2026 West Coast Indoor Championships – Report

The Lemo Foundation in Redwood City, California, hosted their annual 3 day trophy race, the West Coast Indoor Championships presented by Awesomatix USA over January 16-18.  The race drew 171 entries in the second year of the event.  1up Racing Modified Touring saw track designer Stuart Mason take the overall TQ and win, with the 2024 IFMAR World Championship Finalist Jacob Cruz in 2nd and Lex Tyler in 3rd.  In Hobbywing 21.5 Touring Car, it was Lex Tyler taking the overall TQ and the win in A1.  Ed Whitecotton took the win in A2, leaving it down to A3 between the two drivers. Whitecotton led early, but a late bobble allowed Tyler to take the overall crown with Kellen Yamamoto taking 3rd overall.  Whitecotton would redeem himself in the 25.5 class dedicated to the late Jaime Manzanilla, taking advantage from the 2nd spot on the grid to win A1 and A2, with TQ James Joiner finishing 2nd and Angel Fernan finishing 3rd overall.

In 13.5 1/12, it was again Stuart Mason taking the TQ and win, with Lex Tyler finishing 2nd and Todd Mason completing the podium in 3rd.  The Amain Hobbies Formula 1 class saw Lemo race director John Hicks take the win. James Joiner took the win in Awesomatix USA FWD, Ronnie Rones with the win in Cayote VTA, James Nelson in RCAmerica GT12R, Erik Falk in R1 Wurks USGT, Tamiya Ace John Balatico in Gens Ace Mini, and Mini Z world champion TJ Mac in Team EAM Prospec.

Thanks to Stuart Mason for report