[jondell]

During my recent trip to Arizona last week, I had the great pleasure to visit the amazing indoor facility known as Competition Hobbies. The place was just stunning and housed a large model shop, good sized hard packed dirt track and a carpeted circuit track. We rolled up a bit before lunch time for a bit of practice, before the regular Sunday club race. As always, Brian Kinwald was at the track (he pretty much lives there) and was running 2wd on that day. Lee had brought his 4wd and borrowed a 2wd for a bit more fun. Brian was running a highly modded X6, which had Durango bits on and used a X60 truck chassis. Around the track he was just awesome and Lee knew it would be a struggle to keep up, let alone try to beat him.

Come qualifying, Brian was pretty much perfect around the track, he really knew this place like the back of his hand. Lee unfortunately struggled with the borrowed car which I think had a 13.5 motor in it and some fandango speed to make it go a bit more like a modified. As it was just for fun, Lee just ran the car as it was… but his own 4wd was super fast and fortunately Lee did beat Brian’s 2wd TQ time, which was a feat in its own right. Brian went on to win the 2wd A final in great style (actually there was only an A final as the yanks like to run about 15 different classes at a club race). Watching Brian run in is manor really was something special.. a true legend looking like a champion.

The following day we were back at the track to run in a new engine on our 8th buggy. Brian was at the track again.. painting shells and prepping his car. We got to chat with him for a bit (Brian is quiet person and keeps himself to himself). He mentioned that he would be running for Durango fully and obviously the recent announcement reflects that. It’s going to be real interesting to see how Brian goes with the new Durango 2wd and I am guessing he will have it at the Cactus Classic later this month. I for one would enjoy seeing him finish 2nd….. behind Lee of course.