We’ll start with the internationals, and finish with a look at the local drivers in the field – because there’s some Australian talent here this week as well. Let’s go:

Davey Batta RC – Team Associated/USA
Made the trip to the warmup, and has been uber diligent in his preparation since then. One of the US’ best emerging talents and could go very deep into the week with Team Associated.

Tom Rinderknecht RC – Schumacher R/C Racing/USA
Pushed Broc Champlin all the way at the recent ROAR Carpet Nationals, and when he puts it all together, a stand-out talent. With all the support of the factory Schumacher crew, Rinderknect will come with A final results in mind.

Cole Tollard – Schumacher/USA
An A final appearance at Hobby Action in 2023 where he finished 4th in 4wd is all the evidence we need to know Tollard is an outright chance this week. He missed the warmup, so it will be about getting to grips with the surface. Day we say another who might be stronger in 4wd with the new Schumacher?

Matt Gonzales – Team Associated/USA
It’s not Gonzales’ first visit down under, posting strong results at the inaugural Australian Carpet Series a year or so back, and if my memory is correct, at least ducking out to Hills to have a look and turn some laps. Look for strong performances from the talented Team Associated driver.

Burak Kilic – Mugen Seiki Racing/Turkey
Far better known as an 8th offroad racer, but Kilic is a genuine talent. Two A final appearances at this year’s Euro’s, including with the new prototype Mugen 4wd, mark him as a threat.

Berkan Kilic RC – Mugen/Turkey
With limited 10th running, an A final appearance is a big ask for the Mugen 8th specialist – but not beyond the realms of possibility. The two brothers will be working largely solo on dialling in their Mugen rides, and along with the Tommy and Jamie Hall represent at least the possibility of a pair of brothers making an IFMAR A final in 10th offroad.

Tommy Hall (Hall Brothers RC) – Team Associated/UK
Multiple UK national championships, and a Euros win. Hall is one of the best new talents to emerge from the UK in the shadow of the legendary WC Neil Cragg. The dirt surface will be the challenge (as for all the UK crew), but if he hooks it up, Hall will threaten.

Jamie Hall (Hall Brothers RC)– Team Associated/UK
As above! The other of the Hall brothers, and super sharp on the setup side. Could we see two brothers in a Worlds final for Team Associated? Has that ever happened before?

Ben Smith RC – Schumacher/UK
Third of the fast UK crew, and leading Schumacher driver from the home of the brand. Like the Halls and Holdsworth, it will be all about getting comfortable on dirt as fast as possible.  He’s broken through with some National wins in the UK, and has looked particularly strong in 4wd of late – the class that would seem his best chance.

Luke Holdsworth Brothers RC – Schumacher/UK
Luke is the fourth of a strong UK squad, travelling with the powerful Schumacher team. It’s a tall order, but not impossible for this talented driver to put together a break-out international result. Again, would perhaps feel more confident in 4wd.

Clément Boda RC/Racing – Team Associated/France
Regular French Nationals winner, and coming in hot off a 5th place finish at the inaugural eBuggy World Championships, Boda is a world-class talent and one to watch at Hills. If he gets away to a strong start, every possibility of kicking on to a high finish. Could a win be within reach?

Kouki Kato Rc Driver – Team Associated/Japan
Kouki Kato is a driver we’ve been watching closely over the last two years, the young Japanese pilot making waves in 8th offroad including a big win at this year’s Philippine Masters. He made the trip to the warmup in April, finishing in the top 6 in both 2wd and 4wd. Kato is definitely on our “must watch” list.

The Australians
Christopher Sturdy CS13 – Team Associated/Aus
Sturdy has gone within a whisker of an IFMAR A final in the past, and comes into this home World Champs highly motivated for a personal best and to tick off that A final achievement. Hasn’t has as much chance to get to Hills as he might have liked, but all the pieces are in place.

Jarod Ment RC Racing – Team Associated/Aus
The running mate of Lachlan Donnelly (who we talked about yesterday), Jarod Ment has emerged rapidly over the past 12 months as one of Australia’s fastest. Knows the Hills track inside and out, and will have the Team Associated rides perfectly tuned in to the low grip surface.

Ari Bakla – XRAY/Aus
Arguably the GOAT in Australian R/C. What Ari Bakla hasn’t won, is possibly a shorter list than what he has. Finished well up at the Warmup in April, and knows the venue as well as anybody. An IFMAR A final would perfectly cap off an extraordinary career. Look for Bakla to be strong in the greasy early morning conditions, and particularly in 2wd.

Matthew Couper – XRAY/Aus
Another of the super-fast local drivers, Couper has made a big commitment over the past 12 months to be ready for this World Championship event at his home track. When he’s on song, there are few in Australia that can match his raw pace. If he puts it together, an A final is possible – again with the best hope maybe coming in 2wd.

Lachlan Munday RC Racer – Team Associated/Aus
With father Ray widely recognised as one of the best tech minds in the game, Lachlan comes to this Worlds confident of his best ever performance. Is an A final possible for the young Victoria?  Like many of the Australians, it is if everything goes his way, and 2wd offers the best hope.

Jordan Isergin - RC Driver – Team Associated/Aus
The move to Team Associated late in 2024 has breathed new life into Isergin’s campaign, and going wheel-to-wheel with Munday on a weekly basis means he’s sharp and race-ready. An A final will take a huge run, but we’ll watch him closely (yes, you guessed it, particularly in 2wd).

Jayden Edmunds RC Racing – Schumacher/Aus
Better known as a 8th driver, Edmunds has joined Schumacher in 2025 and makes his second 10th IFMAR appearance. Has had limited preparation with a heavy 8th program this year, but is one of the countries best young talents.

Over our three previews we’ve named no less than 36 drivers who we think are in the battle for A final spots – and we’re very sure we’ve forgotten more than one. Who else is on your list?

And the truth is, an A final appearance isn’t the only measure of success at a World Championship event. Take a trio of young drivers like Australia’s Phoenix Eggleton Racer, UK Junior Daniel Pole RC and NZ tyro Dylan Toia Racing. For them it’s about a first IFMAR experience early in a career that can absolutely take each of them to the very highest heights over the next ten years.

And then there are the legends – drivers like Josh Pain, Allen Horne, Scotty Ernst, Will Venable or Andy Cooke (highly likely to be running one of his GP3D neo-vintage creations) who bring so much to the event both on and off the track.

We look forward to bringing you these stories and more, both via the live coverage we’ll be part of with RC Race Media, and through our own written reports throughout the event.

Entries are now online over at https://hillsoffroadrc.liverc.com/events/ so you can look through the list and share your tips.

Don’t forget, if you enjoy this preview, give it a like and a share.

📸 RC Race Media