Matt Olson leads MIP to victory at the 2nd Annual Top Gun Shootout

 

Held on July 6-7th at SD/RC Raceway in San Diego, California, the 2nd Annual Team Associated Top Gun Shootout drew some of the best factory drivers from across the nation to compete in close off-road racing. MIP of course, was in attendance with their small contingent of drivers who would have to battle it out with a much deeper field of factory drivers backed by the major manufacturers in the industry. Winning is a feat in and of itself, but to come back the following year and repeat is quite another.

When qualifying was complete, it was TLR’s Dustin Evans who would take the TQ in Pro 4. However, sitting in the second qualifying spot was MIP’s Matt Olson with his blistering fast MIP Pro4mance upgraded 4-wheel drive short course truck that has been on a tear and giving Matt the confidence to keep a nearly unbeatable record. Matt’s previous Top Gun Shootout victory over Team Associated’s Brian “The Dirt” Kinwald was a real test, but this year he had his work cut out for him up front as well as from behind by a very determined Barry “The Fabulous One” Baker. When the triple a-mains got under way, spectators gathered and enjoyed some of the most epic battles that has ever been witnessed, and as the 2 front-runners pulled away from the rest of the pack, it was a race literally separated by inches from lap to lap. When the dust settled, Matt was able to make some crucial passes for the needed 2 a-main wins, and a trip to the podium to sit out the final main.
 
 
By going back-to-back, Matt had solidified the MIP Pro4mance upgrade kit’s reputation and paved the way for another MIP debut. This year saw the introduction of the "MIP Pro8™ eBuggy Upgrade Kit,” along with new MIP aftermarket upgrades to create a lethal electric eight-scale buggy. The two kits share many parts and are designed to “Upgrade” TLR SCTe 2.0 and Losi SCTe1.0 platforms for real on-the-track improvements while keeping overall parts count low between the two. The new kit and upgrade parts aren’t for sale yet, but should be available to the public shortly.

Matt drove the new MIP Pro8 eBuggy Upgrade Kit at the event, and even found himself up front during some of the mains, but bad luck not related to the construction of the buggy struck and he was forced to the sidelines for the remainder of the event. However, Team Associated and MIP Factory Driver Steven Hartson found his consistency and found his way to the front in the class for a very convincing win in the triple a-mains.
  

 

In the Sportsman Class, MIP’s owner Eustace Moore also piloted a prototype Pro8 eBuggy Upgrade Kit from the qualifying position of second and tried to make a mark of his own with fast lap times that would find him up front at times, but a few mistakes meant that he would have to settle for second overall. Moore’s passion for racing is apparent, and his upgrades have long been a staple for the fast, but with new products being released faster than ever, the company is poised to make an impact with even more exciting premier products.

In the other classes, the podiums were stacked with MIP drivers as they set the pace for the event. Steven Hartson finished second in electric 10th-scale 4x4 buggy and chose to run older MIP CVDs™ originally designed for the JConcepts BJ4x4 on his AE B44.2. He commented, that he preferred the buggy with the older MIP CVDs™ in spite of having access to modern AE CVAs.
 
 
In Stock Stadium Truck and Stock 2wd SC, Matt Gilbert drove his MIP equipped Kyosho vehicles to the winners circle. Gilbert enjoyed the advantage of having a significantly lightened drivetrain and used the upgrade parts to help increase his overall speed. Casey Basica would also pilot his MIP equipped SC truck and Stadium truck to a pair of thirds with Gilbert for an impressive showing by Team MIP. 
 

 

 

  

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