As we entered the 2nd week of the New Year it came time to attend our first 1:8 scale race. After a successful 2022 1:10 scale debut the week prior, we were ready to bring our A-game at the Southern Indoor Championship. We arrived at the track early on Thursday morning, ready to set up and get to work. The race weekend went as follows: Practice on Friday, Qualifying on Saturday, and Mains on Sunday. The RC Trackmasters crew worked hard to create a fun layout that was very Motocross-inspired. The main feature of this track was the rhythm section aka the “double-double double-double.” The rumble section in the back proved to be one of the more challenging sections and as the weekend went on the straightaway became very rutted also proving to be a challenge.
By the time main day rolled around, the track surface was high-bite in sections and dusty in others. As previously mentioned, the track become rougher as the weekend progressed, which forced drivers into trying new racing lines. As for tires, ultimately most of the team favored blue or green reflexes. Maifield tried the rehab but ultimately felt the Reflex was the overall faster and more suited choice.
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Qualifying (Best 2 of 3):
40+ E-Buggy: Carlos Segui (1), Rusty Mihelich (2)
40+ Nitro Buggy: Marlowe Bright (3), Rusty Mihelich (4)
E-Truggy: Tyler Hooks (TQ), Patrick Rossiter (2), Jonah Wilson (3), Coty Ingram (4)
Intermediate E-Buggy: Izriah Osborne (3), Chris Rakus (4), Coty Ingram (5)
Intermediate Nitro Buggy: Coty Ingram (2), Jonah Wilson (3)
Intermediate Nitro Truggy: Coty Ingram (3), Chris Rakus (5)
Pro E-Buggy: Ryan Maifield (TQ), Spencer Rivkin (2), Tyler Jones (3), Joe Bornhorst (5)
Pro Nitro Buggy: Ryan Maifield (TQ), Spencer Rivkin (2), Tyler Jones (4)
Pro Nitro Truggy: Ryan Maifield (TQ), Seth VanDalen (2), Spencer Rivkin (4)
Final Results:
40+ E-Buggy: Carlos Segui (2), Rusty Mihelich (4)
40+ Nitro Buggy: Rusty Mihelich (5)
E-Truggy: Tyler Hooks (1), Patrick Rossiter (2), David Olsen (4), Jonah Wilson (5)
Int. E-Buggy: Coty Ingram (2), Chris Rakus (4), William Ables (5)
Int. Nitro Truggy: Coty Ingram (2), Chris VanAir (5)
Pro E-Buggy: Ryan Maifield (1), Tyler Jones (3), Spencer Rivkin (4), Joe Bornhorst (5)
All of the electric classes would race double A-Mains. After taking the overall TQ, Maifield would start first on the grid in A1. He had a strong showing throughout the race as he was able to maintain his lead for the entire 10 minutes. Tyler Jones was able to keep it smooth and clean on the first lap which allowed him to work his way into 2nd place. Joe Bornhorst moved into 3rd with Ty Tessmann on his wing. Jones got caught on the pipe about 3 laps in allowing Bornhorst and Tessmann to get by. Bornhorst gained on Maifield and was giving him a run for his money, only 2 minutes into the main. Bornhorst’s buggy got a little unsettled allowing Maifield to get away and Rivkin move into 2nd. He held onto 2nd place for a few laps before Tessmann made a clean pass over the tabletop. They raced side by side for a few more laps while Bornhorst worked the 4th spot. Ultimately, Maifield took 1st, Tessmann 2nd, and Rivkin 3rd.
A2 consisted of a long battle between Maifield, Rivkin, and Tessmann. On the first lap Rivkin took over the lead but Maifield wasn’t going to let him take it that easily. The three of them were hanging on to each other tight. With how rutted the track was it was a game of survival while trying to maintain some speed. Maifield made a pass on Rivkin and Rivkin tried to take it back quickly. They would alternate for the next 6 laps. Rivkin would hang on to the lead for two laps and then Maifield would have it for two laps until lap 12 where Ty Tessmann took over the lead for the remainder of the race. Tyler Jones had been hanging out in 5th for the majority of the race until he started to make a surge into 3rd for 5 laps and pushed up into 2nd on the final lap. With that, Tessmann took 1st, Jones 2nd, and Maifield 3rd.
Maifield had a faster time which allowed him to take the overall win! Tyler Jones was able to take 3rd, Spencer Rivkin 4th, and Joe Bornhorst 5th!
Pro Nitro Buggy: Ryan Maifield (1), Spencer Rivkin (2)
Maifield led the way, with Rivkin and Tebo following behind him. Maifield wanted to create a gap early on to allow some breathing room. Tebo and Rivkin were able to pull away from the main pack so they could pursue Maifield. The positions of the pack behind them would mix up as they all tried to navigate the rumble section at the same time. Tebo seemed to be gaining a little bit of time on Maifield and Rivkin was hunting down Tebo. 4 minutes in and Rivkin was able to get around Tebo into 2nd where he would try to push harder to close the gap. Maifield took a tumble and Rivkin passed him down the straightaway into the lead. They were battling closely. On the next lap, Maifield made a clean pass taking the inside line before the straightaway.
Maifield and Rivkin both went in to pit at the same time. Maifield was back out in front after pits with Rivkin close behind. As Maifield went on to the straightaway, a lap car in front of him hit his brakes, Maifield tumbled and Rivkin got by in to first. Rivkin had a tumble before the big tabletop, which allowed Maifield to close in on him. On the next lap, Maifield was able to pass Rivkin through the dreaded rumble strip. Maifield went in and out of round 2 of pit stops and maintained the lead. Rivkin was able to get a little bit closer, as he did not pit at the same time. Maifield went in and out for a 3rd pit stop and continued to hold strong in 1st place. When it was all set and done Maifield was able to take the win with a 4 second lead over Spencer Rivkin who finished 2nd!
Pro Nitro Truggy: Ryan Maifield (1), Mason Fuller (3), Joe Bornhorst (5)
Once again, Maifield led the way after taking the overall TQ. Seth VanDalen qualified 2nd and was not going to let Maifield getaway. Maifield got a little sideways over the rhythm section which allowed VanDalen take over the lead and Tebo move into 2nd. Maifield was reeling VanDalen in as he took back 2nd place. Maifield took the inside line at the turn by the podium at the same time VanDalen got caught in one of the ruts but landed back on his wheels. They were racing down the front straightaway when VanDalen broke out. Maifield now had a comfortable lead over Tessmann in 2nd. Maifield went in and out of the first pit stop without a hitch, Tessmann also went into the pits. Mason Fuller went by for another lap, which allowed him to take over 2nd place. He held 2nd for about 3 laps before Ty Tessmann took it back. Tessmann and Fuller would be the closest battle on the track, while Maifield led the rest of the 3o minute main. Ultimately, Maifield would win, Tebo finished 2nd, and Fuller finished 3rd.
Sportsman E-Buggy: Clayton Stephenson (1), Weston Wilson (4)
Overall, the team had a great weekend at the Southern Indoor Championship! Ryan Maifield had the perfect weekend TQ’ing all 3 Pro classes and taking the overall wins! The team was able to take 23 spots on the podium this weekend! We had a great time kicking off the year with close to 50 of our team drivers and we look forward to seeing everyone trackside soon! Up next, the Winter Indoor Nationals at SDRC in San Diego!
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