Round 5 of the Winter Series was a Very Successful Day for Tamiya! 17 races and 4 pros and 94 entries. Carlos clinched the TQ spot in Intermediate Buggy and Darren Souza Won the Intermediate Buggy A-Main. Matthew Hunt Qualified 2nd in the Expert Truggy A-Main and Finished 3rd, and the Lutzinator was in attendance TQ'd & Dominated both the Expert Buggy & Truggy A-Main!
 

Driver: Carlos Macias - Intermediate Buggy TQ

Buggy: Tamiya 801x
Engine: Novarossi HotMod P4
Pipe: Novarossi 9901SS
Tires: AKA Grid Iron Soft

Driver: Darren Souza - Intermediate Buggy A-Main 1st Place Finish

Buggy: Tamiya 801x
Engine: Novarossi HotMod Toro Nero
Pipe: Novarossi 9901SS
Tires: Werks Stubs

Driver: Matthew Hunt - Expert Truggy A-Main 3rd Place Finish, Expert Buggy B-Main 5th Place Finish

Buggy: Tamiya 801x
Engine: Novarossi HotMod Toro Nero
Pipe: Novarossi 9901SS
Tires: AKA Grid Iron Super Soft

Truggy: Tamiya 801xT
Engine: Novarossi HotMod Toro Nero
Pipe: Novarossi 9901SS
Tires: AKA Grid Iron Soft

GFDrancing / Team TRF went into Round 4 with Team TRF Drivers filling the top 3 spots for points in the Intermediate buggy class..

Driver: Darren Sousa

Qualified 3rd in the Intermediate Buggy Amain Finished in 2nd place.

Car: 801x

Engine: Novarossi Toro Nero

Pipe: Nova 9901SS

Tires: Werks Stubs

Driver: Carlos Macias

-Qualified 4th in the Intermediate Buggy Amain, Finished in 5th place.

Car: 801x

Engine: Novarossi P4

Pipe: Nova 9853

Tires: Proline Holeshot

-Qualified 6th in the Intermediate Truggy Amain, Finished in 3rd place.

Car: 801xT

Engine: Novarossi P4

Pipe: Nova 9901SS

Tires: Proline Caliber VTR

801xTruggy First run by Carlos Macias

After an order mix up at Tamiya I received my kit on Friday at 12:30pm... UPS was a little later than usual. I started the build almost immediately. With the help of my 15 month old daughter Stayed up till 12:30am but got it finished. I was up at 4:30 am got packed and and headed to Delta RC, for the 4th round of their winter series. When I arrived I did some final adjustments like, camber, toe-out, and ride height. Practice started and I put the truggy on the track for the first time. The track was pretty wet and sticky so...after about 5 minutes I called it good. First round of qualifying the truggy was a little loose in the rear but I managed to take 1st in my qualifier... Made a few adjustments and headed out for my second qualifier... the truggy was more planted in the rear and I was able to take 1st again. With the all the other competition in the class I was able to qualify 6th in the A Main... and Finished 3rd..!!!

It doesn't get much better for a freshly built kit!!!

Tamiya 801xT - Build in Friday, Podium on Saturday!!! TA, TA, TA - TAMIYA!

Can't wait to truly get this truggy dialed in... !!! Especially with the new arms!!

GFDracing wrapped up round 3 with one podium finish and two A-Main qualifiers. Ryan Lutz was able to attend this race so the "presence" of Tamiya was definite!!! It was great to have him there. We had quite a few lookers and lots of questions about the Tamiya cars!

Driver: Darren Sousza

Darren is very consistent he qualified 6th in the Amain and finished 3rd. A very good result considering the stacked field of competition.

Car: 801x
Engine: Novarossi Plus 4
Pipe: Novarossi 9853
Tires: Werks Stubs

Driver: Carlos Macias

Carlos qualified 7th in the Amain but broke out after 8 minutes in the main due to a rear differential failure

Car: 801x
Engine Novarossi Plus 4 HotMod
Pipe: Novarossi 9853
Tires: AKA Grid Iron Soft

Driver: Matthew Hunt

Buggy: Matthew qualified 2nd in the Expert Bmain and was on pace for the bump up during the main but a broken fuel tank lid put him out of the race.

Car: 801x
Engine: Novarossi Toro Nero HotMod
Pipe: Novarossi 9901
Tires: AKA Grid Iron Soft

Truggy: Matthew qualified 5th in the Expert Amain but DNF due to a broken CV Pin.

