Buggy-Sport.Info

Lutzinator's race report

Details

Published on Sunday, 18 November 2012 08:00

Written by BSI Editor

IFMAR 1/8th Nitro Offroad Worlds – Preparation for the big event!



Preparations for the 2012 rendition of the IFMAR 1/8th Nitro Offroad World Championships are in their final stages. Drivers all around planet earth are crossing their T’s and dotting their i’s in these final week and a half until go time. Drivers and teams are making last minute changes to their vehicles. Getting out to the race track just those last few times to be sure their vehicles are in pristine running condition. Some teams are scrambling to make new parts and ‘keep up with the Joneses’ as some teams have their ‘worlds parts’ leaked on RC News sites. The buzz of activity and hype surrounding this event are all warranted as this is the biggest spectacle in our hobby! It’s the best of the best from all corners of the globe all converging on a volatile Buenos Aires, Argentina to figure out who has done their homework over the past 2 years.

It’s been stated numerous times that the host location is questionable to say the least. With customs issues being front and center at the Worlds Warmup event one can only hope that precautions by the track and local organizers can help smooth out the process come time for the big show. Another issue cropping up in the news is that of civil unrest related to economic and political issues. As the top brass of the R/C industry descend on Argentina we must hope that the experience is a positive one and we can partake in what we came for. Crowning the best 1/8th Nitro Offroad driver in the World.

On the preparation side drivers have been hitting up all the last of the big races getting a last shakeout of their equipment and perhaps trying to strike fear in the hearts of the other competitors come the A-main final! The field is as thick and talented as ever this year and really the final 12 could be composed of any of 30 or so top drivers. It’s going to take a lot to win this year. The track if it does as it did during the warm-up event is extremely challenging for the drivers as the surface is almost unpredictable. Rocks and holes seem to come out of nowhere and throw the car in any number of directions. It’s going to take a lot of skill, concentration, focus, and luck to bring home the gold! Tires are sure to be a very important factor and with so many tread patterns and compounds on the market correct tire choice could be crucial in having a shot at the win. Drivers and mechanics are putting extra hours in on their buggies to make sure everything is bulletproof and every little advantage is taken and every questionable thing is resolved.

For me the preparation is meticulous. Bearings are being gone through, grease removed, and oil applied. Drivetrain gears are being polished and the best ring and pinion grease to reduce drag is being administered. Diffs are being filled just perfectly and lightweight parts are being applied where applicable and beneficial. As we near even closer to departure day the fresh car will be built and 4-point scaled and perhaps adjustments will be made to create a more perfect balance if necessary. Packing for the event will be critical as no parts should be left in header cards for fear that customs will want their cut. Tires will be stuffed and filled in every nook and cranny to be sure I have the right tread pattern and tire no matter the track condition. Precautions will be made incase mother nature decides to unleash her fury upon us at the event. It’s all about thinking about anything that can go wrong and preparing overkill to prevent it from being a detriment to the task at hand. This is after all the World Championships. The race that happens just once every two years. It is the holy grail of a trophy that we are all gunning for along with the bragging rights and self satisfaction that we yearn to achieve! This event will most likely have the best coverage ever to capture all the racing action. From LiveRC streaming live video feed and scoring to your desktop to all the news sites like NeoBuggy, RedRC, Buggy-sport, rcinsider, and a host of others who will be breaking down the action for everyone to get their fix!

There can be only 1 winner. I’m doing everything I can to make sure it’s me!