Space Coast RC of Cocoa, FL, played host to round one of the 2013 JConcepts Super Cup Series. Race one of the New Year is something special as everyone is back from the Holidays and itching to get back to racing (many with new cars or equipment). The first race is also when the series banquet kicks off the New Year by celebrating the previous year’s points championships as everyone receives their well deserved awards while letting loose away from the track. The banquet was amazing with plenty of prizes handed out from the series sponsors, video comedy sketches, and gift cards throughout the event. Thank you to the following people who help put this banquet together; Matt Mosieur, Rich Muller, Fred Reep, Jason Ruona and Allison Ruona. Special thanks to Cheryl Shiver for her amazing photos.
Sunday morning 6 January was game time as we saw a record setting 290 entries transform race one of the 2013 Super Cup into the largest single day event in the southeast. SCRC provided us with a world class indoor facility and rose to the challenge of the record setting entry. The 290 entries produced 33 heats and round one of two qualifiers got underway at 9:30am sharp. The race director and crew were on point all day with great announcing and a near flawless program. When the dust settled; 66 heats of qualifying were run and 38 finals were raced in an amazing 15 hour stretch.
JConcepts performed at the top of the standings all weekend and it was JR Mitch who stood out in the 2WD modified and SCT classes. JR led a JConcepts top five qualifying result in the 2WD modified class with Paul Wynn second, Chris Viesins third, Jason Ruona fourth and Daimon Borkowicz fifth. In the SCT modified class JR again top qualified with JConcepts team mate Paul Wynn in second. Jason Ruona, Ruffy Rios, Billy Bruce and Felix Law led their respective classes in SCB, 2WD stock, 40+ buggy, SCT stock, 4×4 SCT respectively, also using JConcepts rubber to TQ on the tricky surface at SCRC Raceway.
As the finals started it was clear the track was still in great shape and the lap-times remained quick. Daimon Borkowicz struck first in the modified truck A final while dominating the race drive over team mate Chris Viesins. The JConcepts equipped T4.1 was on rails in the final and Daimon put it out of reach with some crafty driving.
JR Mitch left from the TQ position in the 2WD modified A final and was never challenged. The TLR 22 equipped with Finnisher body looked untouchable in the early moments and stretched a nice lead until it was out of reach. Paul Wynn maintained his great weekend finishing second with Kyosho driver Ryan Eckert in third. A great battle to watch in the middle of the pack was going on all race with Jason Ruona eventually taking the fourth position and Daimon Borkowicz settling for fifth. Four out of the five top drivers all chose the JConcepts Bro Codes in green compound to grip for the final.
In the 4WD modified A final there was a disaster at the start but TQ Ryan Eckert was unaffected and pulled a comfortable lead. Daimon Borkowicz regained second place very quickly and chased down Ryan for the lead and overtook him slightly half-way into the final. The battle was on in the back of the pack with Austin Venezia, Jason Ruona and Felix Law all racing for second. At the finish, Austin stayed clean and took the second position on the last lap to finish off a great main event. Jason Ruona finished 3rd after a difficult race. All three drivers dominated using the JConcepts-equipped B44.2 buggy.
Modified SCT started similar to the 2WD modified A final with TLR/JConcepts driver JR Mitch breaking away from the field. Paul Wynn held the second position throughout the race but was heavily challenged by Chris Viesins who had his 22 SCT working extremely well. Paul used some veteran driving and grippy performance from the JConcepts tires as an advantage and stayed perfectly clean. Chris made a mistake near the last lap allowing Paul to get away and finish second. Ryan Eckert squeezed in there at the end taking third with Chris Viesins settling for fourth.
Walter Cruz was on a mission in the 40+ buggy final. Without the TQ holder in place, Ruffy Rios, the race was completely wide open. Bobby Horan took the lead at the beginning but it was Walter with his perfectly prepared new B4.1 WC who overtook for the lead. Walter saved his best for the main and opened up a huge lead. Larry Genova finished second and Bryan Thomas third.
Billy Bruce dominated the stock SCT A final with his Kyosho SCT equipped with JConcepts. Billy was challenged very early in the race but with consistency continued to gap the field until he was in cruise control. Michael Bruce finished second and Jonathan Paulk third. All three drivers relied on their JConcepts products all weekend.
A huge thank you to all that participated in round one of the JConcepts Super Cup and being a part of the record setting 290 entries. Special thanks to Lance MacDonald and Leon McIntosh for assisting with great announcing! Also thanks to Angel and his track crew at SCRC Raceway for all of the hard work and superb racing surface.
Source: JConcepts