Car: 801xT
Engine: Novarossi 28-7
Pipe: Novarossi 9901
Tires: Proline Caliber M3

Looking forward to Round 4 in Two Weeks!

Expert,
Buggy and Truggy:
 
2 – 5 minute quals.
 
Buggy qualified 4th B main. Buggy was quite hooked with Revolvers compared to my qualifiers. Took the lead by the first turn, was in the lead for 8 laps then my engine flamed out due too 3 shoe weak clutch bearings that we were running. Did not bump but!
 
Buggy was on rails though loved driving her!
 
Qualified for the dash for cash. Phillip Atondo ended up taking it second went to Tyler Vic. Pulled off early to save my truggy. Did not want to break an Arms, played it safe!
 
Truggy qualified 2nd A main 2 seconds off TQ. Main started first turn it felt like it was a sportsman start, was hacked from the rear flipped over then ran over by other truggy’s then turn marshall stepped on my truggy. Last place then worked my way through supposed expert racers??? By then I was over a lap down in second place could not regain the fight for the lead due to me lapping the hacking pack 4 times. Ended up second place.
 
Noticed that a fellow racer that I raced with last year was in my Truggy race, he and I were always neck and neck. His dad came up to me at the end of the Truggy race and stated to me and I quote:
 
Matt your driving  has improved 10 fold. He could not believe that I lapped his son 4 times and he was in third place! TA TA TA TAMIYA!!!
 
Comments:
 
Truggy, have not broke an A arm in the last three races! Went with Ryan’s advise to change out my truggy steering to the steering from the buggy. Turns on a Dime!
 
A lot of people this race  asking questions about our Tamiya’s. Due to watching them handle on power turning around the corners and the steering on a dime.
 
Buggy and Truggy were on rails! Revolvers for both.
 
The most comments I received was on our new Team Sweatshirts. At least 12 different people wanted one they asked how much and they don’t even run Tamiya?? They will be!
Thanks Carlos!
 
Matthew Hunt
GFDracing
 
Thanks TAMIYA!

Saturday December 18th brought round 2 of the Delta RC Nitro Winter Series, in Antioch CA. The Track is located at the fairgrounds in an Ag Barn, covered from the Rain but open to the elements.. The day seemed to be extra cold with temps reaching a max of 45 degrees. The track is a tight but fun layout with tight technical sections, and surface is packed clay.  Tires of choice seemed to be Grid Irons, Hole Shots, Calibers, and City Blocks

Driver-Darren Souza

Summary: Darren had an excellent day Qualifying 5th in the Amain. Darren's smooth driving style and well setup 801x led him to a 2nd Place finish!

Car: Tamiya 801x

Engine: Novarossi Plus 21-4

Pipe: Novarossi 9853

Clutch: Answer RC Aluminum 2-1.1 & 1-1.0 Springs

Tires: Werks Stubs

Driver Carlos Macias

Summary: I struggled with setup all day never really felt comfortable on the track. I started my day off by blowing an engine during practice. That set the pace for the day. I qualified 6th in the Amain and finished 5th. 

Car: Tamiya 801x

Engine: Novarossi Plus 21-4 Hot Mod

Pipe: Novarossi 9853

Clutch: Tamiya 801x Kit Stock

Tires: Proline Calibers

Saturday December 5th brought round 1 of the Delta RC Nitro Winter Series, in Antioch CA. The Track is located at the fairgrounds in an Ag Barn, covered from the Rain but open to the elements.. it was aprox 50 degrees all day with some wind. The track is a tight but fun layout with tight technical sections, and surface is packed clay.  Tires of choice seemed to be Grid Irons, Hole Shots, Calibers, and City Blocks

Driver - Carlos Macias

My day started with 2- practice tanks where somewhere in the middle of the 2nd tank I broke my front left drive axle. It broke right at the CV joint. Never having broke an axle like that before I didn't have any spares, and neither did any of the the other team mates. Luckily I was able to borrow an axle from an old Kyo 777 it was a little longer than the Tamiya but I was able to make it work by taking some droop out of the front suspension. 

The 2 rounds of qualifying was rough ... I made my fair share of mistakes but was able to qual 6th in the Amain with drivers 2-7 all being qualified with in 20 seconds of each other. 

