Maifield & Tessmann fastest in P2

The second round of practice at the Reedy Race of Champions saw Ryan Maifield and Ty Tessmann up the pace at OCRC. Maifield’s Centro converted Associated B4.2 topped 2WD over a single fastest lap with a time of 19.595 from Jared Tebo with new Schumacher signing Carson Wernimont an impressive third.   In 4WD, HB’s Tessmann ran an 18.699 lap time ahead of  World Champion Steven Hartson and Kyosho’s Cody King.

Saying the race is ‘not about being fastest but also consistency’, Maifield described his 2WD as ‘really good’.  Describing his 4WD as a ‘good race car’ he said his Reedy powered B44.2 was ‘getting there’ after changes made to the shock set-up but it was still ‘too safe’.  Planning to continue with the direction of change he made after P1, he said he will use P3 to see what that does and then make a call on the best set-up for tomorrow’s opening race of the 20th Reedy Race of Champions.

Having been in California for the past week and done a lot of testing at OCRC for the event, Tessman said both his cars ran ‘really good’.  Running a fresh set of tyres for each of the rounds for P3 he will go out on used tyres for the first time.  Asked about set-up he said from testing they have a good idea ‘what to expect’ and when to make changes.  Running his World Championship podium finishing D4-13 in 4WD, in 2WD the Canadian ace is using a prototype buggy which is a combination of a Kyosho and Centro Associated with a HB chassis.

Second fastest in 2WD, Tebo broke the wing mount off his prototype 4WD in the second practice but the 2WD World Champion said ‘all feels pretty good’.  Having run used tyres in P2, he said for him there was little difference between starting out with new or used and he was happy running either.  Team-mate King, who was 3rd fastest in 4WD, was pleased with his runs saying he is just trying to fine tune everything. Making tiny changes between runs he said due to the track layout which should see everyone very close on pace it is important to have the buggies comfortable and consistent to drive.

Running the same set-up as P1, Hartson said second time round both his buggies felt ‘a lot better’ due to a combination of the traction coming up and tyres being broken in.  Planning to stick with the same set of the controlled JConcepts tyres on his 2WD, for P3 he will fit a new set of the spec Pro-Line tyres to his 4WD due to this more powerful class having higher tyre wear.

Hartson’s AE team-mate and defending Champion Ryan Cavalieri used the second practice to break in another set of tyres on both his buggies adding that it was hard to truly judge right now where everyone is at in terms of pace.  Feeling his 4WD lacking a little in terms of side bite for P3, the former multiple World Champion plans to fit a ball diff to his B44.2.  In 2WD he will make a less significant change to his B4.2 Centro adjusting the roll centres.

Third fastest in 2WD, 17-year-old Wernimont was pleased with the performance of his new Cougar KF.  Leaving the set-up the same from the morning P1 run he said he just waited for the track to come in and focused on improving his own driving.  Feeling he could do with a little more steering to enable him to push a little harder, last year’s Open class champion, will make some small changes for his next run.  Unfortunately its been a tough start in 4WD with him breaking his K1 Aero in both runs after just over a minute of running.  Describing his few laps he did manage as ‘decent’ he said hopefully in Q3 he can run the full 5-minutes of track time.

Former Champion Joern Neumann said his 2WD Durango had more traction compared to the morning and the European Champion was pleased with how P2 went.  Suffering from oversteer on his 4WD, he will adjust his front shock position to reduce steering for P3.  Fellow top European challenger Lee Martin was happy with the performance of his 2WD Yokomo but will make changes to his B-Max 4.  Looking to make it roll more he will change gearing so as to push the motor more to the outside of the chassis.

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20th Reedy Race underway at OCRC

The 20th running of the World famous offroad Reedy Race of Champions has gotten underway at OCRC Raceway in Huntington Beach, California with drivers getting their first taste of the track with a round of 2WD and 4WD practice.  Overall the feedback on the track from drivers is a positive one the majority agreeing while not the most technical of layouts it should produce good racing for the heads up racing format which the Reedy Race is all about. 2WD World Champion Jared Tebo however was one driver not so complimentary describing the track as ‘not good at all’ adding it was ‘way too easy’.  In terms of times on the freshly laid track it was Team Losi Racing’s Dustin Evans who set the pace in 2WD with a 20.373 second lap while in 4WD Absolute Hobbyz driver Barry Baker topped the times with a 18.991 lap.

Winner of the title in 2011, Evans said both his cars were ‘awesome’ going on to describe his 2WD as ‘incredible’.  Commenting on the track he said compared to how it is to look at it actually turned out to be a lot more fun to drive.  Team-mate Dakotah Phend said his buggies felt good once the tyres came in but his 4WD run lasted only 2-minutes after a heavy impact with another car broke a front corner off his TLR22-4.

