Event: Spanish Nationals in Montjuich Location: Barcelona, Spain
Agustí Saltó wins at the Spanish Nationals in Montjuich (Barcelona), with JConcepts Bar Codes in Blue compound. The racing was very difficult, the second place Carlos Pineda was very fast. Agustí was very happy with his victory and pleased how his JConcepts tires performed.
Ryan Maifield, one of the hottest young drivers in R/C, spent some time with the cameras to share some fundamental insight on track, vehicle and driving preparation. Learn from one of the world’s fastest drivers, in Part 1 of 2 a day is spent with Ryan analyzing a new track, preparing for that first run while looking ahead toward qualifying and main events.
Fundamental aspects which drive your racing program can determine the wins and losses. Ryan is a championship winning driving that began racing as a youngster at 7 years old. Ryan cautions that a racing program is an evolving process and there is always room for improvement however, some of the habitual preparation that goes into racing at the highest level should not be overlooked.
Stay tuned for part 2 as well more detailed and expert level knowledge in the future.
I arrived at the race venue with unknown expectations, as this was my first race of the 2010 race season. Shortly after hitting the track with my Associated RC8B & RC8T and JConcepts tires, I realized both vehicles were going to be fast. It was just a matter of finding the right tire combination for both vehicles. During qualifying my truggy was super fast running Crosshairs and eventually TQ’ed, as for buggy I struggled with a good tire combination, but eventually settled on Crosshairs and TQ’ed buggy. The mains were a bit of a hand full as everyone was after me, but after the 30 min main I eventually won both truggy and buggy running crosshairs in blue compound. My vehicles are set up with JConcept tires, bodies and wings. Thanks to everyone who came and supported this race and congratulations to all the winners.
JP Tirronen, Florida’s hottest new driver TQ’ed round # 3 of the Florida State off-road series in Daytona Beach, FL. JP was running the complete assortment of JConcepts products on his RC8b to TQ over some of Florida’s quickest drivers. The weapons of choice for the weekend were the Double Dees in blue compound for qualifying and Subcultures in blue compound for a 30 minute A-main event. A custom painted Hi-Flow body with black Illuzion wing and Rulux wheels finished off an otherwise stock RC8b. 5 of the 8 pre-seated drivers in the Pro 1/8th A-main were running JConcepts.
Ben Townsend, also running the Subcultures tire won the Sportsman 1/8th buggy class with youngster Sean Krause finishing in the second position utilizing the same tires and accessories.
Congratulations drivers. Watch out for these upcoming drivers at FSORS rounds 5-8.
JConcepts has a victorious outing at 2010 Motorama. Chad Due and Jason Ruona take 5 wins in the electric modified classes. JR Mitch makes a strong showing in 1/8th electric, nitro and 1/8th truck.
Motorama is an east coast motorsports spectacular. Combining the best of amateur and professional’s alike Motorama has become an east coast favorite. Open to the public, this event has constant exposure to new people which makes attendance ideal for industry marketing and growth.
With a split nitro and electric event things were especially busy. JConcepts drivers Chad Due, Jason Ruona and JR Mitch made the trip to snowy Pennsylvania with high hopes.
Chad Due racing his JConcepts equipped B4, T4 and SC10 had a fantastic weekend taking all 3 TQ’s and wins. Chad’s tire of choice for the weekend were the JConcepts Gold compound Bar Codes front and rear on the B4 and T4 and Goose Bumps in Green Compound on the Short Course SC10. Chad also used the new JConcepts Manta Short Course body for the first time in the main events and reported improved control and balance while being able to push the truck harder.
Jason Ruona with his JConcepts equipped B44 took out the 4wd modified class by winning A-main #1 and #2. Jason’s tire of choice on the B44 was also the JConcepts Gold compound Bar Codes front and rear. Jason pushed Chad in the Short Course mains by winning A2 and after a tie in points and a faster overall time Chad was awarded the first place. Jason’s SC10 was fitted with the custom painted Truth body for the SC10.
JR Mitch running the nitro program remained at the top of the event all weekend. Qualifying 3rd in all classes which included 1/8th nitro and electric buggy and also 1/8th truck, JR was on quite a roll. Double Dees were the hot choice in buggy as JR blistered the track with a TQ in round 4 of qualifying.
With a great start in the buggy A-main JR had no problems early and pulled out to a nice lead. A small mistake put him in 3rd and chasing the leaders but time was of the essence. An extra pit stop made things more difficult giving away valuable time to the speedy crew from Las Vegas and California. After a hard fought 30 minute main JR would have to settle for 4th narrowly missing the podium. Post race inspections shows great tire wear and insert longevity. Double Dees were the correct choice.
Truggy was pure muscle as Cross Hairs appeared to be yet again an all purpose performer as JR finished off 2nd in round 4 positioning himself nicely in 3rd place on the grid for the A-main.
With drivers introduced and truggies running it was down and quiet and blast off. Mitch battled hard but was a victim to unfortunate traffic and an extra pit stop which allowed Phillip Atondo to jump into second and close in on the leader. JR crossed the finish for a well deserved 3rd place. Looking over his equipment during the post race review showed once again great tire and insert wear characteristics. Cross Hairs in Blue Compound appear to have been the right choice once again.
Congratulations to the winners and race organizers at the 2010 Motorama, looking forward to next year.
Event: JConcepts Winter Indoor Nationals (WIN)
Date: Feb 6-7, 2010
Location: SmacTrac, St. Louis/ St. Charles, MO
Jared Tebo wins all 3 modified classes at Indoor Championships.
St. Charles, Missouri was the location for the first annual Winter Indoor Nationals. It was cold outside but warm inside the SmacTrac facility as practice started Friday with drivers coming from all over to test the new track layout. It was apparent in practice that the track layout was a challenge, especially the split lane in the center of the track.
