Flashback Friday: Mike's first Cactus Classic

 

 

Over the years of racing R/C cars, I have had the opportunity to race a mixture of different events including everything from your weekly club races, to the IFMAR World Championships. Of all the events I have been to, there are a select few that stand out in my mind, and will forever be great memories in my life. One of those events was the 25th Annual Cactus Classic in 2011.
 

   

This was my first trip to the Cactus Classic, and  I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. At the time I was primarily interested in racing nitro offroad, and had done very little electric offroad racing other than local club races. I entered three classes, burned up A LOT of tires, spent A LOT of money finding a nearby last minute hotel after our original reservations "vanished", received a severely painful sunburn, and got smoked on the racetrack. Was it all worth it? Absolutely.
 
 
The 2011 Cactus Classic was by far one of the most enjoyable tracks, enjoyable racing crowds, and enjoyable overall events that I have ever attended. At the event I was fortunate enough to meet many drivers from around the world who I consider friends now, had the opportunity to announce at a major event when Richard Lake needed a coffee break, discovered my true love for electric offroad racing, got to spend a week with my dad in sunny Arizona (as opposed to the freezing weather back home), I watched my dad punt the legendary Mike Truhe off the track while lining up for a qualifier because he tried to scratch and I was introduced to what would become my boss today, Brandon Rohde of LiveRC. 

  

To me it doesn't matter who wins or loses, whether the track is covered in sugar or water, or whether it's indoors or outdoors...to me it is THE Cactus Classic, and will forever be one of my favorite races and past-time memories for many years to come.

 

Here is a short LiveRC "Mix Tape" of the 2011 Cactus Classic, which gives you just a small portion of the great times had each and every year. 

  

  

 

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