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HOSTILE BAJAFEST 2011
The HPI Baja has had a tremendous effect on the world of RC cars. The platform itself managed to bring many enthusiasts to the hobby that otherwise would have not bothered. That statement could be challenged by anyone who was not in attendance at this year’s Hostile BajaFest. If you were there, it was obvious; this platform has brought a huge group of people together for a common goal, fun! For the 4th consecutive year BajaFest is “the” large scale event to attend. With 210 plus HPI Bajas on premises and 400 entries into no fewer than 7 racing disciplines, the event was loaded with action for bashers and racers alike. This is one annual event that you can’t afford to miss if you are into large scale RC. 
The facility is for the event gets upgraded every year. This year was no different. Rob from Hostile Racing Products pulled out all the stops and generated a huge off-road track with 2 purpose built driver’s stands. The off road track that was in the oval infield was removed to keep the oval in pristine condition for oval racing. The new layout worked flawlessly allowing practice to take place on whatever track was not in use for racing. This 40 acre piece of beautiful Springwater, New York has been developed into the biggest permanent large scale racing location in the United States. During the BajaFest event, food catering services are brought in to keep the competitors nourished throughout the weekend. Christian from Baja Modifiers brings out his mobile Baja shop stocked to the roof with factory and aftermarket parts to keep you running and tuning all weekend long. Most of the competitors decide to stay on site and camp with all their fellow Baja enthusiasts. It gives people an opportunity to walk around and meet manufacturers and friends they have communicated with on internet forums. 
The main track consists of a 600’oval groomed for high speed competition. Two drivers’ stands service this track, one at the top and one at the bottom. This oval is unique in that turns 1 and 2 are downhill, and 3 and 4 are uphill. This is the epicenter of racing at BajaFest, as the Baja oval racing phoneme was born right here on this track. Lying next to the oval track is one huge off road track, this was 2 tracks that were merged into one to generate a long lap time and give competitors an opportunity to spread out and run their own race. 2 drivers’ stands also service this racing arena allowing many competitors to enjoy the track at the same time. A 200’ x 20’ drag strip is in the back corner of the facility allowing guys a spot for heads up racing and a shot at bragging rights of having the fastest Baja at BajaFest. 
The Racing action at this year’s BajaFest was as fierce if not more so than years previous. The Oval scene has flowered into a full blown mainstay and really brings the high horsepower cars out for a show. Some of the best side by side racing you will ever see takes place on this oval. It doesn’t matter that the cars are only 1/5 scale because the sound and action involved brings full scale excitement. Even the standard buggy and truck racing is exciting to watch, but the real show gets underway when the EDM cars hit the track. The off-road track wasn’t short on action in 2011 either, as some of the long time Baja racers hit the track for a little competitive off road racing. Many rivalries are brought to the track and battles for bragging rights are settled on the spot in rock slinging, sideways driving, high flying Baja off road action. The 2011 event saw many new competitors trying their hand at both disciplines, experiencing the success and pitfalls of preparing and racing several vehicles is both arenas. Whether or not a competitor had success can only be measured by whether they had fun, and one thing is for sure, everyone at the 2011 BajaFest had a ton of fun! 
Special thanks to Rob, Nikki and the Hostile Racing Products family for all their hard work and for opening up their home for the entire large scale RC community to come enjoy their HPI Bajas. Words: Scott G Photos: Mark Hull 2011 RACE RESULTS:
5B off-road A-Main Scott G Dave Zettlemoyer Greg Arnone
B-Main
Prikryl, Lukas Dawson, Tommy Brister, Craig
C-Main Scappaticci, Silvio Weber, Eric Duda, David
5T/5SC off-road A-Main Ketcham, Rodney Arnone, Greg Coble, Keith
B-Main
Coleman, Carlton Holister, Jack Joslin, Steve Sr
C-Main
Walter, Chris Bias, William Sisman, Dave
5B Oval
A-Main Gibson, Stanley Guancione, Ed Moor, Steve
B-Main
Friele, Travis Glassman, Greg Scappaticci, Silvio
C-Main
Nogol, Stephen Duda, David Neumann, Gerhard
5T/5SC Oval A-Main Cisney, Jeff Joslin, Steve Sr Ashline, Trevor
B-Main
Arnold, Geoff Sabo, John Cross, Bob
C-Main
Reichard, Isaac Gibson, Stanley Nogol, Stephen
Open Oval
A-Main Johnson, Art Silva, David Prikryl, Lukas
Oval EDM A-Main Zettlemoyer, Dave Coble, Keith Joslin, Steve Sr
B-Main Adams, Curt Schultz, John Friele, Travis
C-Main
Goetschius, Ryan Vangilder, Kris Phalen, Tony
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