RACE REPORT: LAKEPORT HOBBIES PRESENTS…GOLDEN STATE ELECTRIC CHALLENGE

Story by Darth Vader. Pictures by Zac Wheatcroft and Darth Vader

The 2nd Annual Golden State electric Challenge took place on the Lake County Fairground from January 16th and 17th. R/C Evil Empire was on hand for the proceedings.

The Event

Following tradition from the 1st year event, the race was ran in January. Of course, this is the cold time of the year. How fitting that cold-hard-cash was on the line in a few highly contested expert classes. These were: Expert 2wd Buggy Open, Expert 4wd Buggy Open, Expert Stadium 2wd Truck Open, and Expert 2wd Short Course Open. How much you might ask? $200 for 1st, $100 for 2nd, and $50 for third. What do you get for 4th? Nothing….(thanks for playing!) . Also on the line were trophies….and more importantly….Northern California bragging rights!

In addition to the expert classes mentioned, many other highly contested classes were fought including: 1/8 Electric , Novice, 2wd Buggy Sportsman, 4wd Short Course, 2wd Stadium Truck Sportsman, & 2wd Short Course Sportsman

Format

The original qualifying format for the event was 4 rounds of 5 minute qualifying on Saturday. Due to time restrictions on Saturday, the event’s qualifying was shortened to just 3 rounds. Given the situation, most had no problem with this. The best single 5 minute run would set pole position for the A Main. Ten drivers were accepted to each A Main. One driver was accepted as a bump up from the B main to each of the A Main expert classes.

Sunday would follow with 7 minute-triple A Mains. Lower mains would run a single 5 minute main. The overall winner would be determined with the best two A Main finishes.

The Track

This year’s layout features a wide array of challenging sections. Most notably, the triple jump . This section was a make or break for many of the contestants. The great debate would ensue whether it was faster to triple or double-single the obstacle. The jump was simple to clear. However, clearing it would could leave you out of position to navigate the next 180 degree turn. There was a fine line between taking this section fast or losing time.

180 at the end of the first turn to the triples

Triple Jump…big air

Hill to the straight shot

The Hill a.k.a. The Wall

Another challenging section was “The Hill”. It featured a topsy-turvy set of bumps, jump lips, and ruts. Combine that with the temptation to “pull trigger” and depth perception issues. This leaves a challenge for even the most experienced racer. Many a run were swallowed up with just a single error in judgment.

Expert 2WD Stadium Truck Open

Truck qualifying began with a bang from Factory Team Losi driver Phillip Atondo. He would throw down the only 14 lapper in 5:19. This time was a full 4-5 seconds above 2nd qualifier Aaron Biner. In addition, Atondo was clearly ahead of the rest of the field. The starting grid would lineup with Phillip Atondo (TQ), Aaron Biner (2nd) and Zach Rogers (3rd).

A-Main grid shot

In A-1, Team Losi’s Phillip Atondo would jump out to the lead. A series of bobbles would swap the lead between Aaron Biner and Atondo. This allowed Zach Rogers to get into the battle. Eventually, things would settle with Atondo in the lead at the half way mark. From there, Phillip Atondo would coast to victory with Biner in 2nd and Rogers in 3rd.

Big Air Phillip Atondo

Video of A-1:

A-2 provided a huge shakeup in the overall title picture. TQ Phillip Atondo would jump out to the lead followed by Aaron Biner. Soon after, a bobble would allow Biner to take the lead. From there, Biner stretched his lead and won easily.
Video of A-2:

Going into A-3, there were two racers with 1st place finishes: Phillip Atondo and Aaron Biner. This one would decide who takes it all!

A-3 started out with a Phillip Atondo holeshot. Biner would follow closely. A crash going into the sweeper by the TQ would allow Biner to take the lead. to make matters worse, the turnmarhall had a tough time turning Atondo’s truck around in the correct direction. This allowed Biner to gap the pack by a few seconds. Eventually, Phillip Atondo would make up the distance and make a pass on Biner. Still, 2nd place Biner followed a very close 2nd. The two would navigate around the track closely. In a situation very reminiscent of A-1, TQ Atondo would crash in the sweeper section. This allowed Biner to take the lead and run away for the A-3 and improbable final triple A Main victory.

