This year’s Texas State series finished up in August down in Alvin, TX. It was a crazy weekend, with an amazing track, and even crazier weather. We got there late on Friday, and started practicing. The track was being watered, so I knew setup changes would not be a good idea.
The next morning, the heats began. It was a hot day. The track was awesome, fast, flowing. The Alvin crew did a wonderful job. I recently switched from Kyosho to X-ray on my 1/8 buggy, and still working out setup on it. Had electrical issues in the heats, so it was difficult to get the setup where I wanted. But my Losi SCTE short course truck was dialed from the start. Tried different tires, but ended up with the Pro-Line Blockade tires. They gave the best all-around performance in the qualifiers. Being one of the bigger tracks, the jumps were big air, and flying. The Flo-Tek body had no parachuting effects at all. It jumped consistent, and smooth.
On main day overall in buggy with the electrical issues, I was in the C main. The same electrical gremlins got me in the main while leading easily. I ended up pulling off the track. A main in Short Course, I was qualified 6th overall. Very tight group of drivers, with heat results within 6 seconds for the top 10 drivers. Before our Main was to run, we got a gift from the heavens, with a ton of rain. Rained so much we thought the mains would be cancelled. But the track crew did an awesome job, and got the show going. Being the 3rd race after the rain for the A1 main, I got the WD40 out, and covered the car. To no avail however, the added weight of all the mud, my truck died on the last lap, and I finished 7th. A2 was a different story. I got a good start, up to 3rd, and battled with the leaders until I lost touch, finished 3rd. A3, was another great run, good start, battled up to 2nd, but couldn’t chase down the leader, finished 2nd. I finished 3rd overall for the day. The Blockade tires I ran that weekend, with the F-11 rims, were dialed on grooved, or loamy. Just all around great overall tire. Definitely my go to tire at all tracks.
Finished overall 4th in 4×4 SC for the series, using Pro-Line Flo-Tek bodies, and Pro-Line tires. Finished 10th overall in buggy, using the new Bulldog body, and Pro-Line lightweight rims and tires this season. Thanks Pro-Line for the great support this year, and looking forward to next seasons.
-Grobe
