HB HPI RACING at the Reedy Race of Champions 2011

It was with a heavy heart that the HB crew attended the 2011 Reedy race. A week before the race the R/C community learned that Mike Reedy had passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Reedy was a true legend and industry leader, pioneering the techniques of making high performance modified motors. And Mike left an everlasting legacy with his leadership roles as ROAR and IFMAR president, as well as a rich tradition or Reedy races which continue to be held around the world. While we were sad to learn of his passing, we all knew Mike would want the Reedy race to go on as scheduled.

Kent Clausen, HPI RACING

May 26-29, NorCal Hobbies, Union City, CA

The HB/HPI RACING team attended this year's Reedy Race of Champions with a full compliment of drivers which included 2 former World Champions in Atsushi Hara and Hayato Matsuzaki as well as former National Champion Ty Tessman, newly signed HB/HPI talent Tyler Vik, the designer of the TCX chassis Toshihiko Hara and Nor Cal HB/HPI Team Driver Leo Zhao. HB/HPI Team Manager Hiroyuki Kasuya was also on hand to make sure everything went smoothly for the drivers. In attendance were also a strong contingent of HB/HPI Infantry Team drivers and privateers driving the HB/HPI TCX chassis. This year's race was held at the NorCal Hobbies track, a first class venue worthy of the prestigious event. With many drivers showing up as much as a week early to practice, it was shaping up to be a hotly contested event indeed.

The practice rounds started early on Thursday morning as many were anxious to see how their times compared to the rest of the field. The HB/HPI runners we're on pace from the get go! As well as a full support crew and the latest go fast parts the HB/HPI crew also had a fully stocked MONSTER ENERGY mini refrigeration unit courtesy of MONSTER ENERGY. There was definitely no shortage of energy in the HB/HPI pits! Friday saw the second day of practice with everyone getting well aquainted with the track layout and picking up the pace. Many drivers were fine tuning their setups in anticipation of Saturday's qualifying rounds.

With the sun peeking through a cloudy Nor Cal sky, Saturday's qualifying rounds started in earnest in anticipation of the predicted rain showers. Qualifying was fast and furious as the pace quickened with each group and early TQ lap times tumbled accross the board. While the rest of the field was in Qualifying mode, it was game on for the worlds best drivers in the Invite Class! The action was over the top from the gun as the favorites quickly secured wins in their respective rounds and showed their true pace. The full heads up starts of the Invite Class also made for a nerve racking battle for the first corner hole shot in every round. The crowds were treated to the Invite Class drivers in the world showing exactly why they are the best of the best in the world! The afternoon saw the rain showers finally arriving which unfortunately shortened the race day, with the 3rd round of qualifying being moved to early Sunday morning. After the dust had settled in the Invite Class, HB/HPI drivers were looking good with past Reedy Champion Atsushi Hara in the hunt for another Reedy title.

Sunday started super early as the rescheduled 3rd round of qualifying got underway. The Invite Class got right back into the action as the pace quickened with each round. There we're battles all around as several of the favorites had to work their way up from bad starts to get to the front,  producing numerous epic battles. The battle of the day was hands down the one which featured current world champion Marc Rheinhard and HB/HPI's former world champion Atsushi Hara! The two champions separated themselves from the pack early and was soon engaged in a "beyond epic" battle as they flew around the track milimetres away from each other, often times driving nose to tail ... touching lexan! It was definitely sensory overload time for those watching as the two drove themselves to the edge. Hara held his ground as Rheinhard tried every trick and angle in book to get past. As the clock counted down close to the end of the heat, the action went into full overdrive with the two coming in contact several times. As the time expired it was a dash to the line......with HB/HPI's Atsushi Hara taking the epic win!

It all came down to the last round of the day to decide the overall winner of this year's Invite Class at the Reedy Race of Champions! With Atsushi Hara, Victor Wilck and Marc Rheinhard in the running. The start saw Hara getting tangled up with several mid field cars as Rheinhard gapped the field up front. After a valiant effort by Hara to make up the lost ground, it was not to be as Rheinhard took the win and with it the overall title at this year's Reedy Race of Champions.

Atsushi Hara came home with a well placed 3rd place finish on the podium, good job Atsushi! HB/HPI's Hayato Matsuzaki finished in 10th overall with Tyler Vik in 11th, Ty Tessman in 14th and Leo Zhao in 18th. TCX designer Toshihiko Hara also took a fine 2nd podium spot in Open Mod. Congratulations to HB/HPI Team Driver, Toyota's very own, Paul Dabao for a fine A-Main showing in the 17.5 Ramping class.

Congratulations to the entire the HB/HPI Team for a great showing and a big thank you to the entire crew at NorCal Hobbies for a great event!

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