Marshall’s R/C Raceway
2009 Winter/Spring Racing
Series Wrap-Up -- Driver Profile --
A Look Ahead -- R/C Boat Tips

2009 Winter/Spring Racing Series Wrap-Up

     From January through mid April Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons the indoor carpet track at Marshall’s R/C Raceway saw intense competition as some of the best R/C oval and road course drivers in the country showed up on a week to week basis to race. Results were as follows.

Saturday Evening Oval Racing
     On any given night throughout this series we could expect to see a half dozen or more national champions entered to do battle on our track. Exciting close racing was seen in all classes. Class series points champions were as follows—Stock Oval Truck-Eric Gelatt, Beachlake, PA, Novice Class-Cody Gelatt, Beachlake, PA, SK Modified Class-Ed Jones, Neversink, NY, 13.5 Brushless/21.5 LiPo Class-Ron Housman, New Jersey, Street Spec Class-Jamie Labolt, Lackawaxen, PA, Open Truck Class-Jody Zlotucha, Dickson City, PA, 1/12 Scale Class-Fernando Riveria, Pleasant Mount, PA, 1/18 Scale Class-Jacob Feigenbutz, Fremont Center, NY, R/C Legends Class-Cam Abplanalp, Cochecton Center, NY, Bomber Class-Ed Jones, 17.5 4 Cell/1 Cell LiPO Class-Franklin Brink, Jr, Honesdale, PA, and Four Cell Stock Class-Brian Knickerbocker, Hamlin, Pa. There were several very close points races. Going into the final race of the series on Saturday April 11th Edie Macmullen had a three-point lead in the R/C Legends Class over Cam Abplanalp. Cam won both heats, TQ’D, and won the main event giving him the series championship by one point. Cam has raced for several years at our track and this was his first series championship. In the talented 17.5 4 Cell/13.5 1 cell LiPo class Franklin Brink, Jr. and Bryan Cosgrove of Hawley were tied at the series conclusion. Using the tie breaking procedures spelled out in our rules, Franklin was awarded the first place award.

Driver Profile
     At the end of the last paragraph I reported on the points battle between Franklin Brink, Jr. and Bryan Cosgrove. Both are high school juniors and both are very fine young men. Bryan started on the offensive line of Wallenpaupack High School’s football team last season. Bryan is about 6 foot 7 inches tall and weighs well over 250 pounds. He is also a champion weight lifter. Bryan is being courted by several division one colleges. Hopefully in a couple of years we will be able to see him play on Saturday afternoon college games. We wish the best of luck to both these young men. An added note—Bryan is a second generation racer here at Marshall’s. His father; Mike Cosgrove; raced here in the late 1980’s, dropped out of R/C racing, and then came back with both Bryan and his younger brother Dustin when they developed an interest in the R/C racing sport. R/C racing is truly a family sport.

Sunday Afternoon Road Course Racing
     This year showed a drop-off of racers in our indoor road course racing. We haven’t been able to figure out why as our road course racers have always been some of our most dedicated. Even with the lower numbers, racing action was exciting. Class winners were as follows—Theo Balu of Lackawaxen, PA was the winner in the Mini Touring Class. This writer managed a first place in the Mini Cooper class and Jamie Colon of Middletown, NY in a very close finish bested Jeff MacMullen of Beach Lake, PA by one point in the fast Foam Tire Touring Car Class.

A Look Ahead at Upcoming Events

Asphalt Oval Racing

     Our paved oval track will open this year on Saturday evening May 30, 2009 and run each Saturday evening (with one notable exception) and finish up on Saturday evening September 5, 2009. Racing action gets underway at 6 PM every Saturday. Remember; if it rains; we race the electrics inside. There are no rainouts at Marshall’s R/C Raceway.

Midsummer Carpet Championship

     Saturday July 18th and Sunday July 19th, 2009 will see something new at Marshall’s R/C Raceway. We will for the first time sponsor an indoor carpet two-day event in the middle of summer. We polled drivers at some of our events and got a favorable reaction to this so we are going to give it a try. To make things more interesting we are also inviting road course and stadium truck racers to participate in this event. Racing action will get underway at 4 PM on Saturday and 12 Noon on Sunday. We are still working out details, but one thing we have planned is a big campfire after racing on Saturday. Make sure you bring your hot dogs and marshmallows. Camping overnight will also be allowed on Saturday and Friday if so arranged. Should be a fun time.

R/C Hillclimb

     This new event is planned for Sunday September 6th, 2009 (Labor Day Weekend). We have cleared an area that we think will prove a real challenge for both electric, nitro, and gas powered buggies and trucks. All runs will be electronically timed. We hope to give each driver at least three runs at the hill. Classes are up in the air at this time, as this is definitely a new type of event for us. Keep in touch with us on this. Hillclimb action will start at 12 Noon. If it should rain we will try to get the event in on Monday September 7th (Labor Day). Also Saturday September 5th is the last night of paved oval racing. Come camp with us and make it a real racing weekend.

Fall 2009 Carpet Oval Racing

     This year’s carpet oval events will resume on Saturday evening September 26th, 2009. Racing gets underway at 6 PM.

Annual Open House 2009

     Our 23rd annual open house and fall classic race will take place this year on the weekend of November 7th and 8th, 2009.

Cabin Fever 2010

     I know it’s a long way off but we want to set this date now. Our annual Cabin Fever weekend is scheduled for Saturday February 27th and Sunday February 28th, 2010.

R/C Boat Set Up Tips

     R/C boats are very popular at this time of year. They are fun and most are very reliable, but there are some things a new owner should check before putting the boat in the water and also check when running the boat and before putting it away.

  1. Always remember boats operate in another element; water. You must check the boat over for waterproofing before putting it in the water. Most manufacturers take some steps to help waterproof their boats; the electrics are waterproof or put in a water resistant box, the control rods run through water resistant grommets, etc. One thing a new owner can and probably should do is remove the prop shaft and coat it with either waterproof grease or Vaseline. This helps keep water from getting in through the prop shaft tube and will decrease drag on the motor.

  2. Electric boat owners take note. R/C electric boat motors are stressed much more than electric motors in cars, trucks, or planes because of the resistance the prop meets when trying to cut through the water. The motors tend to heat up rapidly. Keep a close watch on motors and speed controls. I can tell some real horror stories about what happens when an electric motor or speed control gets too hot. Check your motor after running for a couple of minutes and continue checking until you find out just how long you can run before you have to let things cool. There are things that can be done to help overheating. Contact us for info.

  3. When you are done running, clean up the boat, dump out any water that got in the hull, oil the motor (electric), and dump out any remaining fuel if your boat is a nitro or gas boat. Never leave fuel in the tank; even overnight.

  4. Most boats come with display stands. When not in use, display your boat in your home or office. They make a great conversation piece.

  5. If you have any questions about R/C boat maintenance, please contact us.

Contact Us

     Marshall’s Hilltop Hobbies—570-729-7458 (phone & fax)—e-mail-hilltophobbies@aol.com—by snail mail at 55 Altoona Farms Lane-Honesdale, PA 18431

Bill Marshall