[JohnCary]

What's up everyone, it's John Cary, West Coast Contributor and I'm here at the 2011 Nitro Challenge at The Nitro Pit track located in Wittmann Arizona. If your not sure what The Nitro Pit is, it's one of the largest off-road tracks in the entire USA. This years Nitro Challenge is leading up to be quite an event. The racing field consists of drivers from all over the USA as well as an international crowd with drivers hailing from the United Kingdom, Finland, Spain, and Sweden. The layout of the track is simple, but it's extremely hard to go fast. There is even a 4ft drop off with slight gap added in there. I've heard rumor of several new products being tested in the pits, including a couple that should be released in the near future. The best part of all... The Dirt Girls, I'll have pictures up shortly for you guys. In the mean time, check back often, I'll be keeping you guys updated with pictures and new information.







Ryan Lutz


Brent Thielke


The Whoops Section


The AE Crew


You can always count on Richard Saxton cheering on his teammates.


TLR's Team Manager Kevin Gahan


If they're not wrenching on their cars, you can usually find the Tessmann's watching the action on the track and looking for ways to go faster.

[JohnCary]

I came across this picture in while shooting on the track yesterday. Upon take off from the jump, Mark Pavidis got a little sideways and managed to keep the car as level as possible for landing. Notice the flex in the wheels from the impact. Mark was able to keep the rubber side down while all of this went down.

[JohnCary]

The man, the myth, the legend...Mr. Robert Ibon of Up-Grade RC



Mark is probably one of the most patient people at the track.


For years we've been reporting about Chad Bradley and Jammin, recently Chad made the switch to JQ and is currently running "The Car".


Agama Racer/Track Builder from Thunder Alley RC Raceway, Levi Jackson.


Hailing all the way from the UK, Tamiya Driver Lee Martin.


Grizzley Adams

[JohnCary]

For all you racers and past readers, remember racer coverage from The Dirt's track out in Hemet, Ca? There was always some sort of over/under obstacle and this year Joey brought it back. It's quite a deceiving obstacle because it's so far away and the car is driving towards you. Plus, it's covered with a felt carpet which acts as a tire scrubber.

[JohnCary]

What did you just say....


The Proline guys always looking like they mean business




Ryan Cavalieri

[JohnCary]

Ryan Maifield getting twisted up on the landing.


I don't know how they do it, pulling this cars out of crazy situations such as this.


Renald Savoya recently made some pretty large moves. He went from running Mugen and switched to Durango, followed by moving to Texas from from his native land of France.

[JohnCary]

Yesterday I managed to get Team Losi's Mike Truhe to fly and airplane over the track to get you guys a birds eye view of everything. Turns out, when Mike isn't racing cars, he's flying air planes. Perfect man for the job.

[StephenB]

Awesome, great job John!

[R_C_hoodlum]

Sweet Pictures! I really like the one of Pavidis landing sideways. The aerial video is cool too. Maybe Truhe should take up helis so he can hover over the track next time

[Chilly Duncan]

Great stuff so far! I also stickied this to the top for you.

[MacII]

That first panoramic shot is amazing...post up a high-res version of that one!

[JohnCary]

Originally Posted by MacII

That first panoramic shot is amazing...post up a high-res version of that one!

Thanks. It's actually composed out of 15 images.

[JohnCary]

Tonight's main event was pretty exciting. Over the years I've been privileged to have the opportunity in covering RC races throughout the world, tonight's truggy main was by far one of the best. The battle that took place between Kyosho's Jared Tebo and Team Associated's Ryan Maifield did more then getting people on their toe's, it electrified the stands. The two drivers changed positions numerous times throughout the main event, worked their way through traffic with ease, both bobbled allowing the other to pass, and it came down to the last lap. In the end... Jared Tebo came out on top giving 2nd place to Mailfield and 3rd to Ryan Cavalieri. Not to mention, Jared was also the TQ. Not bad for days work. Congratulations Jared.














Check back for a very unique interview between Mark Pavidis, Jared Tebo, and Cody King.

[JohnCary]

Here's a cool sequence shot:

[JohnCary]

Action Shots:

[JohnCary]

Tonight during the main I decided to think outside the box for you guys. Let me know what you think of the images.

[JohnCary]

NEWS FLASH!!!

It's 10:30pm at the track right now and we're currently getting hit with 30+mph winds and excessive rain. I have a feeling racing may expect some delays tomorrow.

[JohnCary]

On a brighter side of things.... The Dirt Girls

[JohnCary]

Open Truggy

2:Brent Fiege
1avid Green
3: Mason Elliot

40+ Truggy

2: Ross Denny
1on Vinkmulder
3: James Green

4WD SC Pro

2: Jeremy Kortz
1:Casey Peck
3:Kevin Gahan

4WD SC Open

2:?
1:Marty Korn
3:Casey Peck

[JohnCary]

Woke up this morning to a total disaster zone of a track facility. Last night we were hit pretty hard with rain and wind which caused damaged to numerous teams pits and a flooded track. There hasn't been a Nitro Challenge were rain hasn't graced it's presence, this year is no exception to the rule. Right now we're on a bit of a rain delay as the Dirt Crew works their magic to drain the track and get it ready for racing. Here are a few pics as to whats going on.

[JohnCary]

More Pictures from this mornings rained out track and pits.

[JohnCary]

If you look carefully you might see a buggy in there.

[MacII]

That mud is insane. Why were those cars out there? Just for fun or really trying to turn some laps?

[379]

Originally Posted by JohnCary

If you look carefully you might see a buggy in there.

Haha, now that looks fun. Damn the mud let's get out there!

[Lamouche]

Very nice pics
For the buggy A main, they had the same track condition?