The separation of the split lane provided many drivers the opportunity to showcase their best driving tricks and stunts as the narrow lane sometimes provided the ultimate test of control in a narrow space. By weekends end everyone looked comfortable and everyone just remembered, when in doubt steer a little to the left.
194 entries made this first annual event a smashing success. Local drivers Rod Rippee, Chris Baumgartner and Matt Gosch were always hospitable to everyone traveling from out of the area providing a much needed personal touch whenever necessary. SmacTrac snacks and Wayne Snider made sure everyone was fed with the most interestingly named food.
The hot tire setup at SmacTrac was the Blue Compound Bar Codes all the way around. The only question was full tread or partical tread. After switching back and forth several times the locals went with partical tread and the out of towners were enjoying success on full tread. Either way, tire wear and traction was not an issue. One set of tires was all that was needed for the weekend.
Friday practice went smoothly with a club race warmup Friday night.
18 laps seemed to be a quick run in the 2wd and truck classes and 19 laps in 4wd. As predicted, Jared Tebo was running exceptionally well and TQ’ed the club race. World Champion skills on display in Missouri.
As everyone got ready Saturday morning for qualifiers they put a slight mist on the track and we were off. 3 complete rounds of qualifying took most of the day but racing and time moved quickly indoors. It was snowing outside but you would hardly know with all the drivers wearing t-shirts inside. The heat was on inside. Thumbs up!
After qualifying was completed for the day, quite a few went to Show Me’s (looks like Hooters) next door. Zack Genova, Matt Gosch made some new friends but soon it was time to call it a night. Sunday had 1 more qualifier remaining and mains should be quick to follow.
It was an early start on Sunday morning and quite a few guys were running a little late. Racing at 7:00am just seems too early to operate an M11x. Not many of the drivers improved in round 4 and it was time to prepare for the mains.
Personally, I installed a new motor in my buggy to hopefully gain some more control. I also had just rebuilt the front and rear end with new plastic so my buggy was pretty fresh. I’m still running my same magic diff from the Super Cup a week before. The 4wd wasn’t nearly as choice for A-1 but I was going to power through it.
I noticed something so cool as we moved into the mains. In the 2wd stock class an RC10 was sitting 2nd on the grid. 1993 technology was looking good! If you really want to get technical I think the RC10 with a Steath transmission was around in late 1989 early 1990 in
prototype form. 20 year old technology racing at the Winter Indoor nationals and doing well. Impressive; makes me want to build my old dream car. Need an Illuzion for an RC10!
One of the race announcers was wearing a 35 year anniversary Bigfoot 4×4 t-shirt. It’s good to see the locals supporting the Foot crew.
A-1 in 2wd was up and after a good start I was sitting in the top 3.
Sweet! Time to reel in Tebo….wrong. I tried but it didn’t happen and I settled for 3rd behind Jared and Chris Baumgartner. I was really happy with my changes and going to partical tread on tires. I was fighting a slight push but it’s better than fighting a tweak right?
A-2 started and Jared checked out again and the battle was for 2nd-4th. I held off Rod, Chris and Josh Wheeler for 2nd. I wish I was sitting on pole for round 3.. .
A3 started very cleanly and without Jared, it was quite a race. Rod got into the lead with Chris and I 2nd and 3rd. For a moment I thought it was going to be a 3-way battle for the lead but Rod began to stretch it. Sitting in 2nd with 2 laps to go I made a small mistake on the step-up jump allowing Chris by. Small mistake = case and flip…ugh
The overall finishing order was Jared, Chris Baumgartner and myself. Great racing.
Modified truck was once again owned by Tebo with wins in A-1 and A-2.
A-3 saw Rod Rippee take advantage of a great start and pull out a win giving him second overall. Justin Driemeier finished 3rd in the overall standings after qualifying 2nd. Great job!
The bad boys of R/C race 4wd modified. At least that is what most announcers say before they start. I believe it!
As the Bad Boys started, Jared was in control once again. However, Josh Wheeler with his B44 was giving him fits early in the main and seemed very quick. Laptimes were fairly equal early but mistakes from Josh put the rest of us in contention. I believe Rod, Josh and I all held our own in 2nd but it was Rod that looked a little more consistent and ultimately held down the 2nd spot. I started suffering some electrical issues which didn’t help but I was happy to be on pace. Jared was checked out.
In A-2 once again it was Jared, Josh, Rod and myself. Positions were up for grabs but Josh and Rod finished up front in 2nd and 3rd while I suffered some more electrical issues. Ok, I will change it for A-3.
Haha
With the title clinched Jared sat out A-3 once again and let the rest of us battle. Rod pulled the lead with me and the others in tow. With my motor changed out I was on pace but a mistake on the step-up (huge nose dig) toward the end finished my race bumping me out of top
3 potential for the 4wd class. Homer Simpson, doh!
Finishing order once again was Jared Tebo in 1st with Rod Rippee in 2nd, Josh Wheeler in 3rd and myself in the 4th position.
Congratulations to all the winners. I would really like to thank John Piant for suggesting the race and the SmacTrac crew on an outstanding facility and event. I’m looking forward to next year.
Ryan Maifield prepares a week before the Nitro Challenge, by running an electric KBRL race at the world famous SRS Raceway. Check Out that B4 and SC10 completely fitted by JConcepts. The Manta body is hot.
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Rod got into the lead with Chris and I 2nd and 3rd. For a moment I thought it was going to be a 3-way battle for the lead but Rod began to stretch it. Sitting in 2nd with 2 laps to go I made a small mistake on the step-up jump allowing Chris by. Small mistake = case and flip…ugh
