’24 1:8 Offroad World C/ship Chassis Focus Index
With the dust now settled on the 19th running of the IFMAR 1:8 Offroad World Championships at RC Redovan, we have put together a full index of all the buggies we were given access to to photograph for our ‘Chassis Focus’ during our time in Spain. We were able to feature buggies from 8 different manufacturers with Xray and Kyosho notably absent from the list with both manufacturers not allowing their buggies to be photographed in detail. Of the 180 drivers competing, it was Xray that proved the most popular brand with 33 buggies, just one more than Sworkz who were the brand with the greatest representation in the final filling 3 of the 13 spots on the starting grid. With 27 buggies, Mugen Seiki was the third most used chassis. Coming away with its 3rd consecutive 1:8 Buggy World title, Team Associated was fourth in terms of numbers with 18 driver while Tekno completed the Top 5 represented by 16 racers. Of the 13 brands present in Redovan, 8 made it into the main showdown.
In terms of power, it was Japan’s O.S Engines who had a clear majority with 44 using the the World Champion manufacturer’s 3.5cc units. Reds Racing was the second most popular engine supplier on 26 closely followed by Ultimate on 23. A total of 20 engine brands were in use over the week. Key to the performance of any chassis/engine combo, the bragging rights for the most popular tyre went to Hotrace, 49 drivers listing it as their preferred choice of rubber. JConcepts was the second most popular on 32 with 6Mik next on 27. Coming away with the title, Matrix was used by 16 drivers putting them 4th of the 13 manufacturers. Nitrolux was the biggest fuel supplier with almost half the field.
Chassis Focus Index
Davide Ongaro (World Champion) – Team Associated / Buggy as it came off the track after winning final
Juan Carlos Canas (Top Qualifier) – Sworkz
Joao Figueiredo – Tekno
Marcus Kaerup – Team Associated
Riccardo Berton – Infinity
Dakotah Phend – TLR
Berkan Kilic – Mugen Seiki
Joona Haatanen – Team Associated
Marco Baruffolo – WIRC
Ryan Cavalieri – Sparko
Pekko Iivonen – Mayako
Joern Neumann – Sworkz
Kouki Kato – Infinity