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March 12, 2023

Orlowski does double at British Off Road Grand Prix

Michal Orlowski has completed the double at the British Off Road Grand Prix, the factory Schumacher driver holding off the challenge of Xray’s Bruno Coelho in 2WD and 4WD Buggy. Organised by SilverstoneRCMCC and taking place at the Centre:MK shopping centre in Milton Keynes, Saturday’s action saw Orlowski claim the TQ honours from last weekend’s MIBO International double winner Coelho with reigning European Champion Tommy Hall securing third ahead of Lee Martin and Norwegian Daniel Kobbevik. In the triple finals, Neil Cragg surprised everyone coming from 7th on the grid to take the A1 win from Orlowski but in A2 & A3 it was the Polish star who lead the field to claim the first title of the event which exposes RC Racing to thousands of weekend shoppers. Coelho would take second with Hall’s Associated completing the 2WD podium. In 4WD, again it was Orlowski who took the TQ topping all five rounds of qualifying before going on to an early victory by taking the opening two A-Mains. Coelho would win A3 to give him with tie breaker for second overall from the Associated of Dane Marcus Kaerup. In Truck, Jorn Neumann took the TQ and win with Lee Martin and Phil Sleigh joining the Sworkz driver on the podium.

Source: Schumacher [racing-cars.com]

March 9, 2023

IFMAR 1:8 Onroad World Championship Stage 1 Report

Later this year the IFMAR 1:8 Onroad Nitro World Championship will return after a prolonged 4-year break with the Infinity International RC Speedway in Japan hosting the 23rd edition of the RC racing’s original World Championship. The organisers of the event, lead by legendary race mechanic Masayuki Miura, has issued the Stage 1 Report and highlighted some important points for overseas drivers. Drivers are reminded to check whether they require a visa to enter Japan from their home country. With Covid, Japan was closed a long time and they have only opened up recently so there are still some rules around Covid and currently you need to be vaccinated to enter. This situation could change so persons planning to travel for the October 27 to November 5 event should check the ‘Visit Japan‘ website for latest government rules. Another important issue is the fuel. The organiser has two fuel brands available, Maxima and Nitrox from OS Engines. For logistic reasons they need to know asap the choice of each driver. Japan last hosted the 1:8 Onroad Worlds in 2013 when Tadahiko Sahashi took victory for Serpent. Last year he joined Adrien Bertin as the only driver to do the nitro double when he won the 1:10 Onroad title in Bangkok with Infinity. Winning the title in 2019 at the no longer existing Steel City RC Speedway, reigning 1:8 Champion & factory Mugen driver Shoki Takahata will be the first Japanese driver to try and defend his title on home soil. Japanese drivers have won the title 3 times since inaugural Worlds was held in 1977.

View Stage Report here

March 9, 2023

Nedrebø and Dahle crowned Norwegian Champions

Last weekend Stavanger Modelcar Club played host to the 2023 Norwegian Championships for 1:12 and Stock Touring Car with almost 90 drivers making the trip to Stavanger Raceway. While the focus was on the two official titles up for grabs the event also had support 1:12 Stock, FWD and 21.5 Touring Car. After four rounds of qualifying it was Andreas Byrne who secured the 1:12 TQ while Olav Dahle was Top Qualifier in Touring Car. The titles would be decided over triple mains with Mathias Nedrebø getting the better of Byrne to win the 1:12 title while Martin Sørlie completed the podium. In Touring Car Dahle made it a clean sweep to be crown Norwegian Champion from Fredrik Håvardsrud the original Touring Car Viking Helge Johannesen!

View Touring Car Podium here

March 8, 2023

Italian Indoor Championships – Announcement

ACI Sport, the Italian Motorsport Federation and member of the FIA, has announced that the first phase of the 2023 national sporting calendar for RC Car Racing, the one dedicated to indoor races, culminates with two appointments that will assign the titles of Italian Indoor Champion for 2023. The “TOURING EP” classes will race on 18/19 March and will see Modified, Stock, FWD and GT hit the track. On 2 April it will be “LMP & GT12” classes’ turn, with 1:12 Open Modified and GT12 contesting the titles. The RC Landia indoor track in Scandiano, best known for the annual international ‘Charity Race’ will host both races. Both events will offer prize money awarded by ACI Sport to the drivers crowned Italian Indoor Champions. €650 is on offer the Modified champion, €500 for Stock and €350 each for FWD and GT. In 1:12, Open Modified the Champion will also receive €650 with €350 on offer for GT12. Registration for both events is via MyRCM.

