*UPDATE*

The recent Midwest Truck Shootout went off without a hitch and was a huge success! the program was professionally ran, and accumulated tons of raffle tickets for all the many HPI and Hot Bodies kits and prizes that were donated. On top of that, the Baja class was a complete blast, as there is nothing better than watching 1/5th scale machines go at it. Here is a rundown of the Baja race:

Text by Mike “247” Garrison, Photos By Chris Kovachevich

Open your Webster's Dictionary and look up the word BIG, and there you will find the HPI Racing Baja 5B. One of the biggest growing classes in the Midwest is the offroad 1/5 scale buggies, literally BIGGEST. Although the race was designed for trucks only, what better way to display these giant racing machines than put them on the track and on the clock! Our official race photographer and Baja pilot Chris Kovachevich would find himself out front in Round 1 of qualifying. He would prove to be the only driver in the class to reach the 7 Lap run. As qualifying continued the racing heated up. Round 2 would bring a DNF for Kovachevich, and the father/son battle began. Dave Smreker and son Chris Smreker swapped back and forth for the top spot. Laying down consistant laps and “airing” it out, Chris Smreker took Round 2 TQ and becoming only the 2nd Baja driver to reach 7 Laps. Chris Smreker would continue his streak and TQ Round 3 with yet another 7 Lap run. Round 4, the tables would turn. Kovachevich would take the win, and Baja first-timer Jim Rupard would take 2nd over Round 2 & 3 TQ Chris Smreker. With two rounds each the tie breaker would give Chris Kovachevich the overall TQ. Warm-ups proved nearly fatal for Billy Pappan's chance at the win, as a broken aarm left him wrenching in the pits as the race started. As the 40 Minute A-Main started Chris K would find himself out front early. Chris Smreker chasing him down clipped the landing of the back tabletop jump and wound up in the fence. With the work of three turn marshalls they freed him once again, but in the meantime Dave Smreker would take over second. Jim Rupard, & Chris Smreker laid down lap after lap trying to catch the leaders. At the 10 minute, mark once again consistency paid off, as Kovachevich held a 30 second lead over 2nd Place. At the 13 Minute mark Pappan would once again make it back out onto the track and start making up what seemed an unreachable amount of laps on the field. However disaster would strike as Chris and Dave Smreker would both find themselves off the track at 15 minute mark. In the end, Chris Kovachevich would get out front early, and stay there for the entire 40 Minute main. Jim Rupard's baja piloted by son Chris Rupard would finish up 2nd, and Chris Smreker rounding out the top 3.

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The 2nd Annual Midwest Truck Shootout is COMING!

Mark your calendars, as this year's event will be bigger, better, and of course a whole lot of FUN! HPI Racing, HotBodies, Hobbico, and 247DesignWorks are teaming up with Real R/C Raceway on June 28-29, 2008 to bring great racing, great fun, and nothing but trucks! Electric truck, Gas truck, Monster Truck, Arena Truck, Mini Truck...and the SPECIAL FEATURE 1/5 Scale Buggy Classes are all available!

Download the flier here! http://www.hpiracing.com/graphics/flyers/MTS2008.jpg

Trophy Plaques to 1st - 3rd in EVERY CLASS!

LOTS OF PRIZES & GIVEAWAYS!

Plus BIG AIR CONTEST, BACKWARDS RACE, & MORE!

Come join the fun, June 28-29, 2008 at Real R/C Raceway in Pleasant Hill, MO!

For more information please visit www.REAL-RC.com !

Event Forum discussions:

Heartland RC

http://www.heartlandrc.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=3522

RC Tech

http://www.rctech.net/forum/showthread.php?t=212102

http://www.rctech.net/forum/showthread.php?t=212101

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