156 replies to this topic

[elinsley]

Thanks, Greg, for the coverage and keeping everyone who couldn't attend up to date on the results.

[Taylor Davis]

Thanks, guys.

[Pappy]

Way to go Ricky!!! Tell your dad I think he's looking old. LOL.

From the looks of that picture of Ricky I think he might have been dipping into Cheater's cough medicine. LOL.

Congratulations, Ricky. Good job.

[Brinkley47]

Congrats to Rick Starkey on joining the list.

Congrats to Cap Henry on his wins in Coupe and Can-Am.

Congrats to Ricky Bennardo for his win in F1.

This event is always one of my favorites. Thanks to the McMasters, Balicki, Fulmer, Wells, and everyone else who helped make this event what it is. You rock!

[TG Racing]

This was my sixth R4 and they just get better every year.  

A big thanks to the McMasters and all the ORS gang that helped out!!

[The Number of]

The R4/10 is over, and for ten years it has had a great run with large entry lists. It could have not lasted 10 years without the hard work and dedication of Cindy, Jessica, Mike,and Kyle. Something different was tried this year with hand-out motors for two days and seemed to work fairly well. There were a few details that needed to be changed on the fly but for the most part it went smoothly for the first time. It wouldn't have gone as smoothly as it did without the help of Tina, Cheryl, Sharon, Eric, Rick, Jim, and the McMasters and Snyder families and the boss Avery.

As usual there was plenty of food, good lunches, and even some imported food when the Sat. race ran till almost midnight!

Steve Koepp's paint clinic as usual was a large success with many walking away with the best-looking body in their box. There was a large number of sponsors. I will wait for Mike to post a complete list. Many racers, myself included, walked away with prizes, I would like to thank JK for the body trimming tool.

After 10 years this event is not only a race for top guys but for a lot of people a social occasion where they only get to see each other once a year and renew friendships. For the most part it is very friendly on and off the track and this allows everyone to enjoy themselves. So it doesn't take much to wreck your weekend when a guy you are racing with after three lanes is already five laps behind you and 10 laps out of first place continues to hold you up after you have politely ask to be let by and his response is f**k you and an attitude. That behavior has no place at the R4. Most racers are OK and act in a civilized manner but it takes just one to ruin the whole weekend. And is really disheartening when so many people put so much time and effort into the event.
 
Some pics HERE.
 
No captions on them yet, it's been a long four days. 

Bill

[Butters37]

Having been to many races in R/C regional national and even in attendance for an IFMAR worlds in Hamilton, I have to say Mike was the most prepared for any situation I have ever witnessed. Mike, Cindy, Eric, Bill, and Jessica knew exactly what was going on and even in the smallest slip-ups they were right there to fix it and not lose a step. Mike had a plan and a schedule in place and it was stuck to. Maybe 15 minutes total of downtime compared to the schedule, due to people having to re-tech.

The hand-outs were a great idea and I have to admit I was not a fan of the schedule for motors when I first saw it. But I honestly had no worries once we started. I was able to prep all six motors of mine and all six of Eli's with no troubles. We had a plan and a system and it worked to give us extra time to sit back and relax. All my worries went out the door Thursday evening and it was a fantastic way to race.

Tech was smooth thanks to Eric and Bill. Using the Chicagoland Swiss tool has made Retro tech in Ohio great. We all knew it was being used and most of us have them. I think only a few got bounced for silly reasons but that will always happen. But it was at a minimum.

Always nice of the ladies to help us all get fat and diabetic LOL. That will never change I hope.

As far as the program goes I personally wouldn't change anything and I heard very few grumblings in the pits about it. There were a few but not nearly what I and I'd say many others expected once Mike released the schedule.

[Cheater]

In celebration of the R4's tenth annual iteration, the McMasters had a 'birthday cake' created for the participants to enjoy.

 

 

Since I missed out on lunch on Saturday by waiting until the line cleared (the hungry racers had scarfed up all the food!), I made sure to be first in line when the cake was being cut and thus was able to snag a corner piece, my favorite because of the extra icing on it. Yum!

 

[B.C.]

If I would have been able to afford to go, I would have been there. Sorry to have missed the event.
 
So a couple of observations from afar. I am glad to see some of the racers who scalded Mike M. and his idea to make the event better are stepping up and saying it wasn't so bad on the hand-out idea. I don't think it would be out of line to apologize to him.
 
I watched what I was able to time wise. I agree with Bill F. on the courtesy of letting someone by. I noticed in one of the mains in Can-Am of that very thing. a racer was right on the tail of someone laps down; obviously couldn't hear what was said if it was asked the slower driver if he could pass, so it appeared a pass attempt was made and both came off. Courtesy goes a long ways. I did see several drivers that did let someone by, which was good to see.
 
