May 9, 2025

2025 Philippine Masters – Chassis Focus Index

Last weekend we attended the world class 1:8 Offroad race that is the Philippine Masters.  Asia’s premier annual offroad event akin to what the TITC is to the world of Electric Touring Car, 2025 marked the biggest edition of the Manila based race yet in terms of total entries, the number of countries represented, and the dept of top level team drivers.  The second round of the Cayote backed Asian Buggy Championships, it was Philippine Masters regular Davide Ongaro who took the TQ from first time visitors Burak Kilic and Kouki Kato.  In the 1-hour main however Ongaro suffered a rare mechanical (receiver failure) while fuel tank issues also ended Kilic’s race early.  Putting in a super consistent drive Infinity’s Kato took the win, the Japanese talent making it 2 from 2 in the Asian Buggy Championships adding to his win at the season finale in Indonesia last year.  In eBuggy, A1 proved the entertainment highlight of the weekend as Ongaro, having being passed for the lead by Pekko Iivonen, tried to retake the lead on a thrilling final lap.  With Iivonen holding on for a hugely popular win, Ongaro took A2 before Ryan Lutz took the third however overall it was Ongaro’s victory.  During our time at the Circulo Verde Track we got the chance to photograph 9 buggies from 6 different manufacturers including Mayako’s all new prototype eBuggy.  In case you missed any of the Chassis Focus’ during our coverage of the race, we have compiled them all in our latest Chassis Focus index.

Nitro Buggy

Kouki Kato (Q3/Winner) – Infinity

Mattia Poilto (Q6/P3 ) – Sworkz

Davide Ongaro  (Top Qualifiers/DNF) – Team Associated

Burak Kilic (Q2/DNF) – Mugen Seiki

Pekko Iivonen – (Q7/P4) – Mayako

Ryan Lutz (Q5/P5) – Kyosho

eBuggy

Davide Ongaro  (Top Qualifiers/Winner) – Team Associated

Pekko Iivonen – (Q2/P2) – Mayako

Ryan Lutz (Q4/P3) – Kyosho


May 4, 2025

Chassis Focus – Mattia Polito (Sworkz)

Chassis – Sworkz S35-4 EVO
Engine – Gimar MARS Next
Fuel – Energy
Tires – Matrix Blackhole
Radio – Futaba T10PX
Servos – KO Propo RSx4S Power HC (Steering)/AGFRC (Throttle)
Body – Xtreme Aria

Image Gallery


May 4, 2025

Chassis Focus – Ryan Lutz (Kyosho eBuggy)

Chassis – Kyosho MP10e TKi2
ESC – Tekin RX8 Gen3
Motor – Tekin Redline 1900
Battery – ProTek Shortie 6400
Tires – RawSpeed Radar
Radio – Futaba 10PX USLE
Servo – Futaba HPS CB701 (steering)
Body – Kyosho

Image Gallery


May 4, 2025

Chassis Focus – Pekko Iivonen (Mayako eBuggy)

Chassis – Mayako MX8E LCG Prototype
ESC – Cayote Crest 8
Motor – Hobbywing 1900
Battery – Cayote LCG long 6300mah
Tires – 6mik Dash Blue
Radio – Sanwa M17
Servos – Ultimate RSX8 (steering)
Body – Mayako

Note – The Mayako team is at Philippine Masters with an all new prototype eBuggy that will be a future MPC (Mayako Members Programme) kit release.  Designed by Joesph Quagraine, the Finn says the point of the MX8E LCG is to develop a car for the first ever IFMAR 1:8 Electric World Championships which are coming up in Portugal at the end of August.  A very high grip, technical, 1:10 style track, JQ says now is the time to develop the next generation of 1:8 buggies adding they will start with the eBuggy, then Truggy, and then a nitro buggy based on the new design direction.  He added the design goal is simple – low centre of gravity, low weight, and suspension geometry better suited to modern racing.  JQ explained that while the obvious thing people will see is the suspension, this is not the only reason why the car works, team driver Pekko Iivonen proving the car with his TQ run and A1 win in the eBuggy class here at Round 2 of Cayote backed Asian Buggy Championships.  Mayako has developed new shock internals and new springs plus other undisclosed components for the project.

Image Gallery


May 3, 2025

Chassis Focus – Davide Ongaro (Associated eBuggy)

Chassis – Team Associated RC8 B4.1e
ESC – Hobbywing XR8 Pro G3
Motor – Hobbywing 1900KV
Battery – Sunpadow 6500mAh
Tires – Matrix Blackhole
Radio/Servo – Sanwa Exzes ZZ III / Sanwa PGS-XR II
Body – Xtreme Aria

Image Gallery


May 3, 2025

Chassis Focus – Ryan Lutz (Kyosho)

Chassis – Kyosho MP10 TKI3
Engine – Alpha Falcon Spec B
Fuel – VP Racing Fuel
Tires – RawSpeed Radar
Radio – Futaba 10PX USLE
Servos – Futaba HPS CB701 (steering) / HPS CT702 (throttle)
Body – Kyosho

Image Gallery