Back to the dirt for me yesterday in my attempts to get as much wheel time as possible before the EP nats (now just four weeks away!).  I ran the Team Associated SC10 short course truck in our mixed electric class, and finalised the test of the Team Magic B8 RS nitro buggy in the pro buggy class.  With the weather being fine for the second race meeting in a row, there was a good field in most of the classes, and a long enjoyable day’s dirt track racing.
Electric: The electric class is a kind of ‘catch all’ to give the EP guys the chance to race at what remains a predominantly nitro club.  An 8th scale Losi 8e, AE RC8Te, could of monster trucks (e-Revo maybe?) and an AE B44 lined up against the might of the SC10.  Without the power or traction of the other guys, i just tried to drive as clean as possible…and when the flag fell had done enough to get home for the win.  Paddy had the B44 working well, but the big 8th scale jumps took their toll and he broke while leading.  After the race had a drive of Bart’s losi 8ight-e….stunning horsepower, but esc/radio setup needs a little work to smooth out the power delivery.  I’m still looking forward to the chance to play with an EP powered 8th scale buggy.
Pro Buggy: A good day in the buggy today, continued to fine tune the Team Magic buggy and finish off the test for Racing Lines.  I finished in the top 2 or 3 in each of the heats, and 2nd in the final to the very consistent fast-man Tim P.  Got a good start in the final and led early before a mistake. Stayed in touch with Tim until my first fuel stop when I messed up pit entry…and then made a series of mistakes while driving too hard trying to catch up.  Got my head together for a strong last 5 minutes but by then Tim had flown away.  Had my eyes re-opened to the value of the ‘right’ tyres today when i ran some borrowed rubber in one heat and a final…transforming what had been a safe, but lazy car into quite a weapon.  Gotta get the rubber right!
Back to the bitumen next week with a day trip to Hobart’s Goodwood raceway to get myself back in the EP modified groove. The hobart guys have been sharpening up the track with new markers and a repaint of the infield, so it should be good.  Why not start making plans now for a trip to Tassie for the Tas champs March 6-7 next year?