For R/C racers, Labor Day weekend in Minnesota has become R/C X-Fest weekend. For the 5th Annual event three of the fastest drivers in the world converged in Cambridge, Minnesota for a weekend of excitement and no-holds-barred entertainment. With an event known for a multitude of classes and special events, the R/C X-Fest has become something to remember for all participants. It seems there is always something going on during the X-Fest. Powder-puff, Big Air Contest, Spud Run, Helicopter night fly, R/C Boat Demo and Mini X Off-road track rental are just a snippet of events available.

Ryan Maifield made the journey from sunny Arizona to the Midwest to battle other top pros in 1/8th Expert Buggy and Truggy. Ryan encountered a few problems in buggy qualifying, which placed him into unchartered territory, the C Main. Once the C Main was up Ryan was ready and was determined to work his way to the A Main the hard way. Winning the C and B Main by multiple laps, Ryan was poised and ready for the A Main, learning the bumps as they developed on the extremely rough X-Fest circuit.

Ryan started near the back of the pack in the A Main but after ten minutes he threw down the fastest lap of the main and was fighting for second place. The 45-minute A Main proved to be too much for most of the competition, but with plenty of practice from the C and B Mains and a healthy dose of laps on his RC8B, Ryan continued to run down the leader. With ten minutes to go, Maifield made up critical time on the leader Ryan Lutz and that vaulted Maifield to the front of the pack. Leading out the last ten minutes and then into victory lane concluded what started as a rough weekend for the ROAR Champion. However, with determination and smart driving, Ryan was able to bring home the victory for Team Associated and Reedy.

Ryan also placed his RC8T on the podium in the second spot, just behind Cody King. An early race tangle spotted King a twenty-second lead that proved to be just too much time to make up. Congratulations to all the champions and to Mike Fisk for putting on the R/C X-Fest and encouraging new and multiple events at R/C races.

Products Used:

• Team Associated Factory Team RC8B (#80902)
• Team Associated Factory Team RC8T (#80910)
• Reedy 121 VR Engine (#800)
• Reedy Pro 2100 LiPo Receiver Pack (#631)