EN
From January 21–26, drivers from around the world converged on Foshan, China for the inaugural Nitro Party, hosted by GDC Hongyu. The event attracted nearly 100 competitors across IC GT, 1/8th GP, and 200mm Nitro Tourer, marking a strong first running for the international meeting. Serpent was well represented in all categories, with Andrea Catazani competing in 1/8th GP, Tom Tsiklas in Nitro Tourer, and myself, Anthony Wasson, in GT.
We elected to arrive early to maximise track time and focus on setup development, an approach that proved invaluable. Contrary to expectations set by previous events at the venue, the circuit presented very low and inconsistent grip. This was largely attributed to unusually cool ambient temperatures affecting the Guangzhou/Foshan region. Despite the challenging conditions, all three drivers were able to develop competitive and comfortable setups by the conclusion of practice, placing us in a strong position heading into seeding and qualifying.
Seeding and qualifying delivered mixed emotions but ultimately positive outcomes for the team. Tom Tsiklas showed exceptional speed during practice, repeatedly threatening sub-17-second lap times, but was hampered by electrical issues in the opening qualifying rounds, including intermittent radio signal loss. Thanks to swift troubleshooting by his father, Jono Tsiklas, who replaced the wire harness and receiver, Tom was able to complete the final qualifying round, where he secured TQ for the session. He would go on to start fourth on the grid for the Nitro Tourer A-Main.
Andrea Catazani emerged as a major contender in the 1/8th GP class, now powered by Ielasi engines. He claimed third place in two of the four qualifying rounds and consistently posted some of the fastest lap times throughout the sessions. Andrea qualified third for the 1/8th GP Track 1/2 Odd Final, successfully bumping into the A-Main where he would start fourth on the grid.
My own qualifying was solid despite an early setback. A lean engine during seeding placed me into heat four of five for qualifying, but after resolving the tune, I was able to record multiple top-eight runs. I started fourth in the GT 1/2 Even Final and successfully bumped into the A-Main, lining up eighth on the grid. By the end of qualifying, all three Serpent drivers had positioned themselves with genuine opportunities to contend for the inaugural Nitro Party titles.
The A-Main finals delivered strong performances across the board. In Nitro Tourer, Tom Tsiklas, competing in his first international event, produced an outstanding drive to claim victory. Despite suffering a flame-out on the final lap due to a blown glow plug, his one-lap advantage ensured he secured the win when the clock expired.
Andrea delivered a highly competitive performance in the 1/8th GP A-Main, setting the fastest lap of the race. A brief pit stop to adjust engine tuning cost him some time, but he demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level, finishing on the same lap as eventual winner Naoto Matsukura. With continued experience in the class, Andrea has firmly established himself as a driver to watch at future international events.
In GT, my primary goal was to reach the A-Main final, particularly without my usual team support. Thanks to the excellent efforts of Jono Tsiklas and Rakhim Ahmed in the pits, I was able to focus fully on driving. Aside from a few minor errors, I maintained a fast and consistent pace, enjoying several close on-track battles, including with Hobbywing International Team Manager, Salton Dong. As grip levels increased throughout the race, my setup became more aggressive, though as track temperatures dropped later in the final, the car settled and allowed me to push harder. After the 45-minute final, I finished in seventh place, narrowly missing out on sub-18-second lap times.
Gavin Kwok and the entire GDC Hongyu team deserve immense credit for delivering a highly successful and enjoyable event. From airport transfers to accommodation and logistics, every effort was made to ensure international drivers felt welcomed and supported. There is little doubt that Nitro Party is on track to become a must-attend event for IC drivers worldwide, and I am very much looking forward to returning for Nitro Party 2027.
Finally, sincere thanks go to Mr and Mrs Lau, Grace, Rex, and the entire factory team who work tirelessly behind the scenes to provide Tom, Andrea, and myself with the best possible equipment to compete at the highest level of RC racing. We are extremely grateful for your continued support and warm hospitality during our time in China. We are excited for what the future holds and look forward to achieving many more successes together under the Serpent banner.
