‘I’ve learned a lot since then’ – Phend

In 2019 Dakotah Phend would achieve his best World Championship result when he finished runner-up to Bruno Coelho in 1:10 4WD at the Hudy Arena in Slovakia.  Four years on, asked what is different about the Dakotah of today as we get set for the return of the 1:10 Offroad World Championship at the end of this week, the American’s reply is, ‘I’ve learned a lot since then’.  Making his World Championship debut way back in 2008 in 1:8 Nitro, his debut in 1:10 Electric came in 2011 when the now 26-year-old put his cars in both A-Mains in Finland.  With an impressive National Championship trophy collection in what is undoubtably the super power of nations when it comes to offroad racing, Phend’s sheer outright speed has always been spectacular to watch.  Now the TLR driver believes he is much better at managing that speed and calculating risk versus reward.

Maintaining his multiple year reign as 2WD ROAR National Champion just 3 weeks ago when he successfully defended the title ahead of reigning World Champion Spencer Rivkin, going into the Worlds at Hobby Action RC Raceway Phend says, ‘I don’t know what to expect, the tyres are different and there is no sauce’.  Admitting the World title is one on his list he hasn’t yet been able to tick off, he said his approach going into the racing on Sunday is to, ‘See what gets given to you and adapt from there’.  Asked about his mindset for the 19th running of the IFMAR Worlds he said, ‘The desire to win in general at this level is always there.  It hurts more to loose than to win but the Worlds is a little different mindset.  Everyone brings their A-game.  I think this time round I am better at knowing when to push or not.  Before I used be 100% all in, sometimes it worked but other times not managing the situation cost me results’.

Also the reigning 1:8 Nitro Buggy ROAR Champion, Phend says 1:10 electric feels like home as he started out in the hobby in the class.  With a tweak in the schedule seeing the tradition of starting with 2WD and ending with 4WD, he believes starting this time with 4WD is a positive saying ‘it is good for everyone that 4WD is first’ and adding ‘our 4WD is a great package’.  On 2WD he said, ‘Well have a better idea of 2WD after we see what happens in 4WD.  2WD is a big question mark for everyone at these Worlds.’

Asked who he most expected to be locked in battle with he replied, ‘Spencer for sure.  It’s his home track.  Michal (Orlowski) and Bruno (Coelho) are going to figure it out too.  Broc (Champlin) and Cav (Ryan Cavalieri) have been running good over here and will have a base line for Orlowski to work off.  The track is going to be fast and everyone’s pace will be close so I think it will come down to mistakes.  Everyone’s stuff is so good now a days – you’ve got to be mentally on point.  This track is always hard.  It has a narrow groove and it is hard to see it.  Getting used to and comfortable with that will be important.’

Having got everything ready last week in terms of his cars with just stickering of bodies to do, and set to fly out Saturday to Chandler, Arizona, Phend plans to spend some time with family enjoying ‘what is left of Summer’ adding ‘racing takes a lot out of you so its nice to get some down time before hand’.

2023 IFMAR 1:10 Offroad World Championship coverage presented by Ruddog

The first of four World Championships Red RC will attend this year, our coverage from 1:10 Offroad in Arizona is being supported by Ruddog.  Founded in 2006 by Sven Rudig, himself an avid offroad racer, Ruddog is steeped in offroad racing history being a distributor for 31 times World Champion manufacturer Team Associated and iconic offroad tyre brand JConcepts to name but a few.  In addition, they have developed their own product ranges such as Ruddog Racing, a new line of electronics offered by the German company that already has a European Championship title to its credit in touring car.  Revolution Design Racing Products has established itself as a designer & producer of high-quality tuning parts and are popular upgrades among offroad racers.  Red RC’s trackside coverage of the 1:10 Offroad World Championship will kick off on September 10th with the start of the 4WD action and conclude on September 16th when the 2WD Champion is decided.

World Championship Schedule
4WD Buggy
September 9 – Check-in, Pit Setup, Tyre purchase and tyre tech
September 10 – Open Practice and 2 rounds of controlled practice
September 11 – 1 round of controlled practice and 4 rounds of qualifying
September 12 – 1 round of controlled practice, 1 round of quali and Mains

2WD Buggy
September 13 – Track Closed, 2WD Buggy Tyre purchase and tyre tech
September 14 – Open Practice and 2 rounds of controlled practice
September 15 – 1 round of controlled practice and 4 rounds of qualifying
September 16 – 1 round of controlled practice, 1 round of qualifying and Mains