2011 Spektrum Off-Road Challenge!

0 Dec. 5, 2011, 12:07 p.m.

12/5/11
Eric Swanson

LiveRC.com

I think most people would agree with me when I say that if a race is to become a “world-famous” event, it takes about ten years for it to establish itself. Fitting, then, that the “Trackside Off-Road Race” has been in existence now for almost a decade, and also happens to be barging its way onto the national (and world) stage as a premiere off-road race.

But it hasn’t always been that way.

S&N’s Trackside Hobbies and Raceway (affectionately known as “Trackside”) was once a world-class on-road track, with drivers from all over the country traveling to attend owner (and race promoter) Scotty Ernst’s “Novak Touring Car Championships” race held every January. In the last ten years, however, the dirt at Trackside had become so popular that it left Ernst with no choice but to fill in the former carpet track with dirt to expand the popular off-road circuit. Of course, during this time the Trackside Off-Road race expanded as well. Entries were gained, the level of prestige increased, and Spektrum became the title sponsor. That leads us to now- the 2011 Spektrum Off-Road Challenge. In its tenth running, with over 400 entries, the “Spektrum Race” is now officially a world-level event.

While the track, staff, and race promotion are world-class, the true reason for this race’s huge success might just be the location. While the hub of the R/C industry is located in a small portion of Southern California, the sport has a massive legion of participants spread throughout the country’s heartland. Groups of drivers from Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Indiana all being able to attend this race without having to fly makes for a easy and relatively cheap option for Midwesterners to race at a national-level event. Add in Scotty Ernst, Trackside, and LiveRC, and you have what has become one of the biggest off-road races in America.

While the race serves as an important part of the Midwestern R/C racing schedule, it has also drew important entries from the West Coast over the years as well. This year saw full factory rosters from each of the “Big Two” North American R/C racing manufacturers in attendance.

After two insanely long days of racing, here is how things ended up:

We would like to thank all of you who tuned in to watch the racing LIVE on LiveRC.com this weekend! Bonus Lap members were able to watch moving cameras follow all of the A-main action without missing a thing. The next race we will be at will be the 2012 season opening CRCRC Midwest Off-Road Championships in Ohio this January. As usual, we will be broadcasting both the electric and nitro weekends! After that, we will be at the Reedy International Race of Champions in L.A.!
Stay tuned for more details on LiveRC.com’s 2012 schedule! We have big things planned!