Welcome back loyal readers to another week of TWIRC, your home for the latest RC news. This past week was the National Retail Hobby Stores Association (NHRSA) show, a convention that allows retail hobby stores to interact with distributors and manufacturers and see what will be released over the coming year. For us hobbyists it is just a tease as most of these new cars and trucks won’t be released in Q1 of 2027 at the same time so we have to wait (this was the case of the HPI D10 Drift car from last year’s show that took almost a full year to be released). We won’t be reporting on these vehicles unless they got an official release from the manufacturer and will be available for sale in the near future; however, stay tuned to TWIRC over the coming months to see what was shown at NRHSA as they are officially released. This week saw official releases from Element, Losi, Pro-Line, JConcepts, Traxxas and Arrma; the Golden Quarter is rapidly approaching and these companies are prepared! Let’s live in and see what’s new!
ELEMENT
Fans of the Element brand would have bet their eye teeth that the brand would have never produced a 2wd vehicle. Element has built their brand around adventure rigs and hardcore crawlers so why build a 2wd? Because Prerunner’s are awesome, that’s why! The new Gaterunner is build off of a new proprietary chassis that features RC10B6 derived arms and geometry, heavy duty ball studs and ball cups, heavy-duty steering and camber links and a blue anodized arm mount for a touch of flair along with some added durability. Behind the IFS assembly is a new Gaterunner specific bronze aluminum chassis that is strengthened by new chassis braces and a chassis support system. The center mounted transmission is aluminum, as is the motor plate, and features a carbon fiber brace and spins the axle via a heavy-duty slider shaft with aluminum caps. A new one=piece rear axle housing is utilized at eh rear of the Gaterunner and is stuffed with an open differential, metal gears throughout, metal shielded ball bearings and molded diff cup. Trailing arms attach the axle to the chassis and provide immense travel for rough terrain while Factory Team threaded body oil-filled dampers keep the officially licensed General Grabber’s in contact with the ground. Those Grabber X3’s are wrapped around silver Method 701 Trail Series 3-piece beadlocks and the truck gets its vintage looks from a clear Ecto cab and rear cage section.
Item #40144 Element Gaterunner 2wd Prerunner https://60years.associatedelectrics.com/gaterunner-2wd-kit/
LOSI
This week’s announcement from Losi was a surprise to some and a “it’s about time” from others with the release of the #26 Wonder Bread Chevrolet from the movie Talladega Nights. Now you can Shake and Bake with your friends in the cul-de-sac or engage the slingshot on track with a pre-finished version of the movie car that is identical in spec to previous releases so racing is fair. This car features body posts and pins for body retention unlike the recently released Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson releases but worry not, this car is a looker. It should be noted that this is a fantasy model as it is based on the current generation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 rather than the Monte Carlo that was used in the movie.
Item #LOSF1122626 1/12 Ricky Bobby #26 Wonder Bread Camaro ZL1 RTR https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/losi-1-12-nascar-rc-race-car-ricky-bobby-no.-26-2026-wonder-bread-chevrolet-zl1-2s-awd-rtr-brushed-on-road-battery-and-charger-included/LOSF1122626.html
Also new this week from Losi is the throwback #6 Castrol 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse that perfectly replicates Brad’s main Castrol scheme that was ran in 2026. This body is a stunning recreation of Brad’s RFK steed and is mechanically identical to other NASCAR releases from Losi. This body does make use of body posts and pins but that doesn’t detract from the overall aesthetic enough to deter fans from snatching this one up.
Item #LOS1122606 1/12 Brad Keselowski #6 Castrol Ford Mustang RTR https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/losi-1-12-nascar-rc-race-car-brad-keselowski-no.-6-2026-castrol-ford-mustang-2s-awd-rtr-brushed-on-road-battery-and-charger-included/LOS1122606.html
PRO-LINE RACING
This week saw a plethora of releases from Pro-Line including two new mini monster truck ramps, a new carpet tread pattern, a Ford Raptor body for the all-new Arrma Quake 4s (see its article below), a new Brute body for the Kraton 6s plus new pre-mounted tire options for the Losi Micro-T.
Up first are the new molded ramps for mini monster freestyle action including a backflip style ramp and a launch style ramp (each sold separately). These ramps can be secured in pairs to create a larger, octagonal freestyle platform. For long distance jumps choose the launch ramp or if going inverted is your trick of choice choose the steep=faced backflip ramp. Each ramp also has other jump styles on the sides in addition to their specialty jump face, creating the opportunity to launch your truck in a variety of ways that’ll keep the action going for as long as the packs last.
