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September 13, 2024

IFMAR reverts to ‘Pre Tech’ inspection for tyre diameter

In a positive move widely welcomed as being in the best interest of the event, the IFMAR International Jury has announced that the 109mm minimum tyres diameter rule will now be determined by a pre-tech inspection. Yesterday just as qualifying concluded at the 1:8 Offroad World Championship a bombshell, widely viewed as a strategy move my one tyre manufacturer, was landed on the event with IFMAR announcing it would implement checks after racing. The World Governing Body of RC Racing, IFMAR’s own official ruling coming into the 19th running of these Worlds states the specs the tyres must meet but not when any inspection would be conducted. With both EFRA and ROAR having used the pre-tech for the rules, most teams and drivers were working on that procedure so when the announcement came yesterday that cars must finish the final with tyres no less than 109mm it turned the race on its head. With IFMAR first offering Semi finalists an extended 50-minute practice session so as to gauge track conditions after the lower finals and gauge tyre wear, pressure was mounting on them to review the ruling.

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September 12, 2024

Welcome to my World (Quali Day 2) – Marcus Kaerup

In 1:8 Offroad the journey to the World Final starts at best with securing a spot on the grid in the Semi Finals, so making the Top 16 is Stage 1 successfully completed for Ruddog Racing supported driver Marcus Kaerup. From 180 starters in Spain, the 16-year old Dane completed 2 days of qualifying with 13th position ahead of former World Champion Robert Battle which ain’t to shabby for a guy who is more an 1:10 Electric Offroad specialist. Set to line-up in the same Semi Final as Top Qualifier Juan Carlos Canas, he will carry the number 7 on his Ruddog powered Team Associated RC8 B4.1. Catching up with Marcus at the end the second & final day of qualifying, he summed up his performance with ‘it’s being pretty good’ adding, ‘I had four consistent runs in a row so that is pretty good. Then because I knew I was safe (into the Semis) we just tried some different stuff coming into the last 2 qualis which didn’t go very well but we have the data and know how to change to what ever track conditions we drive’.

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September 12, 2024

IFMAR to implement 109mm minimum tire diameter rule

With concerns over the interpretation of the rule on minimum tyre diameter rumbling around the pits today from around lunch time, IFMAR has this evening made a clear decision that it will implement the ruling as it stands post race despite the concerns over the high tyre wear being experienced at the 1:8 Offroad World Championship in Spain. Many leading drivers had expressed concerns as to how the rule would be implemented, confusion appearing to stem from issues at the European Championship where a pre-race inspection was used. When we were first made aware of the concerns of the ruling an official source told us that almost 50% of cars in qualifying would have been DQ’d had the post run rule been implemented.

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September 12, 2024

Canas states intentions with fastest time in Q6

Having already wrapped up the overall TQ at the 19th running of the IFMAR 1:8 Offroad World Championship with one qualifier to go, Juan Carlos Canas stated his intentions very clearly to his rivals by setting a new outright fastest time in sixth & final qualifier. The Sworkz driver’s fourth TQ run came ahead of defending Champion Davide Ongaro, the Team Associated driver’s run hampered when he got blocked by two crashed cars when exiting pit lane leaving the Italian 5.5-seconds in deficit to his rival. After his impressive showing in Q5, Bruno Coelho failed to repeat a clean run ending up on his roof during his final 10-minute effort meaning he couldn’t deny Ongaro P2 overall and pole in the Semi B. Instead the Xray driver starts second in the Semi A behind Canas. 2016 World Champion David Ronnefalk will line up behind the man who took that title from him in the Semi B. With many surprised that there hasn’t been a better showing from the America contingent given their previous experience of the RC-Redovan track 2-years-ago, Dakotah Phend has put himself in a solid Semi Final position after ending qualifying P5 overall ahead of former Top Qualifier Elliot Boots. While qualifying is complete, there are concerns among drivers that the ruling on tyre size could turn the event on its head. As it currently stands, given the type of tyre being used and the high wear rate most tyres will fail to meet the minimum diameter with one source saying that almost 50% of cars in qualifying would have been DQ’d had the rule been implemented how IFMAR currently interpret the wording. IFMAR has called a international jury meeting to seek clarification having already had a meeting with representatives from 7 tyre manufacturers.

