Track: LCRC Raceway
Classes: Expert Nitro Buggy & Expert E-Buggy
Goal: Make the mains ✅
Result: 7th in E-Buggy A-Main • 9th in Nitro Buggy A-Main
Rolling Out: Pitting From the Van
We packed the shop van like a rolling pit lane—tables, generator, cooler, tire stash, camera gear, and both cars:
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E-Buggy: fresh body, batteries topped off, consistent baseline setup
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Nitro Buggy: new clutch later in the weekend, spare filters/plugs on deck
Plan for the weekend was simple: get comfortable, build consistency, and keep it fun.
Day 1 – Shake-Down & Lines
Focus: E-Buggy practice
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Worked on throttle points, timing the whoops, and finding a rhythm.
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Ran green Reflex (glued foam) from Motorama—not ideal, but perfect for consistent laps.
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Clocked a 33-second lap at one point and kept the mistakes minimal.
Takeaway: Don’t chase hero laps—lock in clean lines first.
Day 2 – Nitro Time & Tire Tests
Morning: Nitro Buggy went on green Reflex. Felt planted early, then started overheating toward the end of runs as the groove came in.
Adjustment: For the evening we tried blue Relapse as the track evolved—grip changed quickly and the car didn’t love it.
Setup Tweaks:
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Added ½° rear toe and went from –2° to –1° camber for more stability.
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Noted the track crew began mixing additives in the water, which repeatedly reset grip and made compound choice tricky.
Takeaway: When the groove polishes, Reflex can ride “on top.” Relapse is often the safer bet—if temps and wear allow.
Day 3 – Qualifying & A-Main Push
Qualifying Notes
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Nitro Q1: Pace for ~P6–P8 in heat, but two wrecks cost ~10 seconds.
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E-Buggy Q1: Smooth and clean—P6 overall after Round 1.
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Nitro Q2 (night): Softer tire + lighter diff oils = best driving feel of the weekend, but a rough run in the six-pack spoiled the result.
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E-Buggy Q2 (night): Car felt good; one big mistake on the triple knocked it to P9 for the round.
Qualifying Positions:
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Nitro Buggy: 15th overall → B-Main P4.
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E-Buggy: 7th overall → straight to the A.
Mains – The Fun Part
Nitro Buggy B-Main → Bump!
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Zero mistakes, steady pace, ~10-second lead at the end.
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Fuel math got spicy: finished with ~a sip left—one more lap and we were out!
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Slapped on a fresh set for the A-Main.
Nitro Buggy A-Main – P9
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Mission accomplished: made the show and brought it home inside the top 10.
E-Buggy A-Main – P7
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No setup changes all weekend—just tire calls.
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Consistent laps and clean traffic management sealed a solid finish.
Tire & Setup Deep-Dive
What we ran & learned:
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Early sessions: Green Reflex = confidence while learning lines.
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As temps rose and the groove polished, Blue Relapse often matched the surface better.
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When water + additive was applied, overall grip reset, pushing us back toward greens until rubber built again.
If we re-ran Sunday:
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Likely start on Blue Relapse in both cars (warmer, grippier, polished groove).
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Nitro: a touch thicker diff fluid for main length + –50 cSt softer shocks from our stiff baseline to add squat/lean.
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E-Buggy: baseline felt money—stick to tires.
Results Snapshot
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Expert E-Buggy: 7th in A-Main
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Expert Nitro Buggy: 9th in A-Main (after bumping from B)
For the first race since Motorama, that’s a win in my book. The bigger win? Had a blast playing toy cars all weekend.
What’s Next
This weekend lit the spark to race more and vlog more. Expect more behind-the-scenes, setups that actually help on race day, and honest tire talk when the track keeps changing under your feet.