Myron takes Pro Invite National Championship

This past weekend, the USVTA Nationals came to "Music City" to compete in the eighth year of this great event (sixth as a nationals). The event started off with Open and Controlled practice. With the new CRC black carpet on the 96' x 48' layout and the extremely high traction, getting the vehicles not to traction roll became obligation #1. Everything from gluing sidewalls and running new tires came into play and would make or break you for a podium finish.

As I began to get my TC7s ready to battle, I decided to run USVTA and the Pro Invitational classes. Since I had qualified for it, I also joined the newly formed I.R.O.C. Pro GT Class, which takes the top 10 USGT racers and puts them in six rounds of heads-up racing for 10 minutes each, (Reedy Race style); the same format was used for Pro Invite. The Pro Invitational also used handout motors and tires to stress drivers and their setup skills.

Saturday after practice, it was time for the USVTA one-minute qualifier. All the racers get one minute on the track to allow re-arranging of the starting order for the weekend. I was able to secure TQ in this opening event with my Reedy-powered TC7. That was the beginning of a secure run in all three classes; I was able to hold two out of three TQ positions for the entire event.

Will Sheffield, running a Reedy-powered TC7, took home the B-main in USVTA. After starting fifth, he took the victory in the last two laps.

AE/Reedy legend Ken Pepe was in attendance with a Reedy-powered TC7 and was able to secure A-Main finishes in USGT, USVTA, and IROC -- not bad for the young man.

We also had a Jr VTA class with young racers getting their feet wet at a National-level event. In her first race and first event, newcomer Mya Kinnard positioned her TC4 Club Racer to finish a solid fourth place in the A Main. We will see more of her in the future, I'm sure.

For the AAA mains in USVTA, lapped traffic and excitement caused me to settle for third place and TQ. I also had to settle for second place in the IROC class behind the current ROAR National champion. So with two down, my last chance to pull home the brass ring was the Pro Invite Class. It was all up to me to put 10 minutes of fast, smooth, and constant awareness on the black carpet. And after it was done, my "Finally!" was heard by everyone in attendance. Taking home the 2016 USVTA Pro Invitational National Championship with my AE TC7, Reedy Blackbox 800, Reedy LP servo, and Reedy Zapper LiPos -- for the first time.

Thanks to all the racers that made the entry count well over 100 again this year.

Products used
#30120 TC7 Factory Team
#30101 TC4 Club Racer
#284 Reedy Sonic 540-M3 Motor SS 21.5 1S Spec
#315 Reedy LiPo 2100mAh 7.4V RX/TX Battery
#27002 Reedy Blackbox 800Z Zero-Timing ESC
#27003 Reedy Blackbox 1000Z+ Competition ESC
#27108 Reedy RS0806 LP Digital HV Hi-Speed Competition Servo
#27300 Reedy Zappers 6000mAh 7.6V 100C
#27301 Reedy Zappers 5600mAh 7.4V 100C
#25584 Servo Saver, TT/AE/Futaba
#31640 Fan Mount Set
#31645 Hook & Loop Battery Strap Kit
#31652 FT TC7 Chassis, aluminum
#31668 FT Floating Steering Bellcrank Posts

Thanks to Myron Kinnard for this report.

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