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[UPDATE] Moment with Mike: Who's going to win it?

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Mike Garrison

0 June 19, 2012, 6:08 a.m.

Main Photo: [UPDATE] Moment with Mike: Who's going to win it?

6/19/2012

By Mike Garrison

LiveRC.com

It is once again that time of year when all of the nation's top drivers, some of the world's top drivers, and hundreds of R/C enthusiasts all gather in one place to crown a champion. This year the 1:8 Offroad ROAR National Championships are hosted by LCRC Raceway in Oakland Mills, Pennsylvania. While it is a new year, a new racetrack, new cars, and new drivers...one question remains the same, "Who is going to win this year's ROAR National Championship."

Quite often at events it is easy to pick out a winner (assuming they don't encounter mechanical failures), and the race turns out to be a rather boring chase for the win. The 2012 season, however, has started off with a bang and has built up to what could be the greatest race of all-time for this year's ROAR 1:8 Offroad Nationals, and here is why:

The Ryans

Team Associated will be on hand with their dynamic duo of world championship winners Ryan Cavalieri and Ryan Maifield. While Cavalieri is fresh off some major 1:10 scale wins including the 2011 IFMAR Worlds sweep as well as Silver State Nitro Challenge, he is due for an 1:8 scale win anyday now. Ryan Maifield on the other hand has been a dominating force lately with his LCRC "The Big One" win, followed up by his AMS 3.0 buggy and truggy sweep. Both drivers are driving the new RC8.2 with rumored prototype parts that further advances the winning car.

Super Dope

TLR's Adam "Super Dope" Drake has been making the news lately with back-to-back-to-back wins all around southern California with his TLR 8ight 2.0 buggy and truggy. Most recently his domination of the JBRL Series races which were stacked with top drivers including reigning IFMAR World Champion, Cody King. Drake is a veteran pro driver, and multi-time national champion, when the stakes are high Drake knows just what card to play.

Tebo Time

Team Kyosho's Jared Tebo is another favorite for this year's ROAR National Championship win. Jared started off the year by proving he means business by literally lapping his competition at the Neo'12 in England. Although he hasn't made the news for major race wins since his truggy win at Silver State, being a local and nearby neighbor, I know for a fact that while he hasn't been sharing the spotlight with the others lately he has been laying down the laps and prepping for this event like it was Ironman Triathalon.

The Professor

A long-time pro driver who has seem to be revitalized this season is Hot Bodies Jesse Robbers. Robbers seemed to gain a breath of fresh air with the new CR8 buggy and has been a runner-up and potential race winner at almost every major event so far this year. Not to mention "The Professor" dominated the CRCRC Midwest Nitro Champs in flying fashion.

The Kids

2012 has seen an uproaring of youngsters proving they have what it takes to run with the season vets. Two drivers in particular stand out as possible ROAR Nats winner's this year, TLR's Dakotah Phend and Hot Bodies Ty Tessman. Both of these young drivers have multiple national caliber race wins and the natural talent to become the fastest men on the planet. Although they don't have the years of experience behind them, if these two can withstand the pressure, they have more than enough to win.

Lutzinator

Fan favorite, Ryan Lutz, is always fast and fun to watch. Lutz and his all-out style combined with the new Durango DNX408T truggy is a combination that cannot be overlooked. Lutzinator has been busy off the track starting his own R/C company, however, something tells us that at the sound of the tone Lutz could likely be in a race of his own.

UPDATE: The WC

Do you ever have moments in life where the obvious is accidentally overlooked? I just had one. How could I forget to mention none other than the reigning IFMAR World Champion, Cody King?! King turned up the heat in Pattaya, Thailand and shocked the crowd as he wheeled his way to the front ahead of multiple past world champions to take the crown. Cody King proved he was the "King of the Worlds", a front-runner that cannot be counted out for a ROAR Nats win.

The Locals

At any race there is always "The Locals". While NO ONE has driven the actual ROAR Nats track layout, there is always the hometown heroes who are potential winners. Local racers feel comfortable at the facility, know the dirt, and are more relaxed and confident than usual...leading to surprising finishes.