Joaquin Desoto Jr dominates Ipanema GT Worlds

Last weekend the Homestead RC Raceway in Florida, host of next year’s 1/8th World Championships, played host to the Ipanema GT Worlds. Qualifying saw Joaquin Desoto Jr dominate qualifying turning a 13 laps in 5:03, about 4 seconds ahead of 2nd place qualifier Joerg Schaedler. Desoto, driving a Novarossi powered stock OFNA DM-1 was the only driver to turn laps in the 22 sec. range. In the finals it was a close race between the Joaquin Jr and Schaedler, with Desoto leading the way. Different pit strategies and tire choices made the race interesting and exciting to watch with Joaquin going with harder tires for the final, making his car a little slower but very consistent in the long final. Good pitwork and smart driving allowed him to manage the gap to 2nd place without having to overheat the tires and he took the win by about a 12 seconds ahead of Schaedler in 2nd, with Mike Lyday taking the final step of the podium in 3rd.