Date: Saturday 3/2/04
Time: 9 am
Place: RC Speedway
Attendees: Todd, Paul, Jim, Mike, Kurt, Mark
It's March 6th, Spring is not far away and the weather was perfect for Saturday morning racing. There were two new faces at the drivers' stations, long time HO veteran Mike Leech and first-timer Kurt Scheuerman. Mike was new to the G3 Club Stocks but figures to raise the bar on setup for all of us once he becomes acclimated to the G3. Hopefully, Kurt will join us regularly. Fair warning, Kurt has a technical background and a history of excellence. If he does adopt this hobby, we can expect some very stiff competition once he learns the basics.
Mike and Kurt were on hand for the early practice start. This was the first time Kurt had seen magnet cars and spent his time figuring out how to keep them in the slot. Mike put a variety of cars through their paces and even produced a neo for some extremely fast laps--too bad the regulars were not around to see that.
Thanks to Mark Owyang and his IROC stable of Willys, we had three race events again! We all warmed up with the IROC T-Jet event with Mark establishing T-Jet supremacy with 85 laps. Anybody surprised? Todd took 2nd place with 81 laps with the rest of the field not too far behind.
What's a new raceway without some growing pains? Just before the Club Stock race, the blue lane stopped counting laps. With a broken reed switch and no replacement, Blue was definitely out of commission. Paul had the answer and racing continued with a simple work-around (Blue marshalls). Meanwhile, I will buy some reed switches to avoid this in the future.
Fast action began with Club Stock. Jim Person took advantage of some pile-ups to accumulate 5 laps over 2nd place Mark Owyang. Mark was driving a very fast G3 built by Jim Person (who's in danger of spraining his arm from patting himself on the back for a good build). Todd was really fast but his car was not cooperating with the Bonzai and kept "flying" off the track. Speculation is that Todd has been spending so much time with his R/C planes that the "flying" has gotten into his blood. Mike took things easy as he was getting acquainted with the G3. We all better enjoy this time because we may be eating his dust at future events. Paul had a fast car but kept coming out, mostly in the same place. Kurt seemed to be having loads of fun and kept up a steady pace--well done, Kurt!
Jim and Paul ended up on top when the Super Stock race finished, each with 115 laps but 1st and 2nd respectively according to Mr. Lane Master. Paul had a very fast car--wish I remembered to ask him what was under the hood.
Thanks everybody for a great time. Remember, there is still plenty of great racing ahead! |
