A total of 213 of RC's top named drivers showed up to support the Toys-4-Tots race in Beaumont, CA which is primarily for 1/8-scale Nitro powered Buggies and Truggies. This year new classes were added including 1/8 Electric Buggy and Truggy. There were 20 Electric Buggies and 10 Electric Truggies.Several manufacturers participated in the electric class during practice and witnessed the Losi/Xcelorin Brushless systems display dominant power and jumping ability, even the nitro drivers were envious. However, only a few stayed to participate in the actual event.
During practice, it was clear that the Losi 8IGHT-E/Xcelorin was the combination to beat. After the first round of qualifying Keven Gahan took TQ with Adam Drake in 2nd and Todd Hodge in 5th. In the second round of qualifying Kevin once again TQ’d with Adam in 2nd and Todd in 3rd for a Losi 8IGHT-E/Xcelorin sweep of the top 3 spots. After the 5 minute qualifications Keven had secured TQ with both of his runs being 10 laps in 5:18 which compared favorably with the 1/8 Nitro Buggy TQ of Mike Truhe with 10 laps in 5:09.06. Kevin was 6 seconds clear of the second qualifier Adam, with Todd Hodge in 4th (and just thousandths of a second behind the driver in 3rd). With the Losi 8IGHT-E/Xcelorin combination now clearly recognized as the hot setup, everyone prepared for the A-Main.
This was the first ever 1/8-scale Electric Main at a major race and was exciting for the entire 10 minutes. At the start it seemed no one wanted to win with Todd taking the lead and Kevin following closely with Barry Baker (Hot Bodies/Novak), Adam, Josh Alton (Hot Bodies/Novak), Charlie Albreck (Mugen/Novak), and Charlie Suangka (Asscoiated/Novak) following. Unfortunately, Charlie Suangka dropped out before the completion of the first lap. At the five minute mark Adam decided to take command and proceeded to power away from the field, easily winning by over a half lap. Second place was hotly contested as Barry Baker drove a solid race escaping the numerous hard charges from both Todd and Kevin. Todd and Kevin made several attempts to overcome Barry, but as luck would have it their attempts to pass were prevented. In the end, the top four drivers put on a great show and all finished over a lap ahead of the competition.
Adam Drake, Todd Hodge and Kevin Gahan all were racing with Losi’s 8IGHT-E Buggy powered by Xcelorin 1700Kv Brushless Motors using a 15T Pinion gear, 44T Spur Gear and Losi's 4S Hard Case LiPo Battery.
Best Heat Lap/Time for 1/8 ELECTRIC
KEVIN GAHAN with 10/5:18.48
1/8 ELECTRIC - A Main
Pos / Car / Laps / Time / Name
1 / 6 / 18 / 10:05.31 / ADAM DRAKE
2 / 2 / 18 / 10:14.72 / BARRY BAKER
3 / 4 / 18 / 10:16.94 / TODD HODGE
4 / 5 / 18 / 10:22.38 / KEVIN GAHAN
5 / 9 / 17 / 10:19.10 / CHARLIE ALBRECK
6 / 1 / 17 / 10:23.16 / JOSH ALTON
7 / 10 / 16 / 10:00.78 / TEKNO RC
8 / 3 / 16 / 10:06.26 / ZAC BURNSIDE
9 / 8 / 15 / 10:03.47 / RYAAN HUGHES
10 / 13 / 14 / 10:04.71 / Joel Hughes
11 / 12 / 3 / 2:07.18 / JESSE R
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