Second fastest in 2WD Maifield said his Centro converted B4.2 was ‘really good’ while his B44.2 was ‘decent’.  Planning to leave his 2WD as is for the second of today’s three rounds of practice, the Arizona driver will instead just let the controlled JConcepts Barcodes, Silver compound on the rear and Gold on the front, break-in further.  Posting the 8th fastest time in 4WD, Proline’s ION in MC compound the controlled tyre of this class, he will change his front shock setting to fine tune the set-up.  Describing the track as ‘not overly complicated’,  the World Championship Podium finisher said the track has one or two good spots for overtaking but also has a few other sections were you can be slowed if you get stuck behind any driver but the combination should make for ‘interesting racing’.

Defending champion Ryan Cavalieri, who was 5th fastest in 2WD, was happy with his morning saying it was a ‘really good start’.  The most successful driver in the history of the Reedy Race, winning the title 3 times, he said it took about a minute for his tyres to come in but after that he was happy with the feeling of his B4.2 and his B44.2.  A driver who does the majority of his testing here, he said the layout makes for a much quicker pace than he is used to but for now he will just leave both his buggies as they are and wait for the track to come in.

Heading the European challenge in the 30 driver invitational class, an open class which use the more regular heats & finals format also running as part of the event, is Team Durango’s Joern Neumann.  Champion in 2012, the first European to ever win the title, the German said his DEX210 was a little loose but talking to other drivers after the run he said that should be ok for the next one once the tyres come in.  Describing his 4WD DEX410 as being ‘good as always’ for the next run he will just up the power of his Orion electrics.

Fourth fastest in 2WD behind HB/HPI driver Ty Tessman, Tebo said his RB6 had low forward grip but the balance felt good.  With the fresh track and new tyres a contributing factor, he said he will make just a minor set-up change for his next outing.  Running a prototype 4WD, he said the car was very good and he plans to run it the same for its second run.

Posting the 4th fastest time in 4WD, World Champion Steven Hartson, who lives just down the road from the track, said his Associated B44.2 was ‘good off the start’.  In 2WD he said the run started off with his Centro converted B4.2 sliding around a bit but he said that was down to the fresh track.  Sponsored by OCRC, he said the track layout they run here is normally more difficult and while the new layout has a good flow he thinks with the number of 180 degree corners it could detract from the racing.

Making his dirt racing debut for new team Yokomo, having made his race debut with them at last weekends Euro Offroad Series round in Berlin,  Lee Martin took his 4WD to the 3rd fastest time.  The British driver said his B-Max 4 was a little hard to drive and so he will change to a softer shock set-up.  With his 2WD, he said it suffered from understeer and while not fully up to speed with the car yet on proper dirt he said he will adjust his front shocks.

Fastest in 4WD, Baker said while its only the first practice he was happy to be on the pace.  Having recently signed back to run Reedy products in his cars, he said both cars are good and he expects his 2WD to improve as the tyres break in.  Another driver who is local to OCRC he said while the track is ‘less technical’ it should make for ‘awesome racing’.

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Track Focus – OCRC Raceway

Track Name – OCRC Raceway
Country – USA
Location – Huntington Beach, California
Surface – Dirt
Direction – Anti-clockwise
Previous key events hosted – Proline Surf City Classic

After three years at West Coast RC, which is no longer in operation, the Reedy Race of Champions has a new location for its 20th running moving to the impressive OCRC Raceway in Huntington Beach, California.  The home track of recently crowned 4WD World Champion Steven Hartson, the 20,000 Square foot facility was opened in 2008 by Nick Black and his father Robert. With a shop to cater for all racers needs at the front of the building, behind that is permanent pit spacing for 150 drivers.  To the back of the building is the track which covers an area of 135ft long and 60ft wide and features it own auto watering system above it.  Prior to being selected to host the Reedy Race, the track is best known for its annual Proline Surf City Classic race which like the track celebrates its 6th year in 2014.

Responsible for putting on the event, as he does so meticulously each year, Brent Thielke has designed a track that while not the most challenging should help make for exciting action in the heads up racing format that is the Reedy Race.  Talking to JConcepts’ Jason Ruona, he said the track layout seems pretty easy but that should help keep all 30 drivers closely matched.  In terms of challenges he said the step on/step off in front of the drivers stand should spice things up especially in 4WD as drivers have a number options to how to take the section.

Once again Thielke’s attention to detail in branding the venue for the race makes a strong visual first impression on entering the track, the branding of all the pit spaces this year a really nice touch.  One very exciting addition to the list of sponsors for this year’s race is Monster Energy, the energy drinks company joining Reedy, Team Associated, Upgrade RC, JConcepts and Proline in supporting the event.  Adding some glamour to the event they will provide Monster girls for Sunday’s podium presentation.

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‘From Race Control’ – Day 1 at Reedy Race

The Reedy Race of Champions has gathered together some of the best off road drivers in the World at the impressive looking OCRC Raceway in Huntington Beach, California, for the 20th running of the World famous race that carries on the memory of r/c pioneer Mike Reedy.  Running over the next four days, today’s schedule for the 30 Invitational Class drivers is 6 rounds of 5-minute free practice.  Starting with 2WD drivers and then switch to their 4WD buggy continuing that alternating order over the day.