Join the excitement of the HPI Challenge races!
Click here for HPI Challenge World Final information!
We'll have classes for Nitro and Electric HPI cars, with giant trophies for the winners and prizes for every competitor. More than $5,000 in prizes will be given away!
The HPI Challenge races are, first and foremost, events that bring HPI car owners together for a FUN event. There will be competition and a few winners, but the top priority is to have a great time and meet fellow R/C enthusiasts.
Every racer will receive a free HPI hat and a free HPI Body. We are trying to encourage participants to enter our Box Stock nitro class, so everyone that enters that class will receive an extra body! We will also have a Concours event to highlight realistic looking paint jobs. Note: you can enter more than one class, but no matter how many classes you enter you will only receive one hat and one body (2 for Box Stock) for the weekend.
Do you want to host an HPI Challenge?
If you own or manage a hobby shop and would like to host an HPI Challenge race for your city or state, let us know. We have openings for one or two more locations for the 2001 HPI Challenge USA season. After visiting several tracks and shops around the country, we've come up with a good list of qualifications that each track must fulfill before being considered:
- The track must be in a location that will guarantee spectators. A busy intersection, in front of the shop (if in a strip mall area), and so on.
- We MUST have transponder counting and computer scoring. The race organization staff must have experience in using the computer scoring equipment, be able to deal with at least 150 racers, and have regular (at least biweekly) experience running races.
- The track must be in close proximity to a hobby shop that has plenty of HPI spare parts, tires and wheels.
- The location must be able to guarantee a good turnout of HPI racers, at least 75 and up to 150.
- We expect a decent racing surface. It doesn't have to be perfect, but at least smooth with no cracks or holes. Many racers will drive many hours and spend lots of money to participate and we don't want them disappointed.
- A driver stand that is stable and a few feet off the ground. Portable stands are fine, as long as they don't sway or shift positions, but no stands make from milk crates and lumber! See pictures from past HPI Challenge races for great examples.
- Track barriers that prevent cutting the track but don't break every car that hits them. PVC pipe or plastic rain gutters work very well for this and won't make racers repair their car each time they run.
- The track has to be a decent size, at least 75 feet long and 40 feet wide with 10-12 foot wide lanes to accommodate the Super Nitro racers.
- Pit space should be plentiful, with enough space for canopies and pit tables for the racers.Any interested shops should give as many details as possible to help us make a decision. The more information we have, the better the event will be for the racers who attend. Pictures (emailed or snail mailed) of the track, shop, general location, racers and normal amount of spectators will be necessary in deciding which shops to consider.
We won't start making a schedule for the 2001 HPI Challenge USA series until mid-November, however feel free to send us your information!
All of the classes will run on both days, with the finals on Sunday afternoon. Complete rules are below on this web page.
March 11-12, 2000
Castle Hobbies of San Jose
Read the race report here!
Race Director: Eric
14918 Camden Avenue
San Jose, CA 95124
Telephone: 408.377.3771
Fax: 408.377.2211
website: http://www.rcracing.com/
April 29-30, 2000
Superior Hobbies of Casselberry, Florida
Read the race report here!
Race Director/Owner: Rob
1478 Semoran Blvd
Casselberry, FL 32707
Telephone: 407.834.9299
Fax: 407.677.7898
website: http://www.superiorhobbies.com/
July 8-9, 2000
R/C Madness of Enfield, Connecticut
Read the race report
here!
Bonus:
Off-Road/On-Road Rally Series and Nitro MT Races!
Race Director: Chris
640 Enfield St (Street Address)
PO Box 64 (Mailing Address)
Enfield, CT 06803
Telephone: 860.741.6501
website: http://www.rcmadness.com/
August 5-6, 2000
Hobby Center of Houston,
Texas
Read the race report here!
Race Director/Owner: Issac
18177 Gulf Freeway
Houston, TX 77598
Telephone: 281.488.8697
Fax: 281.488.2107
website: http://www.hobbycenter.cc
August 26-27, 2000
Tri-State R/C Auto Racers
Read
the race report here!
