Ryan Maifield & Jörn Neumann Take Five with JConcepts

JConcepts has produced this in-depth report from the 2011 Clash.

The most unique RC off-road event in the world held its fifth annual event in Coral Springs, Florida on 9-11 December 2011. Since 2007, The Clash by JConcepts has brought a one of a kind event to Florida that produces an experience like none other for competitors and manufacturers alike. For the 2011 edition, drivers were greeted by an amazing track surface on Thursday’s practice session which produced the fastest lap-times down into the sub-23 second lap range.   
Coral Springs is an expanded circuit, but with the hefty traction available and rhythm-based layout, drivers pushed the envelope consistently prompting even the highest praise from the best racers in attendance. Arizona native Ryan Maifield was quoted as saying, “This is insane, there is so much grip and speed I just want to keep running my buggy. I think I was out there for 25 minutes.” The track and race management crew were tremendous all weekend while announcer Nick “the suit” Black kept the pace going, the track crew filled in all the details necessary to outlast changing and unpredictable South Florida weather conditions. If the track was dry, drivers were pulling wheelies and if it was wet, there was plenty of traction on the loose, fluffy dirt.
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Friday – Qualifying
Qualifying started with Zack Genova getting a great start to qualifying and recording TQ runs in both 2WD Stock and Truck classes. In the Pro 2 Stock class, Coral Springs club president Mike Applegate put in a terrific TQ run placing him at the top of the field. Jörn Neumann from JConcepts/Durango put down a great run in 4WD Modified with JConcepts/Team Associated driver Tanner Denney just a few seconds behind in second, In the 2WD Modified class, JConcepts/Team Associated driver Jason Ruona put down a vintage run on the damp track to take a narrow TQ advantage over Ryan Maifield. Brian Kinwald placed his T4.1 truck out front with a stellar TQ run of his own in the Modified Truck class.     
Friday night drivers were invited to the host hotel to take part in a casual social hosted by JConcepts. For roughly three hours drivers gossiped, told stories and reflected on the first day of qualifying for the fifth annual Clash. A light meal, drinks and the dry conditions inside the hotel were a welcome sight for racers recovering from the day’s events

Saturday – Qualifying
On Saturday, Ryan Maifield took to the moist track conditions with ease by taking TQ in the SCT Modified class with JR Mitch in second. Hupo Hönigl, with his Durango secured the TQ spot with a great run in the 4×4 Short Course class with the Dirtinator, Brian Kinwald in second. The 1:8 E-Buggy class completed the electric qualifying and Jörn Neumann once again placed his Durango at the top of the field to take one of the quickest overall runs of the day.
Qualifying picked up in the nitro 1:8 buggy and truck classes. Walter Cruz took a narrow top qualifying run in the 1:8 Sportsman Truck class over Mike Santana. Jader Lopez found his rhythm in the 1:8 expert truck class taking the only 12-lap run during the first round of qualifying in that class. Rick Bender had a great run in the 1:8 Sportsman Buggy class taking TQ. Serpent driver Billy Easton ran a super quick 12-lap run taking the TQ in the 1:8 Expert Buggy class.    
Saturday evening arrived with clear weather in the radar and the race management crew pushed on and ran a total of 11 finals bumping two drivers in each main as everyone’s goals remained to make the big show on Sunday. Saturday night finished as scheduled and while racers retreated back to the hotel as the track maintenance crew prepped for Sunday morning.

