Marshall’s R/C Raceway
Report from the Track - Update on What's Happening in 2010
Comments on Where the Sport of R/C Racing is
Going in the Future

     First, let me apologize on not updating this website as often as I should. Several things must happen when I want to update our website. I must somehow find the time to write something, e-mail it to the folks who manage our website, and then they try to get it in as soon as possible. Would be a lot better if I was able to do everything myself, but at the present time this is the way it is. Will try to do better.

Racing During the Fall Carpet Season
    Racing on our indoor carpet oval has been close in several of the classes this season. The class with the most racers has so far been the 13.5 one cell LiPo COT class. Local driver Dan Ostrander has the points lead and some A main wins. The 10.5 one cell LiPo class has Dirk Douma out of Walwick, NJ at the top of the class. The 17.5 one cell LiPo Sportsman class shows Ed Jones out of the Neversink, NY area as points leader with one event left. T.J. O’Heren who hails from Hawley, PA leads in both Stock Oval truck and the crazy Open Truck class. The Four Cell Stock class has been dominated by Beachlsake, PA native Jeff MacMullen and Cam Knickerbocker of the Mount Cobb, PA area has been a standout in the Novice Class. Cam will be “bumped” up to another class for the next series. He is definitely ready.
 

Racing Schedule for 2010

New Carpet Oval Point Series
     You may be reading this after our new 2010 winter point’s series starts. The opening date is Saturday January 2, 2010. This series will run every Saturday until Saturday April 3, 2010. Racing action gets underway at 5PM. We don’t normally cancel because of weather unless it’s impossible to keep our driveway open. Many times on bad nights we have had drivers travel 100 miles or more to race while some of our locals don’t show up. Looks like classes will be about the same with an new class; the 17.5 One Cell LiPO COT class starting to gain popularity. I’ll know more after a couple of weeks.

"Special" Events at Marshall's R/C Raceway

Road Course-Stadium Truck
     The first Sunday of each month throughout the winter season will see road course and stadium truck racing action at the track. Dates for these events will be January 3rd, February 7th and March 7th. Classes offered are Stock Mini-Cooper, Stock 4WD Touring Cars, Stadium Trucks, Slash Stadium, and whatever support classes show up. These drivers who also turn right will also be a part of our 12th annual Cabin Fever race. See more on the Cabin Fever later in this newsletter.

Sweetheart's Races
     Every year we hold a special race for our ladies on or close to Valentine’s Day. This year there are two races. The first will be on Sunday February 7th and will be run on whatever road course layout we have set up. The second Sweetheart’s race will be part of our regular oval race program on Saturday February 13th. Any lady may enter and there are no entry fees. We split entrants into two classes, those with little or no racing experience, and those who have at least some experience at the sport. Here at Marshall’s we do have several very good female drivers. The winners take home some nice awards for their efforts and everyone has a lot of fun. Contact us for details.

12th Annual Cabin Fever Weekend
     In 2010 our annual Cabin Fever Weekend will take place on Saturday February 27th and Sunday February 28th. The 2010 event; the 12th annual; will this year be a true two day event and as in our annual Fall Classic race feature not only all the oval classes but road course and stadium trucks both days. Racing action will get underway on Saturday at 12 Noon and on Sunday at 11 AM. As usual with any of our “big” races, there will also be a concourse on Sunday.

Figure 8 Series
     I have been called crazy plus a few other choice things because I promote a Figure 8 Series. Two years ago one of our drivers; Donnie Gilson; built a nice jump for the X and we started running Stadium Trucks along with cars. The cars run a normal Figure 8 course and the trucks utilize the jump. In 2009 we had a real good turnout of both Stadium Trucks and Slashes. I have drivers who wait for this series. In 2010 the series will start on Saturday April 10th and run every Saturday and end up on Saturday May 22nd; a seven week series if I counted right. You may not want to try this because you could get “hooked” on it. Contact us for details.

Pavement Racing 2010
     Pavement racing action will start on Saturday May 29, 2010 and end on Saturday September 4, 2010. The asphalt has always been my favorite place to race. The cars and trucks run much faster on the pavement mainly because there isn’t as much rolling resistance as on carpet. And of course the track is much bigger. The same classes run as on the carpet. Nitro cars and trucks are also invited to compete. One thing that’s different here than at other outdoor tracks; if it rains we go inside to the carpet. As one of our drivers said “We don’t get rained out at Marshall's, we get rained in”.

Midsummer 2 Day Carpet Oval Race
     We tried this in 2009 and it turned out to be a pretty good draw. This year’s event is tentatively scheduled for the weekend of July 17-18, 2010. A lot of folks camped over for this event. Camping here is allowed for any of our summer events.

R/C Hillclimb
     We ran the first of what we hope will be an annual event; a R/C Hillclimb on Labor Day weekend in 2009. In 2010 the event is scheduled for Sunday September 5th. Rain date is Monday September 6th (Labor Day). The folks that tried this in 2009 found the course quite challenging. Hopefully, they will talk it up and more will come out in 2010. This could turn into something.

R/C Racing in the Future
     I see more and more tracks going completely to brushless motors and all LiPo batteries. I really don’t think this is the answer; especially in this economy. We still have a few classes here—Novice, Stock Oval Truck, and Street Spec to name some that must use certain brushed motors and inexpensive NiCad battery packs. We need to keep and develop new inexpensive classes to get new drivers in the sport. Its hard enough to get someone to spend $300.00-$400.00 to get into racing. What do you think happens when they learn some of the “pros” have several thousand dollars invested in their cars and equipment. Think about it.

Bill Marshall

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