Much-More Stock Rubber Nationals -- Race Day 2

I didn't know what to expect going into the 3 round of racing in the expert class. After two rounds I was asking myself "what the heck am I doing here?" It was still a fun day at Trackside with plenty of prizes and surprises to be had.

As far as my racing goes. It was like my first day of High School. I kinda didn't know what to do with myself half the time. My driving wasn't the best because I was moving over for faster drivers all the time. I ended up finishing last every time. and when I didn't finish last, I broke. Oh well, Not as bad as some people, but not the best racing I've ever done.

I did have an issue with my tires. They were cracking everywhere. The cracks I had were enough for me to scrap them and get new tires. Thanks to Scotty and the guys at Much-More, I did get a second free set of tires. I felt that I couldn't do any worse in the expert class and I didn't think new tires were going to make my car any better. So i never ran the new set and I saved them. Looks like my buddy Ron is getting a set of new tires when I see him again!

I was convinced that my setup was good. I have been working with it all week. I was crushing B mains and going home satisfied. I almost didn't what to ask but Paul Lemieux was watching the racing today so I asked him about my setup. This is where I feel like a kid handing in his test in class. I never want the teacher to grade my work in front of me. I always want to settle for the failing grade the next day.

I gave him my car and he scooted me off my chair. A little fashback here, last time (and every time after that) I gave paul my car, the main thing he had to do was fix my droop settings. I always had them set wrong (too much). Well I am nothing if not consistent. I had the droop set wrong, only this time, it seems that I have to little droop in the car. The car was too springy in the back and sliding out in turns. I needed more droop so to let the car roll more in turns. I was kinda afraid of roll because of traction rolling. That was fixed by gluing the tires. Lets try this setup out. I got one more run left.

Well, this was my final run, lets see what I can do. I started in the second row from the front. The tone sounded and I found myself in the lead after the first 3 or 4 turns. Then a lap, then another lap. WTF I'm winning? The car directly behind me what from another racer named Willie. Willie is good, he kicked my butt at the IIC in Las Vegas. I don't know where he placed but I felt all alone last in my C main. Here he is fighting to get past me and he isn't making the turns like I could. I left him in lap traffic. This could be it! If I can get a groove going, this race, my first race in expert class, is mine! All mine!

A hint of hope entered my body in lap 7. You couldn't keep me from shaking! Hey I thought I was past this. I have been doing this for about 3 years now. Dose the shaking ever stop? Find the groove man, find the groove.

Lap 8, Knota is glued to her computer screen at home watching the race heat up on RCLive! I was doing time consistent of a 23 lap run. Better than my times in qualifying and possibly my personal best.

I was on the back straightaway finishing up lap 10. I was still in the lead and was behind another racer going into the straight. I waited a bit and saw that he moved over. I was going full speed in the straight when somehow me and the other racer connected and we both went off the track, over the PVC pipe and into the wall.

Shoot! where's Willie? There he went! The marshal put my car on the track and I gave it the gas. It wasn't moving, I gun it again, No Joy. the Marshal turned my car off and back on again. I was steady testing the car to see if I can get some life out it it. No good. Stick a fork in this one bud.

Anyway, like I said, The Stock Rubber Nationals was too much fun. and the trophies were gorgeous (I did not win the trophy pictured). I won a door prize and took home a Much-More ride height gauge and, at the end of the day, I took home a Futaba Brushless digital servo. The winner of the open division got himself a Much-More sponsorship! %50 off everything Much-More sells.

Paul Lemieux gave the open division's third place finisher HIS CAR FROM THE IIC 2008 IN LAS VEGAS!!! Wholy crap!! This car was set up and raced by Paul Lemieux. It has all the electronics installed, motor by Trinity (that isn't even out in stores by the way), everything. All you had to do was put a pack in it and you are now Paul Lemieux. Heck, paul even gave him one of his race bodies! *Sigh*