Calandra Racing Concepts "Advances" Cleveland

A new performance level with the Advanced Speedo, new lipo battery and the dominant Gen-XL cars.

The 2009 version of the U.S. Indoor Championships in Cleveland, Ohio marks the 30th Annual running of this prestigious event. Thirty years ago, the race began as a 1:12th scale only event with only 2 classes offered, stock and modified. Over the years we have seen other types of cars race at the Champs, but this 30th Annual saw a return of 12th scale dominance of the event.

While the 1:12th numbers represented a good portion of the entries, the turnout was quite low when compared to previous years. Continuing a trend of lower turnouts in many of the large travel races, the Indoor Champ's attendance was down as well. This trend seems to have the greatest effect in the on-road racing segment.  Is it the economy? The speedo wars? Too many races? Too many classes? Race week too long? A big "yes" answers all those questions. As an on-road racing community, we need to stick together, enjoy the hobby and support local club racing. We also need to help and encourage new club racers and prospective r/c racers. With a little help from the economy, we can re-capture some of our lost racing friends.

The 2009 version marked the first year of the 1 cell lipo and no wintergreen based additives at the Champs. With pan cars using 1 cell lipo packs and brushless motors, road racing is certainly a bit easier now. No comm truing, no discharging trays, no re-peaking, no need to time your charge, no cycling and matching batteries, pretty easy. However, with all that cool new technology, smart engineers will find a way to extract more power from the batteries and the motors. One thing that has not changed is Calandra Racing's ability to keep up with technology offering you the best equipment to help you achieve your best result.

The racing....

10.5 World GT

In the expert division of World GT, CRC's Aaron Buran was out to prove his win from the Halloween race was no fluke. Unfortunately for Buran, CRC driver Hupo Honigl wanted redemption for what should have been his in Vegas, a World GT win. Hupo took his CRC Gen-X 10  to the T.Q. spot in round 5 with a brilliant run. From poll position, Hupo led every lap and was not pressured until very late in the run when a charging Buran really started to close in. Buran worked through traffic and found himself hot on the heels of the T.Q. driver Honigl. The win continued CRC's dominance in the World GT division that began right from the very first event in Las Vegas last year. Joining Honigl and Buran in the A-main were CRC drivers Tom Firsching, Mike Pulfer, Brian Wynn, Mark Calandra and Canada's own Wayne Vince. A cool 70% of the field.

30th Cleveland US Indoor Champships 2009

Position Driver Name Car # Laps Race Time Fast Lap Chassis Qualifier #   1 HUPO HONIGL 1 36 6:02.388 9.747 CRC 1 2 AARON BURAN 5 36 6:02.652 9.662 CRC 5 3 MIKE BLACKSTOCK 2 36 6:05.312 9.707 Asc 2 4 JOSH CYRUL 8 36 6:08.357 9.893 Cefx 8 5 TOM FIRSCHING 3 35 6:00.146 9.763 CRC 3 6 MIKE PULFER 7 35 6:10.155 9.980 CRC 7 7 WALTER HENDERSON 10 34 6:04.563 9.873 Asc 10 8 BRIAN WYNN 6 34 6:05.147 9.941 CRC 6 9 MARK CALANDRA 4 34 6:07.070 10.140 CRC 4 10 WAYNE VINCE 9 23 4:14.193 10.012 CRC 9

13.5 World GT

Gen-X 10 reigns supreme!

The 13.5 turn World GT class was another CRC runaway with CRC's own John Firsching (a.k.a. Johnny Whopper) taking the T.Q. and win with his CRC Gen-X 10. John had the poll position throughout qualifying and wrapped up the Championship with a solid A-main run.  Joining John on the podium was the now famous "Skeeter McWhamo". Skeeter (Myles Hyle) put his Gen-X 10 in 2nd qualifying position and finished on the podium.

1:12th scale 17.5

Advanced Black Diamond, Black Art, Gen-XL and Pro Cut tires mow down the field. New CRC lipo processed by Powerpush T.Q.'s and wins.

The 17.5 turn 1:12th scale class has always been a battle of power and efficiency. With the low power of the 17.5 limited motor, the more emphasis is placed on a quick car in the corners, a lightweight car, good grip and getting the most from batteries and motors. Andrew Knapp found all of the pieces to the winning puzzle with one stop to CRC.

The podium package from Knapp, Firsching and Brink.

