IFMAR 1:8 Nitro Buggy Worlds: Ronnefalk holds overnight TQ, Ongaro comes good in Q3 at Thornhill

Photo: Red RC, 01/10/2026 (source)

After Q3, the third and final qualifying round of the IFMAR 1:8 Nitro Buggy World Championship held at the Thornhill Racing Circuit in Texas, David Ronnefalk (Xray) keeps the overall fastest cumulative time despite a 6th place in this round, while Davide Ongaro (Team Associated) sets the fastest time of the day.

Ongaro sets the fastest Q3 time, but Ronnefalk stays on top overall

After a difficult Q1 and Q2 (5th then 8th), defending champion Davide Ongaro bounces back in Q3, narrowly beating Chase Lemieux (Xray), then Spencer Rivkin (Team Associated), Mason Fuller (SWorkz) and Ryan Maifield (Tekno). Despite only a 6th place in Q3, Ronnefalk stays on top of the overall standings thanks to his two strong opening rounds.

Phend and Canas, the big losers of qualifying

On the disappointment side, Dakotah Phend, tipped as one of the favorites, ran out of fuel twice, in both Q1 and Q2. Juan Carlos Canas, the defending European Champion, lost valuable time after getting hooked on one of the track’s roof support posts, dropping him to 9th. With qualifying now complete, attention turns to the A-main finals to crown the new world champion.