This past weekend, I-69 Raceway hosted the 2014 ROAR Region 5 Electric Off-Road Regionals. Located just outside of Indianapolis in Noblesville, some of the regions fastest electric racers were drawn to the event with its central location. JConcepts Drivers, Curtis May, Brandon Marsh, and young gun Nathan Clark, would represent the Buckeye State. Hoosier state natives Adam Rayls and Ben Ellis would try to hold the fort down for the hometown boys, while Matt Gosch would try to wreak havoc as a representative of Illinois.
Qualifying was super tight, as the fast and flowing track produced almost equal times, with only tenths of a second separating most drivers. Mod Stadium Truck would see Brandon Marsh take the round 1 TQ, then Adam Rayls locking it up by taking rounds 2 and 3 by just a few tenths over Matt Gosch. There would be a different TQ each round in Mod 2wd Buggy, with round 1 going to Matt Gosch, Brandon Marsh taking round 2, and JP Richards setting the pace in round 3. Brandon Marsh would claim the overall TQ in the class after the tie breaker with JP Richards. Mod 4wd Buggy watched Matt Gosch set blistering times for rounds 1 and 2, giving him the overall TQ, while JP Richards would take the 3rd round TQ and start 2nd in the main.
Following the sun set, the temperatures dropped and the moisture came up, leaving the track at its best for the triple A’s for 2wd Buggy and single A’s for Stadium Truck and 4wd Buggy. Adam Rayls would lead the field at the start of the 7 minute Mod Stadium Truck main, followed by Brandon Marsh, Matt Gosch, and Ben Ellis. Marsh would get around Rayls to lead early, shortly followed by Matt Gosch. Out front, Marsh and Gosch would slowly motor away from Rayls, leaving the 2 with open track to duke it out for the win. Gosch would mount a late race charge on Marsh’s lead, but would come up just short on the last lap, giving Brandon Marsh the win, followed by Matt Gosch and Adam Rayls.
Next up would be the 4wd Buggy main, with Matt Gosch leading the field around followed by Richards, Marsh, and Rayls. Matt and JP put on a clinic for much of the main, trading fast laps and keeping each other honest. Only a minute and a half from the finish, Gosch would suffer electronic issues, giving the win to JP Richards, with Adam Rayls and Brandon Marsh rounding out the podium.
Just as qualifying would see 3 different TQ’s in Mod 2wd Buggy, the triple A mains would also see 3 different winners. Brandon Marsh took the win in A1 over JP after a heated battle on track. Matt Gosch would come out swinging in A2 after a bad start in A1 and pass Marsh for the lead with just 2 laps left. JP couldn’t be shut out in A3 and motored to the lead early, but Marsh and Gosch would mount charges to try and rain on his parade, ultimately coming up short, giving JP the overall win. Brandon Marsh would take the second step of the podium, followed by Matt Gosch in 3rd. Overall the event was a huge success and I-69 put on a great event. Next year should prove to be another great year of competition.
Race Report By: Matt Gosch
Photos Courtesy of PitBox Hobbies