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September 12, 2024

Canas is Top Qualifier as Coelho sets blistering Q5 pace

For months he has been widely tipped to become the new 1:8 Offroad World Champion, and living up to the well justified hype Juan Carlos Canas has completed the first stage and locked himself in as the Top Qualifier in Spain. The Sworkz driver topped Q2, 3 & 4, giving him the perfect score with only reigning Champion Davide Ongaro left in the TQ race going into the penultimate round. Having thrown away a potential TQ run a round earlier in Q4, Xray’s Bruno Coelho managed to omit the last lap error this time to take his first TQ and by default hand Canas an early overall TQ. Having already switched to using the remaining two rounds of qualifying as testing for the Semi Finals, Canas would still get a P2 for the round although the gap to Coelho was a massive 5.4 seconds. A rocket round, Coelho’s time almost 6 seconds better than the previous best from Q4, Ongaro would finish 3rd 0.154 off Canas with Elliott Boots having his best run in P4. The Top 6 was completed by David Ronnefalk and the TLR of top American challenger Dakotah Phend.

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September 12, 2024

Canas opens Day 2 with another TQ run

Sworkz’s Juan Carlos Canas has opened Day 2 of qualifying at the IFMAR 1:8 Offroad World Championship with a TQ run, the Spaniard bringing his tally to 3 meaning only defending World Champion Davide Ongaro can deny him from becoming the Top Qualifying. With three from 6 to count, Canas took the fourth round with a new fastest time over the 10-minutes with Top Seed David Ronnefalk his closest challenger 4/10ths off. It was a good round for Xray with Bruno Coelho adding another P3 run to his tally after a rough ending to yesterday’s action. Despite a clean run from Ongaro, the Team Associated driver was lacking the outright speed of his main rival Canas finishing over 2.5-seconds off the TQ pace. It was a good round for Berkan Kilic, the Mugen Seiki driver posting his first Top 5 run ahead of the Canas’ team-mate & former Worlds Top Qualifier Elliot Boots.

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September 12, 2024

JConcepts Droop Gauge & Blocks

JConcepts has released a new Droop Gauge & Droop Blocks for both 1:8 & 1:10 use. With droop one of the most important adjustments on an RC vehicle, JConcepts set out to create a versatile yet accurate system to add to their lineup. Spencer Rivkin was heavily involved in this project, pushing the idea as a necessary accessory from the JC team. Going back to his days working with mentor Brian Kinwald, Spencer was taught to adjust droop by measuring the axle height relative to the bottom of the chassis. The blocks are built at 36mm in height for 1:8 Offroad racing, and 30mm is available by rotating the block 90 degrees for 1:10 racing. The all-aluminium machined blocks are both tall and lightweight, designed to fit into the larger compartments of a racer’s toolbox. The black anodised item is highlighted with an attached blue anodised piece, laser-etched and marked for height convenience. The blocks are ineffective without a proper measuring device, and the JConcepts droop gauge is labeled in multiple ways to suit the scale of the offroad vehicle.

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September 12, 2024

T-Work’s 500cc Fuel Bottle

T-Works has a new 500ml fuel bottle designed to avoid light and protect the fuel from UV damage. The translucent material allows you to monitor the fuel level easily with the precise scale designed ensure accurate fuel use measurement. The fuel bottle tube is made of lightweight and durable aluminium alloy ensuring precise and smooth fuel flow control. With a soft Rubber Fuel Bottle Stopper, it is also easy to control and avoid fuel spillages. T-Works sell the Rubber Fuel Bottle Stopper separately as a pack of two.

Source: T-Works [rc-tworks.com]