The Main was 30 minutes and I was able get a good start following the top 3 cars I was firmly in the 4th spot... with a few bad laps toward the 14 minute mark I dropped back but continued to press on and gained some ground. The main proved to be rough on many cars as about 4 cars dropped out with 10 minutes left. I pressed on securing the 3rd spot for the finish. 

Car: 801x, Engine: Novarossi N21BF GFDMod, Pipe: Nova 9901, Tires: Caliber M3

Driver-Darren Souza

Buggy - Qaulified 5th in the Amain -- had two flame outs then DNF Due to a broken ball cup. 

Driver-Kenny May

Buggy A-Main DNF due to broken front drive axle

Truggy A-Main DNF due to a broken front suspension Arm

Driver ~ Carlos Macias' Race Report

This was my first time to Rattlesnake Raceway, the track sits in the middle of an industrial court yard with buildings on all four sides. A small RC/Hobby shop is conveniently located right there next to the track. With rain the day before the track was pretty wet when we first arrived in the morning but the track crew and a few racers that came down from Oregon did a great job prepping the track surface, pumping water and adding dry clay in areas needed. By the beginning of the first qualifier the track was near perfect with just the right amount of moisture, and it stayed consistent through the whole day. The layout had a mixture of technical sections, double doubles, and a big gap jump in front of the drivers stand allowing us to air out our cars at near eye level on the drivers stand. 

Sportsman Buggy Two 5 minute qualifiers and 20 minute A Main

Running AKA I-Beams I settled into to my first qualifier turning some very fast and consistent laps. But I felt I could improve some as I had a mid corner push in the steering.  Finished 3rd in my first qualifier. 

For the second qualifier I changed my tires to soft AKA Crossbraces and also check and refilled my front shocks with 40wt oil. The car felt much more planted in the corners and I was able to finish second in that round of qualifying. 

For the A main they had me qualified in 5th out of nine racers...??? Not sure how that happened but oh well. For a change I was able to get off to a decent start. I was able to get around the inevitable first corner "sportsman" pile up and and came out in the lead.. with a few bobbles I dropped back to 2nd and it seemed for the first 5 minutes of the race the top 3 positions swapped endlessly. By my first pit stop I had settled into a rhythm and held firm in the 2nd place position stalking first, who by the half way mark was just a straight-away's length ahead of me. Pushing the 801x every chance I could I made up some ground..being consistent got me closer and closer to the prize....When the 1st place car came into pit I pulled out in front and was able to pull away until I cased a double, double and hopped a lane... a late corner marshall caused me to drop back to 3rd but 2nd was just one turn ahead of me. Pacing 2nd I just waited for him to fold and he did I passed him while he was on his lid and the chase was on... now with the 1st place car a half tracks length ahead of me I pushed on ... taking my driving and the 801x to my limits I continued to turn flawless and consistent laps... then first place flamed out with 4 minutes left in the race I moved into the 1st position and never looked back! My first victory with the 801x!!!  - I followed it up with a victory lap and a back flip over the big double!!! 

The car was on rails!!!! Tamiya is definitely on the map in Northern California. I want to thank Matthew for his excellent pit help and coaching as usual as well as Team TRF for the great support.. and teamwork! 

What's next? The Delta Winter Series at Delta RC...! 

Driver ~ Matthew Hunt's Race Report

The track was moist, hooked up, loose in areas, bumpy in areas big straight a ways and big jumps. Great layout from Rattle Snake Raceway.  

Expert Buggy  Ran 1 out of two qualifiers.

Did not change my set up from Hot Rod Hobbies track so I could compare.  Set up was perfect. The Buggy continues to feel better each time out... It was on Rails!!!

I Qualified 4^th place out of 10 drivers total. The A Main started off great I was in first place and came to the double double and  took a risk trying to jump and make it a triple single and flipped over. Ended up in 6^th after that and worked my way back up to the battle for 3^rd. I Finished 4^th by 1 second behind 3rd it was a great battle. I enjoyed having the only Tamiya in expert buggy. People really noticed the buggy. Very dependable.

Engine- Nova- Plus 4 .21 with a GFDracing Team mod with a 9901 pipe and long header.

Tires- Pro Line soft Calibers. Y pattern facing forward. Hooked up.

Prime Fuel 25 percent.

Expert Truggy - Ran 1 out of two qualifiers.

