Cavalieri crowned champion as rear-motor cars dominate sixth annual NW Invitational

0 Aug. 24, 2015, 11:40 a.m.

By Aaron Waldron
LiveRC.com

On Saturday and Sunday, Dave's RC tracks in Hubbard, Oregon hosted its sixth annual Northwest Invitational - which is open for all drivers to enter. In addition to Novice, Stock Truck, Stock Buggy, and Modified 4WD Buggy, which completed four rounds of qualifying and triple-A Mains, the Modified 2WD Buggy class ran an eight-round Reedy Race-style format using AKA handout tires on the large outdoor course.

The battle for the Invitational crown came down to the final day, as two drivers finished Saturday's five rounds with perfect scores - 2010 and 2013 champion Ryan Cavalieri, and Oregon native Tanner Day - who was recently crowned 17.5 2WD Buggy and Short Course National Champion.

Cavalieri finished the contest with eight round wins, beating Day in the final two heats on Sunday. The drivers finished in a deadlock on points, as only six of eight finishes were used to determine the overall finishing order, but Cavalieri's faster combined times earned the victory over Day and Kyosho/Orion team manager Joe Pillars.