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March 25, 2024

Balestri wins Ielasi Tuned International Cup

The 2024 edition of the annual Ielasi Tuned International Cup took place at Pista Leno in Italy over the weekend where it was Infinity’s Dario Balestri who took the 1:8 win ahead of Mugen Seiki’s Simon Kurzbuch and Capricorn’s Toni Gruber. In qualifying for the race put on by former World Champion Daniele Ielasi, it was 1:8 GT World Champion Gruber who took the opening qualifier ahead of Balestri but the reigning 1:8 Onroad World Champion go to the top in Q2 & 3 to secure the overall TQ from Gruber. With two P2 runs young Xray star Filippo Domanin secured P3 on the grid for the 45-minute final ahead of Kurzbuch with Thomas Lorenzi and last year’s winner Francesco Tironi completing the Top 6. Balestri lead away from the start but about half way into the race had issues with Gruber going to the front but then the German would have problems of his own. In the end some very quick pit work for a last minute fuel stop helped keep Balestri ahead of Kurzbuch, the pairing enjoying a great battle for the win as Gruber completed the podium just 3 seconds back after 194 laps of racing.

Image: Ielasi Tuned [Facebook]

March 24, 2024

McBride adds another Australian National title

Kyosho’s multiple Australian 1:8 Offroad Champion Kyle McBride added to his tally with a double victory at the 2024 RCRA Nationals which was hosted by the Southern Districts Model Car Club at its track in Adelaide. In qualifying, Nitro Buggy would see the World Championship finalist top 5 of the 6 rounds to secure the overall TQ from the reigning Champion Alex Benadzik, the Team Associated driver having topped Q5 ahead of McBride. In eBuggy qualifying it was a similar story only this time Benadzik managed two TQ run as McBride secured the TQ. While able to convert his eBuggy TQ into a relatively straight forward title win ahead of Benadzik despite issues in A2, with Tekno’s Caleb Noble completing the podium, in Nitro Buggy it was a very different story. While leading his Semi final, McBride would have a random flame out that was followed by a few more that dropped him right to the back of the field. Turning out to be a glow plug issue he would finish 15th putting him P9 in the Last Chance Qualifier race. With only the winner progressing, he managed to work his way to the front to win the 10-minute encounter from Ben Panic to go to the back of the grid for 1-hour final. He wouldn’t take long for McBride to get into the hunt and with Benadzik hitting issues that would see him retire early, he took a lead he would hold to the finish for yet another National title. Behind, second place starter 17-year-old Christian Wolhunter took his Sworkz to second with Zac Foster completing the podium.

Image: Kyle McBride [Facebook]

March 24, 2024

SIGP victories for Coelho & Hamon

The SIGP International RC Car Grand Prix made a return over the weekend with dominant performances from Bruno Coelho in electric and Jeff Hamon in nitro seeing the two international visitors take the victories in China. Established as one of China’s biggest annual international races prior to Covid, defending 2019 Touring Car Champion Coelho was the class of the field with his Xray. Having taken all four qualifiers, from the TQ he secured the overall win with perfect drives in A1 & 2 with his efforts netting him 20,000 Chinese Yuan, approximately €2,500. While Coelho cruised to victory, Yokomo’s Nicolas Lee and the Xray of JJ Wang enjoyed a good battle for the runner up spot. In A1, Wang would get passed the Singapore driver but on used tyres he couldn’t hold the position. In A2, Wang took advantage of Lee being on used tyres and took second setting them up for an interesting A3 battle. With a minute to go in final A-Main a mistake by Wang dropped him to third allowing Chinese National Champion Ma Haoran passed for second behind winner Lee. Overall it was Lee who got second with Wang completing the podium on his return to international competition. In the 1:8 Onroad Nitro Final, Hamon’s Serpent was untouchable over the 45-minute final and the Australian netted himself an easy 20,000 Chinese Yuan. Despite a big crash at the start, Matrix Tires founder Cristian Boni recovered to finish second with fellow Italian Cristiano Sartor joining him on the podium in Xiamen.

