Gateway to the Best, Checkered Flag Series

St Louis, MO was the host of the Gateway to the Best, Checkered Flag Race Series this Winter. Averaging 95 entries per race day, there was no lack of competition.

The Series

All modified classes saw at least 30 drivers. Very close competition came down to just ten points separating the top three drivers in the regular season in each class.

The finals

The finals were held the first weekend in April. It took three days to crown the champions. With all three TQ's set on Saturday and Sunday morning, I, Rod Rippee, was ready for the mains.

Modified Truck
A wire-to-wire win, but it was a close battle between myself and two others. My Factory Team T4 was perfect. The LRP Sphere Competition Brushless speed control and X-11 6.5 turn motor with Reedy 4200 VMX Batteries did the trick.

Modified 4WD
This race had several lead changes with Aaron Pucci, Nick Haberberger, and I each holding the lead. When the last horn sounded, I crossed first with my B44. I used a Reedy 10-turn double motor, an LRP Quantum 3, and 4200 VMX Reedy Batteries.

Modified Buggy
This was the closest race of all. No lead changes but Chris Baumgartner and I were never more than 10 feet apart. In the end, he blinked first and I wrapped up the sweep with my Factory Team B4. I used an LRP Sphere Competition Brushless speed control, X-11 8.5 turn motor with 12.5mm rotor, and Reedy 4200 VMX batteries.

When all of the points were totaled for the season and the finals, Team Associated was on top of all three classes with a perfect score in each.