Race Director: Dennis
246 Forest Lake Lane
Hamilton, OH (just northwest of Cincinnati)
Telephone: 513.367.5634 (day), 513.891.2523 (evening)
website: http://www.tri-statercautoracers.com
September
30 - October 1, 2000
HobbyTown USA of Mequon,
Wisconsin
NEW!
Read the race report here!
Race Director: Scotty
HobbyTown USA
10970 North Port Washington St.
Mequon, WI 53092 (just north of Milwaukee)
Telephone: 262.241.1862
HPI Challenge World Finals - November 4-5, 2000!
We have signed a contract for November 4-5, 2000 at the Irvine Spectrum Center, located in Irvine, California. Irvine is located about 40 miles south of Los Angeles and the Irvine Spectrum Center is just a couple of minutes from the HPI USA headquarters.
We have assurances from merchants in the Spectrum Center that we will have many gift certificates to award racers, plus coupons for game arcades and food, as well as displays of collectible diecast model cars, miniature motorcycles and gas-powered scooters! Plenty of food will be available for racers in the Spectrum Center, and the area is great for after-race celebrations and entertainment. The Spectrum Center has a 24-screen cinema, fast-food court, restaurants, 2 game arcades and even a virtual reality NASCAR driving simulator. Both game arcades (Gameworks and Dave and Buster's) and the driving simulator (NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway) are helping sponsor the event! HPI products will also be on display in the main area of the center, where most of the pedestrian traffic flows through.
Displays from American Honda, full-size car customization shops, Yokohama Tire and full-size car tuners will complete the experience, and we are hoping to have a small car show of import tuner cars on hand.
Make your arrangements now!
We will have at least 3 Japanese HPI racers and 6 European HPI racers, the winners of the respective Final races, visit to take on the best drivers in the US! The top ten racers from each class from the Japan and Europe Final races will also be invited, but their plane tickets will not be paid for by HPI. We will reserve spots for these racers, and also for a number of US racers who have raced at the various regional races that we've held so far this year. This means about 150-170 spots will be open for local racers, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Regardless, we will take a maximum of 200 entries, with each racer limited to 2 entries in separate classes.
We already have rooms reserved for racers at a nearby Doubletree hotel. Call (949) 471-8888 for reservations; let them know you will be with the HPI Racing group for discount rates of $79 a night from Friday to Sunday nights, and $129 a night for the rest of the week.
The location has been selected and is the awesome Irvine Spectrum (our original location), which is a mere two-minute drive away from both the HPI USA HQ and the hotel. After the races everyone can head over to the Spectrum for movies at the 21-screen cinema, food at several fast food and sit-down restaurants and shopping at tons of specialty stores.
CLASSES AVAILABLE
Please note that these are just general descriptions of the classes
- complete rules will be here soon.
RS4 Electric Sport - Any HPI electric car chassis using a minimum
of 17 turn motors. 5 minute races and mains. Spec tire: our B15-40 tire
(handed out at race). Spec gearing will be enforced to make the racing
as even as possible. Single mains on Sunday.
RS4 Electric Pro - Any HPI electric car chassis using a minimum of 12 turn motors. 5 minute races and mains. Spec tire: our B15-40 (handed out at race). Spec gearing will be enforced to make the racing as even as possible. Triple A-Mains on Sunday!
RS4 Electric Rally - HPI electric Rally car chassis or converted Touring Car chassis using a minimum of 17 turn motors. 5 minute races. Spec tire: our B15-40 (handed out at race). Must use Rally-length shocks, springs and shock shafts. Obstacles and jumps will be on the track for these races! Spec gearing will be enforced to make the racing as even as possible. Final results tallied by points based on run times (most laps/fastest time gets most points, etc., like WRC racing), all races IFMAR style qualifying.
RS4 Electric Mini - Any HPI electric Mini-size car chassis using a minimum of 17 turn motors. 5 minute races and mains. Spec tire: Mini X-Pattern (handed out at race) Spec gearing will be enforced to make the racing as even as possible. Single mains on Sunday.
RS4 Nitro Stock - Any HPI RTR Nitro RS4, Nitro RS4, Nitro RS4 2 1/10 scale Nitro Touring Car chassis with NO option parts allowed. 5 minute races and mains (except A Main). Spec tire: our B15-40 (handed out at race). This is a very competitive class to race in! 10-minute A Main on Sunday.
