July 6, 2010

Apolaro & Tosolini win Novarossi Challenge Rd2

Apolaro & Tosolini win Novarossi Challenge Rd2

The second race of the Novarossi Challenge was held this past weekend at Controlfreakz Raceway in Chaplin, Connecticut. 3 days of sunny and warm weather saw seven heats of racing action in the 200mm and 1/8 Open classes. In 200mm Sedan it was Dj Apolaro taking the TQ and win in the 45 minute final with his Serpent 733 with Contact Tyres, Novarossi power and Xtreme Fuel. Ken Ives Jr finished in second position with George K taking the final podium position after bumping into the A final from the B. 1/8 Open saw Joaquin de Soto Jr and his Serpent 966 with Jp-Gimar power defend his TQ from last years Novarossi Challenge. However he was unable to best his prior track record. In the final it was Chris Tosolini’s Serpent 966 with Jp-Gimar power and Zac project tires taking the victory after 45 minutes followed by Richie Siriano in second and Andrew Nicholas finishing off the podium after bumping up into the A final from the B.

View the 1/8th podium here


July 6, 2010

30th 1:8 Off Road Euros getting underway in Portugal

Guarda track in Portugal

First free practice for the 2010 EFRA 1:8 Off Road European Championship has gotten underway just outside Guarda in Portugal marking the 30th running of the championships which were first held in Switzerland back in 1981.  He wasn’t even born when that first race took place but defending Champion Renaud Savoya will be looking to make history here in Guarda as he tries to become the first ever driver to win three titles back to back.  Fellow Mugen driver Daniel Reckward has won the title three times but only two were in succession.

View our full event coverage here.


July 5, 2010

Nicholas Delia takes IRMCC Championship title

Nicholas Delia takes the IRMCC Championship title

The last weekend of June saw the final race of the Maltese season, the IRMCC Cup. This was an Open race to all club members in both A and B classes for Nitro 1/10th scale. The IRMCC Club closed the season by presenting trophies followed by a BBQ on site in a very friendly environment amongst all members. The race was won by Mugen driver Nicholas Delia, followed by Shepherd driver Gustave Cuschieri in 2nd and Ramon Cassar for Kyosho in 3rd. Championship trophies were also presented for the main series which consisted of 9 races of which best 8 would count. Nicholas Delia took the title in the A class winning 6 races with 2 races in 2nd and taking 6 pole positions to wrap it up. Karl Fench took 2nd overall and Ian Micallef 3rd.

Source: Simon Models Racing Team


July 4, 2010

Robert Pietsch is European Champion

Robert Pietsch is European Champion

Driving the new Mugen MRX-5, a car he was responsible for designing, Robert Pietsch has finally claimed his first big title winning the EFRA 1:8 Onroad European Championship at Locorotondo in Italy today. Starting from pole position the German led the 45-minute final from start to finish. The only driver to follow him closely was Motonica’s Dario Balestri who finished half a lap behind the 2008 World Championship Top Qualifier. The majority of the drivers were on a 3.5 minute fuel stop strategy with one tire change at the race’s mid point. Only Alberto Picco was pitting longer running just over 4 minutes but his chances of victory ended when half way through a glowplug let go costing the Italian a lot of time. Current World Champion Lamberto Collari had to settle for third on the podium after he was forced to do an extra pit stop due to a damaged tyre on his Kyosho. Apart from Pietsch and Balestri, all the drivers were forced to make unscheduled pitstops as they hit problems.

View the final results here


July 4, 2010

Maxim Claes wins Rd3 of Dutch Nationals

Maxim Claes wins Rd3 of Dutch Nationals

The 3rd round of the Dutch 1/10th scale gas nationals took place last weekend on the small and technical MBC de Sluis track. A nice sunny weekend greeted all the drivers and in the main NK class it was Belgian racer Maxim Claes that took the win by a lap in front of Remy Moller in 3nd and Arco de Jong in 3rd. This final had to be restarted following a timing computer failure, but everything worked well 2nd time around and Maxim showed great pace to take the win. In the Nomac class it was Janwillem Gons that took the win by 3 seconds in front Rik Meijeren with Rob Kruijssen 2 laps back in 3rd. The 1/8th scale promo class saw the win go to Ruud Knoester with Frederik Haaxman and Mario Gerssen completing the podium.

View the other podiums here


July 4, 2010

Robert Pietsch with new MRX5 on pole position at 1/8 EC

Robert Pietsch with new MRX5 on pole position at 1/8 EC

Driving the brand new MRX5, Mugen factory driver Robert Pietsch has captured pole position at the 1/8 nitro on-road European Championship held in Locorotondo, Italy. His first heat on Friday afternoon with 27 laps in 7.02,675 minutes proved to be the fastest run even he did all four heat within two seconds. While he was hampered by slower cars in heat two and three, Pietsch surprised in heat four when he did lap times down to 15,1 seconds and repeated his 7.02-run at very hot conditions with air temperatures of about 37 degrees and tarmac temperatures close to 60 degrees. “I am really happy about the pole position”, admitted Robert Pietsch. “My MRX5 is running really well and it looks like that there is no difference in the performance of the car regarding to high or low temperatures.”

Continue reading the report here


July 3, 2010

Robert Pietsch on overnight TQ at 1/8 EC

Robert Pietsch on overnight TQ at 1/8 EC

Robert Pietsch has taken the provisional pole position after one of four heats at the 1/8 nitro on-road European Championship in Locorotondo, located between Bari and Brindisi in the south of Italia. The Mugen factory driver has pushed the new MRX5 to 27 laps in 7.01,675 minutes. The MRX5, which has been responsibly designed by Robert Pietsch himself, will hit the market at the end of July.

Continue reading the report here


July 1, 2010

Swauger & Morganti win Byron Fuels On-Road Challenge

Swauger & Morganti win Byron Fuels On-Road Challenge

Byron Fuel Team Drivers Mike Swauger and Paolo Morganti took first place in 1/8 4WD and 1/10 Sedan at the 6th Annual Byron Fuels On-Road Challenge held last weekend at Leisure Hours Raceway in Joliet, Illinois.  Mike Lyday took 1st place in the Spec GT Class.  Of 9 podium positions in the 3 classes, Byron Fuel dominated all but one position and that was 2nd place Sedan. Byron Fuels hosts this on-road classic annually and while attracting world class drivers from coast to coast, it has traditionally provided a venue where our average club racer can drive alongside world champions.

View the sedan podium here