2006 saw a Truggy class at the neo race, but it was dropped for NEO08. The Truggies were only ever described as a 'guest class' a spot that is back this year, filled by the next 'big thing' - Electric 1/8th Buggies. With various manufacturers jumping on the band wagon to produce these silent brushless cousins of pre-existing filthy nitro buggies, the electric 8th sees possibly the biggest concentration of talent condensed into just two heats.
The likes of Tebo, Maifield, Lee Martin, Cavalieri and Graham North are all in there mixing it up.

Still - the main class is of course the nitro 8th buggies - 180 drivers in nitro vs just 30 split across the two electric heats.

Unlike in previous years - we actually made it to the track in daylight and didn't have to break into the facility to take track photos - much to the surprise & disappointment of the other oOple team guys. Track work was still underway with last minute preparations - adding banners and flattening the surface.

The track with only final minor touches left to perform - oople banners being the priority naturally.

Probably the biggest jump - running left to right, it's hard to see the size on this photo

Only a handful of hardcore dedicated amateurs and some pro's were in the pits throughout the day - most sensible racers prefering to chill out in their accomodation. There's nothing Amateur about Team Durango however and they were seen preparing their new 1/10th scale Durango for lord knows what reason - but it gave us an opportunity to get some photos of the new car which should be out in May 2009.

Rubber boots at either end of the drive shafts.

The guys also showed off some super trick machined brass weights which can be added to alter balance and compensate for lipo / nimh weight differences. The rear of the car features a replacable plastic skid plate - but the Durango guys have come up with a 30g brass block which will keep the weight super low.

The car being at the neo race isn't altogether unjust - this is possibly the most '8th like' 10th scale electric buggy ever, with sealed oil-filled differentials, rubber boots on both dampers and drive shafts and an altogether beefy construction make this one heck of a survivalists car.

Gerd Strenge of TEAM DURANGO

The car is slated for a release during May - but no other details were offered. It should be an immensely popular car if the distribution and backup channels are there.

Gerd Strenge - one of the designers behind Team Durango will be racing at the event over the following days and of course his main focus during the neo will be the on-going development and testing of the prototype 1/8th Durango buggy. We got a swift glimpse of the car before it was taken away undercover of darkness to an unspecified location (or some bollocks like that) but suffice to say we'll get plenty of photos when we've discussed with Gerd some of the features he's implemented and have something more informative to mention than 'look at this, it's ace'.