David Ronnefalk is 2025 European 1/8th nitro buggy champion

The European Championship is approaching its conclusion as the drivers line up for the semi-finals at the Barcelos Buggy Arena. Semi-final A, lasting 20 minutes, was dominated by TQ holder Juan Carlos Canas. The reigning European champion will keep his competitors at bay, finishing 18 seconds ahead of Turkish driver Burak Kilic and David Ronnefalk. However, he will not start in pole position for the final, as four-time world champion Davide Ongaro wins semi-final B with a time 3 seconds faster. Former world champion Robert Batlle finished in the same lap, some 13 seconds behind, while French driver Clément Boda finished third, securing his first European Championship final in the 1/8th class.

The LCQ will be very close, with many drivers unfamiliar with this stage of the race. Pekko Iivonen will come out on top, leaving drivers such as Joao Figueiredo, Marcus Kaerup, Marco Baruffolo, Berkan Kilic, and Mattia Polito by the wayside.

From the start of the final, it was clear that Canas was struggling to keep up with Ongaro, who set the pace at the front. Eventually, a mistake by the Spanish racer allowed Ongaro to pull away. We know that once Ongaro is in the lead and at his own pace, it is almost impossible to catch him, but that’s without counting on David Ronnefalk who, despite starting in fifth position, quickly catches up with all his rivals, including Ongaro. Once he was close to Ongaro, Ronnefalk waited, and Ongaro made a mistake that cost him a lot of time, which Ronnefalk took advantage of to pass him. Once in the lead, the Swedish driver continued to dominate the competition with a blistering pace. In the end, he was one of the only drivers to make almost no mistakes and won the final and therefore the title, his fourth. Ongaro finished 3 seconds behind, while Canas had to settle for third place, one lap behind the leading duo.

To see all the results, please click here.

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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.