In life there are always those deep dark secret obsessions that you keep to yourself and never tell a soul. Today, I am have decided that it is time I confess one of these deep dark secret obsessions of mine to the world. Ladies and gentleman, I am an addict...a cheese addict. I LOVE cheese. String cheese, shredded cheese, spicy cheese, melted cheese, I simply love cheese. If I could live inside of a cheese house with tasty cheese walls surrounding me...I would.
As some of you may know I am travelling the nation with the famous Scotty Ernst, of Scotty Ernst Productions, bringing you all of the action, adventures, stories, photos, videos, and more from each round of the 2013 Shortcourse Showdown Nationwide Tour right here on LiveRC through the daily race blog.
I received a call from Scotty shortly after the last stop of the series in preparation for Round 3. As the conversation continued making plans for the event it was brought to my attention that Round 3 is hosted by Trackside Hobbies in Milwaukee. Milwaukee my friends is located in Wisconsin, and do you know what Wisconsin is known for? That's right! CHEESE!
The excitement level for this event skyrocketed as I realized that in one weekend I will not only get to join in with some of the nation's best shortcourse racers for action packed racing, but I will ALSO be located in the world headquarters for great cheese. A dream vacation come true!
My father, Homer, and I have packed up the truck and made the 9 1/2 hour roadtrip to Milwaukee on behalf of LiveRC to bring you all of the action!
This event will be broadcast on LiveRC using the standard track webcam (no moving cameras or All-Access Passes), with live scoring and live audio. The LiveRC Race Blog will be updated throughout each day with photos, pit stories, new products, race reports, and more!
Stay tuned as the action is set to get underway!
Event Schedule:
Friday - Open Practice
Saturday - Qualifying (3 rounds, heads-up, rocket round)
Sunday - Mains
If you missed out on the LiveRC Race Blog from Round 2, hosted by R/C Excitement, CLICK HERE.
Friday - April 19, 2013 - 3:10PM
Practice is well under way here at Trackside, and the laps are being laid down! The weather outside changes by the minute from rain, to sun, to snow, to ice balls, to wind, and back to rain. Inside, the weather is B-E-A-UTIFUL for racing. The Trackside crew has put together a fun, flowing, and unique track layout featuring an option split lane. All smiles from drivers coming off the track as everyone is settling in and enjoying the relaxed day of practice.
As always some of the best shortcourse racers in the nation have made the trip to do battle. Amongst those drivers include Dustin and JP Richards, Matt Olson, Eustace Moore, Brian Kinwald, Greg Hodapp, Chad Due, Taylor Timmerman, and many more. All classes are looking stacked already as drivers are only getting faster as the day goes on.
In the pits everyone is still getting unpacked and setup. There is nothing worse than being bored at the R/C track, and one man who looked more than bored sitting alone in my pits was none other than my father, Homer. I decided that he too needs to be racing this weekend, and with the help of the Trackside staff purchased him his very own Robby Gordon Edition Traxxas Slash to run in the Spec Slash 2wd class. Upon receiving his new truck he insisted that he wasn't interested in racing and to go get a refund. 10 minutes later he had gone missing, only to be found on the drivers stand smiling ear to ear racing his way around the track. I have officially lost my pit man, my batteries, and my charger...as Homer has taken over and has been running non-stop since 11am.
All I can say is I am very happy to see my dad having such a good time, and I am very worried for all of those on the track with him...
Qualifying is set to get started early tomorrow morning with a long list of heat races ahead of us!
[UPDATE] 6:08PM
With only a few hours left in practice this evening the lap times are only getting faster. This track is going to be all about consistency for drivers as the top racers in each class are hundredths of a second a part. The center section of the track features a big triple heading into the option line section. Early on, only mod class drivers were jumping the triple, however, a few brave souls in the stock classes are now sweeping wide and airing out the big jump for those "do or die" fast lap times.
The split lane section is almost perfectly timed to be equal, which makes for some exciting battles just watching practice. The driver who enters the section first may or may not be the leader exiting.
