International RC Car Championship report

The first annual IRCC (International RC Car Championship) took place at the meeting room of Chubu international airport (Centrair) with the race held on a specially made carpet track. A lot of top level Japanese drivers were there including current 1/12th electric world champion Naoto Mastukura, the ‘Legend’ Masami Hirosaka and many national champions. Masami announced his retirement in 2009 but he drove a Yokomo GT500 car and 1/10th touring as a guest driver. Although the organizer wanted the event to attract more international drivers, there was only one American driver present, mainly because of the earthquake in March and the current economic condition that makes the Japanese Yen very expensive. The famous Scotty Ernst, who is well known race announcer and director, entered as a competitor in the FWD class and he finished in 3rd position in the final. He also announced all A-finals except FWD class in which he drove the car. Seven categories of races were held, the biggest one is 1/12th scale which attracted 33 drivers. Naoto Matsukura won the race after a hard battle with Hideo Kitazawa. Masami won the 17.5T touring class, beating 2010 Japanese National champion Daisuke Yoshioka. This year’s IRCC was successful and the organizer promised to having the same event next summer on the same place. Foreign drivers (Asia, USA, Europe and more) are always welcomed.

Source: IRCC [ircc.jp]