If you’re a small-scale R/C racer in the America’s Midwest, you may want to plan a trip to Thumb RC in Gagetown, Mi in mid-September. That track will be hosting their second-annual Mini Off-road Nationals competition, featuring size classes ranging from 1/18 to 1/12 and vehicle classes including truggy, buggy, short course trucks, as well as an open class. Younger racers (ages 15 years and younger) can also take part in a Youth Mini class with 1/18 and 1/14 scale vehicles.
For those new to the mini radio-control racing scene, and to Thumb RC’s track, here is a little background. The track at TRC is an outdoor, off-road track that features a variety of jumps, bumps, twists, and turns. It would be a challenging (yet fun) course for 1/8 or 1/10 scale vehicles, but should make for an amazing event for small-scale racers. The track also plays host to the Michigan Mini Off-road Championship Series, holding series races from November through April. Thumb RC also has open practice from 7pm until midnight on the Friday before every series race, allowing you a great opportunity to fine-tune your R/C racer and get acquainted with the track layout.
2nd Annual Mini Off-road Nationals Classes:
- 1/14 Truggy
- 1/12 – 1/16 Buggy
- 1/12 – 1/16 Short Course
- 1/18 Scale Open
- Youth Mini (15 years and younger, 1/14-1/18 scale)
- Open 1/10 – 1/18 Exhibition Class (no trophies)
Eligible Vehicles for the 2nd Annual Mini Off-road Nationals
1/12 – 1/16 Buggy
- Losi Mini 8ight Buggy
- Tacon Soar Buggy / LC Racing
- LC Racing EMB Desert Buggy
- LC Racing EMB Buggy
- Caster Racing S16B Buggy
- Caster Racing S16T Truggy
- Turnigy 4WD Buggy
- Carisma GTB 4WD Buggy
- ZD Racing 1/16 Buggy & Truggy
- Carisma GT14B
- Helion Impakt 12B
1/12 – 1/16 Short Course
- Tacon Thriller Short Course Truck / LC Racing
- Traxxas Slash 1/16
- Turnigy Mini Trooper Short Course Truck
- Helion Verdikt 12SC
1/18 Class
- Caster Racing F18
- ECX Ruckus
- ECX Torment
- All Dromida 1/18 models
- Associated SC18
- Associated RC18
- Iron Track RC Tyronno
- Iron Track RC Spino
- Redcat Racing Volcano
- Turnigy 4WD Buggy
- Turnigy Short Course Truck
- Turnigy Stadium Truck
- Duratrax Vendetta
- X-Ray M18B Buggy
- All Helion 1/18 models
- WLToys A959 & A969
1/14 Truggy Class
- Losi Mini 8ight-T Truggy
- Traxxas E-Revo
- LC Racing Truggy
Youth Class
- All of the cars above
Entry fees for the event are $20 for the first class and an additional $5 for any class you choose to race in beyond that. Children 15 years old and under race for $10 per class with additional classes added at $5. For more information on these races, or to learn more about the track and facilities at Thumb RC, contact Tom Claerhout.
Learn more about the 2nd Annual Mini Off-road Nationals at ThumbRC.com
Image credit: Thumb RC