The factory drivers are in full force this weekend along with dozens of travelling racers from all over the United States. Matt Olson, Eustace Moore, Brian Kinwald, Greg Hodapp, Sonny Brown, Dave Duncan, JP and Dustin Richards, Jason Hills, and a LONG list of others are in attendance this weekend.
The shortcourse buggy class is still new and growing in the sport of R/C, but this weekend's turnout appears to be a strong one with several top drivers entering.
As practice is winding down for the evening, it is going to be a bright and early day tomorrow for three rounds of heads-up qualifying!
Saturday - April 20, 2013 - 9:23AM
Qualifying Day
We are moments away from getting today's qualifying action under way. 3 rounds today, and a "bonus" 4th round in the morning. 24 heat races per round with each race being STACKED with competition. Factory drivers including Team Associated's Chad Due and Brian Kinwald, TLR's JP Richards and Taylor Timmerman, AKA's Greg Hodapp, MIP's Matt Olson and Eustace Moore, JP's brother Dustin Richards, and many many more are all prepped and ready for the day.
(Pits are packed, and the spectator wall is filling fast.)
After watching yesterday's practice sessions, it is SO close that it is truly anyone's game.
Cruising the pits this morning we came across the JConcepts display and SCB specialist, Dave Duncan. JC has on display the new SCB wheel and tire, which as you can see below is a narrower front tire and wheel designed specifically for the growing buggy class.
(SCB wheel and tire on left, standard SCT wheel and tire on right)
Racing is getting set to get underway and will be LIVE! Stay tuned as the raceday gets underway! First up is our "5 and Under Superstars" class!
[UPDATE] 1:09PM
Round 1 of qualifying is in the books, and round 2 is already under way! Round 1 was full of close racing, a few on-track "confrontations", and some wild and crazy finishes! The format this weekend is taking your one best round (out of four) by time. The top six in each class are guaranteed a spot in the A-Main, and two drivers will bump from the lower mains, making for eight cars total in the mains.
Here is your top 10 drivers for each class after Round 1 of qualifying:
Novice
Jon Waters
Drake LeBeau
Joe Slosarczyk
Caleb Kittleson
Lee Ayers
Jayson Kemp
Chris Burk
Jamison Olson
Short Course Buggy
Dustin Richards
Jason Hills
Dave Duncan
Ryan Pratl
Jacob Blundon
Trevor Duncan
Phil Machac
Paul Maichle
Tyler O'Brien
Robert Ross
Traxxas Slash 4x4
Adam Gratz
Justin DeBuhr
Arny Joers
Larry Wright III
Nick Wright
Kevin Carson
Don Deibert
Stock Shortcourse Truck
Chad Stenson
Dave Duncan
Nicholas Mueller
Eustace Moore
Brian Lutz
Christopher Minnich
Eric Krivitz
Adam Ska
Chace Boothman
Dave Bengston
Traxxas Stock Spec Slash 2wd
Tony Balisterri
Jacob Blundon
Tyler Whitt
Brian Strum
Larry Wright III
Thomas Kreuser
Dana Zenil
Jimmy Kubanek
Greg Garrison
Mod Shortcourse Truck
Chad Due
Greg Hodapp
Matt Sunderlage
Brian Kinwald
Luke Richards
Corey Liebherr
Taylor Timmerman
JP Richards
Jason Snyder
Nicholas Mueller
4x4 Mod Shortcourse Truck
Matthew Olson
Taylor Timmerman
Chad Due
Alec Walters
Matt Sunderlage
Corey Liebherr
Cole Tollard
JP Richards
Brian Kinwald
Mike Garrison
While roaming the pits chatting with fellow racers we came across this little guy. In such a time of tragedy and need in our country, seeing this young upcoming racer enjoying the hobby we all love so much while cheering with his American flags, made us stop, smile, and recognize what a great nation we truly live in.
Round 2 is underway! Tune in to watch it all LIVE!
[UPDATE] 4:59PM
Round three is well under way now, and the racing action from round two did not disappoint! Despite the track drying out between rounds, majority of the racers improved their times for the round. Multiple races were down to the wire with racers banging wheels for the top spot.
