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2006
RC Driver
Indy Challenge
by the RC Driver Team
The Indianapolis
Motor Speedway is
one of those rare
destina
tions that
you
don’t
simply
visit…
it’s
an experience.
With more than a quarter-million
permanent seats, the IMS reigns
as the world’s largest sport facility and home to the
largest ingle-day
event.
PHOTO BY STEVE SNODDY / IMS
Surrounded by the Speedway's history and grandeur, we gathered with
industry giants Team Associated and Thunder Tiger, a throng of factory drivers, seven of the top Indy racers and thousands of “500 Festival” Community Day attendees for an incredible day of radio control fun.
The morning activities always seem to range between well-oiled and general mayhem. This time, it was astounding to see how quickly the tents, track, barriers and displays were in place as each team went about their tasks. In no time things were up and running, and we were set to roll. All of the vehicles went for a shakedown cruise before the TV crew’s scheduled arrival, and we were also treated to an amazing 3D helicopter demo by TTR’s Jeff Fassbinder. The speedway officials were immediately awestruck by the flying machine’s unbelievable performance—and then they politely asked us to ground the chopper.
During the afternoon, driver
Felipe Giafone dropped by for
a visit. After wheeling around
the track and hitting the jumps,
Felipe let a few spectators join
him on the try-oval for some
good-spirited competition.
IN THE NEWS
It’s always a bonus to get any kind of television coverage for these events. This year, it came by way of the local news station. Fox 59 reporter, Julie Loncich, was on hand to cover the 500 Festival Community Day activities that were taking place all over the Speedway grounds.
After a couple of brief teaser clips to fill viewers in on what we had on tap, Julie took control of an Associated TC4 herself. Garry Owen of Team Associated, gave her some on-camera instruction on how to operate the 1/10-scale touring car. This provided some entertainment for the rest of us. She enjoyed the experience, even though she managed to rearrange the Road Rail system that defined the infield of the RC track. When asked about her first RC experience Julie replied, “It’s a lot harder than it looks; I will definitely need some practice!” Thank you, Julie and Fox 59, for sharing the RC Driver Indy Challenge with the Indiana viewing audience (and thanks to your production for babysitting Bob).
The first of the Indy drivers to arrive at our oval was Bryan Herta and his son Colton. No use letting an empty RC track go to waste, right? While dad posed for some pictures, Garry set Colton up with an RC18T. The little guy handled the mini as cool as his haircut, entertaining everyone while we waited for the rest of the gang to show.
Bryan Herta and his son Colton
CELEBRITY CHALLENGE
The RC Driver Indy Challenge Celebrity Race is becoming a fan favorite that features any of the Indy drivers that are willing to fit us into their already-hectic schedules. This year we were able to round up six Indy 500 drivers to compete against each other on a track smaller than their garages with cars that would fit into their toolboxes. Bob Jenkins, the speedway’s PA announcer and known for his many years’ broadcasting on ESPN, stopped by to provide play-by-play commentary while our Indy driver participants battled it out for three minutes on the 25x60 ft oval track. The six drivers present were split to run two races with three drivers in each.
First up were Bryan Herta, Ed Carpenter and Kosuke Matsurra. After they spent a couple minutes getting used to the controls, the cars were lined up and the crowd counted down from five to start the race. For the next 180 seconds, the three TC4s did everything but find a direct line around the track. Every time there was contact, the spectators cheered…and they cheered a lot! At the end of the three minutes, Ed Carpenter completed the most laps.
The second celebrity race included Vitor Meira, Bryan Herta and PJ Chesson. This race pretty closely resembled the first with a buffet-style display of donuts and T-bones. Townsend Bell took first place 180 seconds later.
With two races done and a winner in each, it was time for a celebrity showdown between Ed Carpenter and Townsend Bell. Now that both had a chance to warm up in the first race, the showdown promised to be a more controlled event. Three more minutes of battling back and forth ensued with a bit of friendly “fender rubbing” (a rare treat for these open- wheel guys) thrown in to keep it interesting. Ed Carpenter came out on top to be named the 2006 RC Driver Indy Challenge Champion. Both drivers were presented with winners’ plaques and gift baskets to remember their visit. A huge dose of gratitude to the Indy Drivers who took the time to come out and play with us to help make the 2006 Indy Challenge a success.
First up were Bryan Herta, Ed Carpenter and Kosuke Matsurra. After they spent a couple minutes getting used to the controls, the cars were lined up and the crowd counted down from five to start the race. For the next 180 seconds, the three TC4s did everything but find a direct line around the track. Every time there was contact, the spectators cheered…and they cheered a lot! At the end of the three minutes, Ed Carpenter completed the most laps.
