The Snowbird Nationals can be regarded as one of the biggest RC races in the world with 400+ entries in multiple classes, including the US oval classes. All are run in a 6 days long event which is held in Orlando, Florida. Racers gather from all over the world at this big event. Notable names from the European and US racing scene were present this year. Just like last year, I decided to join the race with T4 and X12 platforms, hoping for strong results in both Modified categories. XRAY were represented in all categories, where the US drivers were strong contenders in the stock classes.
In touring car, we had to use the spec tire Jaco Blue, which is a fairly low grip tire compared to what we are used to in Europe. This, in combination with a very high grip CRC carpet, and the use of plastic boards as track markings, makes conditions completely different for us Europeans. A different driving style is required, as one has to drive very close to the boards, but without touching them in order to go fast. The durability of the car is also put to test where hard crashes are common in this type of racing.
The touring car Modified class was going to be a close affair in qualifying as XRAY's Alexander Hagberg was challenged by young Andrew Hardman from Canada, as well as the German driver Marc Fischer. As the best single round is counted, it usually comes down to the very last fourth qualifier, where the traction is at its highest. In the end it was Alexander Hagberg who set the TQ just 3 tenths in front of Andrew Hardman, with Marc Fischer close behind. Paul Lemieux qualified 4th. Francesco Martini and Martin Hudy also put their T4's in the A-main.
The main final started off by Alexander Hagberg building a gap over the others, as they got tangled up from the start of the race. The gap of about 2 second was held until the end as he could cruise to take the overall win. It was clear that the T4 was working perfectly under these condtions as demonstrated by Hagberg and Hardman in their respective strong paces throughout the week. Andrew Hardman was unlucky to get hit from behind at the start of the final and was not able to repeat his strong performance from qualifying.
In the 13.5T Stock class it was young Andrew Hardman who put on a dominating performance in qualifying with a TQ position in every round, even after making a few mistakes. Andrew put on an equally impressive drive in the main final as he recovered from an early mistake to take the overall win by a big gap in front of the Associated driver Keven Hebert. Andrew has developed into a super competitive driver over the last year, and in combination with the hard work of his pitman Corey Whiteman, it will be interesting to follow his progress in the near future. The XRAY T4 was driven by 5 other drivers in this main final.
Long time driver for RC America, Eric Anderson, managed to take his first big win ever in the 17.5T stock class, taking his T4 to the finish line, in front of XRAY drivers Chris Adams and Corey Parsons. These three drivers, as well as Francesco Martini, the previous TQ holder, all battled for the win in a very close 5 minute final. There were 9 out of 10 XRAY T4 cars in the 17.5T final.
In the 1/12 Modified final, XRAY was represented by Paul Lemieux, who qualified 2nd, and Alexander Hagberg, who qualified 5th. In the end it was Alexander Hagberg who was able to drive his X12 to third position overall, setting the quickest laptime in the main final, and narrowly missing out on the runner-up position.
XRAY won the Figure 8 race in the touring car class, held on Saturday night. An old XRAY T3 as built by the RC America team took the win, driven by Eric Anderson. The Figure 8 is an destruction derby type of race where car durability is they key to success.
The Snowbird Nationals 2013 must be considered as a great success for the XRAY team. Taking the TQ and win in most of the classes, as well as being well represented in the A-main finals throughout.
Snowbirds 2013 final A-main results:
Modified touring:
1. Alexander Hagberg + TQ - XRAY T4
2. Marc Fisher
3. Kevin Hebert
4. Andrew Hardman - XRAY T4
5. Mike Haynes
6. Josh Cyrul
7. Martin Hudy - XRAY T4
8. Lars Treder
9. Francesco Martini - XRAY T4
10. Paul Lemieux - XRAY T4
