Outlaw Cup Race 1 Report

By AllisonUncategorized

Event:  Outlaw Cup
Location: Hurricane R/C – Tampa, Florida
Date: April 26, 2009
Classes: 1/8th nitro / electric and short course  
Race Reporter: Jason Ruona

Jason Ruona, Dave Warr, Nathan Wincek and Paul Roberts cap off impressive weekend at the first ever Outlaw Cup.

Racing nitro and electric 1/8th buggies on the same weekend in Florida is all the Rage right now in Florida.  Super Cup / Outlaw Cup race promoter Bobby Phillips had a vision of a complete 1-day 1/8th race event and what a better place for a new idea than Lake Park in Tampa, FL.   Home of the 2007 and 2009 JConcepts Clash the Lake Park based track and Hurricane club assembled one the most challenging layouts in recent memory and put even the most accomplished drivers on alert.

Racing in the nitro buggy class, well known drivers JR Mitch, Ryan Eckert, Sean Kersten and Jason Ruona held a tight battle in the 30 minute long A-main.  TQ driver Jason Ruona fell behind early after a first turn pile up but was almost immediately back into 4th place.  JR Mitch attacked the track attempting all the difficult and seemingly impossible jumps with confidence with his JConcepts equipped RC8b turning the fastest lap times.   

O’Donnell driver Ryan Eckert took the early lead but was soon trailed by Ruona and Mitch.  Ruona took the lead on a mistake by Eckert and stretched a small lead over Mitch.  Mitch made a quick pit stop around the 7:30 mark putting pressure on Ruona for a clean few laps before his required stop around the 8:30 mark.   Around the 20 minute mark Ruona held a 5 second lead over Mitch and it appeared this battle was going to go the distance as the 2 continued to burn the quickest laps.

Crossing timing and scoring at around the 25 minute mark Ruona held a comfortable lead over Mitch and Eckert and made a safety pit stop securing the hard fought victory.

Jason Ruona’s winning RC8b was outfitted with JConcepts Crossbow tires in Yellow compound mounted on Max-up wheels and topped off with Illuzion Hi-Flow body and wing.

In the E-buggy main Mark Massey got off to a quick start and took the lead but a mechanical problem soon put Dave Warr on point with his Losi 2.0e.  Dave Warr a Hurricane club member and popular local driver continued the 12 minute push putting his buggy in cruise control and taking home the first ever Outlaw Cup victory in E-buggy.

Nathan Wincek started from the pole position in 1/8th truck class with his X-ray 2009 spec truggy and gently pulled away from a strong field.  Nathan appeared confident on the black groove Lake Park track surface and continued to pick up the pace as the main went on.  Racing on JConcepts Cross Hairs Nathan had the tread life to go the distance and crossed the finish with a multiple lap lead.

The last main event of the day was the fresh Short Course nitro class.  Jason “Big Money” driving his Associated SC8 was an early leader until a mechanical problem forced him out of competition.  Paul Roberts took over the lead and was never threatened as he cruised on to a well deserved SCT win.

For more information on the Super Cup and Outlaw Cup please visit www.jconceptsevents.com