Timezone GP/Sven Boehringer Family Reunion – Report

The 9th Annual Timezone Grand Prix was held in Battleground, Washington at the world famous, “The Backyard” track. The event is now known as the Sven Boehringer Family Reunion Race named after Sven Boehringer, who touched the lives of countless racers and a dear friend to many, passed away last year. The event was held in his memory and is now perhaps the greatest race on earth with friends and family arriving from all over the world to attend this great race. Behind the organization of Ryan Newbury and the track/property owner, the St Cyr family, the event was a huge success selling out in just eight minutes after open registration. It was only four years ago when the entry count was just 75 and now it has grown to maximum capacity capped limit of 200. Just by word of mouth, it has become The Race to attend because of the unique, challenging track and amazingly relaxed atmosphere. There’s no race like it and from the words of Rick St Cyr, “The Woodstock of RC Racing”. It reminds us of what racing is supposed to be … friends, family, and most importantly fun.

This special event wouldn’t be called a Family Reunion without the famous St Cyr dinner hosted on Saturday evening after qualifying. The entire St Cyr family extends their warmth and hospitality even further with a family dinner for all as a part of the race experience at the Sven Family Reunion Race.

The track layout hasn’t changed since last year. There’s still the long straightaway that dives into the sweeping right handed tear drop turn that’s banked just right One of the features that isn’t easily seen in the videos is the amount of elevation change that goes from one end of the track to the other that requires constant focus and attention. Another feature unseen in videos is the subtle bumps that add character and requires a car well balanced for speed and grip while still able to handle the perfect imperfections of the track. Add in the sun, heat, and tree shadows, you have the full effect of nature and the joys of being outdoors racing in the summer. It’s hard to beat and so easy to love.

Having an unusually slow start to the weekend, defending Modified Sedan Champion, Xray’s JJ Wang wasn’t at his best until the start of the A1. Qualifying 4th on the grid, JJ raised his level and dominated A1 and A2 to retain his title. Team Associated’s Gonzalo Cortes was a threat all weekend displaying great speed qualifying himself 3rd to end up 2nd overall with two 2nd place finishes. Making his first trip up to the Northwest, Team Associated’ss Randy Caster would go on to TQ the Modified Sedan class and with a win in A3, Randy would jump up to 3rd on the podium in an awesome debut performance.

In 17.5 Stock Sedan it was a great race between Serpent’s “More Powaaa” Felix Law and Xray’s Dan Hamann. During A1, 2nd place qualifier, Dan Hamann, was able to jump class TQ, Felix Law, on the first lap. It would take Felix nearly four minutes to find a way around Dan, but once Felix was back in front, the rest was history. A2 was a different story as Felix was ready for the attack and defended Dan from the start and drove a perfect race to win A2 and the overall. 2nd place would go to Dan with 3rd place was once again Andrew Doherty making it double podiums for Andrew.

Awesomatix’s Chris Kemper had the Scale Spec VTA class on lockdown. Delivering the fastest runs all weekend long, Chris was able to take the overall TQ with the fastest time set in the rocket round qualifying format. When it came to Amain Sunday, Chris only needed to run A1 and A2 to lock up 1st place and take home the win. Finishing strong in 2nd was Xray’s Andrew Doherty, who also won A3 to secure the 2nd step on the podium. Visiting from California, Mike Rydwell would fight his way to 3rd.

During qualifying, Serpent’s Joaquin Desoto Jr. was showing the reigning 1/8th Open champion, JJ Wang, that he was a real threat to dethrone the young Mugen driver as Joaquin set the fastest time in qualifying. Rising to the challenge, JJ Wang’s true speed was unleashed in the 30-minute final and was able to repeat his winning efforts from last year by taking both the 1/8th Open and the Modified Sedan titles. With some body damage to the rear of the car about 10 minutes in, Joaquin was unable to challenge and settled for 2nd. The comeback story of the weekend was 10 place qualifier, Xray’s Paul Lemieux. Getting things finally sorted out for the final, Paul was able to move up seven spots to finish 3rd on the podium.

Serpent’s Ralph Burch was in a league of his own in the 1/10th Nitro Sedan class as Burch was able to set TQ and take a commanding win during the 30-minute A-final delivering a 106 lap 30:07.55 time. Moving up two spots from his 4th place qualifying position, Xray’s Richard St Cyr moved into 2nd halfway through the race and finished with a 105 lap 30:12.54. Xray’s Paul Lemieux would fight his way to take over 3rd late in the race and finished 3rd on the podium.

In GT8 Serpent’s Joaquin Desoto Jr. proved to be too much for the competition as he was lights out during qualifying taking TQ honors along with the win in the 30-minute final. Mugen’s Scott Barnes finished 2nd and Serpent’s Mike Lyday 3rd overall. Another great battle on the track was between Rick Wang and Scotty Ernst and after 30 minutes would only finish 0.5 seconds apart with Rick narrowly beating out the Voice of RC, Scotty Ernst.

Thanks to Thomas Tran for the report.