RS4 Nitro Modified - Any HPI 1/10 scale Nitro Touring Car chassis with any option parts allowed. Any "small-block" engine allowed. 75cc HPI fuel tanks only. 5 minute races and mains (except A Main). Spec tire: our B15-40 (handed out at race). 20-minute A Main on Sunday.
RS4 Super Nitro Modified - Any HPI 1/10 scale Super-size Nitro Touring Car chassis with any option parts allowed. Any "small-block" engine allowed. 75cc HPI fuel tanks only. 5 minute races and mains (except A Main). Spec tire: to be determined (handed out at race). 20-minute A Main on Sunday.
SPEC TIRE RULES:
The spec tire must be run on 26mm wide wheels for Mini and Touring Car
classes. We will provide each racer with the appropriate 26mm wide spec
tires for each class of racing at the track. You will need to provide
your own wheels and inserts (wheels and inserts do not need to be made
by HPI). The tire may not be modified in any way; the belt must remain
intact and no glue may be applied to the surface of the tire (in order
to reduce traction). The #4435 B15-40 tire is very easy to tech, works
fine and will be required for all Touring Car classes in the 2001 HPI
Challenge USA series. This is the same tire used by the HPI Challenge
Europe racers. They recommend at most three pairs: two with the #4678
soft round molded inserts and one pair with #4679 hard round molded inserts.
Other inserts can be used as well, including inserts from other companies.
This will cover nearly any traction condition that you can race in. We
have tested these tires in the heat on an outdoor asphalt track mounted
on a Nitro Racer 2 car, and they have performed great.
SPEC GEARING RULES FOR ELECTRIC CLASSES:
We will also introduce spec gearing for the first time in our electric
classes. The Sport, Pro, Rally and Mini classes will use a spur gear that
is no smaller than a specified size, and a pinion gear that is no larger
than a specified size. The appropriate size will vary according to the
class being run. This will in effect remove batteries from the worry
of the racer and place the skill of the driver in control of the race.
BODY RULES
These apply mainly to all classes. No rollover (fiberglass or graphite)
antennas. All bodies must be cut along the bottom trim lines (the rear
end cannot be cut out - Acura NSX body must have bottom "box"
retained on rear end), the stock wing MUST be used (no aftermarket pan
car wings, etc.), and the roof must remain intact except for engine tuning,
antenna, fuel strap and glow plug igniter access holes (no convertible-type
bodies). The ONLY exception to this last rule is if you happen to win
the Concours Challenge and must run it for at least one race.
No aftermarket wings from other companies, and the wing that comes with the body being run must be used.
For all Nitro classes, the only addition body rule will be the size of the cooling hole in the windshield or front window. The front cooling hole must a single hole be NO LARGER than 50mm or 2 inches. Side windows and rear windows can be cut out, but the roof may not be cut out (like a convertible), except for 1/2 inch (13mm) holes for the antenna and/or glow plug igniter or engine adjustment access. No air outlet holes can be drilled into the rear end (except in the clear portion of the rear window).
Because the RS4 Nitro Stock (currently the Box Stock class) requires adding NO extra parts to the car, items like foam bumpers, 2 speeds and RRP 32-pitch gears are out of the question. In the Open class, these option parts are allowed freely, since any manufacturer's option parts are still allowed.
UNIQUE RACING FORMAT!
During the two days of racing, we will have four qualifying heats,
three on Saturday, November 4, and another on Sunday morning, November
5. After the second qualifier we should have a reshuffle to put the
faster racers in the final two heats together so they can improve
their times. After the fourth and final qualifier we will start the finals.
See the separate class descriptions above for A-Main descriptions.
OTHER INFORMATION
We are planning on a huge track, plenty of pit space and parking, AC power,
sinks for washing up, concessions, full-size car displays, gift certificates
from Irvine Spectrum retailers and much more! We'll keep adding information
as we get it.
YOU STILL GET LOTS OF FREE STUFF!
Yes, we'll still be giving kits and huge trophies away to the winners
of each class, top three in all classes will get plaques commemorating
their success, and the top ten in each class will get plaques as well.