Here are your top 10 after two rounds:
Shortcourse Buggy
Dustin Richards
Dave Duncan
Mike Nelson
Jason Hills
Ryan Pratl
Trevor Duncan
Jacob Blundon
Don Deibert
Phil Machac
Paul Maichle
Traxxas Slash 4x4
Adam Gratz
Justin DeBuhr
Arny Joers
Larry Wright III
Nick Wright
Kevin Carson
Don Deibert
Stock Shortcourse Truck
Chad Stenson
Dave Duncan
Nicholas Mueller
Brian Lutz
Eustace Moore
Dave Bengston
Christopher Minnich
Eric Krivitz
Kraig O'Brien
Traxxas Stock Spec Slash
Tony Balisterri
Jacob Blundon
Tyler Whitt
Brian Strum
Larry Wright III
Thomas Kreuser
Dana Zenil
Pat Hamill
Jan Purfuerst
Kevin Carson
Mod Shortcourse Truck
Brian Kinwald
Chad Due
Greg Hodapp
Matt Sunderlage
Luke Richards
JP Richards
Corey Liebherr
Taylor Timmerman
Cole Tollard
Dustin Richards
4x4 Mod Shortcourse Truck
Matt Olson
Chad Due
Taylor Timmerman
Alec Walters
JP Richards
Matt Sunderlage
Corey Liebherr
Cole Tollard
Brian Kinwald
Greg Hodapp
[UPDATE] 5:21PM
In the 4x4 Modified Shortcourse Truck class, MIP's Matt Olson is laying down the heat. Olson and MIP founder, Eustace Moore, are both in attendance and running the already successful MIP conversion kits for the Losi SCTE truck. After spending some time chatting with Eustace he let us take a close up and personal look at his truck, which is the MIP Conversion using the new TLR SCTE 2.0.
The conversion kit directly fits the SCTE 2.0, and as you will see in the pics...MIP has been working on some pretty cool new projects as well. Chassis braces for the SCTE 2.0, drivetrain with easy change "pucks" (replace the pins), internal diff parts, shock cartridges, and more.
(The MIP Performance conversion on the SCTE 2.0 uses all of the new front, rear, and center diff components and setup.)
(Left - New SCTE 2.0 spur gears. Right - Is that new diff outdrives we see?)
(New drivetrain system with quick change "pucks", instead of high wear pins. This allows you to just change the plastic puck, instead of replacing the entire driveshaft, AND reduces wear on outdrives.)
Stay tuned as MIP has a lineup of performance enhancing products for TLR SCTE 2.0 racers coming soon!
[UPDATE] 7:06PM
Well folks the final round of qualifying for TODAY is complete! Scotty Ernst does an excellent job of not only providing a great race program, but also providing an efficient day of racing that allows racers, friends, and family to enjoy a night out on the town!
As a few diehards are still hitting the track for some last minute practice before tomorrow’s final round of qualifying and mains, majority of the pits is clearing out and headed to the nearby restaurants for some bench racing and good food. After three rounds of qualifying, your top 10 drivers in each class are as follows:
Shortcourse Buggy
Dustin Richards
Dave Duncan
Mike Nelson
Jason Hills
Ryan Pratl
Trevor Duncan
Jacob Blundon
Don Deibert
Phil Machac
Paul Maichle
Traxxas Slash 4x4
Adam Gratz
Justin DeBuhr
Arny Joers
Larry Wright III
Don Deibert
Kevin Carson
Nick Wright
Stock Shortcourse Truck
Nicholas Mueller
Chad Stenson
Dave Duncan
Brian Lutz
Kraig O'Brien
Eustace Moore
Dave Bengston
Christopher Minnich
Eric Krivitz
Adam Ska
Traxxas Stock Spec Slash
Tony Balisterri
Jacob Blundon
Tyler Whitt
Don Deibert
Dana Zenil
Brian Strum
Larry Wright III
Jimmy Kubanek
Thomas Kreuser
Pat Hamill
Mod Shortcourse Truck
Chad Due
Brian Kinwald
Cole Tollard
Greg Hodapp
Matt Sunderlage
Luke Richards
JP Richards
Cory Liebherr
Taylor Timmerman
Alec Walters
4x4 Mod Shortcourse Truck
Chad Due
Matt Olson
Taylor Timmerman
Alec Walters
JP Richards
Matt Sunderlage
Cole Tollard
Corey Liebherr
Brian Kinwald
Greg Hodapp
Homer is getting tired and grumpy, so it’s back to the hotel for a good night’s rest, and then back at it for more racing starting LIVE at 8am tomorrow morning!
