2014 Novak Offroad Challenge
Novak Offroad Challenge Race Results

2014 Novak Offroad Challenge

30 April, 2014

NOVAK

Chad Karstens and Mason Fuller win at the 2014 Novak Offroad Challenge with JConcepts

Race Reporter: Chad Karstens

This past weekend I traveled over to the Hobby Plex in Omaha Nebraska for the Novak Offroad Challenge. With 190 entries this race weekend was competitive but still relaxed. I wasn’t really sure what the track was going to do over the coarse of the weekend so I practiced with both the B5 and the B5M on Friday.

The mid motor was really good in the morning when the track still had moisture but I felt the rear motor was the better car in the afternoon once the track dried out. We ran three rounds of qualifying using two out of three with qual points. I actually used both cars throughout the day. I ran the mid motor during the first round and the rear motor for the last two rounds winning the last round.

I qualified second behind local TLR driver Alex Sturgen. My B44.2 was amazing all day as I was able to win two of the three rounds locking up the TQ. On Sunday they ran two car bumps with single eight minute A-Mains.

The weather outside was going to be cold and rainy so I decided to switch back to the B5M thinking the track would hold moisture all day. Alex crashed on the first lap giving me a decent lead to start the race. I made a mistake at the six minute mark allowing another local driver, Derek Wood to take the lead. We had a great battle for a couple of laps but I was able to make the pass and pull away during the last lap to take the win.

Next up was the 4wheel main. I was probably more confident going into this main than I have been any other main in a long time. My B44.2 was amazing…The only problem was that I wasn’t. I crashed early and went to the back of the pack. I charged through the pack and made the pass for second then crashed again. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat. I passed the same guy for second place four times while the leader pulled away. I wanted to sweep the weekend so bad that I drove over my head and eventually crashed myself out of the race. I am still super bummed with my performance because that race was mine to win. I’m not going to forget that race for a while.

It was still a fun race weekend and I did win the 2wheel championship so I can’t hang my head to low but man I wanted that 4wheel race. Once again, JConcepts Dirt Webs in Green compound were the tire of choice all weekend.

Mason Fuller also had a great weekend at the Novak race. Mason TQ’d Stock Buggy and went on to take the win also running JConcepts Dirt Webs in Green.

Rich M

Engineering leader at a pre-IPO startup