Every racer will get a free HPI body and hat or T-shirt, and the RS4 Nitro Stock racers will get an additional free body for racing. (Only registered racers who show up and race will get bodies.)
Entry fees for the all classes will be $25 and include four spec tires. No discounts for multiple entries, and each racer is limited to two classes total. This will allow the maximum number of racers while giving those racers who want to run multiple classes the opportunity to do so.
Do you want to see what last year's World Final was like? Click here!
This is the schedule that all of our races during the year will use. Keep in mind these times are tentative, and may be adjusted by the Race Director and HPI personnel. Any schedule changes to specific races will be noted under the heading for the particular race.
Saturday
9 AM to Noon: Open Practice - We may have scheduled times for practice so Nitro and electric cars do not run at the same time
Noon to 1 PM: HPI Challenge Concours and Lunch Break - The winner of the Concours must run the winning body at least once, so this is the first competition!
1 PM to ??? - First and Second Rounds of racing. During this time we will usually have the hat giveaway.
Sunday
9 AM to Noon: Open Practice and/or Third Round of racing - this depends on weather conditions for Saturday and Sunday, as well as the number of racers who participate in the weekend's activities. We may do the body giveaway at this time.
Noon to 1 PM: Lunch Break and organizing for Main Events
1 PM to ???: Main Events - Nitro A Mains are 10 minutes long, all other Mains are 5 minutes.
After Main Events: Prize presentations.
Please note that these rules are for regional races in the United States only, the rules may change for the US HPI Challenge Nationals race and World Final race.
Racers in the UK, click here for your schedule and race rules!
Racers in Germany, click here for the official HPI Challenge web page for your country! German racers can also check here for race dates throughout 2000!
Available Classes:
Electric RS4 Sedan
- RS4 Pro 2, RS4 Pro, RS4 Sport, RS4 Rally, original RS4 cars only. No structural modifications allowed (changing wheelbase, etc.). No 2 speeds. No rollover antennas.
- HPI bodies only (with stock wings), HPI rubber tires only, any brand of hop-up parts are allowed.
- A-Main racers receive plaques, winner gets HPI Challenge Trophy Cup and an HPI car kit.
- B-Main and below receive plaques for top 3 spots.
- Free HPI hat and Free HPI body
- ROAR stock motors only, rebuildable motors allowed. Batteries must be 6-cell packs in either prepackaged "stick" form, "side-by-side" or "saddle" pack format. RC2000 batteries recommended! All races are 5 minutes long.
Box Stock Nitro RS4
- Open only to RTR Nitro RS4, Nitro RS4 2 and original Nitro RS4 cars. HPI bodies only (with stock wings), HPI tires only.
- A-Main racers receive plaques, winner gets HPI Challenge Trophy Cup and an HPI car kit.
- B-Main winner receives an HPI kit, 2nd and 3rd receive plaques.
- C-Main and below receive plaques for top 3 spots.
- If a part does not come with the kit, you MAY NOT run the part! 12E or 15FE engines only, with no modifications. We will check for drilled-out carburetors. Inserts must be run inside the side muffler. No excessive fuel line allowed. Stock unmodified plastic mufflers or "can" type mufflers must be used. The baffle in the can type muffler may be removed. Car type standard glow plugs must be used. No turbo, plane or helicopter glow plugs allowed.
- The only exceptions to the above rule are: any HPI touring car body may be used, shock oil and piston may be changed, and HPI wheels/rubber tires/inserts may be substituted for the stock set. The Original Nitro RS4 may be equipped with ball bearing set.
- Pullstarter must be operational at all times. Plastic side mufflers must be securely attached to the header and use the stock clear coupler and retain the plastic muffler insert.
- Foam bumpers are not allowed, you will get 2 free bodies (see below)
- Free HPI hat plus 2 Free HPI bodies (Box Stock receives 2 bodies, all other classes get 1)
- We will have plenty of time before racing begins for a voluntary tech inspection. We highly recommend that Box Stock racers bring their cars to the HPI representatives before racing even begins for a quick visual inspection.
- Any racer who has a question on the legality of their car is invited to bring the car to an HPI representative for inspection. HPI reps WILL inspect each car with bodies off! Yes, we will be sticking to these rules! We check for smaller/larger clutchbells, universal dogbones, and many other items on each car.
