Ronnefalk and Bertin part ways after 15-years

It is hard to imagine one without the other at any major international 1:8 Offroad race but former World Champion David Ronnefalk and his long standing mentor & mechanic Adrien Bertin are to part ways after 15-years.  Bertin himself a double World Championship in nitro onroad, has played an integral part in the career of the Swedish driver.   Red RC first witnessed this partnership, that would become a world recognised force, in action the EFRA European Championships in Austria fresh from Ronnefalk having become the European B Champion.  Since then the duo have gone on to win around the world with them achieving the ultimate dream when Ronnefalk took the World title in Las Vegas in 2016.  A partnership that started through Kyosho and Orion engines and successfully moved to HB Racing, but Ronnefalk’s latest move to Xray after a brief stint with Mayako has seen the duo a somewhat less formidable force and now as the saying goes ‘all good things must come to an end ‘ with Ronnefalk making the announcement on his social media and concluding ‘I wouldn’t be in the position I am today if it wasn’t for you Adrien.  I can’t thank you enough’

Where do I begin. It’s time to end what has been the longest chapter in my racing career (15 years) and it was a very successful one.  It’s impossible for me to put into words how incredibly grateful I am to have had the chance to work so close with Adrien Bertin.

When I was only 13 years old he saw something in me at a race in Quackenbruck that convinced him take me under his wings from then onwards. This was in 2009 and we started out by winning the Euro B Championship together in our first year. Since then, he has been my mechanic, mentor, advisor, friend and almost a second father. What a run we have had!

As I have now made the decision to try something new I look back to these past 15 years with a tear in my eye. There are so many great memories and racing moments shared together, I feel very proud of what we have achieved.

Some of the accomplishments:
2016 — 1/8 World Champions
2013, 2014, 2022 — 1/8 European Champions
2016, 2017 — 1/8 E-Buggy European Champions
2018 — 1/10 2wd European Champions
2018, 2019 — 1/10 4wd European Champions
6 Times winner at The Dirt Nitro Challenge
3 Times World Championship podium finishes
Countless other international wins and national titles

The moment I crossed the line to win the Worlds in Vegas back in 2016 feels like yesterday and to see the emotions Adrien had in this moment is something I will never forget.

The passion and knowledge he has for RC Cars, engines and car setup is something special.  To have had him by my side and learn from his experience has helped me tremendously in my career so far. I wouldn’t be in the position I am today if it wasn’t for you Adrien.  I can’t thank you enough.

David