WORLDS: Inside the fastest large scale touring cars and Open GT vehicles

0 Sept. 11, 2015, 7:31 p.m.

By Aaron Waldron
LiveRC.com

Like any other form of racing, of any size, competing at a world championship level in the 1/5-scale touring car and 1/8-scale nitro GT categories requires both a talented driver and world class equipment. The qualifying heats at this week’s IFMAR Worlds in Kuala Lumpur showcased two standout drivers in each division, identifying the potential favorites heading into Saturday’s title-deciding 60-minute finals. Read on to learn more about the drivers - and their vehicles.

UPDATE (9/12) - As it turned out, Grenenger and Lim won their finals!

Inside the fastest 1/5-scale touring cars at the Worlds:

Driver: Mathew Kellett
Age: 26
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Car: HARM SX4
Engine: Alro 2-bolt
Pipe: Samba 7 Titanium
Tires (F/R): GRP P3/GRP P1
Body: BMW 3 Series coupe
Radio: Futaba 4PK
Servos: Savöx 2273SP
Sponsors: Kellett Hobbies, Ace Hobbies, Savöx, Team Orion

Kellett started racing RC cars at age eight, and joined the 1/5-scale class four years ago. This is his first IFMAR Worlds in the fifth scale division, having previously competed in the nitro touring car event in Brisbane, Australia in 2006. He was the previous track record holder at KLIRCC after attending last year’s warm-up event, but still didn’t have any predictions for this week’s World Championships. “I didn’t have any expectations,” said Kellett, “my goal is not to run out of fuel and finish the race. I just need to get through it.”

Driver: Russell Grenenger (CROWNED NEW WORLD CHAMPION)
Age: 33
Hometown: Brisbane, Australia
Car: HARM SX4
Engine: Abbate 2-bolt
Pipe: Samba 7 Titanium
Tires (L/R): PMT X5/PMT X3
Body: BMW 3 Series coupe
Radio: Futaba 4PK
Servos: Savöx 2273SP
Sponsors: Kellett Hobbies, Chess Moving

Kellett’s biggest challenge for the total tomorrow may come from his friend and teammate, Russell Grenenger. The 33-year-old’s RC experience began at age 9 as a third generation racer - his grandfather was instrumental in introducing RC racing to Australia, and his father was two-time electric off-road national champion in the mid-1980s. “I was born into it,” said Grenenger, who was the top non-European driver at the 2004 Large Scale World Championships in Lostallo, Switzerland (where he finished 33rd overall).

“Making the final was probably my only expectation,” he said, adding that the first step is to transfer safely through the semi in order to have a shot at the title. “I’m probably the more conservative driver,” said Grenenger, comparing himself to his fellow countryman, “and in the final, Matt will have to change his plan while I’ll have to keep up. My plan is just to make the first 30 minutes and then give him hell.”

Inside the fastest 1/8-scale GT cars at the Worlds:

Driver: Meen Vejrak
Age: 30
Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand
Car: Mugen Seiki MGT7
Engine: O.S. Speed 21XZ
Pipe: O.S. T-2060SC
Fuel: Maxima 25%
Tires (F/R): GRP S3/GRP S1
Body: Sweep Racing P1L
Radio: Sanwa M12S
Servos: Sanwa SRG-BRX
Sponsors: Mugen Seiki, O.S., Maxima, PRC, Scorpion, Yokomo, Sweep, Ride, Sanwa, RC Addict

Despite only receiving his MGT7 one week before coming to the Kuala Lumpur, the 2011 IFMAR 200mm nitro touring car world champion was on fire throughout qualifying. He began his preparation for the event at such short notice that he purchased tires for testing here at the track! “GT racing is new for me,” said Meen, “I’ve only raced GT one other time, at Huge RC in Bangkok. Because the track was indoors and at a much lower temperature, it was totally different. Track temperature is very important because of the rubber tires - you must choose the correct compound.” With an eye on the track conditions, as well as the weather for the finals, the Thai driver believes that adding another world title today is possible. “I hope the engine stays running and the rain doesn’t come. If I can keep stable, it should be easy to win the championship,” said Meen.

Driver: Lim Kai Liang - “KL Lim” (CROWNED NEW WORLD CHAMPION)
Age: 15
Hometown: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Car: Mugen Seiki MGT7
Engine: Maxima B2
Pipe: S-Power 2042
Fuel: Maxima 25%
Tires (F/R): GRP S3/GRP S1
Body: Sweep P1L
Radio: Sanwa M12
Servos: Sanwa ERB-861 (Airtronics 94611)
Sponsors: None - just my father!

Entered in his first IFMAR Worlds after starting racing just three years ago, local driver KL Lim has been the biggest story of this week’s World Championships. “I wanted to make the top ten,” said Lim, “but I was very surprised to be second - and I’m excited about transferring directly to the final.” Commenting that he’s simply enjoying the experience of racing here with his father, the pair have been learning more about car setup and competing at such a high-level at a rapid pace. “My car has been very good, and easy to drive. We’ve changed shock position, shock oil, gearing, and the pipe - not all the changes were good.” When asked if he had a plan for the long final, Lim simply said, “Not now - but maybe later.”

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