Biner leads the field in A-3

Stadium Truck Top 3 – Zach Rogers (3rd) (Left) , Aaron Biner (1st) (Center) , Phillip Atondo (TQ and 2nd) (Right)

Expert 2WD Buggy Open

Along with the the 4wd Expert buggy class, this had to be the most competitive. The field featured full sponsored drivers from Losi, Team Associated, and Kyosho. Qualifying started off with a bang as Team Associated’s Kevin Jelich snagged the opening round TQ with 14 laps in 5:24. It was the only 14 lapper of the first round. It seemed than many of the top competitors had less than stellar runs in round 1. Round 2 would provide a whole lotta deja vu from round 1. The only significant runs would come from Zach Rogers and AE’s Cody Turner. Their round 2 runs bolstered his position into #2 and #3 on the grid going into round 3. The final heat of the final round of qualifying would provide high stakes drama. During the same heat, AE’s Cody Turner and Aaron Biner would one-up the TQ time set by Kevin Jelich . Turner’s TQ run even included a 3-4 second crash! That’s how fast the 14 lapper in 5:19 was! These two would take positions 1 and 2 on the grid going into the main.

A Main -2wd Expert Buggy

2wd Buggy Expert grid

In A-1, TQ Cody turner would win easily. Fellow Team Associated team drivers Chris Jarosz and Kevin Jelich would round out the 1-2-3 A-1 sweep.

Cody Turner into turn 1

Cody Turner down the hill

Air Jelich!

2wd Top 3 – Cody Turner (TQ and 2nd) (left), Kevin Jelich (1st) (Center) and Zach Rogers (3rd) (Right)

A-1 Video:

A-2 provided a bit more drama in the beginning as Cody Turner would take the lead only to crash. This allowed Aaron Biner into the lead with AE’s Kevin Jelich in a close 2nd. The two would swap leads several time until a Biner crash allowed Jelich to take the lead for good. Eventually Cody Turner and Zach Rogers would work their ways up to 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Kevin Jelich on the run

The third and final leg would make for a interesting scenario. Both TQ Cody Turner and 3rd qualifier Kevin Jelich had a win each. A win by either one would lock up the overall. The start of the main would see the Turner as the pace setter followed by Aaron Biner and Kevin Jelich. Soon, a Biner crash would move Jelich into 2nd place. From there, Jelich would use his surgeon like precision lines to hunt down and pass Cody Turner. From there, AE’s Jelich would coast to the A-3 and overall title!

Both Jelich and Turner would battle it out in A-3. AE came up big on this one!

Expert 4WD Buggy Open

As with the 2wd class, 4wd Expert was a serious slug-fest. In similar fashion to his 2wd qualifying results, Cody Turner would TQ the class with a explosive 14 laps in 5:02! The 2nd round run was nearly 15 laps! The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th qualifiers were Kyosho’s Tyler Vik, Aaron Biner, and Team Associated’s Kevin Jelich. These three were only separated by 1 second! Needless to say, it was close qualifying. This provided a great opportunity for anyone to get into the overall title mix.

A Main 4wd grid was lead by Cody Turner

A-1 started off with a battle between Aaron Biner Cody Turner, Kevin Jelich, and Jesse Stark. Over the course of the 7 minute race, the lead was swapped no less than 5 times! It was a tremendous race with major driving errors and some seriously good passes by several competitors. Eventually, Aaron Biner would take the lead with less than 1 minute on the clock. He would hold on for the A-1 victory followed by Kevin Jelich in 2nd.

See video of A-1:

Tyler Vik and Kevin Jelich battle!

Aaron Biner gets some serious air on the tripples

A-2 started off with TQ Turner out to the lead followed by Tyler Vik, Aaron Biner and Kevin Jelich. Eventually, Cody Turner would make a fatal error going up the hill. This left Tyler Vik in the lead. From there Vik would pull away for the A-2 victory. Aaron Biner would finish third.

Freight-train starts were commonplace in all expert mains

Paint swapping!

