To kick off the 2016 season, we made the 6 hour trip out to the Ohio R/C Factory for the 1:8 CRCRC Midwest Championships. This would be a packed 3-day event with drivers attending from all over the United States, and even Canada. 200 entries total would gather to feel the smell of nitro in the middle of winter, and 50 entries would be making up the biggest class of the day, Pro Nitro Buggy.

The track was to be run extremely dry compared to the electric race the previous weekend, and by the middle of Friday’s practice day, it was clear that the M4 compound would be the one to run. We put in a solid day of practice and got the Hot Bodies cars feeling great on the technical but flowing track. As qualifying day began, I used M4 Electrons to keep my Buggies planted to the track, and it proved to be a great move. After a challenging day, I was able to put in some clean and consistent runs, placing my D815 Nitro Buggy 5th overall on the grid.

Come Main day, it would prove to be a challenge from all aspects. Temperatures dipped below 10 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and track temps weren’t much better inside, with them hovering around 25-30 degrees. For the first time during the weekend, the track began to break up and blow out slightly, definitely shaking things up a little.

With the majority of the A-Main drivers using Pro-Line Tires, it was clear however that they were the superior choice. I decided to run M4 Hole Shots to cope with the changing conditions, and they definitely delivered for the entire 45-minute Main. After some close racing and all was said and done, I was able to bring home a 5th place finish, something I was quite pleased about considering all the tough competition at the event.

All my equipment worked flawlessly throughout the weekend, and I couldn’t have been happier with my Pro-Line Tires. I’m Looking forward to a great 2016 season. Big thanks to Ohio R/C Factory for a great event as well as my sponsors for their support: HB HPI Racing, and  Pro-Line.

Thanks For Reading!

– Julian Malevanets