Elliott Boots Race Report: Kyosho Masters of America at RC Tracks of Las VegasKyosho Masters of America at RC Tracks of Las Vegas, reportage d'Elliott Boots Kyosho

Race Report: Kyosho Masters of America at RC Tracks of Las Vegas

So we arrived back from Padova and were due to fly to Las Vegas the next day to attend the Kyosho Masters of America. We got our flight on Tuesday 9^th December and our trip to Las Vegas was underway. A 10 hour flight and we landed on America soil, collected our bags and set off to the hotel. (Many thanks to Joe Pillars for all his organising of the hotel etc).

Weds 10^th December:

The track was to closed this day so we headed into Las Vegas strip to have a look around at the sounds and sights. The place is unlike anywhere else and a real experience. While walking down the strip we found a lovely Ferrari California and Audi R8 parked up and took and look at them. We were approached by a lady who said we could rent the car for 50mins if we were interested. Oh yeah! We were in straight away. Driving a Ferrari down Las Vegas strip, in the sun, roof down. Lovely!

We then headed back to the hotel to meet up with Joe Pillars who was arriving later. We met up with Joe later that evening and went for some dinner.

Thursday 11^th December:

We headed to the track and were greeted by an amazing venue and site. Great job by Chris, and all the other guys involved, very impressive.

It was time to hit the track for some practice. Instantly we were comfortable with the track and the pace and feeling of both cars was great. We tested a couple of different tread patterns and decided that the Holeshot in M3 was working the best on track. We did some more runs, to get use to the track and do some longer runs in preparation for the mains. The track was already starting to cut up slightly, and looked like it would continue during the weekend. We ended the day happy with both cars and looking forward to the event.

Friday 12^th December:

We headed to the track once again for a day of practice, however rain put an end to play so it was back off to the hotel for a day of rest, and to hang out with the guys. We have a nice meal in the evening with all the Kyosho team, and had some great laughs.

Saturday 13^th December:

It was the start of the event and time for the serious (while still being fun) business. A short amount of time for practice and it was out onto the track to make sure everything was still working as good as it felt during the practice day. Both cars still feeling great, we headed into qualifying feeling confident.

Round 1:

Electric 8^th: First up was the Electric 8^th, with 7min heat times allowing for a good amount of track time. Car feeling good the heat began and started laying some good laps down. Keeping the heat nice and clean we ended up with the heat win 8 seconds ahead of Jared in 2^nd.

Nitro 8^th: Onto the nitro, and feeling good after the electric run the plan was to do the same again if possible. Leading the heat, turning in for the first corner the track chunked out sending the car into a little roll, requiring a marshal. Ended the heat 2^nd 1 second behind Jared, but feeling confident as the pace was there.

Round 2:

Electric 8^th: Onto the second round and hoping to repeat Rd1. The track was getting a little rougher the car still working great it was a clean but slower round, but still took the Tq once again 4 seconds ahead of Jared who once again placed himself 2^nd.

Nitro 8^th: It was once again to be a battle between us and Jared, both getting caught out by the track a couple of times we were so close on times, Jared taking the Tq for the round by just .1 of a second. Meaning we needed to Tq the next two Nitro round and get a faster time than what Jared had managed to take Tq.

Round 3:

Electric 8^th: The track had become a little rougher once again but still great fun to drive. We kept the run clean and tidy to take another Tq 5 seconds ahead of Jared once again. Giving us the TQ overall for the Electric 8^th Class. Round 4 would allow us to test something different and see how it would work.

Nitro 8^th: So, we needed to Tq this and the next round in nitro to try and do the double TQ. The car felt amazing and on track got into a great rhythm feeling at one. Putting in a clean run on looking at the results we were amazed to see us with the Tq for the round, with the first 14 lap run of anyone in nitro. Keeping the fight wide open between us and Jared for the next morning and the last round of qualifying.

Everyone returned to the hotel to change, ready for the banquet that was to be held later in the evening.

We headed to the banquet and were greeted by drinks, food,a raffle and best of all a Kyosho Mini-Z track that would become a battle ground. Everyone was having a great time, chatting about racing and all sorts. Then people started to run on the Mini-Z track, everyone wanting to take on each other and taking bragging rights for beating some of the world’s best drivers. Later after many races and some disappointed faces (cars had become flat) it was onto the raffle, lots of guys getting items and looking over the moon to win so booty. Good job by Kyosho and all the others that donated items.

