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January 7, 2023

Ongaro confirmed for Philippine Masters

The organisers of the Philippine Masters have announced back to back World Champion Davide Ongaro is confirmed to make the trip to Manila for the April 28-30 event. Ongaro is a previous winner of the Philippine Masters and the attendance of the high profile Team Associated factory driver is a major boost for the Asian 1:8 Offroad scene. As with previous editions of the race, the entry list is expected to be bolstered by further high profile driver announcements. Making its post Covid return to the international racing calendar, the Philippine Masters has established itself as one of Asia’s major international events with 2023 the 11th running of the event. Hosted by QCRCCC and directed by the voice of RC Scotty Ernst, the event takes place in the heart of the capital city at the beautiful Circulo Verde track. Already close to reaching its 120 entry capacity, the race has attracted many of Asia’s top drivers with a strong contingent of Australian racers signed up to enjoy both the racing and hospitality in Manila.

Source: Philippine Masters [philippinemastersrc.com]

December 23, 2022

Ongaro ends RunnerTime Fuel sponsorship

Back to back 1:8 Buggy World Champion Davide Ongaro is set for another change to his 2023 racing package with the announcement he will no longer be using RunnerTime Fuel. Having announced his departure from tyre sponsor AKA earlier this month, the Italian has enjoyed a similar 5-year stint with the RunnerTime netting the 2018 and 2023 World titles in that time. On his Facebook page Ongaro said, ‘It has been 5 amazing years, We have achieved a lot of amazing results together and goals, we have had a lot of fun and you are part that helped me to be what I am. I hope you are happy about what we have done together, races, dinners, good and bad results because they are part of racing. I can only say a big thank you for all the help you have to use during these years, was a pleasure for us to work with you. It’s time now to take different roads, I wish you the best in your future. Thanks a lot for everything. Thanks Matteo Passerini and Runnertime.’

Source: Davide Ongaro [Facebook]

December 21, 2022

Lougheed crowned Irish 1:8 Onroad Champion

2022 would see Infinity driver Graeme Lougheed crowned Ireland’s National 1:8 Onroad Champion. The IF18/ASM Nuclear/Eirerc driver claimed the overall title following 2 victories and a second place, all three round being hosted by the ORCA Club at Ireland’s only 1:8 Onroad track in St Annes Park on the outskirts of the capital city of Dublin. It was a tough battle between Lougheed and Austin Elliot (Shepherd Velox v8.2/Ielasi Tuned) all year with both setting blistering times and both dominating every round. In the end it all boiled down to the last race as each driver came into the event with one win a piece. With Elliot fresh back from the European Championship, and all to play for going into the last round, it was a tough ask for Lougheed but he was able to TQ and set the fastest lap of the year to clinch the 1:8 National title.

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December 19, 2022

Orlowski doubles at Race Stars Contest

Michal Orlowski’s internationals travels for 2022 may be finished but the factory Schumacher driver made the most of being back home in Poland to take the double win at Race Stars Contest ’22. Held in the centre of the country at the Sports Arena in Zgierz, the race attracted an international entry. In qualifying Orlowski would take the TQ for both 2WD and 4WD from Sworkz Micha Widmaier, with third going to Bartek Zambrzycki in 2WD and Bartosz Zalewski in 4WD. In the triple A-Mains, 2WD would see Orlowski chased to the win by Widmaier with the Serpent of Sweden’s Elias Johansson coming through from P4 on the grid to complete the podium thanks to a win in A3. In 4WD, while Orlowski was in control out front, behind Zalewski, after a bad A1, managed to get his Xray passed Widmaier in A2, before going on to win A3 for second overall ahead of the German.

