2014 ROAR Region 4 Championships – Report
Region 4 racers converged at Space Coast R/C Raceway in Cocoa, FL, for a weekend-long event to determine the coveted ROAR regional title. Racers came in from all points of Florida to compete and also gain access to a facility that is also going to host the ROAR 1/10th Off-Road Electric Nationals later in the year. A very warm Florida weekend made things rather stuffy inside and out, but as always the track is full of traction which racers seem to love time and time again. A bumpy surface combined with the high-traction had racers on-edge all weekend trying to find that ultimate combination of fast and stable.
Daimon Borkowicz was the first to strike as he dominated qualifying taking 3 of 4 rounds in the 2WD modified class and 4 of 4 rounds in 4WD modified to easily TQ the event. In the Racing Truck modified class Paul Wynn with the CT4.2 was the driver to beat. Even with limited practice on the Team Associated converted truck, Paul managed to take the TQ. In the Racing Truck and SCT stock truck classes, Riker Gatenby was on a mission. Just as he’s done throughout the Super Cup Championship Series events, he rolled confident and smooth to the TQ positions in the respective classes and qualified 3rd in Stock buggy class. Chris Viesins had it going early and often in the 4×4 SCT class with the TLR SCT-E 2.0 vehicle. Chris’ truck attacked the track and despite 4×4 always being rough in qualifying, Chris outlasted everyone to sit up top for the main events.
Sunday started bright and early and modified buggy took the track for A1 where Daimon Borkowicz looked very comfortable taking a tone to tone win. A2 began as a strong race between Daimon and 3rd qualifier Billy Easton. Lap after lap, both drivers matched their fastest lap-times of the weekend pushing each other to the limit. With about 30-40 seconds to go Daimon traction rolled at the end of the straight allowing Billy to take the lead and the A2 victory setting up an A3 showdown. A3 began with Daimon off to another great start and a roll-over by the 2nd qualified driver allowed Billy to move into 2nd place right away. Just as the top 2 drivers cleared the jump section, Billy crashed, allowing Daimon the all important breathing room he needed. That was all the space Daimon needed to check out from the rest of the field for the victory in A3 and to clinch the overall title. Billy Easton finished 2nd and Ryan Eckert 3rd.
4WD modified wouldn’t carry nearly as much drama for the overall victory. TQ, Daimon Borkowicz took a relatively easy A1 and competitive A2 to wrap up the overall once again. South Florida Kyosho driver Justin Falles took a well deserved 2nd overall while 2nd qualifier and ultra fast driver Chris Viesins was unlucky with a mechanical failure in A3 and would have to settle for 3rd overall.
In the Modified Racing truck A-mains it was Paul Wynn who consistently had the advantage. Paul’s Team Associated converted CT4.2 was super smooth he took an A1 and A2 victory wrapping up the regional title. Kyosho drivers, Ryan Eckert took 2nd place and Landon Lewis 3rd to complete the podium.
JConcepts/TLR driver Chris Viesins had a terrific A1 in the 4×4 SCT class allowing him to capitalize on a great start where he could stretch the lead and take the somewhat easy victory. As Chris powered down in A2 it was an all together different race as the pack of 4×4 trucks ate him alive and he was forced to last in the early laps of the race. Chris remained focused and moved back into the top 3 and then into 2nd place. Trey Roberts benefitted with a great start and used his steady driving to hold off Chris and the rest of the field to take the A2 victory ahead of Viesins. A3 once again belonged to Viesins after he gained a fantastic start and lead throughout to pick-up the overall championship. Trey Roberts took a well deserved 2nd place while Tony Nicotra finished in 3rd.
Riker Gatenby maintained his stock success by taking the Racing Truck stock class in 2 straight mains. Peyton MacDonald was a force up front all weekend and had an incredibly close race with Riker in A2 but came up just a little bit short of victory. The overall finishing order, Riker Gatenby first, Peyton MacDonald 2nd and Tilar Pollack 3rd.
The SCT stock truck mains were very exciting and packed with young Florida racing talent. Riker Gatenby once again took a firm hold on the TQ position and used it to his advantage while leading out early in both A-main events. The consistency and speed of the 15 year old was too much for the competition and Riker took the class in 2 straight main events. Robert Molina fought hard for 2nd place with his SC10.2 and earned a podium position. A young Trey Roberts handled the TLR truck like a seasoned racer and took a well deserved 3rd place.
Source: JConcepts [jconcepts.net]
