Race Results for HPI Racing!

2002

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This is where you can find all of HPI's newest race reports from HPI Team Drivers around the world. Race events are listed with the most recent event first. Races that have lots of coverage have their own series of pages. 

Hara wins the NORRCA Nationals with the Pro 3!

From June 7-9, the NORRCA Touring Car Nationals were held at Hot Rod Hobbies in Saugus, California on their new on-road track. Hot Rod Hobbies has been the host of the Hot Rod Shootout for the past four years, along with the most recent location for the off-road Reedy Race of Champions. "Hot" Rod himself, the shop and track owner, was on hand to watch over the affair and make sure everything went as planned.

Helped out by Speedworld Raceway's Billy Bowerman, Atsushi Hara was able to get enough practice time to give him a one second per lap advantage over his closest competitor, former World Champion and top driver Brian Kinwald.

Hara earned the Top Qualifier position with his Hot Bodies-modified RS4 Pro 3 and stayed ahead of the competition to win two A Main runs out of three, earning himself and HPI Racing the title of NORRCA National Champion!

Hara used several HPI and Hot Bodies option parts on his Pro 3, yet used the stock plastic shock bodies on his car.

Team HPI at the 2002 Reedy Touring Car Race of Champions!


Hara, Yokoyama, McKinney (on left), Garner and Yoshioka (on right, seated)

During the weekend of May 23-26, racers from around the world gathered at the Tamiya USA headquarters in Aliso Viejo, California to compete in the latest Reedy Touring Car Race of Champions. With this race taking place the weekend following the 3-week IFMAR Worlds marathon on South Africa, very few European racers were able to make it, however there were several Japanese racers on hand to represent their companies and teams. All the major teams were represented with their platoons of pro drivers and mechanics, along with smaller teams that previously haven't made an appearance at a Reedy TC Race before.

Practice
May 23 and 24 were a Thursday and Friday, with open practice and a single round of controlled practice late on Friday. During practice all the usual suspects looked to be fast. HPI's only racers in the Invitational class, Hara and Yoshioka, looked to be just as fast as everyone else, with lap times that were comparable with the other fast guys from the bigger teams. Practice was a way to compare lap times, however it would all come down to the racing, where anything could happen...

Race Format
The Invitational class of the Reedy TC Race operates off a points system. 32 of the finest world-class R/C drivers from around the world race in a heads-up format where every race "counts". No qualifiers in this category, every race was for points and positions weren't going to be given up easily! Ahe winner would collect one point, second place gets two points, etc. Each race had eight drivers.

The open classes (Open Mod and Open Spec) used four qualifiers to decide the mains positions, with the best two qualifiers counting towards the mains. This prevented using a "rocket round" fast time, and made consistency very important. A single good run wouldn't cut it!

Rules
The Open Mod and Invitational classes were limited to 10 turn motors. Open Spec used Reedy 19-turn handout motors. All racers had to use tires that were preglued with inserts onto wheels. You could balance the tires if you wished, however you could not drill any holes or enlarge any holes. It sounds like overkill, but you wouldn't believe what racers do to their tires, inserts and wheels, just to gain an extra edge over the competition! The spec handout preglued tires were a lifesaver and were actually cheaper than buying all the parts separately. Another final bonus was that the tires acutally worked, and could believably be used at other tracks in the area.

The rest of the car had to be ROAR-legal, meaning the body, weight, width and other things were checked before each race.

Another rule implemented by Mike Reedy was the "no one-way" rule. This meant no one-way diffs, no one-way pulleys, you had to run "full diffs". This was to prevent crashes in corners and blaming them on no brakes, and also allowed some amazing out-braking maneuvers in the hairpins and chicanes!

Manufacturer Expo
Tamiya invited all the sponsors of the race to come and show off their latest products, so HPI had a booth between Team Orion and Novak. Team Orion was there showing their new graphite chassis for the Micro RS4, while Novak had their new "Spy" ESC for the Micro on display as well. Pro-Line was also showing their four new bodies for the Micro, so all in all it was a big display of Micro material!

We also brought out our latest bodies for the Micro, including the Trueno and the Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM.

Also available to check out were a few display full-size cars on loan from various companies. Eibach had a terrific Lotus 340R, a hard-to-find roadster that forgoes a roof and muffler for outstanding handling and outrageous looks. Also on display were two Ford Focus cars, one in street WRC trim and another with the import fighter look.

Open Mod Class
Thad Garner was the only HPI sponsored driver in the Open Mod class, and was able to roll his consistent runs with the new HPI prototype touring car into the A Main. Starting from 7th spot, Thad had a terrific run with Gil Losi, Jr. in the first of the three A Mains to take second spot. Another second place (or better, first places) in the remaining two races would seal a terrific finish! In the second race, Thad got around the first turn pileup again and battled with Junior and Derek Furutani to finish fifth. In the final race, Thad was again battling with Furutani and while side-by-side in a tight chicane, hit the infamous "kink", ultimately ending his run. He was not the first nor last driver to hit the kink, but overall Thad's best two A Main runs were able to bump him into fourth spot overall. Great finish, Thad!