A-2 Video below:

Going into A-3, there were two competitors with wins: Aaron Biner and Kyosho’s Tyler Vik. Both would start behind the Top Qualifier Cody Turner. The race started with Vik and Turner out to the lead with Biner a close third. A three way battle would develop for the first few minutes. Eventually, a “racing incident” took place between Cody Turner and Tyler Vik while approaching the apex of the hill. This chaos left Aaron Biner to take the lead and never look back for the A-3 and overall tltle. Team Kyosho’s Tyler Vik would finish in a strong 2nd. Team Associated’s Kevin Jelich rounded out the podium in third.
Aaron Biner leads the field in A-3

4wd Top 3 – Tyler Vik (3rd) (Not pictured) , Aaron Biner (1st) (left), Kevin Jelich (3rd) (Right)

Expert Short Course

Short Course saw Team Associate’s Cody Turner TQ over the rest of the field with 13 laps in 5:20. Local Scott Parady would run a close 2nd with 13 laps in 5:24.

Cody Turner

Cody Turner won in open and shut fashion

The Expert Short Course mains were less than dramatic. Cody Turner would take both A-1 and A-2 by more than 1/2 lap to take the overall title. Locals Scott Parady (2nd) and Blake Cannon (3rd) would round out the podium.

A-1 Video:

Cody Turner’s Team Associated SC10 was the walk away winner

Short Course Top 3 – Blake Cannon (Left) (3rd), Cody Turner (Center) (TQ and 1st), Scott Parady (Right) (2nd)

A-2 and A-3 videos:

Expert 1/8 Scale Electric

1/8 qualifying would see Team Associated’s Chris Jarosz pull out a 14 lapper in 5:07. Nor Cal Hobbies regulars Eric “Mini Mod” Albano and Joel Hernandez would round out the 1-2-3 qualifying.

In A-1, AE’s Chris Jarosz would jump out to the lead by a long margin. Just when it seemed that Jarosz would run away, a series of bobbles allowed Kevin Jelich into the lead. From there, Jelich would run away with A-1. Jarosz would settle for 2nd.

Chris Jarosz in the lead

1/8 Electric A Main

1/8 Grid

In A-2, Top Qualifier Chris Jarosz would win open and shut.Team Kyosho’s Tyler Vik would get 2nd with Kevin Jelich in 3rd.

A-3 saw a serious shakeup at the top of the field. A series of major mistakes by the A-1 and A-2 winners would allow Eric Albano and Blake Cannon into the mix. From there several lead changes would occur. It seemed than no one wanted this one. In the end, it would Hot Bodies driver Blake Cannon with the win. Privateer Eric “Mini Mod” Albano would grab 2nd. Team Tekin’s Randy Pike rounded out the A-3 final.

The A-3 chaos provided a unique situation. The favorites to walk away with the overall finished in 6 through 8th place. All three finishers would use this result as their throwout. In the end, it was Team Associated’s Chris Jarosz that took the overal title with his win in A-1 and 2nd place in A-2. Nor Cal legend/AE driver Kevin Jelich would snatch 2nd place. A 2nd and 3rd in A1 and A2 would move Team Kyosho’s Tyler Vik into 3rd overall.

Other results

In other results, Greg Newman would snag the 4wd Short Course class. Novice was taken by Robert Schmidt. Sportsman 2wd Truck was won by Gary Oneto. Sportsman 2wd Short Course was won by Wes Marshall. The 2wd Buggy Sportsman class was grabbed by Mike Hamner. Its nice to see so many rise up to the expert class amongst the local ranks. Keep up the good work!

Analysis

The 2nd Annual Golden State Electric Challenge was a fantastic event. For the 2nd year in a-row competitors gathered in the cold to battle it out for the crown of NEW Lakeport King! Fun was had by all! Lakeport Hobbies owner,Dave Noland has put together a top flight facility and annual throw-down. It takes alot to put together sponsors and racer support. This is no easy task given the current economic situation. He should be commended for his efforts! R/C Evil Empire was proud to cover the event. Special thanks goes out to sponsors Team Associated, Team Tekin, and Team Losi.

Pictures and Randomness

Tyler Vik found his 1/8 Kyosho Car high above the rafters

Here’s another shot. It must have been at least 15 feet.

Early morning grub with Steve Blair and Cody Hughey

Jesse Stark wore a bunch of different hats ranging from track maintenance guy, race announcer, and voice of reason. His work ethic should be commended.

Cody Turner pops a wheelie

Chris Jarosz made it up from So Cal. Here he is shown in a rare moment not wearing his special “1 of 2″ LRP team jacket.

Zach Rogers (pictured left) and Cody Turner (right) both made it to the friendly confines of Lakport. Turner had a particularly good weekend….TQ’d all 3 classes he ran!