As the Invitational class drivers compete in twelve races spread between the 2WD and 4WD divisions, consistency matters - and it’s difficult for an underdog to surprise the field that many times in over to take an overall victory. What is surprising, though, is the list of drivers competing in this year’s event who’ve taken national and world titles but have never stepped atop the Reedy Invitational podium. No doubt, the biggest competition for Ryan Cavalieri in his quest for a historic three-peat will come from these hungry rivals who’ve combined to win everything else - except the Reedy Race.
Dakotah Phend
In four previous tries, the best overall finish for the two-time defending ROAR National Champion in 2WD was fourth last year. “I think I’m good at just making passes happen, but I wouldn’t say that my driving style is suited for the format.” Phend thinks that, with this year’s track layout being tighter and more technical than in previous years, this 2015 title will be decided by drivers who are best able to capitalize on mistakes. “Yesterday in practice, you saw guys who started seventh and eighth take the win because people were trying things and making mistakes,” said Phend, who had to come from behind in both A1 and A2 to win the 2WD title in 2013, but won from TQ last year. “This year, the track isn’t super hard but there are places to try to make passes,” said Phend, who added, “I think I’m good at just making things happen, and I don’t mind going for it if I need to.”
Jared Tebo
One of just four drivers in history to win both a 2WD and 4WD IFMAR World Championship, along with two-time defending Reedy Race champ Ryan Cavalieri, Kyosho’s Jared Tebo finished second in 2011 but had terrible luck in 2014, finishing tenth overall. “This race is tough because there are so many things that can happen,” said Tebo. “I think the starting position draw is as far as it could be,” he said, “and I just need to be patient - you can’t make your own mistakes. That’s what has cost me in the past. Whenever you do get an opportunity you can’t afford to give it up.”
Ryan Maifield
The leader of last year’s Invitational until the final heat, in which he was edged by then-teammate Ryan Cavalieri by just a single point, Maifield said that last year his 2WD buggy was better than his 4WD car but that they’re much more even this time. “I think I do fine in this format, but I don’t like that you’re not in control of where you start,” said Ryan, who explained that if you’re in a heat with slower drivers it can be nice to hang back and drive through the field when everyone crashes, but if there are faster drivers up front then that’s when bad luck comes into play.
Steven Hartson
The defending 4WD World Champion and OCRC local has finished eighth in all four previous tries but hopes to improve this year with a bit of a different mindset in terms of how he approaches the races, hoping that more patience will be the key to making passes stick. “It all depends on how the race goes. I’m not really an aggressive driver, which can be good or bad.” Steven notes that he typically is stronger during the 4WD portion and that he’ll need to score as many points as possible in 2WD to get near the top.
Ty Tessmann
Back-to-back defending 4WD National Champion Ty Tessmann finished third last year, his best finish in four previous tries. The Canadian enjoys the Invitational format because every race is a race, and that he typically does better in 4WD but that his prototype HB 2WD buggy is improving and he’s been practicing with it a lot to get ready for the race. “I kind of struggle when the racing gets dirty toward the end,” said Ty, “and I’m not going to drive like that, but just try to make the best of it.”
1/23/2015
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