Invitational Class
All eyes were on Hara, Baker, Surikarn, Jun and Masami. There were other drivers that people were keeping track of, but Surikarn had just won the TC Worlds, with Baker in the TQ spot, and Hara was coming from a win at the LRP Touring Carl Masters (see below), a race that is basically like the Reedy Race in Europe, but raced on carpet and featuring mostly European drivers. Masami was watched because he's just Masami - thirteen world championships goes pretty far, considering past racers have three world titles, at most. Jun was also a guy to watch because he's a Tamiya factory driver, racing on Tamiya's home track. Other racers that ended up surprising over the rest of the weekend were Matt Francis, Mark Pavidis (last year's winner) and Craig Drescher.

Although the Invitational class points system rewards consistency, it's still very possible to have a bad weekend from lapped traffic and unforgiving competitors. Although many racers had problems with breaking their front diff screws and outdrivers, Hara and Yoshioka had more than their share of breakages, which prevented them from making a good showing in many of their races. Yoshioka did have a win and two second place finishes, plus Hara had two wins and a second and a third, however the other racers in the class ended up doing better overall. That's the way it goes with prototypes, you learn what breaks and what doesn't only when you test them at the highest levels of competition.

In the end it was still a great weekend, with lots going on for all the racers to watch and do, plenty of great racing, a well-run set of races at a world-class facility, plus perfect weather! There's really nothing more that can be asked of a top-leve event.

Hara takes 3rd place at the IFMAR Touring Car Worlds!

Team Orion provided the world with a terrific set of updates for the entire IFMAR World Championships from South Africa! Check out Henrick's complete report, he's always good for providing some glimpses of the background action!

Hara and most members of the HPI team used brand new prototype touring cars that may or may not be produced in the future.

Atsushi Hara wins the LRP Touring Car Masters!

Atsushi Hara of HPI and Hot Bodies has won the prestigious LRP Touring Car Masters race held in Eppelhiem, Germany over the weekend 19th / 22nd April. The race win backs up another superb performance for Hara and HPI following his recent victory at the World Championship Warm-Up race in South Africa (see below).

HPI was again testing their prototype shaft-drive chassis in serious competition before heading off for the 1/10th Scale Touring Car World Championship in South Africa on the 13th - 18th May. No photographs of this interesting car were allowed without a bodyshell, so we cannot share any details at this time. Plans for production of this prototype version are currently undecided.

Hara and two other HPI teammates, Andreas Myrberg and Jonas Andersson qualified in the A Final with their HPI cars. Hara and Jonas Andersson used the new prototype car while Andreas Myrberg used his modified Pro 3 car. In the Finals Hara was able to capitalise with 2 wins out of 3 leg Finals for the outright victory.

Hara used the Team Orion Core Modified 12x1 fitted with Team Orion Brushes (#41015), Team Orion Ultra V-Max Plus RC3000HV Team Cells and a Nosram Dominator Power Speed Control (#90820) to take the victory. Like all drivers at the event, HPI control tires #4435 were used.

The development car has now won both races it has being used at which must give HPI a huge confidence boost in its final preparations for the Worlds.

Here is the Top 10 Results from the LRP Touring Car Masters 2002.

1. Atsushi Hara - Japan - HPI / Team Orion
2. Juho Levanen - Finland - Associated / Reedy
3. Mark Pavidis - USA - Associated / Reedy
4. Paul Lemieux - USA - Losi / Trinity
5. Andy Moore - England - Losi / Trinity
6. Andreas Myberg - Sweden - HPI / LRP
7. Jonas Andersson - Sweden - HPI / Peak
8. David Spashett - England - Losi / Trinity
9. Hubert Honigl - Austria - Losi / Trinity
10. Teemu Leino - Finland - Schumacher / Team Orion

For a complete report of the weekend's action from LRP, click here! Also check out the race coverage from Team Orion's Henrick Carstens here!

BRCA Super Touring Nationals – HPI Pro 3 "Does the Double"!

HPI Team Drivers Karl Marsden and Jimmy Maddison took a superb ‘double’ victory with their Hot Bodies modified HPI Pro 3 cars in the Stock and Modified Classes at Rd 1 of the 2002 BRCA Super Touring Car Championship at Aldershot MCC.

In the Modified Class, Karl Marsden and Kevin Brunsden both qualified in the Top 10 / A Final using the latest HPI and HB's modifications (see below) on their Pro 3 cars for the first time outdoors. The modifications included using the Atsushi Hara Spec prototype Hot Bodies C/F Chassis and 2.4mm C/F Top Deck that gives much-improved handling owed to it being much stiffer and lighter than the stock plastic chassis. Those parts used alongside the lite-weight HB Aluminium Bulkheads Front-and-Rear means the HPI Team have been able to further reduce the Centre-of-Gravity of the car to maximise the performance, particularly on high grip circuits.

Even though for the Finals the rain came down, Karl choose to leave the Front 1-way Differential in his car, and was surprised to find how effective and consistent this proved through the tight sections of the track in the slippery conditions. With a wet track both Pro 3’s looked very easy to drive and this meant Karl easily reeled-in the leaders before passing, and heading off for the first major victory (and impressive double) at the BRCA Nationals with the Pro 3.