Did not change my set up from Hot Rod Hobbies track so I could compare.  Set up was OK. Shocks were soft and needed more steering. With that said the Truggy was getting it done as usual.

Qualified 3^rd out of 10 drivers total.

Was battling for second for most the time. Ended up finishing 3^rd. Great racing.

Engine. Nova- Toro Nero stock .21. 9901 pipe and long header.

Tires- AKA I-Beams soft and main City Block soft.

Prime Fuel 25 percent.

Wanted to thank my Team mates especially Carlos and of course Ta, Ta, Ta Tamiya!!!!!

Special thanks to all of the GFDracing sponsors.

Fusion Motorsports/Novarrossi

Prime Fuels

AKA

Answer RC

Final round of JBRL.  3 -5 minute Qualifiers

Buggy 10 minute C main blues: Ran intermediate qualifiers went ok no problem at all just my driving. Learning about setting up the buggy on a tight track. Thanks to Ryan I was able to make it happen. Qualified 4^th in the C main. Was in 3^rd the entire race  just couldn’t make it happen.

Truggy:  Qualifiers were rough due to battery short. Ran only 1 of my qualifiers went ok. 1 of the qualifiers I hit a wall due to battery shortage. Ryan picked up my truggy it was wrecked. All of the sudden Ryan walked off with my Truggy, completely fixed her  for me and gave me a better set up. In the morning of the mains Ryan made sure Matthew Huntr, Darren Souza and Kenny May were set up for the bumps that day.

 Cqued then checked out for the bump to the B main. B main started off great was in 2^nd for a few laps ended up finishing 4^th.

Tamiya buggy:

Novarossi .21 Plus 4 stock.

AKA City Blocks soft. Main AKA City Block Medium. ( Thanks Ryan).

Tamiya truggy:

Novarrossi .21 Toro Nero. GFD mod.

AKA City Block, Grid Irons Soft. Main Proline Calibers soft.

Darren Souza. Tamiya Buggy: Qualified 4^th in the B main ended up 6^th. Flame out first turn at the start.

Kenny May. C qued his Truggy main. Great start finished last place. Broke an A arm hit the wall.

Buggy C main Qualfied 3^rd. Ruff race. Finished???

Wanted to thank Tamiya and my Team mates. Darren, Kenny, Ryan and Fred for making it happen for me. Can’t wait to race again.

TA TA TA TAMIYA!!

Written by Matthew Hunt

Overall a very good weekend out with the Tamiya Cars.. there are some bugs to work out as with any new car, we just need to get more familiar with them, and the normal pre-race check lists and procedures. These cars are going to help us become faster & more precise. 

Driver -  Carlos Macias

First time out with the 801x buggy and I TQ'd... ! For my first time driving the Tamiya 801x before I thought I did really good... best I've ver done/felt with any buggy I've driven. I got off to bad start in the main when the start tone sounded my engine flamed. My pit man (Dennis) was sorta lost ... didn't have my starter box as I lent it to another team mate and Darren and I were sharing his... by the time Dennis and Matt got me started I was nearly a lap down.... I managed to climb back up to 4th at 20minutes... and finished there. If the main had been 30 mins I would have podiumed for sure... I kept checking up behind 2nd and 3rd trying to figure out a way arround them to get my lap back .. but they were battling... it sucked because I was so much faster everytime I'd find a way arround them they would wreck... and I didn't want to be in the middle of it.  Such is racing!

Driver - Darren Souzsa

Darren Souza.. has some rocky quals but still ended up with qualifying 3rd over all with his new 801x... and finished 3rd in the Main

Driver - Kenny May 

Kenny hammered his truggy, with is "go for broke" full throttle driving style but, ended up 4th with the 801xT... and the T held up to his abuse.

Driver - Matthew Hunt

Matt -Qualed 4th in the B main buggy and got the bump to the Amain then I think finished 6th in the A..

Matt Qauled 2nd in Truggy Amain 2 seconds behing TQ he was doing really well in the A main when a CV pin came out DNF... 

In conclusion

The race was great! We made a good showing with the Tamiya cars and many drivers took note of how good they looked on the track. We've got several more team mates to convert to Tamiya and several others at the track frequented our pits to check out the cars and ask about setups.. 

Next

Hope the weather holds up so we can race the Big House (Prairie City RC, Rancho Cordova, CA)  one last time this weekend before it closes! 

posted by Carlos Macias