Cactus Classic Victories For Team Associated!

Monday, Mar 25, 2013 at 12:00am UTC

For the 27th year in a row, the Pro-Line Cactus Classic has proven to be one of the most popular and longest-running RC electric off-road races in the world. Hobbytown/SRS in Scottsdale, Arizona hosted entrants from all over the planet, with over 480 total entries racing in the perfect March weather.

Over the years the surface has progressed from a watered, slightly fluffy surface into the beginnings of "blue groove" racing. With an array of chemical additions since then, the 2013 version took on a whole new level with the organizers adding over 400 lbs of sugar to the track throughout the week of racing. Not only did this create a hard, abrasive surface, it also cut down on track maintenance while adding consistency from the first heat to the last.

Team Associated was well represented across the eleven categories of racing with lots of team drivers on hand to assist customers and compete for the titles. In the Stadium Truck Modified class it was Team Associated's Ryan Cavalieri who took the overall TQ with his newly released T4.2 Factory Team truck. Cavalieri also started on pole in the 4WD Modified Buggy class with his B44.2 Factory Team buggy. Taking the TQ in 2WD Short Course Modified was teammate Ryan Maifield with his Reedy Sonic Mach 2 7.5 turn/LRP Flow Works Team-powered SC10.2 Factory Team truck. Also taking a TQ for Team Associated was the B4.2 Factory Team buggy (powered by Reedy Sonic Mach 2 13.5 and LRP Flow Works Team) of Brent Fiege in the 2WD 13.5 Super Stock class.

As the main events got underway, the "Ryan and Ryan Show" was there to race. With both drivers looking to bring home victories for Team Associated, the racing was intense. In the Stadium Truck Modified class heading into A3, Ryan Maifield had one victory and second place while Cavalieri had two second-place finishes. A win by either would most likely secure the overall title. Starting from pole, Cavalieri made an uncharacteristic mistake that allowed Maifield to inherit the lead and he never looked back. With a win in A1 and A3, Maifield took the overall victory while a third second-place finish landed Cavalieri third overall.

In the 4WD Modified class, the racing was fast and intense. The Ryans again battled for the overall victory. This time Maifield took the win in A1 and A2 to take the overall title, while three third-place finishes from TQ Ryan Cavalieri saw him again stand on the final step of the podium in third place overall.

Short Course racing is all about door-to-door battling and in RC short course it's no different. With a win apiece, Maifield and Cavalieri battled in A3 to decide the overall champion in the wind-challenged 2WD Modified Short Course class. As the seconds ticked down, a last lap bobble from Maifield allowed the ever-present Cavalieri to shoot past and claim the title while Maifield had to settle for second overall.

In the 13.5 2WD Super Stock Buggy class, local racer Spencer Rivkin and his B4.2 Factory Team buggy held off the hard charges of TQ Brent Fiege to take a very popular victory for the young local racer. With a single 10-minute final, the main event was a true test of man, equipment, and machine.

Special thanks goes out to the whole Hobbytown/SRS crew and to everyone that made the 27th Annual Pro-Line Cactus Classic a "must attend" event on every serious racers' calendar.