Canas takes late Montpellier GP victory

Sworkz Juan Carlos Canas has opened the European 1:8 Nitro Buggy season with victory at the Montpellier Grand Prix.  Previously winning the French classic in 2020, the Spaniard took a late win at the 19th edition of the race over World Champion Davide Ongaro and long time race leader Berkan Kilic.  Given its early timing in the season, the Circuit du MBM event has faced weather issues and this year was no exception with rain causing qualifying to be cut short and no track action at all on the Saturday.  While 5 rounds of qualifying was scheduled with 3 completed before the turn in weather on Friday it was Mugen Seiki’s Burak Kilic who secured the overall TQ with two rounds counting.  After sterling efforts by the club, the track being covered on Saturday, racing resumed on Sunday morning and in the Semi Finals it was the Kilic brothers who looked to have the edge.  Starting on pole Burak lead from his younger brother for the first third of the race until he suffered the first of two engine flameouts before retiring.  With Berkan taking over lead it wasn’t to be his day either with a late crash allowing Canas to go to the front with just 2-laps to go with the Team Associated of 2022 & 2023 winner Ongaro in tow.  After an hour of racing the entire podium finished on the same lap, Berkan completing the podium ahead of 2024 winner Ricciardo Berton, the Kyosho driving winning the Last Chance final to line-up 14th on grid before putting in a strong race up through the field.

Image: Modelix [Facebook]