Ongaro defends title to make World Champ history

Davide Ongaro today made history in Spain as he became the first ever driver to successfully defend the 1:8 Offroad World Championship title.  The Team Associated driver dominated proceedings at the 18th running of the IFMAR championship, first securing the TQ honours, then winning his Semi Final to secure pole position for the 1-hour final.  Starting out the final and pulling away initially, the Italian would not have it completely all his own way however as 2016 Champion David Ronnefalk came up through the grid after a tough Semi to take the fight to the Perth 2018 winner.  Ronnefalk would lead for a time with the duo swapping back and fort until an error in the dying minutes cost the newly crowned European Champion Mayako driver hopes of becoming the categories first multiple World Champ this century (Maurizio Monesi winning in 1988 & 1994).  The error gave Ongaro the breathing space he needed and also meant his final lap was a victory lap as Ronnefalk’s clock had already stopped. Crossing the line to give Team Associated their 31st World title, joining him and a visibly gutted Ronnefalk on the podium would be crowd favourite Juan Carlos Canas with his Sworkz.  A track layout that was always going to favour the Europeans, it would be Mugen’s Ryan Maifield who would be best of the US drivers finishing fourth followed by the Xray team-mates Ty Tessmann and Bruno Coelho.

Image – Davide Ongaro [Facebook]