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March 23, 2024

Coelho & Hamon Top Qualifiers at SIGP

Xray’s Bruno Coelho and Serpent’s Jeff Hamon are the Top Qualifiers at the SIGP in China but the second day of qualifying saw very different fortunes for the two drivers. Having topped the opening qualifier yesterday, defending SIGP Electric Touring Car Champion Coelho continued that form going fastest in the remaining three rounds for a clean sweep In Xiamen. In Q2, it was Chinese National Champion Ma Haoran also driving an Xray who was his closest challenger. Driving a prototype of Yokomo’s upcoming MS1.0, Nicolas Lee repeated his Q1 performance with another P2 in Q3. Having missed Q1 yesterday due to a fever, while still under the weather it was a much better day for JJ Wang with him wrapping up qualifying with the second fastest time in Q4. Overall that puts him P3 on the grid for the A-Main behind Lee and ahead of Haoran. With qualifying in 1:8 Nitro Onroad based on each driver’s single fastest time from the four rounds, Hamon’s Q1 pace was to prove important for the World Championship Finalist. After a morning rain shower, Hamon would top Q2 but in a slower time and then in Q3 & 4 he suffered one-way bearing failures that resulted in two DNFs. Hong Kong’s Ray Poon would top Q3 from Italy’s Cristiano Sartor with Wang third and he was again fastest in Q4, this time from Matrix Tires’ Cristian Boni. Overall the Q1 times of Boni and Sartor gave them 2nd and 3rd overall with Poon set to line-up P4 on tomorrow Main final grid.

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March 23, 2024

Mexico & Argentina join race to host World C/Ship

It seems IFMAR is going to a have choice of countries to choose from for the hosting of the 1:8 Offroad World Championships with Mexico and Argentina putting themselves forward as replacements for Brazil. Joining Bolivia’s bid yesterday, from Mexico, FEMARAC and the PicNic Royal Club in Guadalajara, have put together a presentation stating, ‘Following the announcement earlier today of the cancellation of Brazil’s planned hosting of the September event, Mexico has come out to present its formal proposal to participate and host this great event in Guadalajara Mexico, one of the most important cities in the country, with every amenities available even to the most demanding of all, as well as a city full of Music (Mariachi), traditional folk dance, typical food of the country and many other nationalities. A headquarters that, due to its international airport and connectivity, allows arrivals from any part of the world at very affordable prices.’ Having previously hosted the World Championships in 2012 where Robert Batlle won his title, Argentina has submitted a proposal to host the 19th edition of the Worlds at the same venue.

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March 22, 2024

Bolivia emerges as potential new World C/Ship host

Bolivia has emerged as a potential host of the IFMAR 1:8 Offroad World Championship following the announcement earlier today of the cancellation of Brazil’s planned hosting of the September event. The Bolivian RC Federation ‘Febolarc’ (Federación Boliviana de Autos a Radio Control) together with the Candelaria RC Pro club has submitted a proposal to the FAMAR Bloc offering to host the event at their track in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Neighbouring Brazil on its West side, Bolivia’s quick reaction to Brazil’s cancellation improves the chance of keeping the 2024 World Championship in South America. IFMAR stipulate that a new acceptable host must be received within one month of notice of the originally selected venue no longer being in a position to host the race.

Click here to view proposal

March 22, 2024

1:8 Offroad World Championship in Brazil Cancelled

IFMAR has just announced that it has been informed by FAMAR that the 1:8 Offroad World Championship scheduled for September has been cancelled. The Brazilian Federation FEBARC together with CASA Raceway in São Paulo had been awarded the 19th running of the World Championships. In breaking the news IFMAR posted, ‘We were just informed by FAMAR that the IFMAR 1/8th IC off-road event in Brazil, scheduled for 8-15th of September will be cancelled, due to permits and permissions they still have not received from the City Government. Your IFMAR committee is now discussing and looking for an alternative organizer, who can hold the event on the same dates.’ CASA (Clube de Automodelismo de Santana) has since published further details as to the reasons for the cancellation.

Read CASA statement here

March 22, 2024

Coelho & Hamon top Q1 at SIGP

Having established itself as one of China’s biggest annual international races prior to Covid, the SIGP International RC Car Grand Prix makes it return this weekend with Xray’s Bruno Coelho and Serpent’s Jeff Hamon topping the opening rounds of qualifying in Xiamen. Hosted at the huge double track facility next to the Sunpadow battery factory, in electric Touring Car qualifying it was World Champion Coelho who set the pace ahead of the Yokomo of Nicolas Lee and Hamon. Bringing together both electric and nitro racing at the 2017 1:10 Offroad World Championship venue, in 1:8 Onroad Nitro it was Hamon who was fastest. Behind the Australian, Matrix Tires owner Cristian Boni was second fastest with fellow Italian & Hasi Tuned engines co-owner Cristiano Sartor completing the Top 3 on the first day of action at the SIGP. Qualifying continues tomorrow Saturday with three more rounds.

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