Ryan Maifield takes his 4th straight win in 4wd Mod at the 28th annual Cactus Classic.
In what has become one of the most anticipated events of the year, the 2014 Cactus Classic in sunny Scottsdale, AZ brings in racers from all over the world to battle under the beautiful Arizona sun for one of the most coveted titles of the year. In its 28th year of existence, the 2014 installment of the Cactus Classic is said to be the last at the Scottsdale, AZ location. Over the 21 years at this location the track has evolved from a naturally packed surface with water being applied every few runs, to a worn-in, natural blue-groove surface with blower and brooms to keep the groove clean, and most recently, large amounts of sugar to hold the dirt together to form a low-maintenance and consistent racing surface.
As always, JConcepts was on hand to compete and support the participants of the event. With a well laid out event sponsor pit area, customers were able to interact and bench race with the factory pros throughout the event to ensure they were always headed in the right direction. With classes for each level of competition, the top guys focused on the modified divisions of racing. With Ryan Cavalieri and Ryan Maifield trading victories over the past few years in 2WD Modified Short Course, all eyes would be on the Ryans to see who would come out on top in 2014. Another impressive streak heading into the 2014 event was that of Ryan Maifield’s ultra-competitive 4WD Modified class victories, having won in 2011, 2012, and 2013.
In 2WD Modified Short Course the SC10 Factory Teams of Ryan Cavalieri and Ryan Maifield proved to be the class of the field, trading TQs throughout qualifying, with Cavalieri eventually coming out on top and securing the #1 grid position. In A1, the duo battled wire-to-wire with Maifield just getting the win. In A2 Cavalieri charged back and took the win, setting up the winner-take-all battle in A3. Not disappointingly, the duo raced hard and clean in A3 with Maifield almost getting by Cavalieri several times, but the 2013 champion Cavalieri was able to hold off the multi-time National Champion Maifield for the victory and overall championship, Maifield finished second overall.
In 4WD Modified JConcepts was well represented in the 11-car field. Winning the B Main Saturday night and bumping his way in to the triple A Mains, Kody Numedahl started 11th, Daimon Borkowicz (who made his first Cactus Classic modified main event) started 9th, while 3-time defending Cactus Classic champion Ryan Maifield started 4th. In A1, Maifield took the lead on lap 5 and would never relinquish the position, taking the win. In A2, Maifield was again in front, but this time a small bobble on the last lap cost him multiple positions finishing. Going in to A3, Maifield knew what he had to do and was able to work up to second place and maintain his position. In a veteran move, he held off the hard charges of the field to take second in A3, giving him the overall championship for the fourth time in a row at his home race.
Also taking victories using JConcepts products were up-and-coming racers Nathan Bernal in the 2WD Super Stock Buggy with his RC10B5M running the new Dirt Webs in Red Compound and Ashe Deering in the 2WD Stock Buggy with his RC10B5 also on Red Dirt Webs.
Congratulations to all the winners and participants on making the 28th Cactus Classic a memorable sendoff for the popular Scottsdale location. With plans to hold the event at their new facility in North Phoenix, Hobbytown looks to evolve one of the most popular events in the world and host the event indoors. With so many races going this way, it will be a shame to lose the pinnacle of outdoor racing in the US; however, there is no doubt that the plans look promising to take the Cactus Classic experience to a whole other level in March of 2015.
Team Associated contributed to this report.
Photos and Videos courtesy of RedRC.net and NeoBuggy.net
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