2014 IFMAR Worlds

[RC Mamba]

 Are there any updates on the 2014 IFMAR Worlds?

[krazydave]

This is the latest from Neo Buggy.

Welcome to the world of 2014, still shiny, new and relatively untarnished aside from the customary New Year’s Day hangover, anyway that aside we’re now in a Worlds year for 1/8 Offroad. Thankfully memories of Argentina in 2012 have faded slightly and a cautious optimism surrounds the 15th 1/8 Buggy IFMAR Worlds which will be held in Messina, Italy on the island of Sicily at the Naxos World Track.

The first rumour we plan to address is the actual location, its not Messina, but rather a few kilometres south of Taormina, the Naxos track is 60km South of Messina, and north of Catania, Calling it ‘Taormina’ would be much more accurate! Track Location in Google Maps

naxos-World_Track

As a destination, Messina won’t be the most internationally friendly destination we’ve had the pleasure of travelling to & unlikely to match the spectacle & grandeur that former hosts Buenos Aires or Pattaya offered, however the organising team led by the powerful Salvatore Schepis has laid out some very promising plans for the facility.

ifmar_champions_offroadAccording to sources the track in its current state has an unpopular concrete surface, according to the recently published ‘stage one report’ the track’s surface and layout will be completely changed and “closed from the moment its definitive layout is in place (Aprox. May 2014)”.

The removal of the traditional ‘warm up event’ is the result of industry pressure – viewed as an unnecessary expense with very little return on investment at the actual World Championship, not helped by the difficulties companies faced when importing material for the 2012 Warm up.

“No World Championship driver will drive over the track at any moment since then until the IFMAR World Championship event takes place”
A promising statement to ensure a level playing field come Worlds-time in September, however one wonders if there is a loophole for teammates not qualified for the Worlds to ‘test’ at the track… ?

That said, details of improvements to the facility look good on paper and we look forward to reporting on progress and completion in time for September.

The main news is that of Worlds practice commencing on Thursday 18th rather than the Saturday, bringing the event to 10 days in length, a minimum of 12 days counting travel days. That’s quite a long time to decide a World Champion for Radio Control Cars?

[superrcracer]

Here is the latest from neo buggy.

Things are starting to take shape in Italy as the organizers of the 2014 IFMAR 1/8 Offroad World Championships have begun a complete makeover of the Naxos facility in Messina! The track appears to be receiving a wide variety of new additions including that of bricks, timbers, dirt, concrete, and more. Off the track, the facility is getting a fresh look, and plenty of attention to provide racers with a world class facility for the upcoming event, just over a month away.

“[Per] IFMAR regulation, [the track] will have at least 50% of its surface in the ground.”
Organizers say, ”The track has been changed of course (as announced in the brochure). The track is subject to change as the images visible HERE . As for the fund is keen to point out that, as IFMAR regulation, will have at least 50% of its surface in the ground. The surface will be hard to avoid deterioration. The track will be built and completed with the times so as not to allow any participant to test the circuit before the official opening of the World Championship.

[superrcracer]

Here are some pics of the track

[skeeter]

Running from dirt to concrete that's interesting.

[flash]

So what tires are the pro drivers going to run?

[mrrc10]

More concrete then dirt?

[integramike]

Aug 29, 2014 21:36:56 GMT flash said:

So what tires are the pro drivers going to run?

I would run the AKA Moto.

[flash]

Sept 2, 2014 4:53:41 GMT integramike said:

Aug 29, 2014 21:36:56 GMT flash said:

So what tires are the pro drivers going to run?

I would run the AKA Moto.

The Aka impact would give you better traction but they would ware out fast.

[RC Mamba]

Who do you guys think will win the ifmar worlds?

[integramike]

Sept 4, 2014 20:42:52 GMT RC Mamba said:

Who do you guys think will win the ifmar worlds?

I would say TY Tessman, he has been getting podium on almost all the races he has raced this year. 

[flash]

Sept 7, 2014 4:21:54 GMT integramike said:

Sept 4, 2014 20:42:52 GMT RC Mamba said:

Who do you guys think will win the ifmar worlds?

I would say TY Tessman, he has been getting podium on almost all the races he has raced this year. 

Ty Tessman or Dakota Phen.

[integramike]

TY Tessman is going to at least get podium.

[kyoshoracer]

I think Maifield is going to win he has been unstoppable lately.

[krazydave]

It is either going to be Hara or Maifield.