After the raffle and a little more fun and banter the idea was placed....... Kyosho Kart Race!!! The track right next to the Rc track and the banquet area. Nearly everyone grabbed and helmet, choose there Kart and was ready to do battle on track. Race One was to be won by Liam, my mechanic putting all the racers to shame, good job! Race two and I jumped into a Kart aswell, and everyone was beginning to enjoy giving a little contact out (Sorry Cody), Chris Tocco took the win in Race Two. Well done.

So a great day, and a fun evening had by all. Many great laughs and many new friends.

Sunday 14^th:

So it was onto the final day of the Kyosho Masters America and it was one final round of qualifying and three leg finals in store. Already having Electric 8^th TQ wrapped up and Nitro still up for the taking.

Round 4:

Electric 8^th: For the last round of Electric we took the decision to try a set of M4 Holeshots, turning out to be the wrong choice as they we alot more edgy that the M3’s. Jared took Tq for this round. We would change back to M3 Holeshots ready for the finals.

Nitro 8^th: So we needed to Tq this round to take the overall Tq (as we had the fastest run time with 14 laps). The plan was the same as Rd 3, putting in another clean run with the car feeling great once again. Managing to do another 14 lap run in a faster time that Rd3, and still the only person to do 14 laps in nitro. Giving us the Tq for the Round and overall TQ for nitro.

So TQ in both the Nitro and Electric classes, it was time to ready for the 3 leg finals. The Electric mains would be 8mins while the Nitro would be 20mins, best two from three to count.

A Main’s Leg 1:

Electric: Starting on pole, with Jared sitting behind in 2^nd and Cody in 3^rd. We set off and Jared and Cody began battling behind allowing us to stretch a lead, and check out at the front. Taking the win, with a completely clean run. The car feeling prefect all run long.

Nitro: Once again starting on the pole, the track watered just before this main. We set off and tried to keep the lead. The track conditions different to any other time we had run on the track, we were caught out and had a error giving Jared the lead. We kept in 2^nd place and pushed hard to try and catch Jared after the mistake, but with the main only being 20mins we ran out of time before we could get the lead back. Giving us 2^nd for the first leg.

A Main’s Leg 2:

Electric: The 2^nd leg was a copy of the first leg, getting out into the lead then keeping the race clean to bring home another win and to take the win overall. Kyosho Masters Amercia 1/8^th Electric Champion!

Nitro: We set off, and carried the lead and gapped the field. The car feeling great and getting into a great rhythm, keeping it clean and bringing it home for the win ahead of Jerome in 2^nd. Keeping the Nitro title wide open for the final Leg.

A Main’s Leg 3:

Electric: We chose to sit out of the final leg to watch the battle for 2^nd between Cody and Jared. It was Jared who would come out on top, with the win in Leg 3 and taking 2^nd overall with Cody taking 3^rd overall.

Nitro: It was still all to play for with us and Jared having a win each. The light had now faded and the floodlights were lighting up the track. The temperature had dropped slightly, but only a little from the last main. Leading the main for the first half, the track then became slicker due to the lower temperature and caught us out a couple of time resulting in some small mistakes. Jared took over the lead and we battle to try and catch gap to challenge for the win, but with such short mains we ran out of time before we could try to take back the lead. Jared taking 1^st Overall (Well done) and us taking 2^nd Overall.

So, we ended up with TQ in both classes, Win in Electric to become: Kyosho Masters America 1/8^th Electric Champion, and 2^nd in Nitro. Very happy with the results, both cars performing great with only a couple of small mistakes preventing us from doing the double in both classes.

Now time to say thanks to:

Koysho, for creating the Kyosho Masters America and asking us to attend. Yuichi and Mitsuo for all their support. Joe Pillars for all his hard work, with organising, etc a great team manager and a credit to himself. All the new friends we made, and all the old friends we saw once again. Chris Tocco and all his track crew for a great venue and a great meeting. And lastly, to everyone that raced and great such a great event well done all! Hopefully be able to do the same again next year.

Thanks to all my sponsors:

Kyosho, Proline, Reds, Tekin, Sanwa, Bitty Design, Maugraphix, LRP, Ghea, Inside Line Racing, RDRP, Rudebits, Racers Design Products.