The Top Notch Series or the TNS as most Southern Californian racers know it, has been having tremendous success and is becoming popular fixture in the SoCal race scene. It all started back in December at my home track SDRC Raceway, and has hit up popular tracks in the area that include Coyote Hobbies Raceway, OCRC Raceway, 702 Raceway, IERC Raceway and this past Saturday at Redlands RC Raceway. Erik “Notch” Johnson is the man behind the TNS series, and has been artfully creating sick track layouts that racers really like and love to be challenged by. The latest stop at Redlands RC Raceway welcomed the TNS crew with open arms and let them work their magic that didn’t disappoint. Having raced in the 2wd Stock Buggy and Pro 4 SC classes, I can attest to the well ran race program that kept everything running smoothly and on time; all while having a blast! With only one stop left on the Top Notch Series at the world renown Revelation Raceway (March 30th 2013), you still have a chance to participate and race against some of the top local racers as well as top factory pro’s. The Top Notch Series did such a great job in its inaugural season, I can’t wait to see whats in store for next season! – Joel Navarro
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For full information and current points standings on the Top Notch Series (www.TopNotchSeries.com) check out their webpage.
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Baby Girl and Conner Howard talk strategy before their qualifier.
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Redlands Raceway did an excellent job hosting the Top Notch Series.
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The kids were out in force at the TNS.
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Associated’s Reese Meyer leading the pack in Intermediate Stock Buggy.
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SDRC Raceway local, Baby Girl is the fastest girl at TNS and was beating up all the boys.
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Catching up on cartoons in between rounds.
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Heirs to rc thrones, Michael Losi (son of Gil Losi) and Johnathon Schultz (son of John Schultz)
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Sponsors hooked up with tons of raffle prizes.
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Tweb busy in the pits.
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The pit area was hustling with racers prepping for quals and mains.
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Erik “Notch” Johnson, is the man behind the curtain making the Top Notch Series the success that it is.
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Notch designs all the track layouts at the TNS events.
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Prepping the winner’s circle.
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Ray Valesquez was the man to go to tech your car before you hit the track.
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Barry Baker making some ride height adjustments on his Tekno EB-48.
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Kyosho’s Lucas Stanford’s weapons of choice.
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Associated’s Brent Thielke snapping some pics at TNS.
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TLR’s John Schultz getting in the zone before his SC qualifier.
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TNS always has good looking trophies you can actually use. Monster energy drink is one of the TNS sponsors.
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Barry Baker’s Tekno EB-48.
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Team Tuck Nasty founder, Ian Tucker.
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SDRC track owner, Scott Bergen (in the foreground) showed his support at TNS as well as a handful of other track owners.
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The Drakes, who live in the area, dropped by for a visit to check out the racing action.
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Michael Losi sitting on the pole in the Sportsman Stock Buggy class, in which he would eventually take the win.
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Kyosho’s Lucas Stanford was unstoppable in the 1/8th scale electric class.
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Kyosho’s Lucas Stanford.
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Ronda Drake confiscated my camera to do a little race coverage of her own.
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