2019 Maritime RC Racing Offroad Racing Series #1

The RedClay RC Race Club, in Stratford PEI, hosted the first race of the 2019 Maritime RC Racing Offroad Series on June 8, 2019. Thanks to all the host club members who prepared the track, the Race Directors/computer operators (David Praught, William Muirhead, Shawn Hume) who kept the race program moving smoothly, and the volunteers who prepared the BBQ for the racers at lunchtime! Because of your efforts the race went perfectly.

There was a heavy rain 2 days before the event that seemed to be an unexpected surprise. This kept the track slightly damp for the race event which kept the dust down and grip up. The day started with very few clouds and a stiff breeze. The breeze would be tricky for the full bodied SCT trucks if they got into the air too high. With the exception of the wind, conditions for the race were about as ideal as you could have.

There were enough racers for an A + B main for all 1/10 scale classes, and there were enough door prizes provided by the series sponsors for everyone to get a prize from the prize table. Thanks to all the series sponsors for the Series, it is much appreciated by the racers.

As race 1 of the 4 race Maritime Series, the results of this race will be added to the overall 2019 Maritime RC Racing Offroad Series points.

2wd Buggy: A-Main

1st: Dario Paoletti, 2nd: Mark McKinnon, 3rd(TQ): Kyle McKinnon

2wd buggy was the largest class at this event with 18 registered racers. At the start, Mark, Kyle and Gregg were able to pull a very slight lead on the rest of the group, but Dario was able to jump to 4th off the start keep with this lead group following a couple corners behind. Gregg had a few tumbles over the infield doubles and fell to 4th, just off the podium. Mark led Kyle for 3/4 of the race with Dario eyeing the top spot. Kyle got into a little trouble and Dario snuck by for 2nd. Then Mark would have a bobble and this let Dario work his way by to take 1st, with Mark finishing in a close 2nd, and Kyle finishing 3rd.

2wd Buggy: B-Main

In the 2wd Buggy B-Main, the racers were aiming at the 1st place spot that would bump them to the A. From the tone Zack held a small lead over Mark Baird by a couple of corners for half the race, and he held that lead to the end to finish 1st and the bump-up. At about the half way point Mark had to be marshalled a couple times and fell behind but he was able to recover and hold the 2nd spot. Boyd improved on this 5th starting spot in the grid to work his way to 3rd overall.

2wd SCT: A-Main

In the 2wd SCT Kyle had the magic setup on his TLR, and was the TQ and took the win in the class. In this race it was very close between Derek and George for the 2nd spot. The spot was exchanged a few times early in the race, but George was unlucky with the corner pipe and fell to 3rd and Derek also had a solid race to finish 2nd, giving no opportunity for George to catch up. William had a solid race to improve from the bump spot to finish 4th.

2wd SCT B-Main

In 2wd SCT B-Main the racers were looking for the 1st place spot to bump to the A-Main. At the tone Mark would hit a patch of dust and spin out falling to last place. William took advantage and once he got the lead he would hold that to finish 1st. Mark would recover from the initial start to finish 2nd. David would improve on his 5th starting spot to take the 3rd spot on the podium!

4wd SCT: A-Main

4wd SCT was the 2nd most popular class with 12 entries. Gregg would wait for Q3 to have a clean run on a slippery track to set the TQ. At the start, Gregg and Dario would race neck and neck racing very cleanly. Gregg would bobble on the double/double section and fall back to 2nd with Dario taking the lead. With about 5 laps to go Dario would bobble and need a marshal, which allowed Gregg to pull to his rear bumper. On the next lap Dario would slightly touch a pipe and allow Gregg to pass. Gregg would finish 1st, Dario 2nd. Behind this action there was a close race for 3rd brewing. Gordon would hold the 3rd spot until a bobble on the jump after the table top let Shawn catch up. Shawn would make the pass for 3rd shortly after, and then hold the position to the end with Gordon finishing 4th.

4wd SCT: B-Main

The 4wd SCT B-Main had the racers battling for the 1st spot and a bump to the main. Giles had the top spot on the grid, but could not hold back the hard charging by William. In the end William took 1st and the bump up, Giles would take 2nd, and Boyd would finish 3rd.

1/8 E-Buggy: A-Main

The 1/8 buggy class has some of the cleanest 1/8 buggy racing we have seen. The top 3 racers would finish in the order they qualified with Stephane finishing 1st, Mark finishing 2nd, and Shawn finishing 3rd. Of note was Jamie Smitheram, who missed all the qualifying rounds, started in the final position on the grid and worked his way up to a 4th overall finish.

1/8 E-Truggy: A-Main

Stephane had the truggy to beat at the event. He took the TQ in qualifying and finished the race in 1st on a parade lap. Derek would improve on his 3rd starting spot to finish 2nd. William had held the 2nd spot until he needed a marshal at the 3/4 mark of the race which let Derek close the gap. With the two racers running close together, William had another bobble which gave Derek a chance to get into the 2nd spot. William tried every trick in the book to catch up, but was unable to and finished in 3rd by only 0.797 seconds behind for 3rd.