Worlds Final grid completed

The 10 drivers that will line-up and fight it out for the 2009 IFMAR 1:8 Onroad World title have been decided after two dramatic Semi Finals here in Switzerland.  The first of the 30 minute affairs was won by Japanese ace Takaaki Shimo but that was only after early leader & pole sitter Paolo Morganti broke an engine 5-minutes in while looking in control. This gave Josh Cyrul the lead but his Shepherd stripped a rear belt with 12-minutes to go handing Shimo’s OS powered Kyosho the lead. Adrien Bertin, who called for a delayed start which put him to the back of the grid, pulled off a stunning drive. Coming from the 1/4 Finals he finished second recording the fastest lap of the two Semis. Always in contention for a Top 3 finish Robin D’hondt claimed the third place in a run time that was good enough to secure the 20-year-old Motonica driver 8th spot on the Main Final grid.

In the second Semi, there was also a delayed start called by pole sitter Michael Salven due to radio problems. It soon transpired that a change of frequency made by the German had not being registered by officials and so as the problem was not due to the driver he was allowed resume his pole position placing on the grid. Leading comfortably from Rick Vrielijnck’s Reds Racing powered Mugen, Salven’s chances of a position in the final came to an end when he flamed out on the in lap for his first stop. This allowed Vrielijnck to take the lead, but hitting the pit wall as he left the pits during his third stop the Dutch driver ripped the bodyshell and while it didn’t effect the car too much it was a distraction and the very fast Mike Swauger was eventually able to find a way through to win. In the end the American took a comfortable victory as Vrielijnck battled to the end to hold off the Motonica of Dario Balestri who due to his race time completes the grid for this evening’s one hour final.

So the stage is now set for 10 drivers, representing 8 nations, 4 chassis and 5 engines manufacturers to do battle to become the 17th World Champion. We will bring you minute by minute coverage of the race starting with the driver presentations at 15:40.

World Championship Final Grid
1. Pietsch Robert – Mugen/Novarossi
2. Collari Lamberto – Kyosho/Novarossi
3. Picco Alberto – Mugen/Picco
4. Green Mark – Serpent/Novarossi
5. Shimo Takaaki – Kyosho/OS
6. Bertin Adrien – Kyosho/Orion
7. Swauger Mike – Mugen/Novarossi
8. D’hondt Robin – Motonica/Novarossi
9. Vrielijnck Rick – Mugen/Reds Racing
10.Balestri Dario – Motonica/Novarossi

View our event image gallery here.