This past weekend was the 2021 Blue Ridge Nationals at the Apex Center in Wytheville, VA! A race that many have said is turning into a bucket list event! “It was easy to find right off of Interstate 81, the facility was clean, and the track surface was great! It was just a great time with all of my friends,” Bryan Kata shared.
They brought in one of the best race directors around, Scotty Ernst, and they had Factory Tracks design the layout. This was the first time the Kata brothers attended the event and here is what they had to say about the layout. “The Track layout was really fun and raced great! My favorite part was the center rhythm section, I’m a big fan of high flying jumps!” Byran shared. As for the surface, it was packed dry dirt with low abrasion and a smooth groove. Kata experimented with a Green Ellipse in practice as well as a Green Reflex. In Qualifying, he introduced the Silver Rehab which is what he ultimately settled on for the mains.
(David Olsen TQ’d E-Truggy and Pro E-Buggy)
Qualifying (Best 2 of 3):
E-Truggy: David Olsen (TQ), Jonah Wilson (3), Bella Rogers (4)
Nitro Truggy: Logan Cowick (2), Bryan Kata (4)
Open E-Buggy: Bella Rogers (2)
Pro E-Buggy: Davis Olsen (TQ), Jonah Wilson (4), Bryan Kata (5)
Pro Nitro Buggy: Bryan Kata (1), Jonah Wilson (2), David Olsen (4)
Final Results:
Pro Nitro Buggy:
1st- Bryan Kata
4th- David Olsen
“I have to say the best battle all weekend was with HB driver Jason Schreffler in Nitro Buggy. Whether it’s at our home track Barnstormers, Trains and Lanes, or LCRC, Jason and I push each other to the limit.” Kata was able to finish the race with over an 18-second lead! While he led most of the race, between laps 5 and 15 he and Schreffler swapped positions a few times but Kata was able to get back in the lead!
Pro E-Buggy:
1st- Bryan Kata
2nd- David Olsen
4th- Jonah Wilson
Pro E-Buggy consisted of double A-Mains which was ultimately anyone’s game. David Olsen took the win in A1 and Jason Schreffler took the win in A2. However, Bryan Kata was able to get a 3rd and a 2nd which ultimately earned him the overall win!
E-Truggy:
2nd- Jonah Wilson
3rd- Bella Rogers
Open E-Buggy:
1st- Bella Rogers
Bella Rogers was flying as she took the win in both A1 and A2 of Open E-Buggy! In both races, she was able to surge into the lead from 2nd on the grid and lock down the win!
Open Nitro Truggy: 2nd- Jake Stikeleather, 4th- Logan Cowick
40+ Nitro Buggy: 1st- Brandon Melton, 3rd- Tom Petrella, 4th- Kevin Mummah
Tire Guide from Bryan Kata
Winning Products:
#3239 + 3233 Dirt Tech Inserts
Photos Courtesy of Bryan Kata & Miss Bella Rogers