Red RC » R Off Road

March 22, 2024

1:8 Offroad World Championship in Brazil Cancelled

IFMAR has just announced that it has been informed by FAMAR that the 1:8 Offroad World Championship scheduled for September has been cancelled. The Brazilian Federation FEBARC together with CASA Raceway in São Paulo had been awarded the 19th running of the World Championships. In breaking the news IFMAR posted, ‘We were just informed by FAMAR that the IFMAR 1/8th IC off-road event in Brazil, scheduled for 8-15th of September will be cancelled, due to permits and permissions they still have not received from the City Government. Your IFMAR committee is now discussing and looking for an alternative organizer, who can hold the event on the same dates.’ CASA (Clube de Automodelismo de Santana) has since published further details as to the reasons for the cancellation.

Read CASA statement here

March 22, 2024

Mick Cragg – RIP

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Mick Cragg. The father of 2005 2WD Offroad World Champion Neil, Mick was a hugely popular figure in offroad racing around the World with his friendly manner meaning he was always ready & willing to share his vast knowledge of racing with others. Supporting Neil in achieving the greatest prize in the sport, Mick could be regularly seen supporting and encouraging the next generation of drivers as they chased their own dreams. Having always found it a great pleasure to deal with Neil during our coverage of races this was a reflection of the man Mick was and the great job done in raising Neil. We would like to extend our condolences to his family, to the Team Associated team whom Mick passionately represented, and all the friends he made around the world being a great ambassador of our hobby and how a father & son can enjoy this hobby so well together. Rest in Peace.

March 19, 2024

Kurzbuch secures RCXX backing

With limited sponsorship opportunities in 1:8 Onroad these days, former World Champion & current factory Mugen Seiki driver Simon Kurzbuch has secured backing for his programme from Swiss based online RC retailer RCXX. Top Qualifier at last November’s World Championship in Japan on his debut with Mugen Seiki, finish 3rd in the 10hour final, the Swiss driver will receive support for his 2024 campaign from RCXX.Shop who on the news said, ‘We’re thrilled to announce our increased investment and expansion in pro sportsman sponsorship for the year 2024. It is with great pride we share that Simon Kurzbuch, a former World Champion and a renowned figure in RC racing, is now partnering with RCXX in Switzerland. As his third-party sponsor, we’re committed to supporting Simon throughout the 2024 racing season. He will be participating in multiple championships and races, in close cooperation with our brand. This collaboration is not just a partnership; it’s a statement of excellence and ambition. We are truly excited to see what we can achieve together and are looking forward to a year of triumphs and achievements. Welcome aboard, Simon!’

Source: RCXX.Shop [rcxx.shop]

March 18, 2024

Boots takes 25th anniversary Dirt Nitro Challenge win

A landmark year for World renowned track builder Joey Christensen’s signature event, it was Sworkz Elliott Boots who took the big win at the 25th anniversary of the legendary Dirt Nitro Challenge. In Nitro Buggy qualifying it was the British driver who secured the TQ in Perris, California, despite not topping a round with a second and a third fastest times enough to top the ranking after the three rounds from Team Associated’s Spencer Rivkin. Having topped the opening qualifier Frankie Contreras Jr. completed the Top 3 for Mugen. The other two qualifying rounds would go to Kyosho’s Ryan Lutz and Tekno’s Ryan Maifield who was chasing his fourth consecutive DNC title having won in 2023, 2022 and 2021. From the front of the 15-car grid, Boots would take control of the 45-minute encounter eventually winning by 10-seconds from the Xray of 2020 Champion David Ronnefalk with TLR’s Dakotah Phend completing the podium. For Sworkz there was double celebrations at the event with Juan Carlo Canas taking the eBuggy win from Rivkin after Top Qualifier Ronnefalk retired. While Maifield’s run of buggy wins came to an end, finishing the final in 10th, the American didn’t leave the DNC empty handed as he crowned Truggy Champion ahead of Phend and Boots.

