TALK IT UP TUESDAY: Davide Ongaro

0 Nov. 19, 2018, 11:29 a.m.

Main Photo: TALK IT UP TUESDAY: Davide Ongaro

By Mike Garrison
LiveRC.com

Welcome to LiveRC's weekly column, "Talk-It-Up Tuesday!" Here we spend a little time talking with industry icons including racers, manufacturers, team managers, developers, promoters, and everyone in between! Sit back, relax, and go behind the scenes as we interview them all!

For this week's Talk It Up Tuesday we join the newly crowned IFMAR 1/8-scale Off-Road World Champion to talk about his impressive win, how he became so fast at such a young age, gyros, and more!

(Photo by Cory Drachenberg)

LiveRC: Welcome Davide to Talk It Up Tuesday! First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS on your impressive IFMAR World Championship win! How does it feel to know that you are one of the youngest drivers ever to win an IFMAR World Championship?

Davide: Hi guys thanks a lot to give me the opportunity to write something about my racing.I think it’s a dream come true for all the drivers, now I’m very happy because these past 2 years we worked a lot attending this race. So that’s why we are super happy.

LiveRC: When and how did you get started in R/C car racing?

Davide: I started to drive the R/C cars when I was 5 years old, my dad also drove R/C cars, so I think he gave to me the passion for this beautiful hobby. We was to a race near my home and my dad gave to me the remote to test and from that moment I start to drive the R/C cars.

LiveRC: It takes a lot of hard work to be crowned the best in the world. When did you decide you wanted to take R/C racing seriously and reach that goal?

Davide: Yes I think it takes a lot of work to become the World Champion because you need to have all the stuff to 100%. I think my first big race was the Italian Championship when I was 9 years old and I finished 5th at the end of it.

LiveRC: How often do you practice and race?

Davide: I don’t practice a lot because I have the school so in the afternoon I have to do the homework but when I don’t have them I go to test to my home track. About the races, we go to the race every weekend.

(Photo by NeoBuggy.net)

LiveRC: Your father is a big part of your program. What are some of the ways he has helped you be successful in your racing?

Davide: Yes for sure, my dad is big part of my racing program, he helped me to improve my drive when I was young and to stay calm for like 1h of final or something similar, he is also my personal mechanic with Verry and stay with them I’m super happy.

(Photo by Cory Drachenberg)

LiveRC: This is the first 1/8-scale off-road World Championship win for Team Associated as well. Tell us a little about your car and the setup used in the final.

Davide: Yes this is the first of many others I hope for Team Associated, I’m very happy to work with nice guys like Brent, Richard, Spencer and Ryan. For the final we decided to use medium long wear double down from AKA, and for the car we use 47.5 in the shocks and 10, 10, 5 in the diffs.

LiveRC: What do you have to say to people accusing you and others of using a gyro?

Davide: I think the level now from the European drivers is super good so maybe the others are envious, but the race organization check my radio and my radio tray and it was all good so no words.

(Photo by NeoBuggy.net)

LiveRC: What did you do to celebrate your win?

Davide: I celebrate my win at the track with the guys from AE and AKA, also with all my friends and Italian team. Then when we arrived home we go to eat all togheter.

LiveRC: Is there more pressure to win more races now that you are the World Champion?

Davide: I think the difficult part is now to stay at the top or in the top 5/10 at all the races.

LiveRC: What is your next major race?

Davide: Next big race is in January in Padova (One Man One Race)

LiveRC: Thank you for joining us today Davide! Congratulations once again on your outstanding performance. Is there anything you would like to add before we go?

Davide: I think I would to say a BIG thank you to all my sponsors for the hard work and to believe in me, than I want to say thanks to my dad , my mum, Verry and Matteo and also my uncle and aunt to came with us at the world. A big thanks also to LiveRC to give to me the opportunity to talk about my racing. See at the track guys!!!!