Karl Marsden’s Winning Set Up (Equipment Used):

HPI Pro 3 #178
HPI 1-Way Differential #72291
HPI Aluminium Rear Stiffening Brace #72430
HPI Low Friction Drive Belt (Front) #A735
HPI Low Friction Drive Belt (Rear) #A736
HB 2.4mm Top Deck #HB60103
HB Alloy Upper Rear Bulkheads #HB32P
HB Alloy Upper Front Bulkheads #HB29P
HB Pro 3 Racing Differential #HB14D
HB Dodge Stratus #HB10715
HPI Touring Car Wing Set #7115
Nosram Dominator Power Speed Control #90820
Nosram Ultimate Accessory Set #92820

The Stock Class saw much of the same result with HPI Driver Jimmy Maddison thrashing the field using another Hot Bodies modified HPI Pro 3 although with the stock chassis.

Jimmy fitted his car with the impressive Team Orion Core Re-buildable Stock Motor (#ORI20021) and Team Orion Ultra V-Max Plus RC3000HV Team 30 amp High Voltage cells.

Jimmy, Karl and Kevin all used the super efficient Nosram Dominator Power Speed Control (#90820) and the Nosram Dominator Ultimate Accessory Set (#92820)

Hara Wins the Worlds Warm-up!!

The weekend of the 6th / 7th April was the setting for the 1/10th Scale Touring-Car World Championship warm-up race held at the brand new RC circuit in Krugersdorp, South Africa.

With most of the teams arriving for some serious testing for the World Championships (which is in on the 13th — 18th May) this was vital track time especially for the HPI Team who were known to be testing several modified parts on their HPI cars. Saying that, the HPI, Team Orion and Hot Bodies factory driver and defending Touring Car World Champion Atsushi Hara dominated the race and must now rate his chances of defending the World Title he secured in 2000 at Yatabe Arena in Japan.

Hara who set a blistering pace in qualifying ending up on Pole Position and then went on to win all-three A Finals to secure the win. The result must make him the early favourite to wrap up his second consecutive On-Road World Championship title.

Hara was joined in the A Final by HPI and Team Orion Team Mate, Oscar Jansen who stepped down from the A Final race to mechanic and tune Hara’s car and electrics to perfection.


Hara’s Worlds Warm Up - Set Up Information

Hara was running the new Team Orion Core Touring 8x2 Motor (#ORI24114) fitted with Sprint Serrated ‘full-face’ brushes (#ORI41015) and 175° Pro Springs. Most teams testing at the race were using the new Team Orion / JB Wheels in the extra hard compound (#ORI73002) with the Team Orion / HB Tyre (#ORI75001) — the World Championships Control Tyre - to great effect during the entire event.


The Touring Car World Championship Warm-Up Results:

  1. Hara /Japan HPI Team Orion
  2. Surikarn /Thailand Tamiya Reedy
  3. Hirosaka /Japan Yokomo Reedy
  4. Adachi /Japan Yokomo Reedy
  5. Tosolini /USA Yokomo Fantom
  6. Groskamp /Holland Xray Peak
  7. Kitazawa /Japan Yokomo Reedy
  8. Kauppinen /Finland Xray LRP
  9. Spashett /UK Losi Trinity
  10. Jansen /Holland HPI Team Orion

TQ: Atsushi Hara /Japan HPI Team Orion

For more information on HPI and Team Orion check out the following web sites - www.hpi-europe.com or www.team-orion.com.

HPI Team Driver Andreas Myberg once again showed the RC World what a superb driver he is by winning the Procar Open against the best ‘Nordic’ RC drivers in the World.

Andreas not only won the 3 leg A Finals with his HPI Pro 3 (Pt No.178), he also set TQ whilst struggling with radio interference which meant he only had 1 clean chance to qualify for the A Final. Andreas has been assisting the HPI Race Team develop the Pro 3 car in the run up to the 1/10th scale Touring Car World Championship held later this year in South Africa, and will be attending with the rest of the HPI Factory Drivers which includes current Touring Car World Champion Atsushi Hara, Oscar Jansen, Reto Konig, Jamie Booth, Jean-Marc Betticher, Karl Marsden, Yukjiro Umino, Andy Kraemer and of course Andreas Myberg.

HPI's Top Three of PTCC Modified
Top Three of PTCC Stock
Thomas Andersson, PTCC Stock winner
HPI Top Ten finishers
Team HPI in the pits

 

With such a strong Team line up HPI is looking in good shape in the run up to the big race of 2002!

PTCC Modified

  1. Andreas Myrberg HPI /LRP
  2. Jonas Andersson HPI /LRP
  3. Joel Myrberg HPI /LRP
  4. Magnus Wissmar
  5. Arvid Stenburg
  6. Viktor Wilck HPI /LRP

PTCC Stock

  1. Thomas Andersson HPI /Advanced
  2. Alexander Andersson
  3. Niklas Larsson
  4. Niklas Hokansson HPI /LRP
  5. Mattias Larsson
  6. Mattias Almqvist
  7. Malin Hanisch
  8. Joakim Magnusson
  9. John Lara HPI /LRP