Chassis - CRC Gen-XL

Body - Black Art R8C from Calandra Racing

Tires - CRC Pro Cuts

Speedo - Black Diamond LV from CRC - All chose Advanced

Battery - New 50C 3.7v Lipo pack from Powerpush/CRC

30th Cleveland US Indoor Champships 2009 - 1:12th Scale 17.5

Driver Name # Laps Race Time Fast Lap Chassis Tires Battery Body Speedo   1 ANDREW KNAPP 1 46 8:05.051 10.143 CRC CRC Powerpush/CRC Black Art R8C Advanced 2 JOHN FIRSCHING 2 45 8:02.437 10.243 CRC CRC Powerpush/CRC Black Art R8C Advanced 3 JAMES BRINK 4 45 8:04.232 10.287 CRC CRC Powerpush/CRC Black Art R8C Advanced 4 JOE TRANDELL 3 45 8:05.739 10.302 Asc - - - Advanced 5 MICHAEL SKEEN 6 44 8:01.040 10.392 CRC CRC - Black Art R8C Advanced 6 MIKE PAVLICK 7 44 8:02.821 10.540 CRC CRC - Black Art R8C Advanced 7 BRANDON SHOWLER 8 44 8:09.003 10.363 CRC CRC - Black Art R8C Advanced 8 VICKY CARRUBBA 10 43 8:08.852 10.614 Asc - Powerpush - Advanced 9 JODY FLIPSE 9 41 8:16.670 11.018 CRC CRC - Black Art R8C Advanced 10 MYLES HALE 5 8 1:32.003 10.559 CRC CRC Powerpush/CRC Black Art R8C Advanced

1:12th scale 13.5

Advanced Black Diamond, Black Art, Gen-XL and Pro Cut and Powerpush/CRC lipo wins again!

The Rome, NY based CRC drivers of Brian Wynn and defending champ Tom Firsching battle for the T.Q. spot and the win. In the main, Brian stayed smooth and steady with Tom charging hard from second place. Joining the Rome, NY CRC boys on the podium was Cincinnati based driver, Eli Ezrow. Both Tom and Brian used the full array of CRC goodies; Advanced Black Diamond, CRC Pro Cuts, Gen-XL Chassis, Black Art Body and Powerpush/CRC battery. A full 80% of the field run the Gen-XL with 100% using Advanced.

Top 2 Equipment package;

Chassis - CRC Gen-XL

Body - Black Art R8C from Calandra Racing

Tires - CRC Pro Cuts

Speedo - Black Diamond LV from CRC

Battery - New 50C 3.7v Lipo pack from Powerpush/CRC

30th Cleveland US Indoor Champships 2009 - 1:12th Scale 13.5

Position Driver Name Car # Laps Race Time Chassis Tires Battery Body Speedo   1 BRIAN WYNN 1 48 8:05.783 CRC CRC Powerpush/CRC Black Art R8C Advanced 2 TOM FIRSCHING 2 48 8:06.615 CRC CRC Powerpush/CRC Black Art R8C Advanced 3 ELI EZROW 3 47 8:00.544 CRC BSR - Black Art R8C Advanced 4 JOE TRANDELL 4 47 8:01.091 Asc - - - Advanced 5 STEVE RADECKY 9 47 8:06.181 CRC - - - Advanced 6 MAX KUENNING 6 47 8:08.236 CRC CRC Powerpush/CRC Black Art R8C Advanced 7 CHUCK LONERGAN 10 46 8:01.334 CRC CRC Powerpush/CRC - Advanced 8 ANDREW KNAPP 5 46 8:01.499 CRC CRC Powerpush/CRC Black Art R8C Advanced 9 JOHN FIRSCHING 7 18 3:13.252 CRC CRC Powerpush/CRC Black Art R8C Advanced 10 WALTER HENDERSON 8 9 1:35.027 Asc - - - Advanced

Masters 1:12th 17.5

Frank and Eli continue the streak. Masters cars again faster than the stock 17.5 class. Advanced and CRC clean house again!

The 1:12th Masters division is the only class that separates the drivers by age. It is open to drivers 35 years old and over only. Each year, it seems another 35 year old youngster joins the group with aspirations of whipping up on the old guard.

Last year, Eli attempted to tie Frank Calandra's 5 in a row win streak. During the event,  Eli looked well on his way with a solid T.Q.. However, Eli had some issues early on and ended up not finishing the main allowing Frank to take the win. In 2009, Frank and Eli would again battle it out with the tables turning and Calandra taking the T.Q.. And similar to the year previous, the T.Q. curse would plague Frank with some problems early on with Eli motoring on for a solid win. CRC teammates Wayne Gerber and Chuck Lonergan would joining Eli on the podium. Joining the podium drivers in the all CRC final was Indiana's Phil Zimmerman, Canada's Wayne Vince, North Dakota driver Randy Grosse, CRC home boy Brian Wynn, Michigan Mafia Professor, Terry Rott and Illinois veteran, Jimmy Piersol.

In summary, the 2009 Indoor Champs marked a new level of performance and dominance from CRC. A new speedo that has NO equal. A car line that continues to win races. Tires that were first use the high roller technology and still the best tire/wheel combo in the business. A body that has won every major race in the last year and now a new lipo battery pack that has already made a mark in it's first outing. With true racing heritage and a passion for winning, CRC is your one-stop shop for all the items you need to perform your best.