Source: ACI Sport [acisport.it]

March 7, 2023

Thurston wins EWS Season Finale – Report

The 2022/2023 Essex Winter Series concluded over the weekend with the fifth and final round of the popular British Indoor Series. In Modified, new Yokomo signing Alex Thurston gave his new team something to smile about as he topped the first three qualifying rounds. Already-crowned champion Kyle Branson took Q4 to secure second on the grid, with Kyle’s team-mate Harley Eldridge third overall and looking to secure the overall championship podium. The top five was made up of the Schumacher duo of Andy Murray and Chris Grainger. Alex led away the final, with the top two pulling away from the field. Alex initially built a small gap, but Kyle then reeled him in and for the final minute, there was a great battle as it looked like Kyle had the slightly faster car in the latter stages of the race. However, Alex kept his car on the racing line and Kyle wasn’t able to find a way past, leaving him to take the runner-up spot on the day. The victory confirmed Alex as second in the overall points standings, whilst behind Harley was best-of-the-rest in third, with Andy and Chris maintaining their starting positions to round out the top five – which directly translated into the same results in the overall championship.

Continue reading here

March 7, 2023

Rivkin completes clean sweep at Desert Classic

Spencer Rivkin completed a clean sweep at Desert Classic over the weekend, the Team Associated driver winning 2WD, 4WD and Mod Truck at the 7th edition of the annual race. A home event for the Arizona driver & reigning 2WD World Champion, this year’s Desert Classic was more significant than usual due to the fact that the Hobby Action RC Raceway will host this year’s IFMAR World Championships in September. Top Qualifier of all three classes, in 2WD Rivkin took win from Schumacher’s Broc Champlin, a result that would be repeated in 4WD Buggy where Aydin Horne completed the podium. In the single 8-minute Mod Truck A-Main, Rivkin would lead home the TLR of Dakotah Phend and Reedy’s Dustin Evans.

Image: Spencer Rivkin [Facebook]

March 5, 2023

Volker crowned inaugural MIBO International Champion

Ronald Volker has been crowned the inaugural MIBO International Race Champion, the Mugen driver turning around his form for the Mains to dominate the final day in the Czech Republic. Having had a difficult Saturday, the former World Champion opened Sunday’s action with the fastest time of the weekend in the final qualifier to become Top Qualifier. Having denied Xray’s Antoine Brunet pole position, Volker would pull clear of the French driver in A1 as he took his first step towards the overall crown. A2 would be a repeat, with no one able to chase down Volker. With the title in the bag, Volker wasn’t done completing the perfect day to put his car at the top of the results sheets for a fourth time. Behind, Brunet would be rewarded for a great effort in Hrotovice with second overall ahead of Xray team-mate Oliver Havranek. Showing good pace Eric Daniel would finish 4th in front of Christopher Krapp, the Yokomo driver having a character building few days.

Continue reading here

March 5, 2023

Coelho completes Offroad double at MIBO

Bruno Coelho has completed the Offroad double at the new MIBO International Race, the Xray driver repeating his earlier 2WD victory, only this time things went to A3 to decide the 4WD Champion. Winning the opening A-Main from the TQ ahead of Bartek Zalewski, the World Champion would have a moment in A2 that allowed the talented teenager to go to the front. Despite Coelho best efforts, he couldn’t find a way back to the front. With a number of errors would give Zalewski time to catch his breath after coming under attack from the Portuguese driver. In A3 Coelho would early in the race hit a track marker and get collected by the pursuing Zalewski and as the two cars tangled Jessica Palsson went through to take a lead. Coming under immense pressure from Coelho, just like Zalewski had a round earlier, she didn’t crack taking an impressive win but like in 2WD it was again a third place finish overall for the Swede. With Coelho and Zalewski tied with a win and a second each, it would be the former’s A1 winning time that secured him the overall win.

Follow our coverage of the MIBO International Race here