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Scott Kimbrow wins 4th Annual Mugen Nitro Sedan Challenge Cup (13/09/2010)

By:: Reporter-2
Linked to:: Serpent 733-EVO 1/10 scale 4wd, Serpent 733-TE 1/10 scale 4wd

Speedworld Raceway, Roseville, California

Hi Racers,

This year was the 4th Annual Mugen Challenge Cup at Speedworld Raceway, and even though the track is less than 30 minutes from home, it’s the first time I have had the chance to participate in the race since I didn’t run nitro touring car in the past. With the 1/10 Worlds now completed, I am really happy about our performance there and am looking to race the Serpent 733 even more!
Friday was a full practice day, but due to work, I was unable to get there for any practice. I was hoping it wouldn’t be an issue since there would be practice on Saturday until 12pm. When myself and Rich Browne arrived on Saturday and got the car on track, it couldn’t have been much better. Within one tank, we were on pace with Mike Swauger, and the car felt good. I really love the DLS rear link as it makes the car very stable in the rear, and that is how I like the car to feel so it makes it very comfortable for me to drive. Other than harder, smaller tires, and a little ride height adjustment, we ran virtually the same setup we had in Houston for the Worlds. After a few hours of practice, we were ready to qualify.

Three rounds of qualifying Saturday followed by a fourth round Sunday morning, then the finals. It was exciting all the way through. Swauger took TQ in the first round, and then I took it in the 2nd round. In the 3rd round we had some issues, leaving us to watch Mike re-take TQ for the 3rd round of the day! One more chance on Sunday morning and it did not disappoint. Mike and I were battling back and forth before he had some problems with about 2 minutes to go and I went on to take the top spot away from him by over 8 seconds! With the finals now set, we enjoyed the rest of the day watching the lower finals race, waiting to again do battle with the Swauger Mugen.

The horn went off to start the 35 minute final, and it was a very clean start. Over the first few minutes I was able to inch away from Mike, and at the same time we had both pulled away from the 3rd place car of Michael Pallazola. Unfortunately, the battle I thought I was in for didn’t materialize as Swauger lost a steering servo and dropped out before the first pit stop. The rest of the race went very smoothly for me and my Novarossi/Serpent 733. I finished up with the win, followed by Steve Perez in 2nd and Marco Acosta in 3rd.

Big thanks go out to Billy and Tracy Bowerman for hosting this great event, and also to Mugen Seiki for sponsoring the race. It wouldn’t even be possible for me to race with the awesome support of Serpent, Serpent America, Novarossi, Spektrum, Matrix Tires, Tornado Fuel, Empire Racing, Avid Bearings, Protoform, Dynamite, and Faskolor. Thank you very much to them, and also to Rich for his great work on the car! Our next event will be the Novarossi Challenge at Homestead Raceway in Florida…… Time to start tearing up the track with the 966!!

See you at the next race!
Scott Kimbrow