David Ronnefalk crowned 2026 IFMAR 1:8 Nitro Buggy World Champion on Xray

Photo: Red RC, 04/10/2026 (source)

Ten years after his first title, David Ronnefalk is once again IFMAR 1:8 Nitro Buggy World Champion. The Swedish driver won the 60-minute A-Main final of the 20th IFMAR 1:8 Nitro Off-Road Buggy World Championship, held at the Thornhill Racing Circuit in Hutto, Texas, driving his Xray RX8.

A dramatic IFMAR 1:8 Nitro Buggy World Championship final

Starting from pole position, David Ronnefalk made a mistake in the bumps section just two minutes into the race and dropped back to 6th place. His Xray teammate Chase Lemieux then took the lead, before picking up a penalty and suffering an engine failure at the 20-minute mark. Defending champion Davide Ongaro (Team Associated), chasing a 4th consecutive title, moved into the lead, but hit a stake 25 minutes from the finish, breaking his steering servo and ending eight years of unchallenged reign. Mason Fuller then took over at the front until David Ronnefalk, who had pulled off a faster pit stop than his rivals, caught and passed him for good, holding the lead all the way to the checkered flag.

Xray, Sworkz and Team Associated on the IFMAR 1:8 Nitro Buggy Worlds podium

In the end, David Ronnefalk won by 1.439 seconds over Mason Fuller, the weekend’s top qualifier, who chased him right to the line. Juan Carlos Canas (Sworkz) completed the podium, two laps down. Marcus Kaerup and Brandon Rose, both on Team Associated, finished 4th and 5th respectively. For David Ronnefalk, this 2nd IFMAR 1:8 Nitro Buggy world title follows his first, won back in 2016 in Perth, Australia. The next IFMAR 1:8 Nitro Off-Road Buggy World Championship will be held in 2028 in Asia, under FEMCA.