ROAR NATS: Inside the defending champions' cars and trucks

0 June 19, 2014, 5:56 a.m.

6/19/2014
By Aaron Waldron

LiveRC.com

Nitro racing is just as much about the equipment as it is the driver - after all, even one lap on a track nearly the size of a football field, with speeds reaching over 40 mph over ruts and jumps that often dwarf the vehicles, is tough on one's gear. To win the ROAR Fuel Off-Road National Championship the driver has to maintain focus all weekend, and their buggy or truck has to handle that abuse for four rounds of five-minute qualifiers before a long 45- or even 60-minute final! Here's a look inside the rigs of defending champions Ty Tessmann and Adam Drake - unsurprisingly, the fastest drivers in yesterday's practice sessions.

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Ty Tessmann - 2013 ROAR Fuel Off-Road Truck National Champion

Chassis: Hot Bodies D8T Tessmann Edition

Engine: O.S. Speed Spec II

Servos (steering/throttle): Savox SB-2273/SB-2273

Transmitter: Airtronics M12

Tires: Pro-Line Holeshots X3

Notes: The “Tessmann Edition” Hot Bodies D8T, which Ty and his father have developed over the last couple of years, is finally set to release to dealers next month. Ty and his father Gord, having been here recently for the Nationals Warm-Up as well as The Dirt Lonestar Challenge, feel that this weekend’s layout is a bit too easy, which makes it tough to separate the faster cars from the slower drivers. The high speeds carried through most sections of the track, along with the distance turn marshals must cover, makes each mistake a significant penalty. Comfortable with the handling of the truck, Ty said the only planned change may be to X2 compound Holeshots if the track temperature rises.

Adam Drake - 2013 ROAR Fuel Off-Road Buggy National Champion

Chassis: TLR 8IGHT 3.0

Engine: Novarossi 21-4S

Servos (steering/throttle): Hitec HSB-9370TH/HSB-9380TH

Transmitter: Spektrum DX4R Pro

Tires: Pro-Line Blockades X3

Notes: Running no new parts on his TLR 8IGHT 3.0, the three-time ROAR National Champion in the class is happy with the start of the weekend. He mentioned that while he’ll stick with the Blockade pattern he will probably switch to X2 compound when the track breaks in and the surface has more grip.