FTW’s Scottie Brewer is King of the Hill

Scottie Brewer reports from the 2013 King of the Hill race in White Rock NM:

Had another great weekend of racing, good friends and family—what else could you ask for? I ended up TQ’ing both Nitro Buggy & Truggy and Qualified 2nd in both 4×4 SCT & E-buggy. 

I took 1st in Nitro Buggy and 2nd in 4X4 SCT. In Truggy I took 3^rd after leading for most of the race until a bad crash and a flame out with about 2 to go. Still got a top 5 in e-buggy after a really bad run. I have to say thank you to the good Lord for another safe trip, my family, and my sponsors AKA, HobbyWing, FTW, Vp Racing Fuels, Vp-Pro, Tekno RC, Venom, DE Racing and RadioPost. I truly appreciate each and every one of you for your help and support.

Scottie used the following FTW racing components:

FTW00029 Night Fox body mounted on Losi 8ight 3.0

FTW00035 Diamondback body mounted on Tekno SCT410

FTW00047 Phoenix body mounted on Losi 8ight-T 2.0

Scottie Brewer #FTWINNING at RCPro Mountain Round 2 With FTW

Scottie’s report:

RC Pro Mountain Round 2 Albuquerque Nm 7-19/ 7-21

We arrived at ARCOR Raceway Saturday morning for the RC Pro Mountain Round 2.  There were about20guys from Amarillo that made the trip, plus our families, my wife, our two sons (ages 3 & 16) and his best friend who has become very fast. The guys at Arcor (Scott Box, Richard Pfaff, and Joe Atencio, Scott Spear and a special race announcer Scott Harrell) they all did an amazing job with the track and with rain Friday evening.  There was a lot of good racing with good family, friends, and teammates.  Really what else could you ask for, we had such a good time. I ran 4 classes at this race so to say I was busy was an understatement.   I have to give a lot of credit to my son William Brewer, who is an amazing pit guy, turn marshal, and without a second thought helps anyone that’s asks, oh and I forgot to mention will be better than me soon.   I struggled a little with my Eb-48 but was pretty consistent with the others. Taking 1^st & T’Q in Open Buggy, 2^nd in Open Truggy, 3^rd in 4×4 Sct ( took 2^nd in both A1 & A2 then forgot to change my battery for A3 :-/) and 4^th in E-Buggy. I have to say thank you to the good Lord for another safe trip, my family, and my sponsors AKA, HobbyWing, FTW, Vp Racing Fuels, Vp-Pro, Tekno RC, Venom, DE Racing and RadioPost. I truly appreciate each and everyone of you for your help and support

TQ &1^st Open Buggy

2^nd Open Truggy

3^rd  4×4 SCT

4^th  E-Buggy

Scottie used the following FTW products.

Night Fox for the Losi Eight 2.0

Phoenix for the Losi Eight-T 2.0

Diamondback for the SCT410

FTW Sweeps 2 at Thornhill Racing Circuit Grand Opening

A big contingent of Team FTW converged in Hutto, Texas over July 4th weekend for the highly anticipated Grand Opening race at Thornhill Racing Circuit presented by FTW. This amazing new facility boasts a spacious driver’s rostrum overlooking the largest track in the US, a hybrid Euro-American circuit built by Joey “The Dirt” Christensen. Team FTW joined racers from around the region as well as Mexico and even Brazil arriving Thursday night, eager to run their first laps at TRC.

Friday’s practice left some rubber on the fresh surface, and traction continued to build throughout 4 rounds of qualifying Saturday allowing fast laps times to dip into the 44 second range. The Pro E-buggy class was clearly the domain of Team FTW where Jake Dellinger led a sweep of the top five spots in qualifying. With a ton of momentum from his A-main finish at the recent ROAR Nats, Jake Dellinger also was the third-fastest in Pro Nitro buggy behind XRAY’s  Josh Glancy and Kurt Kellum. On-road ace Nick Lefebvre put FTW in the third qualifying spot in Pro Truggy behind Glancy and Kellum. Team FTW took three of the top five spots in Pro 4 as well, led by class TQ Andrew Clark.

The team’s dominance in the electric classes would carry over to Sunday’s mains. Dellinger and “Smiley” Henn each won a double A-main in Pro E-buggy, with the tie-breaker going to Jake. Isaac Price took third to complete the class sweep for FTW. In Pro4, TQ Clark never looked back, taking the overall win ahead of Aaron Royston. 13-year old Noah Dickerson impressed in his first outing with Team FTW, taking third to secure the second class sweep of the weekend.