Up first is the backflip ramp:
Followed by the launch ramp:
Finally the two mixed and amtched
Item #PRO653101 Mini Monster Backflip Ramp https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/pro-line-racing-mini-monster-truck-backflip-ramp/PRO653101.html
Item #PRO653100 Mini Monster Launch Ramp https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/pro-line-racing-mini-monster-truck-launch-ramp/PRO653100.html
Up next is the new Shredder carpet racing tire for 2wd and 4wd 1/10 buggies. This tire is a directional option for drivers looking for a more consistent feel throughout the lap as well as balanced traction between acceleration and cornering. The directional tread patter affords tuning options for changing track conditions or to suit the “feel” a driver is looking for. Dedicated 2wd front, 4wd front and 2wd/4wd rear sizes are offered to suit multiple classes. Each tire is also available in CR3 and CR4 compounds and are sold without foams in the 2wd front fitment and include open-cell foams for the rear and 4wd front models.
2wd Front Shredder
2wd/4wd Rear Shredder
4wd Front Shredder
Item #PRO8327304 Shredder 2wd Front Tire, CR4 https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/pro-line-racing-1-10-shredder-cr4-2wd-front-2.2-carpet-buggy-tires-2/PRO8327304.html
Item #PRO8327303 Shredder 2wd Front Tire, CR3 https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/pro-line-racing-1-10-shredder-cr3-2wd-front-2.2-carpet-buggy-tires-2/PRO8327303.html
Item #PRO8328304 Shredder 2wd/4wd Rear Tire CR4, https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/pro-line-racing-1-10-shredder-cr4-rear-2.2-carpet-buggy-tires-2/PRO8328304.html
Item #PRO8328303 Shredder 2wd/4wd Rear Tire, CR3https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/pro-line-racing-1-10-shredder-cr3-rear-2.2-carpet-buggy-tires-2/PRO8328303.html
Item #PRO8329304 Shredder 4wd Front Tire. CR4 https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/pro-line-racing-1-10-shredder-cr4-4wd-front-2.2-carpet-buggy-tires-2/PRO8329304.html
Item #PRO8329303 Shredder 4wd Front Tire, CR3 https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/pro-line-racing-1-10-shredder-cr3-4wd-front-2.2-carpet-buggy-tires-2/PRO8329303.html
For drivers looking to customize their new Arrma Quake 4s Pro-Line has you covered with a set of Dreadnaught Pre-Mounted front or rear tires. These tires are a rounded version of the venerable Masher 2K or Maxx Masher tire with its split chevron style tread pattern. Each tire is mounted on a black Arrma wheels for easy fitment and include open-cell foam inserts.
Item #PRO1034110 Dreadnaught Pre-Mounted Tires For Arrma Quake 4s https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/pro-line-racing-1-8-dreadnaught-front-rear-tire-mtd-quake-4s-wheel-2-quake-4s/PRO1034110.html
To go along with the new tires Pro-Line also offers a new 2022 Ford Raptor pre-cut body shell for the Quake 4s. This shell is tailor-made for the larger Quake and includes paint-then-peel overspray film, window masks and a detailed decal sheet for a fast, professional finish.
Item #PRO372217 Pre-Cut 2022 Ford Raptor Shell For Arrma Quake 4s https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/pro-line-racing-1-8-pre-cut-2022-ford-raptor-clear-body-arrma-quake-4s/PRO372217.html
If you do your bashing with a few extra cells, as in 6s power, Pro-Line has you covered, quite literally, with the new Brute body shell for the Arrma Kraton 6s. This futuristic looking, slightly cab forward design look tough as nails and is ready to bash thanks to its .060″ thick polycarbonate. Arrma’s clipless body mounting system bolts right on for a clean, finished appearance and Pro-Line includes paint-then-peel overspray film, window masks and detail decals to make the finishing process a snap.
Item #PRO371600 Brute Body For Arrma Kraton 6s https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/pro-line-racing-1-8-brute-clipless-clear-body-arrma-kraton-6s/PRO371600.html
Finally Pro-Line has new pre-mounted tire options for Micro-T racers who do their driving in the dirt. This set includes Step Pin rear tires paired with Edge front tires, a combo that has proven itself for many years to be capable in loose conditions and loamy dirt. Pro-Line offers this setup with either white or yellow wheels to match your paint scheme and the wheels are 7mm hex units that bolt right up to the Micro-T with no fuss.
