It wasn't long ago that JConcepts released their all-new Scalpel body for the Traxxas Slash 4x4. The truck body is a blend of style, speed, and performance enhancing features for those looking to hit the asphalt with their Traxxas Slash. In the beginning we assumed this was simply a body for the parking lot basher to go FAST, but little did we know JConcepts would be creating an all-new class of racing which would kick off in Florida with an event called the "Scalpel Grand Prix".
The event was a huge success, despite the rainy weather, and turned a lot of attention towards the new form of R/C racing. We caught up with JConcepts main man, Jason Ruona, to discuss the details of this offroad vehicle onroad track racing.
LiveRC: How did you come up with the idea of the Scalpel products and racing?
Jason: The original idea in mind for the Scalpel conversion was intended for the “neighborhood” hobbyist as a speed run conversion. Remembering back in the days of who had the fastest R/C on the block. We found the Traxxas Slash 4x4 to be a perfect platform to develop this type of project.
The idea for developing a Scalpel racing program originated from the actual testing process for the body. Just watching our test version making impressive speed run passes, it was pretty easy to in vision multiple versions going around a circuit track or lined up side by side heading down a drag strip looking to set a new fast ET.
LiveRC: What are some highlights of Scalpel racing in comparison to other classes?
Jason: The major highlights of the JConcepts Scalpel Grand Prix is participants get to experience two different facets of R/C racing combined into one event. The first facet of the Scalpel Grand Prix is Circuit racing. Drivers compete in two rounds of qualifying (IFMAR Start) for 6 minutes. Mains follow A - Z main format. Top eight vehicles make each respective main with two “bump ups” for a total of ten vehicles competing in each main. Mains are judged by a set number of laps. (Not time/laps) The first vehicle to cross the finish line after a set number of laps is declared the winner of each main.
The second facet of the Scalpel Grand Prix is Drag Racing. Drivers compete side by side in heads up drag racing down a 132’ 1/10 scale 1/4mile track. Competitors have one round of qualifying before being seeded into elimination brackets. Eliminations follow a side by side elimination bracket format. After each driver has qualified, they are seeded into a 16 car elimination bracket. Pairings are quickest (ET) vs. slowest (ET) i.e. (1 vs. 16, 2 vs. 15, 3 vs. 14, and so on). The sixteenth spot on the bracket is held open for the possibility for a “bump up” in the event of entries larger than a sixteen car field.
LiveRC: What are the some of the guidelines other tracks can follow to offer the same form of racing around the world?
Jason: Keeping the class simple is a key to building a race program like this. Getting to complex in setting up rules and specifications could possibly deter a newcomer for making that first leap into an organized race program. Tracks can basically build off of the guidelines we have established. Granted some tracks may not have the ability to hold an all out Circuit / Drag race program, but that shouldn’t deter from possibly adding a class to regular race program if the interest is there.
LiveRC: Using an off-road based vehicle adapted to on-road, what class of racing does it remind you of most when driving? (Ex. touring car, 4wd buggy, etc.)
Jason: The scalpel is really in a class of its own. It does have the look of a touring car around a circuit track, but there is the characteristic of a 4wd buggy with the articulation of the suspension in cornering and acceleration and deceleration. It is the “Slash of On-road”
LiveRC: What is the goal for the future and Scalpel racing?
Jason: The major goal for Scalpel racing is help introduce R/C racing to the community in a fun action packed way which is not going to dip deep into the pockets of its competitors. It is going to be interesting to see what the future holds for Scalpel racing. We have already added a modified class for drivers wanting to increase performance and drivability by changing speed control and motor combinations without straying from the original Traxxas chassis platform.
Scalpel racing is in its infancy stage only having one event under its belt, but we are already experiencing interests from multiple tracks in the Central Florida region wanting to bring this new exciting class of racing on board. JConcepts has teamed up with Superior Hobbies in Orlando, Florida for club racing in preparation for the April 21, 2012 FSEARA (Florida State Electric Auto Racers Association) State Series Race. JConcepts Scalpel Classes have been added to the roster for Superior Hobbies club race on the 20th and the FSEARA State race on the 21st. Drag racing will not be available at this event.
