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April 30, 2025

IFMAR drops Superpole from IC World C/ship format

IFMAR, the World governing body of RC racing, has announced that for all IC track classes the decision has been taken to retire Superpole from the race format and return to 4 direct qualifiers. The format, in which the participating 4 drivers can book a direct spot in the final alongside the Top Qualifier, had both its fans and its detractors and had its controversies too such as at the 2019 200mm Worlds in Miami. They have also announced for IC Onroad Worlds the introduction of a ‘Last Chance’ final for an 11th spot on the main final grid which is already a feature of the 1:8 Nitro Buggy World Championship race format. In its latest website update, IFMAR have also published updated rules for the upcoming inaugural 1:8 Electric Buggy World Championships set to take place in Portugal from August 26-30 and the 1:8 GT World Championships in Chile which will happen from September 14-20th. Drivers can familiarise themselves with the rules for 1:8 eBuggy here and 1:8 GT here.

Source: IFMAR [ifmar.org]

April 22, 2025

ABC winners Lutz & Kato bolster Philippine Masters entry

Two of the winners from last year’s Asian Buggy Championships are both set to return at the Philippine Masters later this month with Kyosho’s Ryan Lutz and Infinity’s Kouki Kato bolstering the Manila events already impressive international entry. The biggest edition Philippine Masters yet is the second round of the four round Cayote backed Asian Buggy Championships with last year’s New Zealand round winner Lutz returning to the Circulo Verde Race Track while ABC Indonesia winner Kato will get to experience the famed track for the first time. The 13th running of Asia’s biggest annual 1:8 Offroad race meeting, Lutz said, ‘I am so excited to be returning to the Philippine Masters for a second time. Now knowing what to expect, I can arrive with a set-up that should be very close and with the correct tire compound and tread pattern that I will need to succeed. I can’t wait to compete again with some of the World’s best on one of the most beautiful R/C tracks in the World.’ Ahead of the Japanese driver’s Philippine Masters debut Kato said, ‘I’m excited to race on that amazing track for the first time! I look forward to seeing you all there.’

Source: Asian Buggy Championships [Facebook]

April 21, 2025

Haberg confirmed for eSIC debut

Two time World Champion Alexander Hagberg is the latest driver to be confirmed for the Electric Singapore International Challenge (eSIC), the factory Xray driver set to make his debut at the third edition of race on July 12-13. A race that continues to establish itself as a key race on the international touring car calendar, 2025 will mark the first factory representation at the event which is the headed up by Singapore’s touring car racer Nicholas Lee together with Chhua Jookiah. Racing at the Marine Parade Radio Control Modellers Club track, the event has attracted official team entries from Mugen Seiki, Infinity, Awesomatix, Yokomo, ARC and Xpress and in 2025 adds both Axon, with Hayato Ishioka, and Xray whose challenge will be led by Hagberg. On the confirmation of his trip to Singapore, the Swede said, ‘Looking forward to racing in Singapore again after a few years! The eSIC has established itself as one of the most competitive Asian TC events. Can’t wait to be a part of it – and to meet both old & new friends as well as Xray customers and team drivers! See you in Singapore in July!’

Source: eSIC [Facebook]

April 18, 2025

Kilic to lead Mugen Seiki challenge at Philippine Masters

Mugen Seiki’s Burak Kilic is to head the Japanese manufacturer’s challenge at the up coming Philippine Masters as the 2-time World Championship Finalist makes his debut at Asia’s biggest & most famous annual 1:8 Offroad event. Round 2 of the Cayote backed Asian Buggy Championships, the older of the well known Kilic racing brothers joins the already stacked line-up for the 13th edition of the race that includes no less than four IFMAR World Champions. Ahead of making the trip from Germany to the Circulo Verde Race Track in Manila for the April 30 -May 4th event, Kilic said, “I’m really looking forward to the Philippine Masters this year. It will be my first time in Manila. I can’t wait to hit the track and battle the win out! Thanks to all my sponsors for making it possible. See you there!”

