With the first race already run, this is shaping up to be another great year.
There are some changes made this year.
The person who had been running the races since the timing system was purchased has stepped aside. This might have been a problem, but Jamie stepped up and took over. And given the number of racers at the first race, including the usual late arrivals, he did an outstanding job.
Here is the schedule for the rest of the season.
5/2 Points Race
5/16 Points Race
5/30 Special Event Race
6/13 Points Race
6/27 Points Race
7/11 Special Event Race
7/18 Points Race
8/1 Points Race
8/15 Points Race
8/29 Points Race
9/12 Special Event Race
9/26 Points Race
10/10 Special Event Race
To dispel a rumor that has been going around about the track at Hobbytown.
There is no plan in the foreseeable future to expand the off ramp of 222 and plow under the track. It has no factual basis and was started and spread by someone with an axe to grind.
Last edited by lostsocks; 04-28-2009 at 11:47 AM.
Reason: tone down post
I have worked on the track at Hobbytown since soon after it was first built back in ‘02 or something. To be honest, dirt tracks take a hell of a lot of work to keep in shape. And it is no small matter of pride for those who do the work. I am by no means alone, I don’t want that impression, there is one person who has been the one driving force for the track from the start is Eric Tobias. All of the track designs, and no lie, a lions share of the work over years has been him!
But I am amused at the attitudes of certain people regarding a track. Is the track there for the racers? The answer to that is yes. Everyone who works on a track take great pride in positive comments about it. The bad comments, at least in my case, aren’t an attack, but a clue to where changes or improvements can be made.
The amusing part is when someone makes complaints about the track condition. To be specific that it is bumpy, rutted, the jumps degrade over a race day, dusty, whatever. This is off road racing, bumps and changing track conditions are part of the challenge. I mean the Hobbytown track changes from the upper section to the lower section! The lower section gets very dry and dusty, while the upper usually stays mostly damp with good traction. So it is a challenge to set up for the track.
Besides the track conditions the main problem is how racers regard the rules. The rules that are a standard for every track as far as I know. The time between heats does vary from track to track, but it is announced at the drivers meeting prior to qualifying, so it is not a surprise to anyone. At least it shouldn’t be.
Another problem area is turn marshaling. Three minutes is more than enough time to get your truck, get back to your pit, drop it off and get back to the track to marshal. Again this shouldnt be a problem, but it is. This is a very real problem for all racers. Another aspect of turn marshaling is the mains. I do understand not everyone has to stay until the last main is run, but all to often racers leave after they finish theirs is run, leaving the following main short on marshals. As the mains dwindle down turn marshals get harder to find. This is terribly unfair to those racers whose mains are run at the end of the day. If the roles were reversed and those people saw a shortage of marshals they would be rightly more than a little pissed off about it.
My point to all of this is very simple, it is basic everyday common courtesy. There is a small percentage of racers out there that are sorely lacking in this. Yet they are the most vocal when they feel they are not being treated fairly or in a manner they feel they deserve. No racer deserves any more respect than any other. It should not make ANY difference if you are a sponsored racer, club racer or it is your very first race! Respect should be given to all, equally and with no regard. And the tracks should also be respected. There are real people giving their time, their hard work to make the tracks as good as possible.
The weather for Sat keeps changing every day.
Early in the week it was supposed to be clear, partly cloudy, not they are calling for rain. But the problem is it says "Rather cloudy with a shower". To me that means they haven't an F'n clue as to what it is going to do, so they are hedging their bets with the shower bit.
Meteorology is no better than astrology or alchemy, you throw enough crap at the wall something has to stick!
There is the possibility of some rain for tomorrow, but the track is in good shape and the track hold up well to some rain. So barring any torrential downpours, thunderstorms, hail, brimstone or frogs falling from the sky, we are on for May 2nd!
A few rain drops never hurt anything. It is now 945 and the drizzling has continued, but the radar says this is the last of it for a while.
Will try to update more, but there is a decent turn out and we will be racing today. And a big thanks out to the guys who were out early clearing the puddles and working the track, THANKS!
The rain did stop, the sun even showed itself a few times, and we had some of the best racing ever seen at this track.
Jamie who ran the races did a great job, but did have a small malfunction in the B truggy main, he lost a wheel, hex and all. He did finish the race though.
A huge thanks out to everyone who stepped up and helped get the little bit of standing water off the track and fix a few problem spots.
This is what I like about club racing, especially at Hobbytown in Reading!
And to all the racers, what a day! Everyone did great and had a good time, and that is after all what it is all about.
A big thanks out to some people who have been working on the track.
Toby moved the dirt pile off of the concrete pad, single handed, with nothing but a shovel and wheel barrow! That was quite a lot of dirt, so a huge thanks. Plus cleaning out the drains on the pad! Also Toby has been redoing the catch fence in the bottom turn, so big thanks for that too!
Eric and Jamie for working on the track. Getting the jumps reworked, raking and getting the track in shape!
Unfortunately I wont be at the races taking photos, have to work. Getting screwed on this deal I had to have off work on race days, oh well.
Registration: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
This year's program begins April 18, 2009 and concludes October 10, 2009. See Points Series Racing and the 2009 Schedule for more details. There will be special event races during the season. Details of the special event races will be posted as they become available.
Personal transponders recommended. Limited rental transponders available.
Practicing
Monday - Friday: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Cost: $5.00 unlimited $3.00 after 5:00 pm
Practice: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Racing: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Racing will begin on time.
Fee: $15 for the first class $5 for each additional class Classes
1/10 Scale Gas Truck*
1/10 Scale Electric Truck and/or Buggy
1/8 Scale Gas Buggy*
Standard Monster Truck*
1/8 Scale Arena Truck*
*point series classes
(Other classes to be added if needed)
A huge thanks to everyone at the race today. The weather held off, the track was in great shape, and the racing went very well.
The last main finished at 3:40!
The new sound system works great! The new amp and speakers did the job. There will not be any complaints about not being able to hear. And if there are, it is not the speaker systems fault, the person is deaf!
So a big thanks to everyone, Jamie for running the races, especially. And to everyone who made a great day possible.
I see on the web site it says "Truck Stock" - that mean 1/10th trucks are 27T brushed or 17.5 brushless motors? Or will you also have a Mod-2wd Truck class?
I hope to be able to come up to the track w/ my son in the next few weeks - just wanted to know the motor limits on 1/10 electric.
Hobbytown USA- Reading 2009 schedule
Outstanding Day!
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