No one could catch Glancy in Pro Nitro Buggy, so the fight was for second. Dellinger mounted a late race charge but in the end settled for third behind Kellum. In Pro truggy, Tyler Hooks charged from the eighth spot on the grid up to third until retiring due to breakage.

Click here for more photos.

Miskolczi’s 4-for-4 at RC Pro Mid-Atlantic Rd2

Brian Miskolczi reports:

The 2^nd Round of the Mid Atlantic RC Pro Series made its way to the Tiltyard, in Dayton VA. After some practice I was able to get all of my vehicles dialed in. In qualifying I was able to TQ Pro Truggy, Pro E Buggy, Pro Corr 4×4 and qualified 4^th in Pro Buggy. For the mains the format was 30 Minute Pro Nitro A Mains and Triple A Mains for the electric classes. I was able to convert my E Buggy TQ into a victory by winning the first two A Mains, Truggy I was able to do the same but only by 1 second over 2^nd place at the end of the 30 minute main. In Pro Corr 4×4 I was able to win the first two A Mains, as the second A Main was cut short due to rain. Onto the Pro Buggy Main, after couple of passing showers we voted to run a 15 Minute main in the mud! The main started and I was able to work my way into the lead and win to take all 4 classes for the weekend. My AKA Tires, OS Engines, O’Donnell Fuel, Hobbywing Speed Control and Motors, Venom Batteries, FTW Bodies and Radiopost Radio helped me get to victory lane.

Thanks to all of my Sponsors: Awesome RC Hobbies, AKA, Hobbywing America/Falcon Sekido, Radiopost, FTW Bodies, SMC Batteries, GMK Supply, Venom, 4C Hobbu Supply, Upgrade RC and PCDRC Graffix!

My ROAR Nationals Experience

Wednesday

This year was my first nationals, and having the event only three hours from home was a big plus. Racing on a track that was full throttle and drivers that never wrecked was a new experience for me. The track took a lot of getting used to, but I’m glad we made the trek up for the optional practice. The whole team looked really fast and very competitive!

 

Thursday

 

Thursday was the first day of actual competition though it was still practice. I was a bit disappointed to find my self mid pack, but looking at the talent that was in attendance being mid pack was definitely an accomplishment. Thursday was seeding practice which is your best consecutive three laps in a seven minute run. I was always able to get two fast laps in, but would mess myself up thinking about the third. The field in buggy was led by “The Phenom” Dakotah Phend, and truck was dominated by my Hot Bodies teammate Ty Tessman. Again Team FTW represented well with many drivers placing themselves 1/4^th, 1/8^th, and the 1/16^th heats with the rest close behind.

 

Friday

 

Friday was the first day of actual qualifying with two rounds. Truck brought me much frustration as I was able to put down an almost perfect run each of the two rounds, but one or two large mistakes hindered me from seeing the results I was looking for. Buggy was really surprising as my D8’12 felt fantastic all day and I was able to move up overall for the next day. The younger generation was looking very strong this year headed by the above mentioned Tessman and Phend.

 

Saturday

 

Saturday brought on the last two rounds of qualifying. I was able to get one run that made me slightly happy as I ran fifteen laps instead of fourteen. I was very close every round to getting fifteen laps, but one or two wrecks messed it up in all but one round. Buggy I was looking to build off of day one, but instead I posted the exact same times as the previous day. Overall I was feeling pretty good going into the mains of my first nationals experience. The first eight mains were run on Saturday night with the goal being to race both cars on Sunday. I qualified my buggy straight into Sunday in the 1/16^th odd main. Truck, I was in the last race Saturday starting second with high hopes of making the next main on Sunday. “The Iron Man” Mike Battaile had trouble in Truggy all weekend, but was able to bump his way into the last Truggy main of the day with myself. With three bump spots to the next race, I raced my own race and took second behind Mike.

 

Sunday

 

I was the first main of the day in truck. Within the first two minutes of the race I found my self in a bump spot, but the pace of the race was too much for me to handle and I finished the race further down in the pack. My buggy race was the same way as I found myself in a bump spot, but I could not hold on to it. My weekend overall was very good and the experience was second to none. I would like to thank all my sponsors and all the people that help me for this great opportunity! Also thank you FTW for the great bodies and Accessories! I can’t wait to go to Nationals next year!

