We have a winner!

Jason posted a contest in one of the earlier race reports from the Wave coverage last week – he had a list of sports cliches -  HERE is the original post (more…)

Event: JConcepts Wave
Location: OCRC Raceway – Huntington Beach, CA
Date: May 16 – 17, 2009
Classes: Electric off-road
Race Reporter: Jason Ruona

It was fun in the sun for the crew that took on the JConcepts Wave at OCRC in Huntington Beach, California.   Is 75 degree weather nice?  Well, that is exactly what we had during the entire weekend of the Wave.   I can’t believe how well the Southern California racers have it at OCRC.  What other track can I watch a flat screen TV while wrenching on my vehicle?  We have to give major credit to Robert Black and the entire OCRC family for a fantastic facility and their hospitality during the entire visit.

The racing action was hot and heavy at the Wave but all eyes were on Steven Hartson as this is normally his stomping grounds.  Steven and his father Dan have a very professional race program and when that is combined with Steven’s driving it is normally lights out in Huntington Beach.  Drivers from all over made the trip including Zach Mote from Florida, Aaron Biner from Northern California and a large group from Arizona.  Who would be the king of the beach? (more…)

Event: JBRL round 1 (make-up date)
Location: Hot Rod Hobbies – Saugas, California
Date: May 24th, 2009
Classes: Electric off-road
Race Reporter: Frank Root

B44 FT - JBRL Champ - Frank

We were back at is again, only 5 days after the JConcepts Wave at OC/RC, heading up the 5 to the world famous Hot Rod Hobbies.  JBRL round #1 at HRH was rained out, so we are back for the make up race Memorial Day week.  We were expecting a light turnout, but were pleasantly surprised with 177 entries.  Jason was there to oversee the race as Steven Hartson and I were on hand to put the new Orange Bar Codes to the tested against the best in Southern California.

4wd Modified was up first.  My 4wd was really well balanced; it had great steering and great stability.  I ran Orange 4wd front Bar Codes, along with Orange rear, both with 2-stage foam.  Steven was on Blue Bar Codes and was also happy with his car’s performance.  We were in the first heat, and battled through out, but he was able to get by at the end TQing round 1 by 3 seconds.  Jeff Nicol was in the 2nd heat, and was able to slip between us.  Round 2 was not the round to go last..we all kind of struggled with the technical HRH layout.  So going in the main, it was Hartson, Nicol, and Root.  Unfortunately, Hartson had an electronical issue during warm-up and was unable to participate in (more…)

Frank Root - JBRL Champ

Well, it is just about over.   1 more day in Sunny California and it is back to Love Bugs and humidity in Florida.  Did I mention it is really nice in Florida around the 2^nd weekend in December?  Coincidentally that is the same weekend as the JConcepts Clash for this year December 11-13, 2009.

I had a great dinner with the guys at the Olive Garden.  Good choice by Frank and the guys and I have to say thanks for waiting around for me.

Between me, Barry and Steve I’m not sure who told the oldest R/C stories but I’m beginning to think Barry and Steve had me covered.  Steve is one of the few in R/C that has seen it all.  From the early days when he won the 1989 stock nationals to the days when he worked as a team manager and motor builder for Peak Performance to the days of the Associated 1991 Stealth car all the way up until now.   He and Barry have seen just about everything and the memory they have for the details is unbelievable.   I’m pretty sure I’m the same way but I can not explain it. (more…)

2 Part Race Report
Race report submitted by: Joe Cathey

Northwest Championship Tour race #2, The 22nd. Annual Hank Perry 240 is the longest running annual race in the Northwest, hosted by the Radio Control Car Club of Spokane. This race always draws a large number of entries each year, and this year was no exception with enough buggies to make an “I” main.
The track had an incredible amount of grip, it was very abrasive like running on the street, and traction rolls were a common sight. In qualifying, Yellow Sevens seemed to be the ticket as they had incredible grip and control. I had some bad luck in qualifying, but still managed to qualify 6th in the “A” main. The Main event was a different story. With a half hour main event to run, I chose Yellow Cross Bows as the track would wear through a small pin tire in about 15 minutes. During warm-up for the “A” main, I could tell the tires still had the performance like the Sevens.  After the first few minutes of the “A” main I managed to stay out of trouble and get into 3rd position. After the 5 minute mark, the second  place driver made a mistake, allowing me to take the position. Then I pressed hard to try to make up time on the lead driver, (more…)

I have been racing RC Cars since I was 12 years old – that is a whopping 18 years now(I have been playing with these things the majority of my life – wow), and since those early days, you could not get enough inside info and technical data. Back when magazines were the only source of this kind of stuff, we would pour over the pictures trying to find any kind of tip or hint on the pro driver’s cars to improve our performance at home. Cliff’’s famous body off two-page layout, RC10, Masami’s Gold Tub Worlds winner, Kyle Reed’s ‘94 ROAR Nat’s winning prototype Double X – that was all we had.