Item #PRO1035112 Pre-Mounted Step Pin/Edge Tires, Yellow, For Losi Micro-T https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/pro-line-racing-edge-front-step-pin-rear-tires-mounted-7mm-yellow-4-losi-micro-t/PRO1035112.html
Item #PRO1035113 Pre-Mounted Step Pin/Edge Tires, White, For Losi Micro-T https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/pro-line-racing-edge-front-step-pin-rear-tires-mounted-7mm-white-4-losi-micro-t/PRO1035113.html
JCONCEPTS
New this week from JConcepts is a wide variety of products to suit most any taste including a new steel chassis weight for the REACTOR monster truck chassis, a Pro-Built option for the REACTOR, a new 2.2″ comp crawling tire, a new option for class 1 crawling competitors, new forged carbon parts for the RC10 Stealth car and two new body styles in the F2 lineup of shells.
First up is a new steel chassis weight for the REACTOR retro monster truck racing chassis. This weight places the mass as low as possible on the chassis for a lower center of gravity, while also allowing the suspension to work more effectively as these trucks are sprung quite heavily. This tuning tool is also useful in classes where the REACTOR does not meet minimum weight, meaning this 454g chunk of steel may be just the ticket drivers need to be class legal. Each weight fits the 13.0″ wheelbase version of the REACTOR and is finished in a sinister black.
Item #9037 REACTOR Steel Chassis Weight https://jconcepts.net/reactor-steel-chassis-weight-13wb-454g-jco
Up next is a pro-built version of the REACTOR retro monster truck, ready to hit the track within a few hours thanks to the included Hobbywing 1080 G2 ESC, JConcepts Silent Speed 27t motor, ProTek 815 Mid Profile High Torque/High Voltage steering servo, Golden Years tires pre-glued to Tribute wheels, a professionally painted and installed 1988 Chevrolet Silverado MT body with special decals, plus all of the kit pieces that were extra tuning parts from the kit version; all in one box, ready to finish in the pits. Many reviewers of the initial release of the REACTOR noted that the kit was of top-notch quality but the instructions were difficult to follow and tarnished the experience. This is a limited edition kit so get your order in today!
Item #9009-PB REACTOR PRO BUILT Retro Monster Truck https://jconcepts.net/reactor-stage-2-retro-monster-truck–pro-built
Racers that picked up the new R!/B racing buggies and who are looking for a tuning tool in the form of a new body JConcepts has two new options just for you. First is their famous F2 body shell, a body that is good at everything but isn’t optimized for one type of track surface. Two 6.5″ wings are included in the package as are window masks and detail decals.
Item #0756 F2 Body For R1/R1B https://jconcepts.net/f2–r1-r1b-mark-1-body
For racers who prefer the latest in styling and performance from the race body look no further than the Striker body style from JConcepts. This body combines elements of 1:1 LMP cars with aerodynamic lessons learned by Brian Kinwald all the way back in 2010 when he ran a cab configuration similar to this on his race buggies. The curved windshield paired with the wraparound “sunglass” style canopy and side windows channels air smoothly toward the center rising fin and on to the wing for smoother, more dense airflow across the wing, adding downforce without adding drag. Included in the package are window masks, overspray film and full color decals to get the body looking great as painlessly as possible.
Item #0757 Striker Body For R1/R1B https://jconcepts.net/striker–r1-r1b-mark-1-body
Pin tires are the cheat code for RC crawlers and JConcepts has released a new tire that promises to be the final BOss for Class 3 competition (pun very much intended). The new Boss tire is 5.75″ tall, 1.5″ wide and is molded in the ultra-sticky Green compound that sticks to everything short of glass windowed skyscrapers. Unlike some of the competition these Boss tires include React open-cell medium feel inserts to support the sidewalls, included right in the bag!
Item #4007-02 Boss 2.2″ Competition Crawler Tires, Pair https://jconcepts.net/boss-comp-tire_lg
Retro RC racers who are running the RC10 Stealth edition car now have a trio of new forged carbon fiber option parts from JConcepts to add a touch or flair and a heavy dollop of strength and lightness to the car all at once. Sold separately, these forged carbon pieces not only look beautiful but the shock towers allow the use of 13mm Team Associated Factory Team or Team Kit dampers from the RC10B7 to be used with no changes to the stock geometry. The upper chassis brace bolts in the stock location and reinforces the tub while dropping a fair bit of weight from a relatively high point on the chassis, lowering the center of gravity. Each piece fits the stock location with no modifications.