 

 

 

Equipment I used

 

FTW Xray 808 Body mounted on a Hot Bodies D8’12

 

FTW protoype carbon and Lexan Stiffeners for the Hot Bodies D8’12

 

FTW Phoenix Truggy Body mounted on a Hot Bodies D8t

 

 

 

Other FTW Main Day Accomplishments!

 

Mike Battaile Bumped 7 times in Truggy!

 

Jason Branham Bumping to the B Main in Truggy

 

“Smiley Henn” 1/4^th Buggy Main

 

David Joor, David Green, Jason Branham, and Mike Battaile 1/8^th Buggy Mains

 

Ethan Lefebvre, Roger Ayres, Brian Rickard, and myself in the 1/16^th Buggy Mains

 

Jake Dellinger in the Buggy A Main finishing 9^th

 

 

 

Team FTW Takes Five at RC Pro Texas Series Rd 2

The RC Pro Texas Series landed in Corpus Christi last weekend for Rd 2 as the state’s fastest continued the points battle at Star Car Raceway. Much like Rd 1 at Porter, Team FTW would dominate, monopolizing the podium with 5 class wins. The series now heads to Lubbock for Rd 3 in June, where Team FTW will arrive with the points lead in all three open classes and in Pro4. Full report after the pics:

Open Buggy:

TQ honors went to Brian “Smiley” Henn, who seemed to have a podium spot locked down in the main event until mechanical troubles dealt a DNF. Series Rd 1 winner Jason Branham would drive to another victory, extending his series points advantage. Jake Dellinger took second and Mike Battaile followed to complete a Team FTW sweep of the top three podium spots.

Open E-buggy:

Jake Dellinger picked up where he left off in Rd1, taking the TQ and win after triple A mains. “Smiley” Henn followed in second, Isaac Price grabbed 4th, and Tyler Hooks took 5th.

Open Truggy:

Mike Battaile had some catching up to do in the open truggy points chase after his A main flameout in Rd1. In Corpus Christi he came back strong with a class TQ and win. Jason Branham held on to the points lead with a second place finish.

Pro 4

As usual, 2012 RC Pro National Pro 4 champion Henn took the Pro 4 TQ and win. As in Rd1, Battaile took second. Aaron Royston had great drive to third for another 1-3 podium sweep for Team FTW.

Intermediate E-buggy:

Josh Scott proved unbeatable, taking taking TQ and clinching the win with victories in A1 and A2. Aaron Royston took the second podium spot for Team FTW.

Thanks to Aaron Royston for the podium and team pics, and Roger Ayres for the track photo.

The team used these FTW Racing Components to dominate:

Mike Battaile:

• FTW00029 Night Fox for 8ight 2.0
• FTW00042 Wing mount spacers for 8ight 2.0
• FTW00047 Phoenix body for 8ight-T 2.0
• FTW00035 Diamondback on Slash 4×4

Jason Branham:

• FTW00047 Phoenix on XT8

Jake Dellinger

• FTW00008 Night Fox on RC8.2
• FTW00008 Night Fox on RC8.2e

Brian “Smiley” Henn

• FTW00010 Night Fox on HB D812
• FTW00013 Fan Kit for SCTE
• FTW00014 Ackerman Set for SCTE
• FTW00031 Night Fox on D812 w/ Tekno chassis
• FTW00035 Diamondback on SCTE 2.0

Tyler Hooks

• FTW00029 Night Fox on DEX408

Isaac Price

• FTW00043 Night Fox on MBX7 e-buggy conversion

Aaron Royston

• FTW00008 Night Fox on RC8.2e
• FTW00035 Diamondback on DESC410

Josh Scott

• FTW00008 Night Fox on RC8.2e

No Regrets Tees are Back!

You’re like us. You go flat out for the win. No rearview mirror necessary. Given a moment to reflect, you wouldn’t change a thing. Racing is part of who you are. Proclaim it.

Get yours now! Click the pic for more info.

Battaile Victorious at DNC2013

How did Mike “Ironman” Battaile shake off the theft of his truggy? By dominating with a borrowed one.

