SO TO 2WD: And so we’re halfway through this much hyped, much anticipated 2023 IFMAR Worlds. It’s definitely lived up to the hopes, with incredible racing at a wonderful facility. The tyre glitches of day one should be long forgotten, there’s a new track and new motivation for just about everybody. We’re reclining on the couch today at Action RC headquarters, pondering just what we might see in the next three days. And so, just because, here’s some thoughts:

MOMENTUM: While the 2wd portion is a kind-of-new event, on a kind-of-new track, there’s no question that momentum will play an important part of proceedings over the next few days. Come out strong from 4WD and you can carry that speed, belief and performance into 2WD. Davide Ongaro has to go into the weekend feeling chock-full of confidence after a stunning performance that defied conventional wisdom. Spencer Rivkin comes out of the 4WD finals as arguably the fastest driver on the track and might just prove unbeatable because of it. Drivers like Tator Sontag and Ryan Maifield found their speed and mojo on 4WD finals day and we can expect them to build on that pace. Anybody who finished on a high will look to carry that feeling, that momentum into the 2WD event. If practice goes well for these guys, we might see them get on an almost unstoppable confidence roll. Momentum, and the confidence it brings, is so often a key part of success in a competitive context. It’s palpable and powerful. 

REDEMPTION: And then there are the guys for whom 2WD didn’t go so well. They’ll be looking to 2wd for redemption, or maybe even revenge. This kind of feeling can be a powerful motivator that awakens new levels of determination and commitment. It can fire us up in ways that few other feelings do. But it can be dangerous too – if it tips too far to the aggression side and in this instance the temptation to overdrive what is still in several places a tricky track. The desire for redemption can turn into desperation, and the challenge will be to walk the fine line. Dakotah Phend might just be the guy with the biggest drive for redemption, going so close to qualifying up-front with a legitimate win chance, but nearly missing the final entirely. Broc Champlin will be another whose 4WD portion didn’t go as he would have hoped. Even Orlowski is unlikely to be satisfied with a 4WD podium and a couple of crucial mistakes along the way. And then there are the guys who were in the B and C finals (or lower) in 4WD: Ty Tessman, Ryan Cavalieri, Ryan Maifield (who we already mentioned has some momentum as well), Australia’s Chris Sturdy, Jorn Neumann, Chase Lemieux, and Tommy Hall. It’s a long list, and it will be fascinating to see where the drive for redemption lands some of these racers.

THE CARS: It’s a different game once we shift from 4WD to 2WD. The power balance between manufacturers can shift slightly. In 4WD it ended up being a straight AE vs Schumacher shootout come finals time – and while it is possible the same happens again in 2WD, we’re expecting to see TLR in particular be much more competitive. The AE team are playing their cards close to their chest but seems to be running a close-to-standard version of the B6.4. Schumacher has some new parts on their cars but isn’t discussing exactly what. TLR continue with a modified version of their current production car – bringing key parts over from the 4WD. Mugen is present and their all-new 2WD buggy will run in the hands of Shin Adachi, the company’s first competitive foray into 10th offroad since the mid-1980s. SWorkz will be there-abouts with Neumann in particular. Again it seems likely Yokomo will struggle with a small team. And then there’s XRAY. Martin Bayer has spoken about them just missing the deadline to bring a new 2wd platform to this race – and it won’t be until well into practice that we get a clear picture of just how they’re able to make the current car work – but Lemieux, Rinderknecht and Coelho have the chops if they can work closely together. Where do you think the relative strengths lie in terms of the chassis?

THE TRACK: Overnight the hard-working Hobby Action crew completed a total revamp of the track. It’s said that IFMAR rules require a 20% revamp – but this feels almost like a different track. Even where the same corners or jumps are in use, the approach or departure are different. Aside from the final triple, main straight and turn one, everything feels different. And honestly, I love it. It feels bigger and faster from the photos. The tricky jump sections after turn one, and in front of the driver’s stand will play differently because of different approach and departure speeds. Cars will carry more speed into the stutter bumps. It feels like a premium here will be on tuning mid-range drivability of the motor/esc package. Corner speed in those medium radius 90 degree corners leading into several of the jump sections will be key to clean laps. It will be fascinating to see just how differently the track drives as practice gets going tomorrow and the grip comes up through the day.

THE PROGRAM: At this stage we’re back on the same program as with 4wd. Open practice tomorrow, followed by seeding, and then into qualifying Friday. While people might say practice doesn’t matter – the seeding rounds definitely do. Qualifying into a high-up heat gives better track position, less traffic and more capacity to go fast when qualifying proper starts. We saw that play out in 4WD. Those two rounds tomorrow night will be vital. And remember that 5th and final qualifier on Saturday morning – will we see the same kinds of track condition issues impacting on the final lineup?

THE QUESTIONS: What’s your vibe on 2wd? What are you looking forward to the most? Who might spring a surprise?

Could Ongaro join Ryan Maifield (2017), Ryan Cavalieri (2011), Martin Achter (2009), and Masami Hirosaka (1989) in the small but extremely distinguished club of those who have swept a Worlds?

We're 72 hours away from that answer - and an outcome nobody predicted.

(Photo of the new track layout from Team Associated, now 32 time World Champs).