Sunday – Electric A Finals
Sunday started with the track crew pulling off the tarp on the track while the racers focused on the finals. Bump-ups continued as Nick Black ran a flawless program shuffling and bumping drivers on their way up the ladder into the A finals.
In the first A final of the day Zack Genova took off from the TQ position in the 2WD Stock class and left a trail behind him while he blistered the track. Daimon Borkowitz maintained second place after a small battle early in the race. Mark Smyka worked his way into a podium position after a lap after lap battle against Mike Applegate and Kory Ferguson. The final finishing order was Zack Genova first, Daimon Borkowitz second and Mark Smyka third. Zack’s B4.1 was equipped with the Double Dees, Rips tyre combination mounted on Mono 12mm hex wheels and topped off with a Kustom RC Graphics painted Finnisher body and Hi-Clearance rear wing.
The Stock Truck A final was immediately up next and after a great run in buggy, Zack Genova maintained his cool after a lengthy crash at the beginning and recovered to take the lead once again.  Dave Duncan had his T4.1 truck working extremely well and hung in there keeping Zack honest in second place throughout the eight-minute main. Tim Moon, the crafty veteran racer, drove consistent and moved into third place. The finishing order was Zack Genova first, Dave Duncan second and Tim Moon third. Zack paced the field with the Double Dees and Carver’s tyre combination topped off with Punisher T4.1 body with his concours-winning “Halloween” paint job.
Jörn Neumann lined up his Durango buggy into the TQ position for the start of the 4WD Modified A final. At the tone, Neumann blasted out front with Hupo Hönigl second and Jason Ruona third. A mistake by Ruona allowed Tanner Denney to get back into the race passing Hupo for second place. While Jörn was out front and cruising, the second to fifth place drivers exchanged positions numerous times with Ruona taking over third place and now in the hunt for second. Paul Sinclair with his X Factory X-7 buggy quietly made an impact, getting past Hupo Hönigl and sitting in fourth place ready for a mistake by Denney or Ruona to take a podium position. On the back double jump Ruona flat landed too hard and broke the vehicle allowing Tanner an easy second place and moving Paul Sinclair into the third place position. The finishing order was Jörn Neumann in first place, Tanner Denney second and Paul Sinclair third. Jörn’s tyre of choice on the Durango was the JConcepts Double Dees in green compound which provided the winning grip.
In the Pro 2 Stock A final, TQ Mike Applegate used a great start to lead for several laps. A slight rain started to fall on the racing surface making the track more slippery which shuffled the order, allowing Glenn Worthington to take the lead. Glenn used smooth driving on the slippery track to hold an edge over Applegate and young Daimon Borkowitz who were in a battle of their own. Daimon made a move on Applegate and charged into the lead showing a lot of maturity on the track. At the finish it was Daimon Borkowitz in first place, Mike Applegate second and Glenn Worthington third. Daimon’s SC10 Factory Team was outfitted with the new JConcepts Pressure Points tyre in green compound on Hazard wheels and topped off with Hi-Flow body.
The 2WD Modified drivers took the track with TQ Jason Ruona sitting out front. Ruona led the parade of B4.1 buggies through the first several corners until Ryan Maifield made his move coming down the hill on the triple section. Just like that, Maifield was in the lead with Ruona second and JR Mitch moving quickly into third. Maifield looked comfortable and consistent through the first several laps with Mitch in second. Ruona was forced to retire after breakage on the second lap, which allowed third to sixth place to pack-up into a freight-train around the wet track surface. Mitch did his best to keep pace with Maifield but a stretch of low 28-second laps by Maifield increased his margin over the quick Florida driver giving him a slightly comfortable lead. JR put down some solid laps of his own toward the end of the race getting within two seconds of the Maifield. At the finish line, Ryan Maifield took his first win of the day followed by JR Mitch in second and a great drive by Leon McIntosh to finish third. Ryan Maifield equipped his B4.1 Factory Ream with Finnisher body, Hi-Clearance wing,  Double Dees front and prototype 3Ds rear tyres mounted on Mono 12mm hex wheels.
The Modified Truck drivers with TQ Brian Kinwald took the track for the single eight-minute A final. The “Dirtinator” led the field around, increasing his lead each lap with a conservative yet quick pace. Caleb O’Hara maintained his second place position very well and the top three were somewhat spread out for most of the race. Jader Lopez worked his way up throughout the race to the third position. Crossing the finish line Brian Kinwald took another well deserved win, Caleb O’Hara second and Jader Lopez third. The Dirtinator used the Flip Outs tyre combination front and rear and topped off his T4.1-winning truck with a Punisher body.
The Short Course Modified class took the track for another single A final  ROAR National Champion Ryan Maifield sitting on TQ. JR Mitch made it a two truck race once again matching Maifield lap after lap driving anywhere he could to gain the traction necessary to stay in the hunt. A mistake by Maifield over the double jump allowed Mitch to gain some ground and making an excellent pass in the two corners before the straight. Maifield stayed poised with his SC10 Factory Team looking for options to regain the lead. With just under two laps to go, Maifield set-up and executed a great pass on the triple coming down the hill making the pass stick on the exit turn. With the crowd in shock, Maifield finished off the last lap in style taking his second victory of the day. JR Mitch finished a great and exciting main in second place while Ryan Eckert stayed smooth and consistent and finished third. Ryan’s winning vehicle was gripping the dirt with Pressure Points tyres in green compound mounted on Hazard wheels and topped off with the Hi-Flow body.
The fastest vehicles on the track, the 1:8 E-Buggy class checked in and were ready. TQ Jörn Neumann took the quick start and maintained a smooth and steady pace out front. Jason Ruona made his way quickly into second place and hunted down Jörn who maintained the lead. Ruona made a move on lap seven and took the lead over Jörn much to the delight of the home based crowd. Jorn made a race of it and maneuvered his way through traffic a little better than Ruona and regained the lead. With Jörn back out in the lead, Ruona and Hönigl exchanged positions throughout the remaining laps jostling for position. The top three drivers made the last lap and Hönigl and Ruona tangled on the triple coming down the hill. Ruona was out after an apparent LiPo cut-off on the last lap handing second place to Hupo. The final results were Jörn Neumann taking a well deserved win from Hupo Hönigl and Jason Ruona. Jörn utilised the Hi-Flow body for the Durango and Hybrids tyre in green compound for the ultimate performance.
The 4×4 Short Course class was all Hupo Hönigl. After starting from TQ, Hupo driving the Durango was briefly challenged by Jörn but after a problem sidelined Jörn, Hupo was able to stretch the lead. Brian Kinwald driving the SC10 4×4 settled into second place keeping an honest distance to the leader. The battle for third raged on between Gary Mazur, Felix Law and Sean Kersten. At the finish line Hupo Hönigl took first place, Brian Kinwald second and Gary Mazur third.

