Island Hardware and Supply hosts the 10th Annual R/C Challenge X (with video)

0 July 17, 2013, 6:19 a.m.

Main Photo: Island Hardware and Supply hosts the 10th Annual R/C Challenge X (with video)

7/17/2013

By Mike Garrison
LiveRC.com

We have received a very cool race report today from the Orcas Island, Washington. This is not your typical R/C racing event, and is in fact one of the most unique events we have seen. A local hardware store shows their appreciation for customers, and boosts the popularity of R/C racing one island at a time!

Island Hardware and Supply Race Report:

www.islandhardware.com

Every 4th of July week, a hardware store on a tiny island holds a R/C race for all ages. 2013 was the 10th annual, Island Hardware R/C Challenge X on Orcas Island, Washington. Located in the San Juan Islands of Washington state, Orcas Island is a 70 minute boat ride from the continental mainland. Island Hardware & Supply knows the importance of shopping local. Our anniversary sale is one way of saying "thank you" to our loyal customers.

It’s a 46 year old tradition! A community party filled with live music, games, free hamburgers, face-painting and R/C Racing. Woody, the local R/C enthusiast and top sportsman driver on the island, has introduced hundreds of folks to the sport of R/C racing over the years.

The IHRC is different from most events. All the R/C cars are provided. There is no entry fee and anyone is welcome to compete. Four Losi Mini-T s have lasted through the years. Morphing from Off-Road Trucks, Dirt Late Models, and even Nascar Truck Series in 2013.

Competitors of all ages have competed through the years. Most of which have never seen an R/C Car, let alone driven one in an organized race. The first half of the day begins with 30 qualifying heats, 3 minutes in length. All racers times and best qualifiers are recorded. Racers are then seated in order based on their single best qualifying round.

In 2013, Cody Frey set overall TQ (Top Qualifier) by one lap. There was a 3-way tie for 2nd position. The tie breaker
set the grid:

TQ Cody Frey
P2 Steven “the Hammer” Bohenhamer
P3 Ronan Kau
P4 Kellen White

The main event was set. 50 racers down to 4. The prize at stake, the Island Hardware R/C Challenge Championship! The A main event started out as a dead heat. One minute in, all four racers were on the same lap. Half way through the race, Steven snuck by Cody who got into a little trouble in turn 2. With 45 seconds to go, the "Hammer" had gapped the field by a few laps. This left Ronan and Cody in a tight battle, and Kellen within striking distance. With seconds to go, Cody edged out Ronan for 2nd place by 3 tenths of a second! Kellen was gaining on them both; however, he found his groove too late and ran out of time.