Red RC » Racing

August 15, 2022

Ronnefalk takes first ‘Mayako’ Swedish National title

David Ronnefalk winning the Swedish National Championships has become a bit of annual tradition, his record of wins speaks for itself, but his latest national titles mark the first with Mayako. Joining the offroad newcomers last December after a long stint with HB Racing and Kyosho before that, Ronnefalk took both the nitro ad EP titles over the weekend at Hässleholm RC Club situated in the South of the country. With EP Buggy contested over a Reedy Race format, he would win all six encounters to claim the electric title for the 21st time. Securing the TQ in Nitro, the newly crowned European Champion would win the 1 hour final by only less than half a lap from Hampus Berg for title number 20. Victor Gunnarsson would finish third to make it an all Mayako podium.

Source: David Ronnefalk [facebook]

August 14, 2022

Neumann claims German Nationals double

Factory Schumacher driver Joern Neumann completed the double at the German National Championships over the weekend. Racing at the MAC Hütschenhausen astro track in the western part of the country, the event would decide the 1:10 4WD and Truck titles. Securing TQ honours in both classes after fastest times for 3 of the 5 rounds of qualifying, the multiple European Champion took both title victories ahead of fellow Schumacher driver Marcel Schneider. Joining them on the podium on both occasions was Jens Becker, the Xray driver having also qualified third for both triple A-Mains.

Source: Joern Neumann [facebook]

August 13, 2022

Greiner adds 1:8 title for European Championship double

Having lifted the 1:10 IC Onroad European title in Italy just two weeks ago, Dominic Greiner has done the nitro onroad double this evening with a late victory at the 1:8 European Championship in Spain. Lining up third on the grid for the 45 minute rain delayed final at the Almussafes track, Greiner did not look a contender for the victory in the early stages of the race. Contact on the opening lap dropped him to seventh and soon after the German was bringing up the rear of the field in 10th position. Greiner wasn’t the only one to have a moment early on as Top Qualifier and defending champion Dario Balestri dropped from the lead to third about 1-minute into the encounter. This left Super Pole winner Robert Pietsch and up & coming French talent Maxine Ripoll contending the lead. Working his way back through the order, Greiner was back in podium contention in the later part of the race. With one & half minutes remaining on the clock he then made a move down the inside of leader Pietsch, contact sending the Mugen driver on to the grass. Greiner would continue un-intruded to take his Capricorn to victory to add a first 1:8 title to his 1:10 World and two European championship titles. Almost 2-seconds back Pietsch would finish second with a great drive by Ripoll being rewarded with third on the podium and the title of Junior European Champion. Despite setting the fastest lap of the race, it wasn’t to be Balestri’s day as he had to settle for fourth after losing his podium spot to Ripoll with less than 4-minute to go.

Image: EFRA [efra.ws]

August 12, 2022

Balestri takes TQ at 1:8 Onroad European Championship

Reigning 1:8 Onroad European Champion Dario Balestri will start the defence of his title from pole after he secured the overall TQ in Spain today. After a 2 year forced break, the European Championship returned to Almussafes near Valencia, the track having previously held the championships in 2008. On that occasion Jernej Vuga took a dramatic last last victory when leader for much of the race Daniele Ielasi crashed three corners from the finish due to a flat receiver battery. Heading the Infinity team charge, Balestri opened qualifying yesterday with a TQ run but former champion Robert Pietsch was fastest in Q2 meaning they shared the provisional overnight TQ. Opening a very hot second day of qualifying, it hitting almost 40 degrees, Balestri was back on top in Q3, as his Mugen rival posted the 3rd fastest time. The Italian then secured Top Qualifier honours when he again set the pace in the penultimate round. While it was job done for Balestri, it didn’t deter the former World Champion from making it four TQs out of 5 rounds in the final qualifier. Behind Pietsch in second in the final quali standings, two P2 runs gave Shepherd’s Simon Kurzbuch third, followed by Capricorn’s Dominic Greiner and Shepherd’s Toni Gruber, all four getting to shoot it out for a direct place in the Main final beside Balestri. With each driver getting 6 laps to set a time, that battle went to Pietsch for posting the fastest lap on his final attempt to knock Gruber, who was first to set a time, off the top spot.

Image: EFRA [efra.ws]

August 11, 2022

Speed King Tour 2022 Rd4 – Report

The fourth round of Speed King Tour 2022 was held at RC stadium Sodegaura outdoor tarmac track in Chiba prefecture last weekend. Three different electric touring car class race took place at the event same as past rounds. TC0 class car uses modified motor and TC1 runs with boosted stock motor. Only G Force ESC and motor can be used at TC2 class. This track will hold JMRCA EP Touring car Sport class Nats in September then a lot of drivers entered TC1 class of the event which is almost same regulation as JMRCA Sport class. And also some of Japanese top drivers run TC0 class for preparing for IFMAR ISTC World championship in Italy in September.

Continue reading race report here

August 9, 2022

Inaugural ‘1up OC Throwdown’ – Report

This past weekend was an inaugural event for 1up Racing at Cal Raceway in Orange County CA called the OC “Throwdown”. It gathered racers from up and down California and San Diego reaching a mere 120 entries. This was an open tire event for TC which enabled racers to choose best tire choice. The racing format was open and controlled practice on Friday, Saturday with early morning seeding followed by three qualifiers. The TQ was determined by a qual points system. Sunday was triple mains.

In the modified division, on Saturday, it was Team Mugen driver young phenom Jacob Cruz who set the Top Seed for qualifying with an impressive 3 Lap time result. Leading up to Q1, it was Team Awesomatix driver Lex Tyler who took 0 points using Team Powers 36V2 tires with Cruz in 2nd using Team Solaris 36J tires and Team Associated driver Kyle Klingforth in 3rd using Team Solaris 36V2 tires.

Continue reading race report here

August 8, 2022

Cragg celebrates 4th decade of winning national champs

Becoming champion of your country is usually one of the first goals drivers aspire too. Only a select few will achieve the goal and even fewer will successfully defend the title of being the best in their country. Over the weekend however Neil Cragg (file pic) made it four different decades of holding a national title. Claiming his first ever title back in 1999, one of the sport’s most down to earth and unassuming racers clinched his 26th British National crown when he secured the 2022 BRCA 1:10 2WD Offroad Championship with P2 in Round 5 at the TORCH astro track. The former World Champion admitted it has been a tough season against the ‘young guns’ and dedicated his latest title to his dad, Mick as well known around the world as Neil, and his sponsors who have supported him. A lifelong factory Team Associated driver, we think just like they proudly display their latest World Championship win tally (currently 30) on their official team clothing that maybe it’s time for a Neil Cragg ’26 and still counting’ special edition champions t-shirt release!!

Source: Associated [associatedelectrics.com]

August 8, 2022

Kilic brothers 1-2 at German Buggy Nationals

The 1:8 Nitro Buggy German Nationals saw a dominant performance from the Kilic brothers over the weekend with the older of the two, Burak, taking the title from Berkan. Travelling to the northeastern part of the country to championship hosts Modellclub Schwedt, the Mugen team drivers stamped their authority on the event taking all five qualifiers. Managing 3 TQ runs it was Berkan who came out as Top Qualifier from Burak with Sworkz’ Joern Nuemann best of the rest in third. In the final it was Burak who would take the win for the popular brothers 1-2 finish with an impressive drive from Max Hesse netting him a podium finish. Forced to miss the first two days of the events, the Sworkz driver started last of the 64 entries before clocking up 5 finals en route to a well earned podium ahead of Marcel Kruger and Neumann.

Source – Kilic Brothers RC [facebook.com]