January 23, 2014

Track Focus – OCRC Raceway

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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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January 23, 2014

‘From Race Control’ – Day 1 at Reedy Race

‘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.

January 12, 2014

DHI Cup hat trick for Neumann

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Joern Neumann remains the unbeaten 4WD Buggy champion of the DHI Cup, the Team Durango driver completing a hat trick of wins at the Danish event today.  The 14th running of the famous touring car event, the German was the first Offroad winner since the discipline was introduced in 2012 and today’s 4WD win see him remain unbeaten.  Having seen his chances of a complete sweep of the event he made his own the last two years dashed when Schumacher’s Tom Cockerill took the overall 2WD win earlier in the day, Neumann got the job done in 4WD. After a not so great start to 4WD, a mistake giving rival Martin Bayer the A1 win, he would make up for it in A2 & A3 to secure the top step on the podium ahead of Xray’s European Champion with young up & coming Danish driver Jesper Rasmussen completing overall Top 3.

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Neumann said after struggling with his 2WD performance, the Schumacher and Team C chassis benefiting from more forward mid mounted motors on the unusually low traction carpet surface, he said his Orion powered DEX410 had no such problems.  Changing nothing on the buggy between legs he said he just drove better in the second two Mains adding that his rolls in A1 was just down to poor driving.  Hoping that his 2WD will be more competitive for next weekend’s EOS in Berlin, he said the 4WD win is a good boost as he aims to extend his unbeaten run in the series to nine wins.

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Bayer, who last year ended Neumann’s reign as European 4WD Champion, said the speed was there this weekend but he just made too many small mistakes.  Very happy with the performance of his LRP powered XB4, the Czech ace said it was good to have been able to run with one of the best offroad drivers in the world.  Looking forward to doing battle with him again at the EOS, he will be hooking up with team-mate Renaud Savoya tomorrow to travel to the Hudy Arena for practice in preparation for the event.

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Having set himself the target of a podium finish at what is his home event and been in attendance pretty much every year of his life due to his father Ulrich’s involvement in putting it on, 15-year-old Rasmussen was clearly pleased with his podium finish.  On collecting his trophy, the Team Associated supported driver’s face clearly showed what the result meant.  Having had the high of the morning when he lifted the 2WD title, 4WD was somewhat of a struggle for Cockerill with the Britsih driver ending up 4th overall just ahead of 2WD Top Qualifier Oskar Levin.

4WD Buggy Overall Result
1. Jörn Neumann (DE) – Team Durango – 2 pts
2. Martin Bayer (CZ) – Team Xray – 3
3. Jesper Rasmussen (DK) – Team Associated – 6
4. Tom Cockerill (GB) – Schumacher – 8
5. Oskar Levin (SE) – Team C – 9
6. Joakim Nicolaisen (NO) – Team Associated – 11
7. Kim Nielsen (DK) – Team Xray – 11
8.Simon Moss (GB) – Schumacher – 14
9. David Hassel (SE) – Team Xray – 16
10.Niclas Månsson (SE) – Team Associated – 18

4WD Buggy A2 Result
1.(1) Jörn Neumann (DE) – Team Durango – 15/5:08.807
2.(2) Martin Bayer (CZ) – Team Xray – 15/5:10.507
3.(3) Jesper Rasmussen (DK) – Team Associated – 14/5:02.680
4.(10)Joakim Nicolaisen (NO) – Team Associated – 14/5:03.209
5.(7) Oskar Levin (SE) – Team C – 14/5:06.387
6.(4) Tom Cockerill (GB) – Schumacher – 14/5:09.261
7.(6) Kim Nielsen (DK) – Team Xray – 14/5:09.390
8.(5) David Hassel (SE) – Team Xray – 14/5:09.786
9.(8) Niclas Månsson (SE) – Team Associated – 14/5:11.512
10.(9)Simon Moss (GB) – Schumacher – 14/5:19.925

4WD Buggy A3 Result
1.(1) Jörn Neumann (DE) – Team Durango – 15/5:10.338
2.(2) Martin Bayer (CZ) – Team Xray – 15/5:17.254
3.(4) Tom Cockerill (GB) – Schumacher – 15/5:33.183
4.(7) Oskar Levin (SE) – Team C – 14/5:04.998
5.(6) Kim Nielsen (DK) – Team Xray – 14/5:06.368
6.(3) Jesper Rasmussen (DK) – Team Associated – 14/5:06.755
7.(10)Joakim Nicolaisen (NO) – Team Associated – 14/5:10.805
8.(5) David Hassel (SE) – Team Xray – 14/5:18.880
9.(8) Niclas Månsson (SE) – Team Associated – 14/5:29.471
10.(9)Simon Moss (GB) – Schumacher – 13/5:03.275

View the complete Offroad event results here.

View our event image gallery here.