Ronnefalk crowned European 4WD Buggy Champion
David Ronnefalk is the new EFRA European 1:10 4WD Buggy Champion, the Xray driver taking the title for a third time after an exciting finals at the Hudy Arena in Slovakia. Starting from fourth on the grid, the back to back 2018/2019 Champion claimed his first electric European title since moving to Xray with victory over Schumacher’s Michal Orlowski and Xray’s 18-year-old young charger Bartek Zalewski. Fresh from winning the 2WD European title earlier in the week, it was Xray’s Martin Bayer who would again secured the overall TQ honours ahead of Orlowski, Zalewski, Ronnefalk and Team Associated’s Joona Haatanen. In A1, an early mistake from Bayer handed Orlowski the lead which he held to the end despite pressure from Zalewski who in turn was under pressure from Ronnefalk. A2 would see Bayer lead tone to tone shadowed by Orlowski until the 2023 Champion made a mistake with just 50-seconds on the clock allowing Ronnefalk through for second. All coming down to A3, it was the third encounter that provided the real excitement. After one & a half minutes of the drivers running in order, Orlowski executed a pass on Bayer, the Czech driver trying to come back at him until he rolled his Xray at the end of the straight at mid distance ending his chance of a European title double. This gave Orlowski a commanding lead as Zalewski came under pressure from Haatanen and Ronnefalk. With a minute to go Zalewski however was all over the prototype of Orlowski but a double pass from Haatanen and Ronnefalk suddenly dropped him to fourth. Then on the penultimate lap a mistake from Orlowski turned the race on its head. Haatanen briefly led before Ronnefalk forced a pass with further contact from Zalewski dropping him to third. Out front Ronnefalk lead the final lap to come home the winner from Zalewski with Daniel Kobbevik third from Haatanen, the win giving the Swede the overall title to go along with the 1:8 Nitro Buggy European title he won last month in Portugal. Orlowski with a 1 & 3 took second while a pair of seconds gave Zalewski the final step on the podium ahead of Bayer and Haatanen.
Image: Schumacher [Facebook]