Image: TheDirt Racing [Facebook]

March 14, 2024

Kato joins O.S Engines

Promising Japanese onroad and offroad talent Kouki Kato has been announced as a O.S Engines supported driver for 2024. The 17-year-old Japanese driver has put in some very impressive international results recently including making the Final on his debut at the 1:8 Onroad World Championship last November, after TQ’ing the final round of qualifying, and making the A-Main at the ultra competitive TITC electric touring car race in Thailand earlier this month. The reigning Japanese 1:8 Offroad Champion, he is also the double 1:10 Offroad National Champion, and his Team Associated Offroad and Infinity Onroad nitro programmes will be powered by O.S. Speed engines and Nitro Fuel.

Source: O.S. Engines [os-engines.co.jp]

March 13, 2024

Neumann to lead Sworkz effort at Philippine Masters

Having won the Truggy title at the Philippine Masters last year with Micha Widmaier, Sworkz will be pinning their hopes on Joern Neumann this year at what has become Asia’s biggest annual 1:8 Offroad race. With Widmaier also finishing runner-up to World Champion Davide Ongaro in the 1-hour Buggy Final, this will be Neumann’s first time to the very 3D Circulo Verde offroad track in the capital city of Manila. The German joins Kyosho’s Ryan Lutz and Sparko’s Ryan Pavidis as the latest international entry for what will be the 12th edition of the race. A race that has a unique vibe that lives up to the nation’s tourism tagline ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’, many of the large international entry combining the race with holidays at the country’s world famous white sand beaches, on the news of his entry Neumann said, “Finally the Philippine Masters fits in my schedule and I am looking forward to racing at this beautiful track. Super excited to meet everyone and it should be a fun race.” The Philippine Masters is the second round of the ambitious Asian Buggy Championship which having already visited New Zealand will also have rounds in Australia and Indonesia.

Source: Asian Buggy Championships [Facebook]

March 11, 2024

Pavidis confirmed for Philippine Masters

Sparko Racing’s Ryan Pavidis is the latest driver to be confirmed for the annual Philippine Masters which takes place in just over a month’s time in the country’s capital city of Manila. The American joins fellow countryman Ryan Lutz as they both make their debut at what has become Asia’s biggest annual 1:8 Offroad race. Son of 2006 World Champion Mark Pavidis, a title he won in Asia, this will be Ryan’s first trip to the continent and the first of two appearances he will make in this year’s Asian Buggy Championship of which the Philippine Masters is the second round. Confirming his entry for the April 18-21 event, Pavidis said, ‘The trip to Manilla will be my 2nd international event (his first one being the 2023 Worlds in Spain) and my first time to Asia. The track there is world famous for its unique surface and technical sections, definitely a bucket list race for any serious racer. I’ve never raced on molasses before but with the confidence I have in my equipment and the experience I’ve gained over the past few years, I expect to run at the front. I can’t wait to meet a bunch of new people and experience a different country/culture!’

Source: Asian Buggy Championships [Facebook]

March 10, 2024

Wins for Kaerup & Coelho at British Offroad Grand Prix

Team Associated’s Marcus Kaerup and Xray’s Bruno Coelho took the wins at this year’s BRCA British Offroad Grand Prix in Milton Keynes. The annual 1:10 carpet track event which takes place in the Centre:MK shopping centre and attracts a strong international field saw last year’s double winner Michal Orlowski head the entry. The Schumacher driver would get his weekend off to a good start securing the 2WD TQ. Behind European Champion Kaerup secured second with Coelho completing the Top 3 after the 5 rounds of qualifying. In the opening final, Schumacher driver Ben Smith capitalised on errors from the leaders to secure the win ahead of Coelho. In A2 and A3, Kaerup took charge winning both encounter as Orlowski grip rolled out of the lead in both and that gave the Dane the overall win with Orlowski and Smith completing the podium. In 4WD, Coelho secured the TQ with 3 TQ runs compared to Orlowski’s two while Kaerup made up the Top 3. Leading the field in A1, a moment on the track’s big table top for Coelho allowed Orlowski through for the win but the former World Champion made amends in A2 & 3 staying at the front for the overall win. Once again it was the runner-up spot for Orlowski with team-mate Daniel Kobbevik completing the podium.

Image: Xray [Facebook]