Event: 2012 Motorama Extravaganza
Date: February 18-19, 2012
Venue: Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex
Chad Due, Matt Chambers, Max Flurer and Dave Duncan win with JConcepts at 2012 Motorama Extravaganza.
For the 3rd year in a row the JConcepts Racing Team made their way to the popular Motorama event in Harrisburg, PA. Paul Wynn had the JConcepts pits in order while the drivers prepped and readied for racing. The Motorama events crew elected to have 2 separate tracks with completely different surfaces, conditions and track layouts for 2012. An all electric event brought an amazing turnout of roughly 600 entries filling the respective track areas. The main man himself Scotty Ernst handled the 1/8th and SCT track while Charlie Suangka kept things running smoothly on the 1/10th track.
JConcepts drivers Dave Duncan, Matt Chambers and Chad Due led the way on the 1/10th track TQ’ing stock truck, modified truck and 4wd modified respectively. On the 1/8th and SCT track it was Barry Pettit taking TQ honors in the 1/8th e-truggy class while Max Flurer showed everyone how it’s done in the SCT 2wd modified class. Those drivers relied on JConcepts to put their vehicles on the pole position.
With the large entry count, drivers chased tire and insert combinations all day, going from treaded tires to slick tires and then back to tread as the 1/10th track started to dry out. On the 1/8th and SCT track the wet track conditions produced traction but also led to a bumpy surface making things a little more difficult on the SCT trucks and the 2wd’s in particular. An array of tires were popular for the JConcepts crew starting with Subcultures and moving on to either Hybrids or Double Dees as the light loamy dirt turned into extremely bumpy holes.
Drivers packed it in Saturday night and had an opportunity to get some dinner and a good night’s sleep for Sunday’s main events. Sunday started bright and early and a long wait produced some tense moments as track conditions continued to dry out. Drivers second guessed themselves constantly but could only make one choice heading into the single 5 minute main.
The Stock Truck A-main quickly took the track with Dave “Double Dee” Duncan getting off to a slightly rough start but quickly recovering on lap 2. Duncan looked great as he pulled a small lead after the first several laps and locked into a cruise mode holding a gap on 2nd place. Dave pushed out to a 3 second lead taking a well deserved victory. Mark Smyka finished 2nd and Mike Speranza 3rd.
Matt Chambers TQed the modified truck class and got an extremely clean start in the A-main. Matt’s TLR 22-T with JConcepts Bar Codes looked on point as Matt made quick work of the first few laps. Stretching the gap out to roughly a 4 second lead over Brent Thielke, the 5 minute A-main was all Matt as he looked to sew up one of the first big mains of the day. Crossing for the win Matt Chambers took 1st place, Brent Thielke 2nd and Phillip Atondo in 3rd.
At the start of the 2wd modified main it was Matt Chambers taking the early lead with Steven Hartson in 2nd. A small mistake by the leader put Chad Due into 2nd place where he hunted down the leader and maintained smooth and consistent laps. Out front, Chambers looked comfortable but a small mistake allowed Due to take his first lead of the race. Due, running his trusty Bar Codes in blue compound, maintained the lead to the finish line taking his first win of the day. James Schlick finished 2nd and Matt Chambers 3rd.
The last main of the day, 4wd modified started with TQ Chad Due taking the first few turns very smoothly and maintaining a small gap over Steven Hartson. Hartson made a small mistake and allowed Rob Betts to enter the race and run among the top 3. Just when things were looking smooth, Due encountered a steering problem and had to drop back a few places which allowed Betts to take the lead. Hartson put on a charge but made a small mistake which allowed Due to go by. With only 2 laps to go Betts was in the lead but made a small bobble which put Due back out front. Chad Due showing the patience made the last lap on cruise control to take 1st place. Rob Betts finished 2nd and Steven Hartson 3rd.
The A-mains just started to crank-up on the 1/8th and SCT track and it was Max Flurer sitting on TQ in the SCT 2wd modified class who appeared confident. Leaping out to a comfortable lead, Max was just laying down laps with his JConcepts equipped SC10 FT and pulled away. Chad Due and Matt Chambers had a great race swapping positions on several occasions. The bumpy conditions made the race even more exciting but extremely difficult for the battling drivers. With Max out front and cruising, 2nd and 3rd continued to battle. At the finishing line, Max Flurer took 1st place, Chad Due 2nd and Matt Chambers 3rd. All 3 drivers relied on JConcepts all weekend with Subcultures tires providing the winning grip on the somewhat loose and lightly loamy conditions.
In the 1/8th e-buggy main JConcepts / Mugen driver Barry Pettit held a comfortable lead over TQ driver Taylor Peterson deep into the race. The 2 drivers would battle to the end with Barry suffering a crash in a really rough section with only 2 laps to go which gave the lead to Taylor. It was a mad dash to the finish line with Taylor taking 1st place, Barry Pettit 2nd and Brent Thielke 3rd.
In the 1/8th e-truggy class, TQ driver Barry Pettit got off to a great start and looked comfortable and quick in the early moments. A slight bobble by Barry put Mugen teammate Taylor Peterson into the lead. Barry was in attack mode and making up ground when a difficult landing off the large table-top jump broke the rear camber link and forced him out or the race. Toward the middle of the race, Taylor Peterson started having some shut-down issues which allowed TLR driver Anthony Mazzara to take the lead. Anthony was on a stellar drive and took the victory, Taylor Peterson finished 2nd and Christopher Sytsma 3rd.
A special thank you to the Motorama events crew, staff and especially race directors Scotty Ernst and Charlie Suangka who have all come together to make the event an extreme success.
JConcepts products used –
· 3033-01 Bar Codes blue compound (2wd rear)
· 3016-02 Bar Codes green compound (2wd rear)
· 3017-02 Bar Codes green compound (2wd front)
· 3020-01 Bar Codes blue compound (4wd front)
· 3021-01 Bar Codes blue compound (1/10th truck)
· 3048-02 Hybrids green compound (1/8th buggy)
· 3034-02 Subcultures green compound (1/8th buggy)
· 3042-02 Subcultures green compound (SCT)
· 0212 Finnisher +8mm B4.1 body
· 0213 Finnisher B44.1 body
· 0216 Punisher T4.1 body
· 0224 RC8.2e Punisher body
· 0122 Hi-Clearance wing (B4.1 / B44.1)
· 0113B High down force rear wing
· 0222 Hi-Flow SCT body
· 0200 Chevy 1500 SCT body
· 2043M Advanced Formulated Tire Glue
· 2135 B4.1 front clamping hex adaptor
· 2091 B4.1 rear clamping hex adaptor
· 2134 SC10 front clamping hex adaptor
· 2081 SC10 rear clamping hex adaptor
· 2076 – 8/32″ serrated wheel nuts
· 3347 and 3348 – Mono 12mm hex wheels
· 3344 Hazard +3mm offset SCT wheels (white)
· 2089 4mm serrated wheel nuts
· Silent Speed Spur Gear for AE – 81, 84 and 87