Now in this age of the internet – there is unfeddered access to manufacturers, pictures, video, internet forums, feeds, etc. Like me, Jason is a product of the guys who studied that pictures of Cliff’s RC10 for hours, and he understands the desire of the average racer to know what the factory driver’s and manufacturers are up to – behind the scenes. (more…)

Ready to eat

After spending this much time in California I’ve been thinking about saying Bro more.  It seems everyone says Bro and has replaced dude as the most popular.  I will try it on in the next few days and see how it fits.

Saturday morning came early.  I’m struggling now since I’m used to the time change.   Saxton was out early also because AE had a demo at Glenhelen for the MX event and the King was running the booth.

I made the drive again to Montclair for the Memorial Weekend Associated race.  My Yaris has some miles on it now.  :) Practice was the day before as previously reported so the factory drivers looked ready.  When I showed up the pits were pretty filled and the raceday excitement was fresh.   All new faces at the track with very little carry over from OCRC.  It’s great to see so many racers here in Southern California.

I was thrown into the fire early as Brent had me throw out his buggy for practice.  The surface did not have as much grip so the jumps were a little more difficult.  Being trapped between pit lane and the drivers stand the fumes were pretty severe.  I had to take a quick break to clear my eyes before a fuel stop for Brent.  Brent had me richen the bottom end.  Something of note.  You can use either a regular screwdriver as normal or a 2.0mm wrench to make carb adjustments to the Reedy.  Pretty nice.

Brent was happy with the settings and we returned to the pits.  Maifield and others showed up and started prepping their cars for qualifying.  This was going to be pretty fun. (more…)

Rc8t - ready to eat

We need to take a little time to thank Allison back at the shop.  She has been putting in long hours while I’ve been gone to allow this Wave / Test trip to happen.  There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that goes unnoticed, thank you!

Being in 2 places at the same time is more valuable than ever.  Paul was able to work the Florida State Series race in Florida while I’m out here at the Wave and test session in Cali.  We took a few wins at the state race including Pro buggy and Truggy while sweeping the Wave in California.  Pretty impressive stuff coming from team JConcepts.  Thanks guys!

Here is a question that has been asked quite a bit while I’ve been out here in Cali.  Jason, do you still work out of your house?  Seriously?  When someone asks me that I’m completely blown away.  We have 8 different 1/8th buggy tires, 4 different kinds of truggy tires and 13 different kinds of 1/10th buggy tires.  Not to mention different compounds, a complete line of wheels and about 80 different kinds of bodies.    Unless i’m subleasing from Tiger Woods this stuff would have to be in a building right?  Hey Cliff, do you put (more…)

Hmm...2.0 for sure...

Running off with the IPhone.

Oh baby you!  You got what I need!!!  Sorry, commercial break during the playoff game.  I believe they were trying to convince me to drink alcohol.  Almost works.

Side bar – starting things out with a side bar is an interesting start but necessary.  How can we combine the World Series of Poker with UFC fighting? They seem to have more sponsors in those sports than R/C racers.  They don’t seem to care where they put the logos either.  I thought we were bad with putting decals on our shirts.  Condom  depot.com?  Really?  I guess this is where we are at in sports right now. Is poker a sport or game?  I think sunglasses are like cheating.  Where is the tech located at these events? Brad and Jeff have both been to the WSOP so I might ask them for an opinion.

On to the real story.

I had an appointment to meet with the guys from Extreme R/C cars magazine in Chino at around noon.  Time to make another big drive with the Yaris.  I’ve been told by a good sales guy that these are great selling cars and for $14,000 I can see why.  Good thing for the google maps on my IPhone.  Holy crap this thing is awesome!  Thanks to Brent T for telling me to use it.  I just need a car charger for this thing.  Maybe I can hook a Reedy Lipo to this thing? (more…)

Well it was time to check out of the hotel and “make it happen” as they say.

I made a quick stop off to OCRC and cleaned up my pit spot a little bit and said hello to the guys.  Club racing on Wednesday night.  I will be back, much like the terminator.

Time for a quick few trips to the hobby shops in the surrounding area.  My first run was to Ultimate Hobbies located in Orange.  Huge hobby shop with many different products.  I still don’t see how a new customer decides what to buy.  I’m pretty sure the hobby shop directs you at this point or you are coming in based on a recommendation or a magazine or Internet sighting.  Seems like this is where Traxxas really has it made.  Ironically they are all ready listed in our “figured out” catagory right?

Side Bar – drag and drop Phil Jackson.  Jordan, Pippen, Rodman then on to Shaq and Kobe and then back to Kobe.  There is a reason Phil will never be coaching the Bobcats or the Timberwolves.  Can you say no players or chance?

I was very impressed with how many customers they already had at ulimate for just a random day at about 12pm.  They say the weekends really buzzzz.

Did you know you can’t talk on your cell phone and drive in California?  You need a blue tooth set which I don’t have.  I guess I can pick one up at best buy?  How do I (more…)