Legue, Burton, Rippee, Hart and Gentz won MSCS fourth round

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By Aaron Waldron
LiveRC.com

Race report from Michigan State Championship Series:
www.michstatechampseries.com

Michigan State Championship Series Round#4 at 710 Raceway

The 2016 season past the mid-point and headed in the 4th round at 710 Raceway in Okemus, Michigan on Saturday August 27th.  With 83 entries the racing was stacked with top Michigan 8th scale drivers.  R.J. Hart followed our Supercross theme and build a track with big jumps and challenging sections including a full length front straight.  This made the racing action exciting to watch and to race.  Mother nature showed her power with rain which delayed the event canceling the 2nd and 3rd set of heats but still allowing the mains to complete.

Nitro Buggy Class

Three full groups of Nitro Buggies hit the track for one chance to qualify into the main events.  In the 3rd heat Mike “Chedda” Legue cleared Bradley Rippee’s pace to capture the TQ for the event.  Kyle Gough was the only other driver to break into the 11 lap pace during qualifying and secured the 3rd stop.  The start of the A-main was clean with the the top four drivers flowing through the track in starting order.  Brad stayed close to Chedda not letting him get too much of a lead.  Kyle Gough was also close behind.  Brad was able to get by Chedda on lap 5 which did not last long as Chedda charged forward again.  By lap 15 Chedda was still up front but Kyle claimed the second 2nd position and B-Main winner Tyler Whittaker passed his way up to 3rd position as Brad Slipped back to 4th.  I was then that Kyle flipped his buggy on the large front double letting Tyler, Brad, and George “G3” Barridge by.  The next ten laps would see a the battle for 2nd place go back and forth between Brad and Tyler with Kyle right behind them.  Tyler flamed out loosing valuable time shifting the battle to Brad and Kyle.  Chedda’s lead was not enough to overcome a  bad outlap after his pit stop.  This allowed Brad to take over the lead sending Chedda back to 3rd place.  Brad and Kyle switch positions battling for the win.  This allowed Chedda to catch them and join the fight.  As the tone called the end of the race Chedda crossed the line in 1st place, Kyle claimed 2nd place and Brad ended up 3rd Place.  Boone who started back in the pack was able to grab the 4th Place finish after a battle with 5th Place Garrett Waligorski.   

Electric Buggy Class

The Electric Buggy class also had three groups of drivers pushing for the best qualifying points.  Tom Erickson set the pace in the first heat with a 11 lap run.  Doug Burton also completed 11 laps but not fast enough to bump Tom from the TQ spot.  Kyle Gough finished just shy of 11 laps which was good enough for the 3rd spot on the starting grid.  After the start line the track sweeps around a left hand corner and a large gap jump sending cars down to the infield into a 180 degree shape left turn.  The leader Tom Erickson lead the pack down into infield as another car misjudged the jump and landed right in front of him.  This mishap and carnage behind him allowed Doug by to take the lead sending Tom back to 4th place.  Ralph Jaquay, the B-Main winner was able to avoid all other cars and get up to 2nd place on the first lap with Randy Schroeder in 3rd.  Ralph cashed giving 2nd spot to Randy and Garrett Waligorski moved into the 3rd spot as Tom flipped his car on the large front double sending him back to 10th place.  After a difficult set of opening laps Kyle charged up to challenge Randy and Garrett.  Bill Taylor was also caught up in the early laps and was able to join the fight.  By mid race Doug was still in the lead, Kyle moved onto the 2nd spot, Bill and Garrett were fighting for the 3rd spot.  Kyle was able to get around Doug for a few laps until his main ended short of 10 minutes.  Bill and Garrett traded spots a few times and Tom moved into the 5th spot.  Doug would finish in 1st place, Kyle finished enough laps to retain 2nd, Bill out drove Garrett for 3rd place, and Tom finished 5th place. 

Nitro Truggy Class

Two heats of Nitro Truggies started the day.  George “G3” Barridge was the only driver to break into the 11 lap pace and claim the Top Qualifier position.  During the 30 minute A-main G3 was not able to hold off Bradley Rippee.  Brad was able to take over the top spot about midway through the main event.  Garrett Waligorski started strong and finished 3rd overall.  Tony Oh Boy finished 4th place and Series Points leader finished 5th.  

Electric Truggy Class

With the rain delays and late finish the Electric Truggy was not able to run their main event.  The qualifying heat determined the race order.  The top three were able to complete 11 laps in their 5 minute qualifier.  R.J. Hart completed those laps the fastest securing the overall win.  Bill Taylor was only 4 seconds slower and secured 2nd Place.  Ben Belote was only 1 second behind Bill and therefore finished 3rd Place.  Doug Burton finished in 4th Place and Ralph Jaquay finished in 5th place.

4x4 Short Course Truck Class

The 7 minute A-main for the 4x4 Short Course Class had Logan Wendling start from the TQ position and lead the early laps.  Ken Gentz was able to pressure Logan and pass him mid way through the event.   This pass held till the end.  Logan finished in 2nd Place.  Dale Riggle finished 3rd.  Mark Thompson secured the 4th Place position.  

The MSCS crew would like to thank R.J Hart of 710 Raceway and his crew for their effort and support.  A special thanks to our series sponsors; Nankin Hobbies, Dirt Burner Raceway and Hobbies, Team Associated, AKA, JConcepts, Tekin, Novak R/C, TrakPower, and SMC.  Our next event will be at Stateline R/C in Fremont, Indiana on September 24th.