Boots, canas & Maifield win at 2024 The Dirt Nitro Challenge

2024 The Dirt Nitro Challenge was held at The Dirt Racing track located in Perris, California over the weekend. Again the event had a huge turnout with nearly 760 entries. The track was the masterpiece of the master of the art, Joey Wolters Christensen, and in the Pro 1/8th nitro buggy class it was UK’s racer Elliott Boots (SWORKz/REDS Racing/Shoot Fuel/Hot Race Tires) who set the overall TQ after three rounds of qualifying from Spencer Rivkin (Team Associated/Reds Racing/Hobbywing/JConcepts) and Frankie Contreras Jr. (Mugen Seiki/Hobbywing/Flash Point Fuel/The Drake Racing/Pro-Line Racing). Elliott carried that momentum into the 45-minute main, leaving behind David Ronnefalk (XRAY/Corsatec/Energy Fuel/Flysky/Hitec/Circus RC News) in second while Dakotah Phend (TLR/Ultimate Racing/Trinity/Pro Performance/Beach RC/Nitrolux Fuels/JConcepts) ended the day in third.

David took the overall TQ in Pro 1/8th E-buggy however it was the current European champion Juan Carlos Canas (SWORKz/REDS Racing/Nitrolux/JConcepts) with the win. Spencer came in second a lap down and Juan Carlos’ teammate Brandon Rose (SWORKz/Ielasi Tuned/Tekin Racing/Nitro Pro/JConcepts) rounded out the top 3.

Spencer Heckert (Tekno RC/Protek/Hobbywing/VP Racing Fuels/ProMotion) was the top qualifier in the Pro 1/8th nitro truck but again the TQ holder holder would not be able to convert the P1 spot into a win as Ryan Maifield (Tekno RC/ProTek RC/Hobbywing/VP Fuel/JConcepts) brought home the win from Dakotah in second. Elliott, coming from the 15 spot on the starting grid, was able to move up to 3rd spot.

After three rounds of qualifying in the Pro 1/8th E-truggy, Ryan set the overall TQ and came out on top in the single 10-minute Main from Ryan Lutz (Kyosho/Alpha Plus/Tekin/AKA) and Brando, in second and third respectively.

Photos: JConcepts

About Chris

Chris is the founder and editorial director for Cicus RC News. He has been writing about all things RC for more than 13 years. When he's not writing, you can find him shooting and travelling the world looking for the next adventure.