Item #5379 Forged Carbon Front Shock Tower, RC10 Stealth, Short
#5383 Forged Carbon Rear Shock Tower, RC10 Stealth, Standard
Link: https://blog.jconcepts.net/2026/10/jconcepts-new-release-1991-rc10-stealth-forged-carbon-fiber/
Rounding out this week’s releases from JConcepts is a new tire for the Class 1 competitors out there in the form of The Hold in a 4.19″ size that is class legal. Molded in JC’s wonder compound, green, this tire has widely spaced lugs that promote cleanout and also bit into most any surface for great forward traction. Firm open-cell inserts support the sidewalls while still allowing the tire to conform to terrain. These tires are designed for 1.9″ wheels and measure 4.19″ tall and 1.60″ wide.
Item #4103+02 The Hold 4.19″ Crawler Tire https://jconcepts.net/the-hold-1_9-4_19od
TRAXXAS
Out of seemingly nowhere Traxxas hit us with a new mini crawler that is larger than its previously released scale TRX=4M and more competition focused than any Traxxas before it. The TXC=4m builds off of an all new molded monocoque chassis that places the skid slightly forward and lays the shocks down for an LCG stance and a forward weight bias. Inside the transmission are a full compliment of steel gears that transfer power from the all new 3350kv outrunner motor to the axles via heavy duty center slider shafts. Inside those axles are more steel gears, from the ring and pinion to the solid spools and down to the portal gears at the wheels. Having the portals not only increases ground clearance at the pumpkin but also reduces torque twist by moving some of the gear reduction to the wheels instead of all at the transmission or ring and pinion.High clearance links connect the axles back to the chassis while new GTM Pro shocks keep the axles in check during extreme articulation. The shock bodies are color matched to teh color of the body panels for a cohesive appearance and smaller springs are fitted that use the lower shock cap as an upper spring retainer. New 1.3″ Method 105 beadlock wheels keep the soft compound Stone Claw tires secured during the most demanding climbs while 60 degrees of steering angle allows you to point those 2.8″ tall tires wherever you want them to go. A metal gear 2265 micro servo provides the yank and is fed amps by an all new brushless 3s FOC capable ESC and included 3s battery with USB charger. Rounding out the electronics package is a compact TQ 2.4gHz radio and TQi receiver. This radio also allows the grip to be changed to one of a different color to match the car.
Item #120047-1 1/18 TXC-4m RTR Mini Crawler https://traxxas.com/txc-4m-extreme-crawler-120074-1?learnmore=y
ARRMA
Arrma has announced the release of the new Quake 4s, a 1/8 4wd version of the popular Quake entry-level truck. This truck builds off of a new high center of gravity chassis with tough interlocking shock towers at each end. Connected to those shock towers are color matched oil-filled, big-bore shocks that lead down to dirt guard equipped lower arms. Color matched wheels continue the themr and feature 17mm hexes for durability. An all-metal drivetrain keeps the action going even with the most ham-fisted drivers while an internal cage structure mounts the body without clips while also helping it keep its shape. A Spektrum 150a Firma SMART ESC handles the juice from a 4s pack while the S662 metal gear servo keeps things pointed in the right direction. High speed fans help keep the motor cool while a high angle wheelie bar keeps the truck shiny side up.
Item #ARA4437T1 1/8 Arrma Quake 4s RTR Monster Truck https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/arrma-1-8-quake-4s-dsc-4×4-rtr-brushless-monster-truck/ARA4437.html
Finally, we have a new vehicle in the GROM line of mini’s from Arrma; this time in the Infraction flavor. This truck is billed at 1/12 so think NASCAR chassis size for scale. Powered by the peppy Firma 4350kv brushless motor and 2-in-1 ESC/RX combo this truck can be unlocked via a speed key for 50mph top speed antics. A motor fan and heatsink keeps motor temp in check while a new Precise Fit click-out battery system keeps the pack secure, even during those high-speed “oopsies”. The drivetrain is metal from beginning to end; a sealed cener differential with metal spur sends power to sealed, easy access front and rear differentials an don to 12mm aluminum wheels hexes for durability. Oil filled dampers keep the chassis in check while Spektrum’s DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) is there to save you should things get a little too rowdy. Smaller versions of the dBoots Hoons belted, treaded street tires provide a good mix of slip and grip that keeps things interesting. Finally, clipless body mounts keep the classic lines of teh pickup body intact.
Item #ARA2315T1 1/12 Arrma Infraction GROM 3s Brushless RTR https://www.horizonhobby.com/product/arrma-1-12-infraction-grom-3s-4×4-ready-to-run-brushless-all-road-street-bash/ARA2315.html
Thank you all once again for joining us for another edition of TWIRC. We hope we have inspired you to take on a new project or explore a new segment of the hobby; there’s a lot to try out there and every bit of it can be fun! Until next time, be good to yourself, be good to each other, be good to your RC.