Victory at The Dirt Nitro Challenge probably seemed a distant prospect for Mike Battaile when his truggy and a pit bag were stolen just before his departure for Phoenix. Undeterred, Battaile borrowed a friend’s truggy and hit the road. Wednesday’s practice session would be his opportunity to get the new truck’s setup dialed. Wednesday morning, Team FTW set up at the Fear Farm ready to get some laps on Joey “The Dirt” Christensen’s latest masterpiece. The desert skies had other ideas. A soggy round of truggy practice was fit in amidst the intermittent rains, but the snowy hailstones that blanketed the venue after lunch scuttled any hopes of completing the practice sessions.

Truggy qualifiers began Thursday on a wet but drying track sprinkled with wood chips. With each round Battaile found more speed, dialing in the borrowed truggy as he went. At the end of the day he would hold the 40+ truggy TQ and huge momentum going into Saturday’s truggy final.

Saturday dawned, and Battaile would not be denied. Starting on the pole, he never looked back, crossing the finish line 30 minutes later with a commanding lead.

While this win would be the highlight for Battaile, his weekend was far from over. After taking 3rd in 2wd short course, he finished the weekend with another podium finish on Sunday. In the opening eight minutes of the 40+ buggy final,  Battaile fought a pitched battle for the lead with eventual winner Mark Pavidis. Battaile’s chance for victory was dashed when a hard impact destroyed a rear hub; despite the carnage he limped the car home to finish second behind the former world champion.

Mike Battaile used the following FTW Racing Components to win and podium at DNC2013:

FTW00029 Night Fox for Team Losi 8ight 2.0

FTW00035 Diamondback mounted on Traxxas Slash 2wd

FTW prototype truggy body for Team Losi 8ight-T 2.0

 

Don’t Worry About the 8mm

Question: Which Night Fox fits the B4.1 with +8mm chassis, or the B4.2?

Answer: Night Fox for B4.1, part number FTW00002

It’s not as perfect a fit as we would like, but if you’re using Velcro in lieu of body clips to attach it you will be hard-pressed to notice. Check out the pics.

You might be wondering if the Night Fox XL is a better choice. In short, its not. Designed for a B4.1 with a T4.1 chassis, its limousine-esque 19mm stretch makes it way too long to fit the +8mm chassis-equipped cars.

Team FTW Reigns at Texas State Series Round 1

Gulf Coast Raceway has been especially popular of late, due in no small part to its successful bid to host the ROAR Fuel Nats this year. Not that drawing entries to this gem of a facility in Porter, Texas has ever been an issue; but with each event held there serving as a warm up for the Nationals, it’s no surprise that this past weekend’s first round of RC Pro’s Texas State Series was stacked with the region’s fastest and those chasing them. Nearly 250 entries vied for hardware and prizes in Open and Intermediate classes of nitro and electric buggy, nitro truggy, and Pro4 short course.

After Friday practice, competitors prepared themselves mentally and physically for a grueling Saturday. As is the custom for Texas State Series races, the full race program would begin Saturday after the 8:30 driver’s meeting and run straight through until the end if the last A main in wee hours of Sunday morning.

New RC Pro Series director James Manderano kicked things off promptly Saturday morning and masterfully kept the program on pace throughout all three rounds of qualifying and the mains. With the main listing posted, Team FTW was poised for domination with a TQ sweep—Smiley Henn in Pro4, David Joor in E-buggy, and Jason Branham in Nitro Buggy and Truggy.

Pro4 was decided after the conclusion of the A2 main. TQ Brian “Smiley” Henn would not be denied his usual Pro4 victory at GCR. Mike “Ironman” Battaile wheeled his Traxxas machine into the second spot while Isaac Price took an impressive third in his debut with Team FTW.

The Electric buggy battle was also all-FTW, featuring TQ Joor, Henn, Jake Dellinger, and Tyler Hooks. Dellinger took the overall win, followed by Joor, Henn, and Hooks.

Jason Branham’s truggy adventure began with him still assembling his truck while the first qualifier proceeded without him, and ended with him on top of the podium. Battaile qualified third but technical issues prevented him from mounting a challenge to Branham.

Nitro buggy saw Jason Branham in familiar territory, at the front of the pack looking comfortable in his second outing back with Team Xray. Dellinger climbed to within striking distance of Branham and stole the lead twice. Ultimately Branham would prevail, making it two for two in 2013 after his HARC series round one win in January. Roger Ayres’ cruised to third with his new Team Associated ride, Battaile took fourth, and Joor recoved from a disastrous first lap to take the fifth and final podium spot.

Aaron Royston took home one more piece of hardware for Team FTW with his third place finish in the intermediate Electric buggy.

Check out the complete gallery on Facebook.