2014 ROAR Nationals
Space Coast R/C Raceway
Cocoa Beach, Florida

This year the ROAR Nationals was to be held at what some could call a local track to not only me but for almost all Florida Racers. It has been a long time since Florida has seen a nationals return to our area. With the Nationals moving across the US each year it gives those in that region a fair shot to do well on a track they are familiar with. For us, Space Coast has always been super high bite, hard packed and sugared. This has made for a interesting track to tune your cars. The track typically has a larger variety of obstacles, high and low speed turns, off camber, elevations and many other elements that will challenge, not only you as a driver, but your car and its setup. With a large number of drivers wanting a new layout prior to the event, it would ultimately add another element into the game. The track will start out super green, (not like what we are use to ourselves) while being very slick, then groove up each and every day all the way to the end.

The event was to see all the big names; you either root for or, root against. With Cavalieri, Maifield, Evans, Tebo, Phend, Tessman and so many more to name. We also had a large amount of local talent that was to take part in the event, with guys like Mitch, Ruona, Eckert, McIntosh, Borkowicz it would only add to the talent pool.

On day one, the track condition was extremely slick, as expected it would be. The track was only prepared with water the night before. This was a difficult challenge for all the drivers in attendance as getting around took smooth driving and patience. There were secret lines all over the track that you could find, that would ultimately lead to a better lap time. Be here, be there, go through here, and hit that there. It was probably one of the toughest track layouts that would ultimately sort out the really greats from the not so great. Although I heard in the pits, it was one line, the fact remains; very few even knew where that line was.

On the second day of practice, the track again, was only prepared with water. This basically led to another day in the morning of slip and sliding around. It would progressively get better as the day went on. It was the same for everyone, so many were struggling still to find grip and find those magical lines. As the day went on, the track condition began to improve and the cars were starting to feel more normal. During this day, they were also doing your seeding runs, to set your heats. It was crucial, to have everything figured out, as your runs would count for you, or against you. Either way, on this day I was able to put in some good runs and set myself up for the “B” heats of qualifying in both classes.

Both of my cars were working well, but I needed to make larger strides in my setup for the SCT. As this was a class, I had very little “Big Race” experience the lap times were a little off of the other racers. I would say I was about .5 to .75 off the fastest lap turned by any individual driver in that category. It was not great, but it also showed that there was improvement that could be made. As for buggy, I was actually really pleased with it, as my MM Spyder was really competitive. I was constantly in the top 5 drivers for lap times. So, rather than focus on 2wd I put a little more energy in trying to figure out my SCT.

The opening day of qualifying was upon us and it was my chance to show how great our cars were against the Nations best competition. In the opening rounds of SCT, I netted myself a 10th and an 11th place. Not bad, but still needed to see improvement. I had made changes to my truck and found myself now within 0.5 per lap of the best driver in each round on fast lap. I was still hungry for more speed, but the setup just was not quite there. It needed more corner speed, without sacrificing driveability. As for the buggy, I was able to take a 2nd and a 14th. Although this could have been more than that, the buggy was easily a top 5 contender. On day one, I was turning top 3 driver lap times, but my driving was only maybe top 10. I simply needed to drive the car better than I did. Either way, both my car and SCT were performing at or better than expected for my first major race in over a year.

The 2nd day of qualifying or Day 4, would be totally different. The night before, not only did they water, the track, but they added sugar to it as well. This would prove to enhance my SCT, but hurt my 2wd. The increased grip gave my SCT more steering, and faster lap times. Some guys SCT’s were getting harder to drive, in my case, it was faster and easier.. This round I was able to net a 7th and an 8th. I was still within the 0.5 per lap range of the very best drivers lap, but now I was within a hand full of top 10 drivers speed. It seemed that one guy each round in this class always was super fast. I would say Cavalieri was the class of the field in SCT and was able to turn faster lap times each round that was a step better than even the 2nd fastest guy. In 2wd, myself as a driver failed to show up. With the sugar on the track and my car being setup for the more slippery condition, it would prove that my day would only get more difficult as it went on. RD.3 of buggy started with a bang as I was battling with Phend for the first couple of minutes. My car was basically setup to steer on a dime, which ultimately lead to premature rear tire wear. This would be my demise, as the track was also dusty in spots. One lap, I swear I hit every dust pile out there, and took 10 seconds worth of penalties, which ultimately cost me a top 10 finish. I also was a road hazard stuck in a pipe for other drivers, which im greatly sorry for. In the 4th round, I made a bad tire choice as I had never tried that tire combination before, and I paid dearly for it on the track with a car, that was nervous, and easy to grip roll. As sad as it may be, I took a 38th and a 43rd for day 4 in 2wd. I still regret the decisions I made as a driver that day. I literally needed only a decent run, but plagued with bad choices left me sitting outside the main in the 11th starting position for the finals in 2wd. As for SCT, I was 10th on the grid, not great, but in the final and in contention for moving up.

As the final day approached, I was curious as to what track we would end up with on main day. They again watered the track, which further enhanced the grip. Although not as much as we are use to, it was a huge leap forward in track condition for everyone racing. The lap times basically went a little faster each day, and main day it would prove again, they would be the fastest of the event. My main day for SCT was pretty good, I managed to finish 8th in all my finals. I beat 2 guys each time, but it was never the same 2 guys. LOL. This would ultimately mean I still finished 10th. Go figure on that point system. Either way I learned something every time in SCT, I tried many different things, but in the end, I was within 0.3 to 0.4 on best lap of the best drivers in the nation. Although it may seem like a small victory, this was my first ever big race with an SCT, let alone Serpents SCT, that was just recently released. So, overall that was a positive step. As for 2wd buggy, I lead off the b main, but was hit by another car, rolling me over. By the time I was turned back over, I was well behind the lead cars. I worked my way from the 8th position back to 4th. It was not my best finish, but I did manage to get the car back to good form, turning competitive lap times in the main. It was a little late, but, better late than never.

As the race drew to a close, I felt really good about the strides I made with my two cars. I also felt that in the hands of any of the winners, they could have won with my cars, as I felt they were good enough to win. I have a lot of improvement to do in my driving, as well as setting up my cars for my skill level. The level of skill and the depth of the racing field is quite remarkable these days. As for the track crew, they worked tirelessly keeping pipes in order, fixing the track in the areas it was breaking up and overall, I was pretty happy with the way it was ran. So, I tip my hat to the Space coast crew as well as the ROAR team that took care of technical inspection as well as timing and scoring.  As a side note, it was really great to watch some of the mains. I congratulate all those that won there appropriate classes. It’s never easy to win a ROAR national title, for that, you have accomplished a great task. I also want to say thanks to all my sponsors: Serpent, A-main Hobbies, Protek R/C, LRP, Proline, Hitec, PT Racing Oils, Arrowmax and RC addiction for the killer shirts.

Until next time….

Billy Easton
Team Serpent


Source: