Slapmaster6000

iTrader: (16)

I was a looser and didn't go out today. Instead I bounced outta bed at 6:30 and knocked out about 4hrs of serious yard and consumed 1/2 gallon of water! My cousin went over to Jeff Head and caught none, but pulled 7 dungies. Boats were circling thick in front of Edmonds, but I don't know if they were catching.

I got to do a lot of "observation" of racing yesterday. Great show you guys. I couldn't keep it together. And finally by the 3rd round, I pulled out the little white sheet covered up the fatality. I should have chalked the outline. I think Sam and Gary said: never pitting here again!

bb

PutAwayWet

iTrader: (1)

The penultimate round of our 2017 Seatac RC Raceway season was graced by perfect weather and solid racing in all classes. We were 49 entries strong, with Stock Touring and Modified Touring pulling the biggest numbers.

The layout was a challenging number we call “Crosstown Traffic” in homage to the late, great, Hendrix. In Stuart's head, it's the crosstown blues, as it is the track on which he collided last year with Trav and broke his 417 in half. The sentiment sort of stuck around. More than any other layout, it has an element of danger. Overall, our racers handled it with aplomb, and there were no collisions arising from the area where there are high speed cars in opposing directions one lane over. Racers exercised good judgment.

But, the left side sweeper collected tolls all day long, primarily in the coin of cars dumped over the rail that gripped after the compression section on the left side. Mostly without serious consequences. Brian, however, did flat spin his 1/12th into the rail on the section and bent his rear pod. It ended his day. Stuart also kitted his 1/12th earlier this season on a right-to-left layout that challenged the bump. I think it's becoming clear that the seam on that side, while subtle, nevertheless is having an effect. Jake, Alex, and I are looking into corrections. We are considering adding a permanent chicane on the left side—think of the old NorCal track that had the bent sweeper on the right side. Something like that. It will slow down that section, add a little time to our laps, and take the bump off line. Some are willing to live with the risk, put me in that category, but others find the consequences too dire to enjoy the outing when that feature is part of the day. We have to take care of our racers, so expect a change before the 2018 season begins.

We had a new racer to the club join us, Mark Dawson came up for a day and joined us in our touring classes. Mark is a wheel from California and an all-around good guy. It is our good luck to learn he will be joining us for more racing in the future. I will particularly tip my hat for the gritty drive in Stock TC. The start was messy, and he bounced to the very tail of the pack on the opening lap. But he kept his head down, did work, and came through to a solid second place result. Strong stuff! Welcome, Mark!

Results attached.

boylrmakr

iTrader: (4)

The weather may be a little damp in the morning tomorrow, so everyone with a blower should bring them and we'll pull a Hairmasters on the track.

AlexPate

iTrader: (19)

Keeping an eye on the weather and very interested in making the trip tomorrow. Rrr already cancelled
When will a final valve made on tomorrow?

PutAwayWet

iTrader: (1)

Tomorrow's race is rescheduled for Saturday, September 16.

PutAwayWet

iTrader: (1)

I've had some people ask, so I worked up season points for Seatac today. It's a simple system: 5-4-3-2-1 points for 1-2-3-4-5 places, respectively.

Some of the classes are pretty well settled. George crushed it in Stock TC, Dave M was the king of F1. But Modified TC is a battle between Korey and Trav, and Mike C still has a shot at Jesse in Scale Spec.

Attached.

PutAwayWet

iTrader: (1)

A finish to our 2017 outdoor season unfolded at Seatac R/C Raceway on Saturday. Attendance was solid with 41 entries, and our main fields of Scale Spec, Stock and Mod TC, and Formula One had full heats.

A big thank you goes to Jake and Alex who sprayed the track thoroughly on Friday. It sat overnight and absorbed the perfect amount of moisture to create excellent grip conditions from the go come the morning. Jake has taken charge of the track prep all season, including rehabilitating the sprayer we inherited from Fantasy World. I will tell you it has made for reliably good to great conditions on race days, and it sticks around for practice, too. The track has been very driveable on off days.

Jerry Boyle, too, has gotten there early most days and has the track blown off before even I get there. He's another contributor who goes about his task without asking for anything in return. Thank you, sir!

While some of the points battles were settled, Stock and F1 were in the bag for George and Dave M. respectively, both Mod TC and Scale Spec retained some uncertainty going into the final round. With Korey having to sit out the round, Trav had an excellent shot of overtaking for the season prize, and he did not squander the chance. He dominated from tone to tone all four rounds. Stuart did his darndest to keep it real, but in the end it was Peeler claiming the day and the season. Jesse took care of business and kept his car on track and toward the front. He had a comfortable though not insurmountable lead over Clifton going in, but try as he might, Mike could not close the gap. Jesse takes home the prize for the first full season.

In Stock TC we saw some participation from TRCR regulars, including a motivated Dave McLean who put together a competitive race car, put some practice time in, and delivered a convincing drive and win. I think he will be back next summer, and perhaps he will haul along some more offroad talent who want to have a tilt at this onroad thing.

Those in attendance noted the madrona stump has been ground, and the cherry tree in the northwest corner has been taken down. These are steps in an overall plan to improve the track perimeter by leveling and planting some good grass that will allow comfortable pitting all around the track. I'd like to see more tents and tables all around the track, including two or even three deep on the back straight. Some work days are ahead of us, so please keep an eye on the thread and Facebook for updates.

We will be back in April, 2018 to kick off another season. Until then, carpet season is nearly upon us, and we will be racing hard through the dark, wet months of the year--at our home tracks at Magnuson Park, our sister track at Mt. Vernon, and with the Canadian and Vancouver clubs who frequent our programs. Thank you for all of the support, for showing up to race and bringing your best, and for the fellowship. It is worth all of the work, and more.

Results attached.

PutAwayWet

iTrader: (1)

Here are the 2017 points winners.

Scale Spec: Jesse Anderson
Modified Touring: Travis Schreven
Formula One: Dave McMullen
Stock Touring: George Strichan
Modified 1/12th: Stuart Mason

Congratulations on your excellent, consistent performance through the season

(The photobombing genius in the background in Russ Dyer.)

Magnet Top

iTrader: (4)

Lots of onroad fun at Seatac this year. Thanks to everyone that helps make it happen!
Please note that Mike Boyle put significantly more money and time into the soda sprayer refurbish, including rewriting it and buying a battery for it.
Edit, And I forgot, Mike blew off the track too before everyone got there, I guess way before Todd got there ! Lol. Way to make your dad look good though! Lol
Not that Jerry didn't too sometimes.

So thanks to Mike.... and Jerry too!

Cheers,
Jake

cementsurfer86

Thanks to the club for all the effort put into the track, facility, and the atmosphere overall. It's like a dream come true to have an outdoor track in this area after years of "parking lot" summers.


Can't wait until next year!

bshookup

iTrader: (21)

I agree. Kudos to everyone who helped get the track going and continue to keep it running smoothly. We have a great track and a great group of racers. Next summer can't come soon enough.

cementsurfer86

New post is live on the blog, for those that read it.


Pictures, my thoughts on the season, AND the first ever RACERunderground "Lit Kit" award winner!


https://theracerunderground.blogspot...ort-91917.html

PutAwayWet

iTrader: (1)

Wonderful blog write-up Jesse. Thanks for taking the time and for sharing it

oldrcr

iTrader: (46)

Nice write up Jesse. I also appreciate the write ups by our race directors as well, usually Todd and Kyle. I find it enjoyable to go back and read old write ups to play back our history. The club has come a long way over a relatively short period of time.

Thanks to all for recording that!

-a
:-)

corallyman

iTrader: (101)

Jesse, Travis would be the first to tell you, the reason why Travis takes body shell painting so serious is because its worth an extra .2 tenths! Right Trav!