Last weekend we traveled 6 1/2 hours to Tacoma R/C Raceway in Omaha, Nebraska for the Jconcepts Spring Nats. Seth would enter Expert Buggy and Expert Truggy and E-Buggy.
In Buggy we struggled in qualifying with engine problems which put us starting 2nd in the B-main. Seth and I put in a last minute practice session after qualifying to test more tires trying to find a tire that he could drive comfortably for the long races. We decided the Blockade in M4 or M3 depending on how sticky the track was at race time. Not long into the B-main, Seth was out front and looking good. At the end of the 30 minute race Seth was still out front. Moving on to the A-main.
Middle Picture is Sportsman Truggy Winner having driven his Hot Bodies D8T to victory. His name is Kyle Praske, He’s one of my local racers who I have been helping with set up and tuning his engine. Both Kyle’s and Seth’s Trucks are The new Tessmann edition trucks!
Next up was the first of three A-mains for E-Buggy. Seth qualified 3rd. In the First A-main Seth worked his way out front and was battling with Kysho’s Zach Phillips and then TLR’s Tyler Jones when the two got together and Seth got the worse end of it. Dropping him back and finishing 5th. Second Main Seth went out testing roll center adjustments for Nitro Buggy A-Main. Let’s just say he didn’t like the change, finishing 8th. In the third A-Main Seth was challenging TLR’s Tyler Jones for the top spot early and made his own mistake and dropped him back to 8th and with a late race charge ending the 10 minute main with the fastest lap and the 3rd place spot. Giving him 6th place over all.
Expert Truggy A-main, Seth TQ’d and would start the 45-minute race from the point and would battle with AE’s Chad Parks and TLR’s Tyler Jones for the top spot. With Chad Parks out early at the 6 minute mark. Pit stops would be key. The mid day humidity was frustrating for both drivers having the engines flame out while pitting. With half of the 45 minute final to go, the back and forth battle was intense, but with one less pit stop Seth had the clear advantage. At the end, only Seth would make it by before the tone sounded giving him the victory lap to celebrate. This is the second year in a row he has won the Expert Truggy class at this race.
Expert Buggy A-Main, Seth would bump in by winning the B-main and start 11th on the 12 car grid. At the start Seth stayed in line waiting for the crashes to happen. By the 3rd lap he was up to 5th and on the tail of Nick Gibson, Taylor Timmerman and Kendall Welch all battling for the 2nd spot. After the first pit stop Seth would be in 2nd and over a 1/2 lap down from the leader Tyler Jones. The race pretty boring in the middle and would heat up at the end with a battle between Chad Parks and Seth for the 2nd spot. Seth ending up finishing 3rd! After facing adverisity having to bump into the A-main. I was very proud to see him drive his way to the front and end his day on the podium.
Here’s some links to results:
http://www.rctech.net/forum/nebraska-racing/504158-hobbyplex-results-thread-20.html#post13294054
http://liverc.com/news/race_results/7287-2014_JConcepts_1%3A8_Spring_Nationals_race_recap/
– Seth VanDalen