After talking with Jason, seeing the race highlight video, and reading the race report from the first ever Scalpel Grand Prix...we are ready to join in the fun!
January 19, 2013, at Village Raceway in Royal Palm Beach Florida, JConcepts debuted a new, one of a kind racing event featuring the new Scalpel conversion for the Traxxas Slash 4×4 and Rally 4×4 vehicles. Racers were on their A-game taking their vehicle setups seriously trying to find that magic setup to put them in the top spot.
It wouldn’t be a South Florida R/C event without rain, right? Well, even the Scalpel Grand Prix is not exempt from Mother Natures’ watermark. After an hour rain delay, track crew and racers got busy drying the track.
First up in the Show n’ Shine competition, drivers had a chance to show off their freshly painted rides with hopes of having a paint scheme to win over the judges. Daimon Borkowicz took home the gold for his original paint scheme. Paul Wynns’ original paint scheme took the second place medal and third place medal went to Fred Reep with a paint scheme inspired by the APR Motorsports Audi R8 Grand Am race car.
Round one qualifying put Paul Wynn in the top spot with 15 laps / 5:17. Jason Ruona took the second qualifying spot at 14 laps / 4:51. Felix Law took third with 14 / laps 4:52. With round one in the books driver’s went right back to the pits for some more serious wrenching. Round two Felix Law laid down the Law with a run of 15 laps / 5:06 taking the TQ away from Wynn. Ruona would take the second fastest run with 15 laps / 5:14. Wynn took the third place spot with 15 laps / 5:14
Unfortunately Mother Nature made her presence known once again cancelling the A-main event.
Finishing order was as follows:
1.Felix Law
2.Jason Ruona
3.Paul Wynn
4.Bob Husted
5.Daimon Borkowicz
6.Tim Potter
7.Austin Venezia
8.Dave Duncan
9.Kenny Pancake
10.Chris Viesins
Rain may have cancelled A-main circuit racing, but it wasn’t enough to cancel the RCMM LiPo drags. Everyone made their way out to the parking lot to participate in high voltage side by side, heads up drag racing. The wet weather put the driver’s skills and equipment to the test. Drivers lined up side by side laying down pass after pass tweaking their machines in between runs trying to lay down the fastest run of the day. JConcepts’ Rich Muller took home the gold with the fastest truck of the event with a top speed of 52.74 MPH! Shawn Steele, a highly dedicated R/C Drag Racer took home the gold and a Traxxas DTS-1 Drag Race Timing System for his performance and dedication to R/C Drag racing. Shawn’s super modified Traxxas Rustler laid down fast passes in the Unlimited class topping 47 MPH down the 132’ 1/10th scale quarter mile.
Thanks to Tim Potter of Village Raceway for hosting the first ever JConcepts Scalpel Grand Prix. We would also like to thank Bob Husted for all of the hard work getting all of the track prep and maintenance done throughout the event. Special Thanks to Traxxas for sponsoring the first ever Scalpel Grand Prix and DTS-1 giveaway!
Don’t miss the next Scalpel race…
Get ready! April 20, 2013, JConcepts will be joining forces with Superior Hobbies and taking part in their pre-State Series club race with the addition of Scalpel Circuit Racing which will be included in the existing on-road parking lot program. The Saturday club race in the parking lot at Superior Hobbies located in Casselberry, FL on Hwy 436 will prepare drivers for Sunday’s State race.
Join JConcepts and Superior Hobbies again on Sunday, April 21, 2013, for the FSEARA (Florida State Electric Auto Racers Association) State Series Race. JConcepts Scalpel Classes have been added to the roster for the FSEARA State Series program at Superior Hobbies. After the Scalpel Grand Prix was held at Village Raceway in January, Scalpel Circuit Racing will now offer a Modified class in addition to the Stock class for the Scalpel Grand Prix (Circuit Racing). Modified class drivers will be able to change the speed control and motor combination to greatly enhance drivability performance on the on-road racing circuit.
Stock and Modified classes will be offered on the April 20th and 21st race dates at Superior Hobbies. Run one day or both events. These 2 classes will be run in conjunction with the Superior Hobbies Club race and the FSEARA State Series regularly scheduled on-road racing program. Drag racing will not be available at this event.
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