Sunday – Nitro A Finals
The 1:8 Trucks were fired up and ready to hit the track. First up was the 1:8 Sportsman Truck A final with TQ Walter Cruz taking full advantage and getting an early lead on the competition. Mikko Trott started in the third position but by lap 14 made his way into second place and was looking for the leader. Nearing the end of the 30-minute final, Mikko had made up serious distance and now was all over the back of Walter who quickly needed to regain his composure. Walter settled down and the two leaders switched positions many times on the last several laps until Walter made a move which stuck and gave him the victory. The finishing results saw a win for Walter Cruz from Mikko Trott and Javier Gonzalez third. Walter Cruz and Mikko Trott relied on the JConcepts Hybrids in green compound to tame the slick groove conditions.
Jader Lopez with his Kyosho lined up in the TQ position for the 1:8 Expert Truck A final with Jason Smith sitting in second. Jason quickly found his way to the front of the field brilliantly working his JConcepts-equipped Losi 8ight-T around the track. Serpent driver Billy Easton made his way into second and looked to be on the move with his sights set on getting into the lead. Billy worked the traffic with ease and took the lead near the first pit stop. Consistency and speed was the difference as Billy Easton increased the lead and took a well deserved win after 30 minutes as Jason finished second and Kurt Kellum third.
In 1:8 Sportsman Buggy, Nick Black made a small driver introduction of the A finalists and the drivers were off. Rick Bender, the TQ led the drivers around the track for the opening laps but encountered a problem forcing him out of the race. Mikko Trott worked his way up into second place and eventually the lead, and he was cruising. Mikko, having just run in the 1:8 Truck A final looked flawless and poured on the power with his Kyosho MP9 buggy. Javier Gonzalez paced Mikko throughout, but it wasn’t enough. Taking the victory with 61 laps, Mikko took first place, Javier Gonzalez finished second and Franco Rizzo third. Mikko paced all drivers using the Hybrids in super soft Green compound.
The sun started to set in South Florida but the track remained relatively warm as the 1:8 Expert Buggy drivers hit the track. The last race of the day began with TQ Billy Easton leading the start of the main with Ryan Maifield hot on this heels. Ryan appeared patient knowing his speed and followed extremely close to Easton. Billy made an uncharacteristic mistake on lap three and Maifield capitalised quickly. JR Mitch quickly picked up the second position and was determined to get up front. However, with almost no sun on the racing surface, Maifield clicked off a series of low 26-second laps and increasing the lead. JR was the first to pit around the 7:30 minute mark and Maifield stayed out, stretching the legs on his RC8.2 for another three to four laps pitting around the nine-minute point. Back in the third to sixth positions, the race was tight between Jason Smith, Chad Phillips, Tanner Denney and Ryan Eckert. Jason Smith emerged in third and looked comfortable until an unfortunate incident with pit lane broke the rear suspension knocking him out of competition. Chad Phillips quickly picked up the third position which he never relinquished. Out front, Maifield was powering through another pit-stop courtesy of the John Piant/Chris Denney combination, extending the lead. Finishing the 30-minute final in style, Ryan Maifield took his third victory of the day with JR Mitch finishing second and Chad Phillips in third. Ryan Maifield chose the popular combination of Hybrids tyres in green compound, Punisher body and Illuzion HD rear wing to wrap up a very successful weekend.
Drivers were awarded at the ceremony, the Cash at the Clash, with the winners in each class walking away with a pay-day.  The fifth annual Clash was an event to remember, a very special thank you to the event sponsors – Futaba, OS Engines, Team Associated, Reedy, LRP and P1 Brand – the Coral Springs track crew, announcer Nick Black and the JConcepts Events staff on another great event. We are already looking forward to the sixth annual event.

Source: JConcepts