, a Spektrum SLT-3 3-channel radio system, 2-n-1 receiver with 40a brushed ESC, a Spektrum SPMS683MG servo and a 35t brushed motor to provide the oompf needed to climb over most any obstacle. Although only shown here in its striking red, the 10iii Extra Cab is also available in a Tan/Brown shade for those looking for a more subdued look which also changes the brushed aluminum finish on the wheels for gloss black.
Item #AXI-2062T1 Red 1987 Toyota Extra Cab SCX10iii RTR
#AXI-2062T2 Brown 1987 Toyota Extra Cab SCX10iii RTR
Link: https://www.axialadventure.com/product/1-10-scx10-iii-1987-toyota-sr5/AXI-2062.html
OP-ED: My thoughts on the Arlington Super Motocross 250 and 450 controversy
While watching this weekends round of the 2026 AMA Super Motocross Championship from Arlington Texas I was rather surprised that track officials did not call out the riders that blatantly violated the red light/red cross flag rule during both 250 and 450 main events.
In the 250 main Jo Shimoda had taken the lead and was putting a gap on second place Pierce Brown, until a late-race incident brought out a red light for the section leading to the finish line double. Shimoda backed off the throttle and rolled the jumps per the rule book while Brown continued to jump the double, taking the lead from Shimoda in the process. At events prior this would have resulted in either a black flag during the race to signal the rider to revert to their previous position or, as in most cases, the offending rider is docked one position in the final results. This week saw the AMA disregard their own rules and decide, despite video and photo evidence, that the results would stand. The same issue arose in the 450 main when leader Hunter Lawrence slowed for the red cross flag being displayed at the finish line jump while second through fourth place riders Eli Tomac, Ken Roczen and Cooper Webb were shown to have jumped the double; an action that should, and usually does, trigger a penalty. Lawrence would go on to win the event.
As a former motocross racer and a member of the AMA i have a hard time accepting the AMA”s decision not to apply penalties here. The rule is there for rider and track worker safety. Having bikes flying overhead while trying to render aid to a downed rider is extremely dangerous, hence the steep penalty usually handed down for this infraction. When the announcers pointed out the issue and cameras showed the replay I thought officials would be pulling out the black flag in the coming laps or at least make a statement prior to rider interviews on the podium. Nope. Announcer Jason Weigandt even made a point to say that “results are listed as unofficial for a reason,” alluding to the fact that the AMA could potentially change the finishing order of either main even due to the rule infraction. By Sunday afternoon we had our answer: the AMA was not changing the finish and “saw no infraction” occur.
To me this sets a very dangerous precedent; if one rider can ignore the red light/red cross flag and get away with it, why should anyone else roll the section in the future and potentially lose spots? If this happens in the whoops or coming out of a corner it’s not as big of a deal as if it were in a high speed rhythm section or near the end of a quad, such as the one seen closest to the hard camera on Saturday night in Arlington. A 220lb motorcycle with a 165lb rider traveling at 50mph and falling from 30 feet in the air is a dangerous projectile and will severely injure whom ever it lands on. This is exactly why this rule was implemented; to protect both downed riders and the AMA/track officials who are rendering aid to them.
Please know that I am not making a point because I am a Honda fan boy (despite the fact that I rode for Honda 25 years ago and won a championship with them) but rather I want to see everyone compete on an even playing field and in the safest manner possible. Motocross is a dangerous sport; needlessly making it more hazardous is not what the riders and officials need. The AMA needs to be consistent in their enforcement of the rules. We see an AMA representative come on camera every time there is a red flag to explain why the race will either be restarted at the gate or have a rolling start; why can’t we see something similar during the race for something like this? Have the AMA rep come into the broadcast booth or have Will Christien or Jason Thomas interview the rep trackside to clarify why the ruling is what it is? When Ricky Carmichael makes mention that a rule is not being enforced and isn’t sure why that indicates a pretty serious break in communication on the AMA’s part. RC is one of the most experienced on-air personalities that Supercross has ever had (not only is he considered the Greatest of All Time as a rider but he even designs most of the track layouts for the AMA); I’m fairly certain the man knows the rulebook inside and out and even he was left scratching his head on this one.
AMA: please be consistent on these safety rules. You’ve penalized riders all season for decibel violations but are overlooking a blatant safety violation in two main events on the same night. I have always believed in the AMA and their mission to promote motorcycling and ensure the safety of all riders; please continue to uphold the values we as members believe you maintain as core values.
I want to thank you one and all for stopping by again this week to get your weekly RC fix; your continued support does not go unnoticed and is greatly appreciated. Until next time, be good to yourself, be good to each other, be good to your RC.