The IFMAR ISTC World Cup

As most of you know, HPI Racing and Team Orion were the principal sponsors for the IFMAR Ontrack '98 Worlds and ISTC (International Scale Touring Car) World Cup this past July 11-25. Luckily, we were able to sneak around with a video camera to take some pictures of the races and pits, not to mention the HPI/Team Orion drivers!

This is the team photo from the IFMAR ISTC World Cup.

From left to right, standing: Darren Westman (Team Orion motor builder, Operations Manager for Team Orion USA), independent driver (name unknown), Akira Kogawa (Chief Engineer for HPI), Allesandro Manciocchi (HPI Euro), Arnaud Choquet (top driver for HPI Euro), Jean Marc Bettiser (HPI Euro), Jamie Booth (HPI), Ito (R&D Assistant for HPI), independent driver (name unknown), Shawn Ireland (General Manager for HPI)
2teams.jpg (98085 bytes)
From left to right, kneeling: Mr. Murai (HPI team driver, HPI Japan Sales), Nano (Team Orion motor builder in Switzerland), Daisuke Yoshioka (HPI Japan Sales), Philipe Neidhart (Owner, Team Orion), Graziella Wolf (HPI Europe Sales), Sylvain Cachard (HPI Euro), Reto Konig (HPI), Alexander Stocker (HPI Euro), Andrew "Robbo" Robson (HPI), Giuseppe di Ligiouri (HPI Euro, Italian National Champion), Jason Dearden (General Manager for HPI Europe), Oscar Jansen (HPI, Team Orion motor builder). Not pictured: Christian Wittke (HPI). You can see his picture at the bottom of this page - close up, too!

 

akbox.jpg (27465 bytes) Parts boxes filled to the brim with spare arms, screws, shock parts, springs and more! A "Worlds" pit area is a cool place to snoop for the latest high-tech parts.

 

Ito and Murai thrashing in the pits. Ito and Akira, HPI's two main engineers, built all 12 cars for the competition, and helped the drivers with their cars throughout the weekend. muraito.jpg (20298 bytes)

 

rkpit.jpg (26885 bytes) Reto working on tires. The control tires still needed to have the proper inserts and a  good glue job, which kept the drivers busy.

 

Christian takes a moment to smile for a photo. The job of a Worlds competitor is a tough one. Long hours and stress make for a tough week, but the HPI team had a good time. cwpit.jpg (29728 bytes)

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