Oval Returns to Motorama in 2019

By Tyler Hooks
LiveRC.com

From Motorama:
www.motoramaevents.com

Loose dirt oval racing is returning to Motorama in 2019, welcoming as many as seven divisions to a newly designed track and the first running of the Northeast Nationals Scale Oval Championships, set for February 14-16, 2020.

Motorama is the largest all-indoor racing event in the world. Motorama at Harrisburg's Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, first expanded their radio controlled racing program to include oval racing two years ago. Annually, the Motorama event includes motorcycle and kart racing, a car show, vendors, live music, a beauty pageant and more. Their RC offerings included 1⁄8-scale off-road, 1/10-scale off-road, and RC demolition derby before welcoming the popular MudBoss division to the oval ranks in 2017. Last year, there were more than 100 entries when the divisions were expanded to allow Modified MudBosses, Stock Mudbosses and RC Sprints.

This year, the event has exploded, and earned the title, “Northeast Nationals Scale Oval Championships,” with drivers entering from the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and even as far as the Central Midwest.

The Outlaw Sprints back and were last year’s most attractive draw. The Wingless Sprint, and SC Modifieds were added to this year’s program. The Stock Mudboss Division is back, and will run under North East MudBoss Series rules. The 13.5 Mudboss division will be on hand as well, using the NEMB sanctions and a spec tire rule. For full-fendered fans, the 1/10 late models have been added along with the Street Stocks.

Furthermore, the track is no longer in the shadow of the 1⁄8-scale off-road surface, having moved into an auxiliary area adjacent to the equine arena. Pit area and electric drops will be within close proximity to the new 100-foot by 50-foot oval. The run line will be in the 180 to 200 foot range, which translates to just under a true 1/10-scale 4/10 mile oval. A 1/10 scale 4/10 dirt oval is 211 feet. Racers are allowed open sided 10x10 EZ Ups, void of printing, but it will come at the expense of overhead lights. EZ ups are subject to approval for pit table space, and also subject to approval of Fire Marshall requests and code enforcement.

Chris Marquart returns to work with local RC racers Alphie Adams and Adam Jarrell. Adams runs a construction company and will be working with Steve Geist on track construction and race event maintenance. Adams was a huge help in repairing last year’s first turn hole. Jarrell operates WNRC Speedway, and will supply the timing and scoring system that will read both 2- and 3-wire transponders. Marquart will serve as race announcer. Brian Wynn has committed support to the event from his North East MudBoss Series.

The track will take shape Thursday night and Friday. Timing and scoring will be installed and tested, and then a short practice session will be held to help finish the oval up. Saturday will be qualifying day. Doors open at 7:30 am, practice follows at 8 am and racing begins at 9 am. Championship Sunday will follow with preliminary features and the final 50-lap A-Mains. Racing will begin at 9 am. All A-main winners will earn one of the coveted Motorama Ms.

Registration will open November 1, space is limited. Rules are posted online at https://motoramaevents.com/​, with additional information being shared on the facebook page, “Motorama Northeast Nationals.”

NOTES: Per Motoramaevents.com: "Access to all of the racing events and all exhibition areas are included in your single admission price, but there are no reserved seats in any of the five racing arenas. More than 2,000 racers pilgrimage to the venue each year to participate, along with 800 exhibition race and show vehicles and more than 150 vendors."