Source: Michal Orlowski [Facebook]

December 11, 2022

Greiner wins Miami Nitro Grand Prix

Dominic Greiner has capped off an impressive 1:8 nitro onroad season with victory at the Miami Nitro Grand Prix. Qualifying second at Homestead RC Raceway, the factory Capricorn driver took the win ahead of Top Qualifier Filippo Domanin. The Xray driver led the race for more than 100 laps before European Champion Greiner took control to win with 161 laps completed at the end of the 45-minute final. Behind Domanin, Infinity’s Carmine Riola completed the podium in Florida followed by the ARC of Dutch veteran John Ermen and Hotrace Tyres’ Nicola Marrone. In 1:10, Top Qualifier Teemu Leino took the win for Infinity with Capricorn’s Thilo Diekmann only 1.5-seconds back. Having qualified fourth, Chris Tosolini found his way passed third place starter Bobby Horan to secure the final step on the podium. In 1:8 GT, it was victory for Serpent thanks to Italy’s Gabriele Paloschi. Behind the pole sitter Joaquin Desoto Junior and Martin Bayer completed the Top 3.

Source: Capricorn [capricornrc.com]

December 10, 2022

Domanin & Leino TQ at Miami Nitro Grand Prix

Young Italian talent Filippo Domanin and veteran Finn Teemu Leino are the Top Qualifiers at the Miami Nitro Grand Prix. In 1:8, Xray driver Domanin set the fastest qualifying time around Homestead RC Raceway in the 2nd of the three qualifiers, failing to finish Q1 & Q3. Behind him, Capricorn’s Dominic Greiner set the second fastest time also in Q2 with Infinity’s Carmine Riola completing the Top 3. In 1:10, Leino also only managed to complete only 1 of the three qualifiers but it was all he need to put his Infinity in pole position for the final. Thilo Diekmann would set the second fastest time as his Capricorn top the time sheets for the third & final qualifier. Florida racer Bobby Horan posted the third fastest time ahead of former Miami Nitro Grand Prix Chris Tosolini. In 1:8 GT, Serpent’s Gabriele Paloschi claimed the overall TQ ahead of Xray’s Martin Bayer and the Capricorn of Natanaele Senesi.

Image: Filippo Domanin [Facebook]

December 6, 2022

Mazzeo joins Capricorn

Two weeks after announcing his departure from Serpent, Alessio Mazzeo has revealed his switch to Capricorn. The Italian follows Dominic Greiner and Merlin Depta in joining the Italian manufacturer from Serpent with all three set to represent Patrizio Rossi’s brand at the Miami Nitro Grand Prix this week in Florid of which Mazzeo is the defending Nitro GT champion. Making the announcement on social media, on the Capricorn Facebook page the 200mm World Championship podium finisher said, ‘My first real “change” after 18 years. A collaboration that makes me proud, all made in Italy. It’s going to be hard to do better than Capricorn has done in years past, one more reason to thank the company and its staff for this ambitious choice’. On his own social media Mazzeo added, “Thank you Patri and all the Capricorn family for this generous opportunity celebrating Italy, our passion and our love for doing things, I hope you are just as winning in this sport as it has been for others. Can’t wait to get back out in the game alongside some of the best drivers in the world. See you on track very soon!

Source: Alessio Mazzeo [Facebook]

December 2, 2022

Ongaro leaves AKA after 5 years & 2 World titles

Reigning 1:8 Offroad World Champion Davide Ongaro has announced that he is to leave tyre sponsor AKA. The Italian has worked with the American brand for 5-years and in that time claimed the sport’s great prize not once but twice winning back to back World titles in 2018 in Australian and earlier this year in Spain. The factory Team Associated driver made the announcement on his social media saying, “Here we are, we have reached the end of 2022 and with this post I wanted to communicate that for next season I will no longer be part of the AKA team, it has been 5 years full and full of emotions, full of positive results, but also of results where we struggled a bit, but that’s part of the game. Having won 2 world titles and knowing that you have made a part of history with AKA was truly a unique emotion, but unfortunately our paths diverge and it is time for a new challenge. I wanted to thank EVERYONE, truly EVERYONE without excluding anyone, you have been part of me and you will always remain in my heart, both mine and my family’s, I learned so much and I am grateful, we will surely see you again on track. Simply THANK YOU. Stay tuned, super excited for a new adventure… DAVIDE”.

Source: Davide Ongaro [Facebook]