Short Course Showdown was introduced last year in Milwaukee Wisconsin. It did not take long for this event to to have some serious leverage heading into 2011. This year promises to deliver some big competition and even more action. The Short Course Showdown has added a few more venues. Four to be exact, one in each corner of the United States. The final and fourth race being held on the West Coast at a yet to be announced (tba) venue.

The first round takes us to Fitchburg, MA for Round 1 of the 2011 Short Course Showdown. We found this little write up from our friends at RCCA. And poked around for a few more photo’s and video courtesy of JConcepts. Enjoy.

For 2011, Scotty Ernst Productions has taken the Short Course Showdown nation-wide. The unique Short Course Showdown Tour gives drivers an opportunity to participate in a Scotty Ernst level event for what is currently the hottest segment in R/C. Stock and Modified 2wd SCT make-up the bulk of the program while the emerging 4×4 SCT’s put down the fastest and wildest runs of the weekend.

Coming off a recent A-main finish in the Pro 2 Modified class at the Cactus Classic, Brian Kinwald made the trip to Short Course Showdown round 1 at R/C Excitement in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. With the event producing just under 200 entries of just short course drivers, the R/C Excitement location and facility was second to none while providing a great track, layout and surface for the hungry Short Course contingent.

In the SCT Modified A-main, Kinwald got a great start and applied some pressure to Mike Truhe while holding the second position. Truhe made a mistake over the difficult triple jump allowing Kinwald to take the lead. Moments later Truhe was forced out of contention with a mechanical problem giving Kinwald a huge lead. Local JConcepts / TQ driver Mike Wilder worked his way into the 2nd position and maintained a steady distance to the leader Kinwald. Crossing the finish line Brian Kinwald took a well deserved win followed by Mike Wilder (2nd) and Anthony Mazzara (3rd). The top 7 drivers all choose JConcepts Bar Codes in either green or gold compound. Brian Kinwald’s winning truck was topped off with a JConcepts Raptor body, Bar Codes in green compound and Rulux wheels.

Stock SCT qualifying was dominated by Jonathan “Chicken Little” Sohl who out-drove the field earning him the pole position in the main. His JConcepts equipped Kyosho Ultima SC was completely dialed in qualifying with Bar Codes in green compound and JConcepts Ford 1979 truck body. However, the main event belonged to Anthony Mazzara and his Losi XXX-SCT. Anthony and Chicken provided an entertaining A-main with Anthony coming out on top with Chicken settling for 2nd overall. Both drivers relied on the Bar Codes all weekend long, Anthony chose the gold compound and Chicken ran the green compound.

Finishing off the weekend, Mike Truhe took the SCT 4×4 class victory with his Losi SCT-E vehicle. Finishing in a strong 2nd was Brian Kinwald piloting the new SC10 4×4 equipped with JConcepts Raptor body, Bar Codes, and Rulux 12mm hex wheels. Finishing in 3rd was TLR driver Anthony Mazzara driving the Losi SCT-E vehicle.

A huge congratulations go out to Scotty Ernst Productions, R/C Excitement staff and all the great sponsors and supporters of the Short Course Showdown Nation Wide Tour.

About the author

When the racing and the competition starts to become work, sit back and relax a little. Step away from the gear. Take stock in the reasons that put you on this path of podium. And remember what got you started in this unbelievable industry we call R/C. Brian "Juice" Brower – Juiced RC