The 1979 1/8 GP World Championship (officially the 2nd IFMAR 1/8 Scale IC On-Road World Championship) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, marking a historic event in radio-controlled (RC) car racing. It was organized under the newly formed International Federation of Model Auto Racing (IFMAR), established that same year (July 9, 1979) to standardize rules across regions.
This championship was the second-ever IFMAR World Championship for 1/8 scale nitro-powered (internal combustion) on-road cars, following the inaugural one.
The event featured top international drivers competing on a large circuit typical of European tracks at the time.
Japanese driver Naoki Ishihara (driving a Road Ace chassis from Team Phoenix/Todoroki Models, equipped with a SANWA separated radio system) achieved TQ (Top Qualifier) by posting the fastest qualifying time.
In the main final, he ran the fastest lap of the race.
He finished 5th overall in the A-Main (final).
This result is widely regarded in vintage RC communities (especially in Japan) as the first major international success by a Japanese driver in 1/8 GP worlds, helping put Japanese RC talent and equipment on the global map during the early era of the sport.
Entries: ~200 licensed drivers from 16 European + 5 non-European countries; 163 started. Strong Japanese (22 entries, mostly Associated or Phoenix/Kyosho) and American presence (many Associated cars). About 30% ran without differentials.
Technical Notes: Tire rules strict (min 60 mm front/65 mm rear before start); many faced issues. Japanese cars emphasized reliable OS .21 FSRCABC engines (ABC piston/sleeve, OS carb—not the most powerful but durable, few failures). Common brands: Associated (42 entries), PB International (27.5G, 14), Serpent (13), Kyosho Fantom 20, Phoenix Road Ace, others like Challenger, Delta, Picco-powered Italian/Swiss/French cars.
Final (A-Main) Race and ResultsThe 45-minute race was chaotic with crashes, penalties, retirements, and strategy errors (e.g., forgotten tank stops, spoiler issues requiring extra pit stops). Only a few ran cleanly.
Phil Booth (Great Britain) won decisively. He took the lead around the 36-minute mark after Bill Jianas (USA) retired (likely tank/fueling issue) and held it to the end with a one-lap advantage over the next finishers. His car (PB International/P.B. Special/PBS) was reliable; he avoided major problems while others faltered. Booth advanced strongly through semis (won by Americans Curtis Husting and Chuck Phelps).
“…. Von den insgesamt 200 zugelassenen Fahrern aus 16 europäischen und weiteren fünf außereuropäischen Ländern gingen in Genf – zur zweiten WM – 163 an den Start. Besonders traten hierbei die Japaner und Amerikaner zum Vorschein, die mit Fahrern, Mechanikern und Managern in der Kopfzahl weitaus den anderen überlegen waren……”
Click on this link to download/open the PDF File: World Championships Geneve 1979