23.08.2013 Category: Site news
We met up with 2013 European Champion 1:8 nitro buggies and avid VRC Pro racer David Ronnefalk. The 17 year old Kyosho works racer from Sweden is racing VRC Pro since 2011 and has recently become involved in the Beta testing team where he will provide expert feedback for our 1:8 nitro buggy development program. David took some time to answer a few pressing questions...
PB: congratulations winning the Euros in France this year, I watched the video, that was a close one in the end. How do you look back at this victory?
DR: Thank you! Yes it was a close one but nice to take revenge from last year. I still can´t find any words for it, but of course it´s my greatest success in my racing carrier. This was my main goal this year and now when it is fulfilled I can start to focus totally on the upcoming Worlds in september in Chico!
PB: you started already back in 2011 with VRC Pro but back then it was of course only on-road. Have you raced on-road in real life as well or only off-road?
DR: Yes, I have made a few races on-road as well in 1/10 TC. I think it is great fun and really good practise to keep your concentration on top as you can´t afford any mistakes. Maybe I will try to make some races this coming winter.
PB: VRC launched short course trucks September 2012 as our first class in off-road. How do you like our first attempt to do off-road? Have you raced real short course trucks at all?
DR: I haven´t raced short course in real life but I can still get a touch of how the feeling is, and I think you have made a really good job by adding SC to VRC. It is very fascinating how all setup changes you make really changes the handling of the car as it would do in real. I think this is very good for anyone to use as it is so easy!
PB: That was a stunning victory at Silver Dollar Raceway in that hard fought battle with Martin Wollanka, probably the closest finish ever in VRC Pro. I didn't know the result when I was creating that video, it was so exciting to watch... Did you know it was this close in the end?
DR: Haha, before I made my final run I checked the results from Martin as I almost forgot to make my run before event would close. I saw he had made a really good time so I had to put in a round with no mistakes to beat him. I think I started 3rd but in the beginning I managed to make some fast lap times and knew I had a small gap to Martin. Then in the end I was just trying to stay out of mistakes.. But then on the last lap I cased the jump in front of the driverstand, but luckily the car stayed on its wheels and I didn´t loose to much time. I knew Martin was right with me with this mistakes and I had to really push hard with half a lap to go. Actually he was ahead into he last corner but I pretty much launched my car over the loop and was able to take the win by just a fraction of a second! It was cool and hopefully we can see more of these ones!
PB: Of course we use our replay technology to recreate these finals. We didn't have virtual opponents at that time though. Now you can chose opponents to race against in your qualifying heat or final. How do you look at these new features? Do they add to the intensity of the racing?
DR: I think it is very cool as it is going to be more and more like in real. I will definitely always choose opponents to race against me because then you always now how close you are or if you can go safe! I think it is better to always have opponents racing with you because then you will practise to keep you nerves! All in all very cool feature!
PB: I know several racers in VRC Pro use the event replay feature also to study the driving lines of their opponents, so they can get faster themselves, just like what they would be doing on a real track I assume. Do you study driving lines and techniques of your main competitors when you are at real races?
DR: Yes, of course! You always find some inspiration from how others takes a corner or find their way through a jump section. This is a very good thing to do especially if you come to a new track.
PB: You are now part of our Beta test team, it's important for us to have racers in our beta test team that have good experience with the real car. Having a European champion in the team is fantastic for us and will help us to make the new 1:8 scale nitro buggy an even better, more realistic car. Are you excited to be involved at this level of development of VRC Pro?
DR: Yes, it will be great fun to help you out and give you input to make it as realistic we can! I think lots of people are waiting for this (so am I).
PB: You're from Sweden, so your outdoor season will probably end in September and a long winter awaits you. Do you race indoor electric buggy or any other class? Are you going to participate in more races at VRC Pro?
DR: I am racing electric buggy and this year I will try to race some TC as well. I will for sure try to make some races on VRC Pro and try to beat all fast guys!
PB: David, thanks for this interview. And again, it's great to have you on our beta test team, I am sure all VRC Pro racers are waiting to find out how the 1:8 nitro buggy is going to handle, especially now that you are involved!
DR: Thank you!
Comments
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(Total posts: 4)
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Donald SRace reporter
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Nice article, Glad to have the experience in the Beta
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Hermann RModerator
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Great to meet you at beta.
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Patrick BModerator
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Well done david !
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Josh V.
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Very Nice!!! Great news, having David on the Beta team to help with buggy realism!!!
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