Red RC » R Off Road

September 10, 2022

Ongaro defends title to make World Champ history

Davide Ongaro today made history in Spain as he became the first ever driver to successfully defend the 1:8 Offroad World Championship title. The Team Associated driver dominated proceedings at the 18th running of the IFMAR championship, first securing the TQ honours, then winning his Semi Final to secure pole position for the 1-hour final. Starting out the final and pulling away initially, the Italian would not have it completely all his own way however as 2016 Champion David Ronnefalk came up through the grid after a tough Semi to take the fight to the Perth 2018 winner. Ronnefalk would lead for a time with the duo swapping back and fort until an error in the dying minutes cost the newly crowned European Champion Mayako driver hopes of becoming the categories first multiple World Champ this century (Maurizio Monesi winning in 1988 & 1994). The error gave Ongaro the breathing space he needed and also meant his final lap was a victory lap as Ronnefalk’s clock had already stopped. Crossing the line to give Team Associated their 31st World title, joining him and a visibly gutted Ronnefalk on the podium would be crowd favourite Juan Carlos Canas with his Sworkz. A track layout that was always going to favour the Europeans, it would be Mugen’s Ryan Maifield who would be best of the US drivers finishing fourth followed by the Xray team-mates Ty Tessmann and Bruno Coelho.

Image – Davide Ongaro [Facebook]

September 8, 2022

Defending Champion Ongaro is Worlds Top Qualifier

Defending 1:8 Offroad World Champion Davide Ongaro is the Top Qualifier of the 2022 World Championships in Redovan, Spain. Having opened qualifying yesterday with the fastest time in Q1 and again in the day’s 3rd encounter, the Team Associated wrapped up the overall TQ when he returned to the top of the time sheets today in the 6th and final round of qualifying. Behind the Italian, America’s Dakotah Phend ended up P2 overall despite a tough finish to qualifying today. The Team Losi Racing driver managed a TQ run in Q2 along with a second in Q3 and third in Q4. Home star Juan Carlos Canas took his Sworkz to the fastest time in the first of today’s qualifiers which together with a P2 in Q2 and three P3 runs secures the Spaniard third overall. Producing the biggest surprise of qualifying would be Berkan Kilic, the German TQ’ing the penultimate round with his Mugen to secure 4th overall. Making it six different manufacturers in the Top 6 at the end of qualifying, Xray’s Bruno Coelho takes 5th with a best run of P2 in Q3 followed by former Champion David Ronnefalk, the Mayako driver having his best performance in Q3 when he posted the third fastest time. View timing here.

Images credit – Team Associated [Facebook]

September 5, 2022

Power HD sign Holdsworth brothers

Power HD has announced the signing of the Holdsworth brothers from UK which will see the Schumacher pairing use their servos in their cars. Having some great results including both making the European Championships A Main this year, Josh and Luke will focus on reaching the very top in the 1:10 off road class in both the UK and Europe. The brothers will use the high end powerHD S15 and S25 servos in their cars for the upcoming seasons.

View Luke signing image here

August 29, 2022

Gil Losi Snr – RIP

It is with sadness that we report the death of one of the great pioneers of RC racing, Gil Losi Snr. Gil Snr was one of the founders of Team Losi Racing, a company that would become an iconic manufacturer in the world of RC racing. It all started in the 80’s with their first product, a 64 pitch spur gear, and as they say ‘the rest is history’. Gil Snr (pictured with the late Brian Kinwald) also played a huge part in the careers of some of the sport’s biggest names with Adam Drake one of those to quickly pay tribute to Gil “Pops” Losi. Drake posted on his social media, ‘It’s incredibly difficult to process the news about Gil “Pops” Losi. Pops was one of the most kind, passionate, and caring people I’ve ever met. He gave me an opportunity at a very young age to represent his brand and eventually move to California to start my career in the R/C industry. I’m so grateful for the time I was able to have spent with Pops over the years at the races, working together, and at BBQ’s. I’ll always remember the good times and your passion for cars, racing, family. Red RC would like extend our condolences to the Losi family – RIP Gil.

Image: Adam Drake [Facebook]

August 29, 2022

Clean sweep for Orlowski at British Nationals finale

Michal Orlowski wrapped up the British 1:10 Offroad National Championships in style over the weekend when he completed a clean sweep at the season finale at Robin Hood Raceway. With both title’s having been decided at the previous encounter, Orlowski claiming the 4WD title and Associated’s Neil Cragg the 2WD crown, it didn’t deter the Polish driver from adding to his season’s winning tally. On Saturday the factory Schumacher driver secured the TQ before going on to take win number 3 of the season ahead of team-mate Josh Holdsworth with the Associated of Tommy Hall third. Sunday was to be a repeat performance in 4WD. While Yokomo’s Lee Martin topped Q1, Orlowski would go fastest in the next 3 rounds of qualifying. From the TQ, the former European Champion won all three A-Mains for another Schumacher 1,2, Ben Smith finishing 2nd, with Martin completing the Round 6 podium.

Image: Michal Orlowki [Facebook]

August 22, 2022

Rivkin denies Phend ROAR Nationals buggy double

Spencer Rivkin has denied the defending ROAR National Champion Dakotah Phend the buggy double at SDRC Raceway in San Diego. In qualifying things couldn’t have gone better for Phend with the Team Losi Racing driver taking the overall TQ in both 2WD and 4WD Buggy as well Mod Truck. Kicking off Sunday’s finals with 2WD Buggy, things looked set to continue Phend’s way as he took A1 by over 4-seconds from Yokomo’s Ryan Maifield. Next up was Mod Truck with more of the same but the first 4WD Buggy final would bring change. Three laps in second place qualifier Rivkin went to the front to take the win as Phend dropped down the order eventually finishing P7. In A2, Rivkin again took the early lead with Phend finishing back in 5th. Rivkin was the new 4WD Champion. While Phend won A3, it was Maifield and AE’s Aydin Horne who completed the podium presentation ahead of Phend. In 2WD, Phend’s TLR team-mate Ryan Cavalieri would force the battle to A3 when he took the second encounter but Phend got the job done in A3 to retain his title. A 1-2 for TLR, Maifield completed the podium in front of Rivkin. In Mod Truck, the title decision also went to A3. With a win a piece, Phend and Team Associated’s A2 winner Dustin Evans would battle it out. A mistake from Phend would allow Evans to the front but Phend charged back and found his way to the front to wrap up the title with Rivkin completing the National Championship Top 3.

Image: Spencer Rivkin [facebook]

August 21, 2022

Boots lifts British Championship with season finale win

Elliott Boots is the 2022 1:8 Offroad British National Champion, the Sworkz/Reds factory driver lifting the title in style with victory at the season finale held at Nemo Raceway. Last year’s championship runner-up, Boots came into the weekend with wins from the opening two rounds of the 5 round championship. Setting the fastest time in 4 of the 5 qualifiers, the former European Champion would secure the overall TQ ahead of the Agama of Lee Martin and the Mugen of Round 4 winner Jamie Clancy. Winning his Semi from Clancy, Boots would start on pole for the 45-minute final eventually coming out on top having lapped all his rivals. Martin would come home second with Clancy completing the podium. The other of the championship’s race winners, taking the win at Round 3 in Brookthorpe, defending champion Jonathan Skidmore had a disappointing finale finishing sixth which was good enough for the runner-up’s spot in the final standings ahead of Clancy and Martin.

Image: Elliott Boots [facebook]