This past weekend race #1 of the Novarossi Challenge Series was held at Crystal Park Raceway in southern California. The big winners were Mike Swauger – in the Expert 1/8th class, Darin Ishitani in the Expert Sedan class and Ryan Alfonso in the Sprtsman 1/8th class.
 
It was the first large event that the newly EFRA & ROAR approved PROTOform R5-N sedan body was used in competition. Mike Swauger handily TQ’ed using the R5-N and when qualifying was over there were 8 A-main drivers using the body as well. Mike Swauger succumbed to motor problems and was not able to start the A-Main. Mugen teammate Darin Ishitani got he big “Win”.
 
Sedan Top Ten
Darin Ishitani (R-5N)
Scott Kimbrow (R-5N)
Marco Acosta (R-5N)
Francis Mejia (R-5N)
Diatta Collymore R-5N)
Robbie Collins (R-5N)
Scott Fisher (R-5N)
Michael Palazolla (Stratus 3.1)
Walter Diaz (Stratus 3.1)
Mike Swauger TQ (R-5N)

Mike Swauger dominated the Expert 1:8th A-Main with a TQ and a “Win”.  At times he ran effortless laps a half second quicker than his closest competition.
 
1/8th Top Ten
Mike Swauger TQ (PF P909)
Ron Calangi
Jim Akins (PF P909)
Garen Hagobian
Justin Sheeley
Joel J (PF P909)
Brad Toffelmire
Christian Lopez
Danny Alvarado (PF P909)
Mike Strack (PF P909)