Nitro RS4 Open
- Nitro RS4 Racer 2, Nitro RS4 Racer, Nitro RS4, RTR Nitro RS4, Nitro RS4 2 cars only.
- HPI bodies only (with stock wings), HPI rubber tires only, any brand of hop-up parts are allowed. No structural modifications allowed (center-tank upper decks, larger fuel tanks, changing wheelbase, etc.)
- A-Main racers receive plaques, winner gets HPI Challenge Trophy Cup and an HPI car kit.
- B-Main and below receive plaques for top 3 spots.
- Free HPI hat and Free HPI body
- Nitro heats are 5 minutes long, A-Main races are 10 minutes long.
- Any .12- or .15-size "small-block" engine.
Super Nitro RS4 Open
- HPI Super Nitro cars only. HPI bodies only (with stock wings), HPI Super Nitro rubber tires only, any brand of hop-up parts are allowed. No structural modifications allowed (custom upper decks, larger fuel tanks, etc.). Super Nitro tires/wheels only.
- A-Main racers receive plaques, winner gets HPI Challenge Trophy Cup and an HPI car kit
- B-Main and below receive plaques for top 3 spots.
- Free HPI hat and Free HPI body
- Nitro heats are 5 minutes long, A-Main races are 10 minutes long.
- Any .12- or .15-size "small-block" engines.
RS4 Rally (for regional HPI Challenge races that have off-road dirt tracks)
- HPI RS4 Rally cars or converted RS4 Sport/Sport 2, RS4 Pro/Pro 2 or original RS4 cars only. HPI WRC-type bodies only (with stock wings), HPI rubber tires only, any brand of hop-up parts are allowed. Rally-length shock bodies, springs and shock shafts must be used at all times. External shock spacers can be adjusted, internal shock spacers not allowed.
- A-Main racers receive plaques, winner gets HPI Challenge Trophy Cup and an HPI car kit
- B-Main and below receive plaques for top 3 spots.
- Free HPI hat and Free HPI body
- Heats and mains are 5 minutes long
- We will use a points system to decide the final standings, using the FIA points model (13 pts for 1st, 11 = 2nd, 9 = 3rd, 7 = 4th, 6 = 5th, 5 = 6th, 4 = 7th, 3 = 8th, 2 = 9th, 1 = 10th). This makes the racing MUCH more interesting!
- ROAR stock motors only, rebuildable motors allowed. RC2000 batteries recommended! All races are 5 minutes long.
Concours
- Winner gets an HPI Challenge Trophy Cup and an HPI kit. Winner MUST run the winning body (without inner body if desired, if one is installed) during at least one heat race or main event.
- Wing/spoiler, tires and wheels must be HPI, accessories (mirrors, windshield wipers, etc.) do not have to be HPI.
- HPI Concours Challenge judges prefer realistic paint jobs and lots of attention to detail! Custom paint jobs with no bleeding, accidental fogging, etc., are always in the top 10 at HPI Concours Challenge events. Feel free to add items like roll cages, diffusers, splitters, disk brakes, snorkels, roof racks, lights, antennas, and other things to make your car a piece of art.
NOTE: You can enter more than one class, but no matter how many classes you enter you will only receive one hat and one body (2 for Box Stock) for the weekend. Sorry, but we won't give away free gifts for every class that you enter. Only registered racers will receive free items.
Novice Racers: Please don't worry about racing against experienced racers - at HPI races, everyone walks away with a big smile and plenty of free stuff!
In addition to your car and race gear, you may want to bring a canopy if you have one. We advise you to call ahead or post a question in our R/C Forum so you know what type of conditions to prepare for. Some racers prepare for no AC power (for example, charge your practice batteries the night before and consider plugs for your battery and motor). Some of our tracks will have plenty of AC power available for battery charging. The rules and track are set up so that anybody can have fun and still be competitive. Awards will be given to the top finishers in each main event, and everyone gets plenty of free HPI decals! That's all, see you at the race!
Entry fee: $15. This includes an HPI hat, HPI body and racing fees. Only one hat and body per racer. Racers in the Box Stock Nitro class receive an EXTRA free HPI body!