The 2010 New York R/C Monster Truck Challenge series returned to action at Barnstormers on Saturday August 21st, and the action was intense. After a break in the month of July for the Summer Nationals, it's back to points racing, and we are in the middle of a tight 3 way battle for the points series championship between Maximum Destruction, Amsoil Shock Therapy, and Mr. Destruction. Today it was 12 monsters on hand to compete on one of the fastest tracks of the year. The track was a side by site right handed J-hook style drag. The trucks would start over a big hill with school busses which were staggered to make the lanes even. After the busses were tackled, the trucks would make a side by side right hand turn. this turn would have a little trick to it however, in the middle of the turn there would be a roller jump, throwing the trucks a big curveball. After landing the mid-turn jump the drivers would then have to gather control of their trucks and a set of cars, then charge down a long no man's land into the final jump. The track had so much speed on it that when the trucks hit the big car set at the end it would really launch them into orbit, so much so that the trucks were taking very hard hits and suffering damage. The current points leader Maximum Destruction broke a wheel off while racing Brutus early in round 2. Brutus also suffered a broken knuckle and four link mount. The drivers and RCMTC officials got together and switched the car sets around, which allowed the trucks to air out the finish line safely and the big ramps moved up more made the track even more challenging.
Throughout the day, Kyle DeFalco's Airfoce Afterburner was the class of the field. Afterburner has had several dominant performances on the RCMTC-NY tour, and today was no different. Kyle went on to win 4 out of 5 rounds, giving Airforce Afterburner the event win. From second place on, it was anybody's game. Dan DeFalco driving Amsoil Shock Therapy edged out Maximum Destruction for second place by just one point, while Derrick Algieri's new Carolina Crusher tied Brutus for fourth.
Mr. Destruction had an uncharacteristicly rough day and finished in 10th place, 10 points behind Max-D. However, the points race remains close and it will come right down to the final points round in September to decides who gets the title and the Trackside Hobbys Grand Prize.
It was an awesome day of racing at the Barn yet again, check out some of today's photos.
After a grueling 2010 season, it will come down to the final round to determine this year's champion. The 3 way battle will continue at Barnstormers R/C Raceway next month and it will be exciting to see who comes out on top. Stay tuned as we crown the champ!