Sunday - April 21, 2013 - 9:24am
Final Qualifier and Main Day
Racing is underway and we are already half way through the final round of qualifying! Spectators and racers are all preparing for today's signature Scotty Ernst Productions "Racer Raffle" and "Spectator Raffle" programs. Everyone gets one FREE ticket and thanks to all of the series sponsors, nearly every racer walks away with some goodies and two lucky spectators walk away with brand new kits!
Yesterday's lucky winners of the Spectator Raffle went home with their very own Traxxas Slash trucks!
It has been a EARLY start to the morning, and between Homer and I...we have a collection of iced tea to get the day started!
Stay tuned as Round 4 comes to a close and the mains get set to rumble!
[UPDATE] 9:45am
Of all the races that have taken place this weekend, there is ONE class that is by far the absolutely best to watch. The class only has two drivers in it, and are the future of R/C! These two fast guys are none other than little Larry Wright IV and Drew Bengston! Both drivers started racing at the age of three, and are sitting first and second in the "5 and Under Superstars" class. Could we be watching the future IFMAR World Champions in the making? I think so!
(Larry on the left in his full racing suit, and Drew on the right is SUPERCHARGED!)
While everyone else is just sitting around between races, these two are working hard in the hobby shop breaking world record Hot Wheels stunt jumps and racing through the store. We had to catch these two directly after a race, as we didn't want to interrupt an intense hobby shop Hot Wheels session for a little photo shoot. The struggles of being famous race car drivers and having the pesky paparazzi always wanting photos...
[UPDATE] 12:38PM
The final round of qualifying is complete! The racer raffle is also in the books with dozens of racers walking away with goodies, and two lucky winners taking the "Grand Prizes". This time up for grabs was a Spektrum DX4S and Futaba 4PL radio!
The Shortcourse Showdown events are already full of fun and great racing, but the HUGE racer raffles courtesy of the series sponsors makes it a true Scotty Ernst Production show!
The mains are getting under way and your top 10 after qualifying is as follows:
Shortcourse Buggy
Dustin Richards
Dave Duncan
Mike Nelson
Jason Hills
Ryan Pratl
Trevor Duncan
Jacob Blundon
Don Deibert
Phil Machac
Paul Maichle
Traxxas Slash 4x4
Adam Gratz
Justin DeBuhr
Arny Joers
Larry Wright III
Don Deibert
Kevin Carson
Nick Wright
Stock Shortcourse Truck
Nicholas Mueller
Chad Stenson
Dave Duncan
Brian Lutz
Christopher Minnich
Eric Krivitz
Kraig O'Brien
Eustace Moore
Dave Bengston
Adam Ska
Traxxas Stock Spec Slash
Tony Balisterri
Jacob Blundon
Brian Strum
Tyler Whitt
Don Deibert
Dana Zenil
Larry Wright III
Jimmy Kubanek
Thomas Kreuser
Pat Hamill
Mod Shortcourse Truck
Chad Due
Brian Kinwald
Greg Hodapp
Cole Tollard
Matt Sunderlage
Luke Richards
JP Richards
Luke Richards
Dustin Richards
Corey Liebherr
4x4 Mod Shortcourse Truck
Chad Due
Matt Olson
Taylor Timmerman
Alec Walters
JP Richards
Matt Sunderlage
Cole Tollard
Corey Liebherr
Brian Kinwald
Mike Garrison
TUNE IN LIVE for all of the main event action!
