Episode Details

In this episode of the Story of a World Champion series, Lefty sits down with 2012 IFMAR 1/8 Off-Road World Champion Robert Batlle to tell the full story of his unforgettable championship run in Argentina.

Robert takes us back to his first World Championship as a 14-year-old in 2002 and the journey that eventually led him to the top of RC racing.

He shares the incredible story of winning the 2012 Worlds Warm-Up with the Mugen MBX6—only to be told just one month before the World Championship that he had to race the brand-new MBX7. With rain limiting testing in Spain, Robert and his team drove thousands of kilometers across Europe chasing dry tracks, even using headlights from full-size cars to continue testing after dark.

Robert breaks down the tire and setup decisions that helped him survive the brutally rough Argentina track, his battle with Ty Tessmann, his patient strategy during the 60-minute final, and the emotional final lap when he realized he was about to become World Champion.

We also talk about his $20,000 Worlds-winning bonus, the promise that resulted in him buying Mugen kits for the friends who helped him prepare, how becoming World Champion changed his career, and his thoughts heading into the 2026 IFMAR World Championship in Texas.

This is Robert Batlle: 76 Laps to Glory—the story behind one of RC racing’s most memorable World Championship victories.

Thank you for listening and supporting The No Name RC Podcast.

— Lefty

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS ⏱️

00:00 – Intro
00:45 – Robert’s IFMAR Worlds career
05:25 – Preparing for the 2012 Worlds
09:32 – Mugen gives Robert the new MBX7
13:57 – Testing under car headlights
22:08 – The rough Argentina track
24:26 – Robert’s tire & race strategy
34:32 – Breaking down the 2012 Worlds Final
45:04 – The final 90 seconds
48:36 – Robert’s emotional victory interview
53:59 – How much was the World Championship bonus?
1:01:06 – Preparing for the 2026 Texas Worlds
1:04:19 – Who will win the next Worlds?

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