May 26, 2017

Track Focus – Tamiya Raceway

Track Name – Tamiya Raceway
Country – USA
Location – Aliso Viejo, California
Surface – Asphalt
Direction – Anti-Clockwise
Previous Reedy Races hosted – 9

Tamiya Raceway plays host to the legendary Reedy Race of Champions for a 10th time with 2017 marking the 20th anniversary of Mike Reedy’s famed race format event.  Built in 1994 as part of Tamiya’s then US headquarters, the track covers an area 170 ft wide by 70 ft deep and while small in size it is hugely popular with drivers for being a great track on which to race and overtake.  While the track surface over the past two editions of the race meant a more exact racing line than previous events, reducing the amount of overtaking, the track owners have this year had the surface refreshed much closer to the event date.  Explaining the work done this year, Tamiya USA’s Fred Medel said, ‘they scrapped off the old surface and then power washed it.  After that a silicone base was laid on the track to seal it before they added the new slurry coat’.  Talking to the contractor during the work, the same company’s other work including resurfacing airport runways, it came to light that the spraying of sugar water was one of the reason for the track surface’s short life which normally had to be done every 18 to 24 months.  The problem with the spraying of the track is the combination of the sugar and the strong California sunshine was attacking the slurry coating.  As a result the track will no longer spray sugar water.

Asked how he found the new surface, reigning Champion Ronald Volker replied, ‘It’s difficult to say as I’ve only had a few runs but a few people who have run on it before say it is supposed to be better.  More overall grip will make for better racing but the important thing is there is a wider racing line to allow more chances for overtaking.  So far I am not sure but we will see tomorrow’. With Thursday made up of four practice rounds before the event goes straight into its first of 12 rounds of heads up racing tomorrow morning, this year sees one of the most competitive entries the Reedy Race has gathered in a decade.  One of the first timers is Bruno Coelho.  On the crest of an impressive run of wins over various classes, the Xray driver summed up his first impressions of Tamiya Raceway by saying, ‘It is completely different to European tracks. I had seen photos and watched videos before I came here and it looked a lot bigger but its a historic track so I’m happy to be here’. Asked about his first run on the track, the ETS Champion said, ‘It is a little bumpy and has very specific curbs but that’s what makes it what it is. When you look at it it looks like there is no places to overtake but I was driving with a few guys and there are many places to overtake.  I think starting from the back it will be super easy to overtake but starting from the front it will be super hard to keep the door closed.’

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