[UPDATE] 9:13PM
Well folks, another successful weekend is in the books! An awesome and action packed weekend of racing here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The A-Mains were lined with spectators, cheering crowds, and incredible racing!
Here is how it all went down:
The Novice class this weekend belonged to Drake LeBeau in qualifying, however, Joe Slosarczyk would pull out all the shots in the A-Main to take the win! LeBeau would finish up four seconds back with Chris Burk finishing a close third.
Novice Class A-Main Results
Slosarczyk, Joe
LeBeau, Drake
Burk, Chris
Waters, Jon
Ayers, Lee
Olson, Jamison
Kittleson, Caleb
Kemp, Jayson
Shortcourse Buggy was a stacked class this weekend, but one driver would DOMINATE qualifying and the A-Main. Speed Passion driver, Dustin Richards, laid it down using his Team Associated SC10B for a clean victory with JConcepts very own Dave Duncan in second and Mike Nelson in third.
Shortcourse Buggy A-Main Results
Richards, Dustin
Duncan, Dave
Nelson, Mike
Hills, Jason
Pratl, Ryan
Duncan, Trevor
Blundon, Jacob
Deibert, Don
The Traxxas Slash 4x4 class was the Adam Gratz show all weekend long. Adam TQ'ed qualifying and checked out in the A-Main. Justin DeBuhr finished up in his starting position of second, and Don Deibert would finish only seven seconds back in third.
Traxxas Slash 4x4 Truck A-Main Results
Gratz, Adam
DeBuhr Justin
Deibert, Don
Joers, Arny
Wright the Third, Larry
Wright, Nick
Carson, Kevin
The Traxxas Stock Spec Slash class was a full class of racers with A,B,C, and D mains! While Homer did not advance to the A-Main, he did accomplish jumping the triple (once out of 500 tries). The A-Main was a battle between TQ Tony Balisterri and Jacob Blundon. Blundon would sneak out front and take the win with Tony in second. Six seconds back was the B-Main bump driver, Pat Hamill, rounding out the podium.
Traxxas Stock Spec Slash A-Main Results
Blundon, Jacob
Balisterri, Tony
Hamill, Pat
Zenil, Dana
Strum,Brian
Whitt, Tyler
Deibert, Don
Carson, Kevin
The Stock Shortcourse Truck class was full of excitement! Wheel banging action, and back and forth racing the entire race! After some intense racing Nicholas Mueller would check out to take the win. Behind him was a heated battle as Brian Lutz, Chad Stenson, and MIP's Eustace Moore would duke it out. Lutz would hold onto second with Stenson a CLOSE third.
Stock Shortcourse Truck A-Main Results
Mueller, Nicholas
Lutz, Brian
Stenson, Chad
Moore, Eustace
Duncan, Dave
Minnich, Christopher
Ska, Adam
Krivitz, Eric
Mod Shortcourse Truck was a packed with upset and excitement. Team Associated's Chad Due looked to be cruising away for the win, when mistakes in traffic would allow none other than Brian Kinwald to take over the top spot. AKA's Greg Hodapp charged hard for second, and young Cole Tollard would take third.
Mod Shortcourse Truck A-Main Results
Kinwald, Brian
Hodapp, Greg
Tollard, Cole
Richards, JP
Due, Chad
Richards, Luke
Liebherr, Corey
Sunderlage, Matt
Mod 4x4 Shortcourse Truck belonged to Team Associated's Chad Due, however, NOT without a hard charging fight from MIP's Matt Olson. Olson had a rough start and quickly made his way back to the front with Due, but wasn't able to close the gap enough for a win. Chad Due took a well deserved win with Olson second, and JP Richards finishing up third.
We want to thank the entire Trackside Hobbies crew for a phenomenal weekend of racing, Scotty Ernst for allowing us to join him on the tour, and of course ALL of you for following along for another edition of the LiveRC Race Blog!
Check out all of the podium pics below, and for even more photos and updates on upcoming Shortcourse Showdown events visit the Shortcourse Showdown Facebook Page by CLICKING HERE!
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