JConcepts Shootout at Hobby Haven – Final Race Report

Event: Hobby Haven / JConcepts Labor Day Shootout
Date: September 5-6^th, 2009
Location: Urbandale, Iowa
Race Reporter: JConcepts Team

Hobby Haven in Urbandale, Iowa; located in an active part of town and within a shopping plaza, has a lot to offer the hobbyist and racer alike.  For many years Hobby Haven has hosted a Labor Day Shootout dedicated to its customers and loyal club racers.  JConcepts drivers Jason Ruona and Zach Mote made the trip during Labor Day for this year’s Shootout and brought with them the customary JConcepts Events gear and prizes for the racers.

Saturday was full of 1/10^th off-road electric excitement as drivers from surrounding states and regions made Saturday a competitive affair.    3 qualifiers and triple A-main events made for a long day but all drivers maintained their focus to provide exciting side by side race all night long.   Team Losi Driver Alex Sturgeon and JConcepts / Team Associated driver Jason Ruona held an epic battle in the 2wd modified class with Jason Ruona finishing on top after a hard fought 3^rd A-main.

JConcepts / Team Associated driver Zach Mote won the 3^rd and final A-main in modified truck to secure a critical overall win in only his 3^rd major travel event ever.   Both Jason’s B4 and Zach’s T4 vehicles were JConcepts equipped, utilizing Groovy and Carvers front tires, Double Dees rear tires, Rulux wheels and Hi-Flow body and wing.

Ruona also took the overall win in the 4wd modified class with victories in A-main 1 and A-main 2.  With Ruona sitting out the 3^rd and final main Zach Mote moved in to win A-main 3 to lock up the 2^nd place position overall.  Popular, local driver Mike Sanders rounded out the top 3.   JConcepts Double Dees tires, Rulux wheels and Iluzion bodies completed a sweep for JConcepts.

Sunday was reserved for 1/8^th scale buggies and trucks and the faithful did not disappoint.  Zach Mote, running in his first electric 1/8^th buggy race TQed and won in convincing fashion with his Associated RC8-e.  Ben Burtle held up strong in qualifying with a TQ in the first round and also a win in A-main number 1.  In the end; traffic, changing conditions and steady driving by Zach proved to be too much to overcome for others on this Labor Day weekend.   Mote’s RC8-e was outfitted with JConcepts Yellow Compound Crowbars, Mono racing wheels, Black Illuzion wing and Hi-Flow body.   Zach ran the same set of tires on his buggy all weekend proving the durability of the JConcepts 1/8^th off-road tires and rubber compounds.

You could feel they were almost up; you could hear the drivers, cars and enthusiasm as the nitro 1/8^th buggy A-main readied to race.   TQ Tony Bacon and 3^rd qualifier David Bradford’s Mugen MBX-6 buggies looked freshly prepared and quick in warm-ups.  With a few pre-race adjustments and engine tune, 2^nd qualifier Mack Vanderbeek had his RC8b ready to race.   After 30 minutes of racing Mack once again reigned supreme with a late race charge and a consistent final 10 minutes, Mack had his RC8b back out front.   Mack crossed the finish line after 30 minutes of racing in complete enjoyment as friend and racing rival Tony Bacon settled for 2^nd.   Vanderbeek’s RC8b was decked out with JConcepts Blue Compound Crossbows tires, Mono racing wheels, White Illuzion wing and Hi-Flow body.

Jason Ruona’s winning combination included following JConcepts products:

• Groovy 2wd front tires in Sticky Green Compound
• Double Dee’s rear tires in Sticky Green Compound
• And-1 tire inserts
• Rulux white racing wheels
• Illuzion – B4 Hi-Flow body

• Double Dee’s 4wd front tires in Sticky Green Compound
• Double Dee’s rear tires in Sticky Green Compound
• And-1 tire inserts
• Rulux white racing wheels
• Illuzion – B44 Scoopless body

Zach Mote’s winning combination included the following JConcepts products:

• Carvers 1/10^th truck front tires in Soft Blue Compound
• Double Dees 1/10^th truck rear tires in Sticky Green Compound
• And-1 tire inserts
• Rulux 1/10^th racing wheels
• Illuzion – T4 Hi-Flow body

• Crowbars tires in Soft Yellow Compound
• Profiled 1/8^th buggy inserts
• Mono 1/8^th buggy racing wheels
• Illuzion – High Down force wing
• Illuzion – Hi-Flow RC8e body

Mack Vanderbeek’s winning combination included the following JConcepts products:

• Crossbows tires in Super Soft Blue Compound
• Profiled 1/8^th buggy inserts
• Mono 1/8^th buggy racing wheels
• Illuzion – High Down force wing
• Illuzion – Hi-Flow RC8b body