New Team Tamiya Canadian drivers Abiye Birku, and Gareth Houben, just added to the team in early July didn’t talk long to make their stamp on the scene with their new TRF801X & TRF801XT’s.

(Setup sheet for Abiye's 801X is available under setup sheets)

The Great Lakes Off Road Championship Series (GLORCS) is a Canadian/United States based competitive RC racing series with events held in Ontario, Quebec and New York State. The 3rd round of the 2009 series was held at the Niagara R/C Raceway in Wellandport Ontario.

Tamiya Had 3 TRF801X’s entered with Steve Bortolotti, Abiye Birku, and Gareth Houben behind the wheel. Steve and Gareth also entered the Truggy Class with their TRF801XT’s and quickly got the trucks dialed in for the changing track conditions. Rain, sun, and, wind kept everyone on there toes as the track changed with the weather over the 3 days.

BUGGY

After qualifying was finished in the Buggy class Mr. Birku found himself in the second grip position for the hotly contested A main. Mr. Bortolotti bumped up from the B main to the A and was excited to see if the race would come to with a few little changes. After the flag dropped Abiye kept himself up in the top 3 positions and diced back in forth first half of the race until getting buy and holding everyone off for the WIN! Steve battles up though the field as high as 4th until a long pit stop dropped him down to 8th where he finished.

TRUGGY

After 2 days of racing and qualifying was all said and done, Both Gareth and Steve found them selves in the A main! At the start of the Race Steve’s engine flamed out and had to be re-fired. Steve rejoins and began making up the lost time, but with such a tight field it was tough. He finished in the 9 spot. Gareth’s first weekend out with his new Tamiya cars and team was proving well! Starting in the middle of the pack and battle throughout the Truggy main as high as fourth, he finished in the 5th position.

As we have just entered the middle of the 2009 Campaign in Canada, It looks like Tamiya will be a real force! Congratulations to Mr. Abiye Birku for his win with the TRF801X! Both he and Garth Houben look to be a great asset to Tamiya for their assault on the Canadian 1/8 scale off road scene!