INTERVIEW WITH A WORLD CHAMPION

RCCA: How does it feel to be the new Worlds champ?

Davide Ongaro: I might still be in a little shock, but I feel great. The entire team is super happy about the win and our results this year, and how well the RC8B3.1 is performing.

What chances did you give yourself of winning the overall event? Did you give yourself a top five or a top three, or were you confident that you could win it all?

I thought, [after] the first two days, to be in the final for us was a good result, then we took the TQ on the three laps reseeding and I thought all worked perfectly. I just had to stay focused and prepare for Main day.

Was the track more challenging or less challenging than you thought? Some IFMAR tracks have concrete sections, logs, and other obstacles to make the race challenging. This track looks like it was pretty smooth.

I thought the track was one of the best that I’ve ever driven on because it was technical but at the same time challenging. It had a good combination of obstacles and was a good size.

How close was the setup on your buggy from when you arrived to where you landed for your A-main run?

We changed the setup of the shocks a lot because the temperature was always different, but the car was 90 percent the same. I have used close to the same setup all year long, and I am very comfortable with all of my material.

How close is setup of your winning buggy to what we can buy at our local hobby shop? Can we expect a Worlds-champ version with your race mods?

Almost all of the parts I used on my car are available from my sponsors, and I know they are always making new parts.

We heard that you’re a full-time student. How do you fit in prep, practice, and racing with a busy school schedule?

Yes, I’m a student now. But in the afternoons, when I don’t have to do homework, I always go to my home track to test. School is my numberone priority now.

Being the 1/8-scale world champ had to be at the top of your list of things to accomplish. What’s next?

The next race is One Race One Man in Padova [Italy], then the Montpellier GP [in France], and for the first time, the DNC [Dirt Nitro Challenge in Perris, California]. I am excited to travel to California and race at one of the big American races.

Do you have any shout-outs to give?

I want to say thanks to all the sponsors for their hard work and to my family and friends who spend time watching me. Grazie per tutto!