Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

This past weekend I attended the Hobby Haven 2012 Off-Road Shootout in Urbandale, IA.  Over the years this race has grown from a simple local trophy race to an annual event that draws in several racers from around the region and beyond.  This year was no different as they saw a record 281 entries from Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, South Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Florida, and of course Iowa.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

The race format called for controlled practice on Friday, three rounds of rocket round qualifying on Saturday, and finally all the mains on Sunday.  For the 2nd year in a row only electric classes were offered, and there were 10 classes to choose from overall.  The largest class to compete in was Modified 2WD Buggy with 39 entries and Stadium Truck continued to make its comeback as it was offered in both Stock and Modified classes.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

On Friday morning racers started to arrive at the track as the temperatures reached into the 90’s.  The Hobby Haven parking lot slowly transformed into a tent city as several racers setup their E-Z Up tents.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

That morning also marked the arrival of JConcepts pilot Dave Duncan who made the trip to the Shootout from Florida.  JConcepts was the Shootout’s title sponsor for the 4th year in a row and they flew Dave in to provide product support the entire weekend.  Dave is also a seasoned racer and he helped many drivers with setup questions, and also competed in three classes that weekend.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

Later that afternoon Paul and Chazz Sinclair from X Factory arrived at the Shootout.  X Factory was the official class sponsor of the Stock 2WD Buggy class for the 2nd year in a row.  As the class sponsor they would award a free X Factory X – 6 Squared conversion kit to the highest finishing driver in the Stock 2WD Buggy class who didn’t already have a chassis sponsorship.  They also were also in attendance to provide support to their team drivers and compete in the Shootout that weekend.  Speaking of class sponsors, Tekno RC became the Shootout’s 1st class sponsor of the 1/8 Electric Buggy class.  That weekend they would award a sponsorship to the highest finishing driver in that class who didn’t already have a chassis sponsorship.  They would also give away a free V4 brushless kit for the Team Associated RC8B platform to one of the A Main finalists in that class.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

On Saturday the weather cooled off into the mid 80’s with some slight wind gusts from time to time.  After a brief driver’s meeting qualifying began around 9:30am.  With 281 entries it meant a long day of racing, but racers were eager to meet the challenge.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

Nick Lyle was in charge of calling the races that weekend and he ran a tight ship as he kept the program moving along that day.  Between heats marshals would grab a broom to quickly sweep their area of the track and the Nick would fire off the next heat in less than 2 minutes.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

At the end of each round there would be a 15 minute break to blow and sweep off the dust, and then the track would receive a splash of water.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

As we raced into the night the fastest times came in the 2nd round of qualifying and we finished all the qualifiers just shy of midnight.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

On Sunday racers gather around for a quick driver’s meeting and then it was on to the door prizes.  Thanks to the Shootout’s many, many great sponsors (43 in all) racers were treated to over $10k worth of product that morning.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

Along with the numerous door prizes JConcepts gave away free event t-shirts and each paid racer received a free commemorative pit towel.  It took over an hour to give away all the great gear but by 10:30am the 1st A Main was under way.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

Both the weather and racing was hot on Sunday. In the end 9 out of 10 top qualifiers went on to win their respective classes, and only three classes had to race a 3rd A Main to determine the overall winner.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

In the Stock 2WD Buggy class Justin Dewey was the highest finishing driver who didn’t already have a chassis sponsorship so he picked up the free X Factory X – 6 Squared conversion kit.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

And in the 1/8 Electric Buggy class David Fast was the lucky winner of the free Tekno RC V4 brushless kit, and Dakota Feely was awarded the Tekno RC sponsorship.

We finished the last main before 7pm and the entire event was huge success.  At the rate that this race is growing most likely they will see over 300 entries next year, and I can’t wait to be a part of it!

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

Novice

1. Terrance Parker

2. Travis Fenton (TQ)

3. Dena Davis

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

Stock 2WD SCT

1. Dave Duncan (TQ)

2. Alex Eklund

3. Derek Richtsmeier

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

Mod 2WD SCT

1. Alex Sturgeon (TQ)

2. Alex Vanderbeek

3. David Fast

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

Mod 4WD SCT

1. Alex Vanderbeek (TQ)

2. Cole Tollard

3. Lee Conley Jr.

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

Stock 2WD Buggy

1. Dave Duncan (TQ)

2. Justin Dewey

3. Brodie Yocum

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

Modified 2wd Buggy

1. Alex Sturgeon (TQ)

2. Mack Vanderbeek

3. Chad Karstens

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

Modified 4WD Buggy

1. Chad Karstens (TQ)

2. Will Brinton

3. Cole Tollard

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

Stock Stadium Truck

1. Alex Eklund (TQ)

2. Dave Duncan

3. Jeremy Heerde

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

Mod Stadium Truck

1. David Fast (TQ)

2. Kevin Lesac

3. Brian Cox

RC Car Action - RC Cars & Trucks | Online Coverage Of The 2012 Hobby Haven Off-Road Shootout (VIDEOS ADDED)

1/8 Electric Buggy

1. Alex Sturgeon (TQ)

2. Dakota Feely

3. Sam Anderson

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If you like this article, check out this additional article on Online Race Coverage.

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Updated: July 21, 2015 — 4:23 PM
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