Source: Asian Buggy Championships [Facebook]

April 17, 2025

Cavalieri set for Philippine Masters debut

Four-time IFMAR Offroad World Champion Ryan Cavalieri is set to make his first appearance at the famed Philippine Masters which takes place from April 30 -May 4th. The American is the fourth World Champion confirmed for the 13th running of the Manila based event joining David Ongaro, Atsushi Hara and Naoto Matsukura for what is the biggest edition of Asia’s most prominent annual offroad race. Joining Invisible Speed, the car set-up platform created in 2020 by Joseph Quagraine, for 2025 as the brand’s first Pro driver and running Mayako buggies on the announcement he is going to the Philippines for the very first time, the race the second round of the Cayote backed Asian Buggy Championships, Cavalieri said, “Really looking forward to my first trip to race the Philippines Masters. I have always followed the event and have tried several times to come but my race calendar was always busy around the same time with other events. I’m happy to finally make the trip this year.”

Source: Asian Buggy Championships [Facebook]

April 16, 2025

ABC Champion Wolhunter returns at Philippine Masters

Having clinched the 2024 Asian Buggy Championships title at the season finale in Indonesia last October after a consistent campaign, Sworkz’s Christian Wolhuter will get his title defence underway at the upcoming Philippine Masters. Having opted to miss the season opener in New Zealand last month, the Australian returns to Manila for Asia’s biggest annual 1:8 Offroad race having finished fifth last year behind team-mate Joern Nuemann at the Circulo Verde Race Track. Both the Champion of Nitro and eBuggy in the Cayote backed championship, the 18-year-old will be looking to build on his breakthrough international season and looking to his first away race of 2025 said, “Feeling ready for the Philippine Masters 2025 event, with a lot of travel last year and a good start to this year, I have high hopes. With high competition, it is going to be a long, tough fight throughout qualifying and finals. Edward Sio has always put on a killer event through accommodation and, most importantly, the track. Good luck to everyone participating.”

Source: Asian Buggy Championships [Facebook]

April 14, 2025

2025 IFMAR 1:8 GT Worlds – Stage 1 Report

The Stage 1 report for the IFMAR 1:8 GT World Championships which take place in Santiago, Chile, later this year has been published by host club Club of Aeromodelos of Chile (CACH). The 3rd edition of the championships takes place at country’s very impressive CACH facility which houses a variety of RC tracks and airfields and which will also host the 1:8 Onroad Worlds 2-months after the GT event. Reigning Champion Toni Gruber, who won his title in Sydney, has confirmed he is to travel to South America to defend his title with Hong Nor as has 2023 Top Qualifier Alex D’Angelo who will lead the challenge of Capricorn. Starting on September 14th with IPD, the race will run over the next 6 days with September 21st (Sunday) reserved as a rain day. As yet no controlled tyre has confirmed for the event.

View Stage report here

March 27, 2025

2025 Asian Buggy Championships Rd 1, New Zealand – Chassis Focus Index

Last weekend New Zealand played host to the opening round of the Cayote backed Asian Buggy Championships. Now in its third season, the 2025 four round championship kicked off at the Counties RC Car Club track in Pukekohe where almost 200 entries took part in the four day event. The weekend would prove a major break through for Mayako’s Jayden Edmunds as the talented 19-year-old who saw off the challenge of 2024 Asian Buggy Championship race winner Caleb Noble to secure the biggest win of his career to-date. In terms of manufacturer representation, the team photo session ahead of Day 1 of qualifying clearly showed HB Racing to be the most popular chassis of choice among the Kiwi’s thanks to efforts of Shane O’Connor, the same guy who was also instrumental in bringing Scotty Ernst’s Asian Buggy Championships to the country the last two years. Another standout was the variety of buggy brands with qualifying seeing buggies from 6 different manufacturers filling the top half of the 12 car grid. We got the chance to photograph 8 buggies from 6 different manufacturers including the podium finishers in both Nitro Buggy and eBuggy. In case you missed any of the Chassis Focus’ during our coverage of the race, we have compiled them all in our latest Chassis Focus index.

View Chassis Focus Index here