I was most glad to see the Senior events, way overdue.
 
Looked to be well run. Thanks to all who had a hand in staging this Premier event and thanks to all racers who attended. It looked like the lunch and food trays were reason enough to attend.

[Bill Bowers]

Greg,

 

I know you are being held back a little by the two guys you hang out with... Jay and Bobby.

 

Congrats, the best report and coverage I have seen. Ustream was awesome also.

 

Thanks.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Thanks for all the compliments guys. It was a great weekend of racing. As soon as we get the store put back together I will post my thoughts but something I can't say enough...

 

Thank you to all who came. A huge thank you to all who helped out!!

[olescratch]

Any shirts left-over for purchase? I still go temporarily blind looking at them LOL!

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Yes. I will post a list shortly.

[Greg VanPeenen]

Mike,

 

So sad I had to miss this R4. Looked like a real success, watched it every day. It appears that the hand-out motor part of the program was a complete success also. 

 

I don't know how you manage it, but your team seem to make it better every year.

 

Regards,

 

Greg VanPeenen.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

The list of extra shirts is HERE

[Cheater]

The lovely Tina Boykin, who for some strange reason seems to show up every time Rick Starkey does, posted this paean to Facebook and I'm reposting it here. Call it a Slotblog share, if you need to.

 

"So four years ago a man named Rick took to me to some place in Cbus called Tom Thumb Hobbies. I met the owners, Mike and Cindy McMasters. I thought... eh, they are OK. Then I met their son JB Blackburn, their daughter Jessica Mcmasters, and some random dude they called Kyle Snyder and thought these people are crazy! I instantly loved them!

 

Then I started to meet these people called slot car drivers. Wait... I think they are now called lazy locals. Anyway, these lazy locals soon came to be my family. They accepted this northern Ohio girl as one of their own ( not sure that was a good thing... jury is still out)

Over the years I got to meet more of these racers through traveling with my lazy local and this thing called the R4. The R4... an event that brings racers from all over the country to this little hobby shop in Cbus.

 

Let me tell you how this lazy local lady sees the R4, at least this year's R4. It was a race that showed the true skill of these racers. I don't know all the politics of racing world nor do I care to know. What I do know is that this year I saw that not only speed helps in being a good racer but the quality of your driving is equally important. I saw drivers that have been racing for years, my lazy local included, compete with some drivers that are considered to be the best in the business. I saw sportsmanship. I saw drivers helping each other and cheering each other on. I saw the ladies cheering on their drivers... Mrs. Boogie, Mrs. Shadow, Mrs. Rutti, Sharon Bruce, Sherri Leezer, Jessica, and, yes, me. Wait... Little Avery was cheering on her daddy... go, Kyle! I saw a family reunion of sorts. I saw everyone having a good time and enjoying themselves. I saw all the hard work put into this race paying off. 

 

So, in closing this rather long post, I just want to say. This lazy local lady had a great time and is looking forward to it next year..."

[Cheater]

Just four years ago, Tina? Seems your smiling visage and cheerful personality have been a part of the R4 for much longer than that.

 

As well as the terrific cookies and other munchies you always bring.

[Noose]

Congrats to the following racers who won Noose Custom Painted bodies. I have been in touch with all of them and know what they want.
 
Top Senior: Bud Bartos – Custom Ti22 body
 
Top Junior (under 20 years old):  Jimmy Williams Jr.
 
Last place Can-Am: Tom Adams – Ti22 production body
 
Last Place Formula 1: Bobby Robinson – M7 production body
 
Last Place GTC-FK:  Kyle Snyder – Lola GT production body
 
GTC-FK Winner: Rick Starkey – Custom Lola GT body

[Pablo]

FSK,

I absolutely love your R4 shoes! May I ask what kind of paint did you use?

 

I've never experimented with painting shoes but I'm guessing FasKolors.

With my R4 shirt and shoes like yours, I'll be in GQ magazine soon, for sure.

Pablo

[Bill from NH]

Buy a pair of white sneakers. With a pair of painted shoes similar to Steve's, you'd be the "talk of the town" at Billy's.

 

The Createx acrylic paints, often used for painting clear bodies, is their fabric paint. Faskolor is very similar. 

[MSwiss]

A pair of All Stars Noose did for me eight or nine years ago.

Unfortunately, I should have been more careful shopping for them, as they are a bit tight in front, and I've only worn them once or twice.

[Samiam]

There's a guy making a fortune custom painting high-end sneakers for people with seven figure incomes. 
 
Meet the artists behind the NFL's booming custom cleats business

[FSK]

Pablo,

Yes, I used FasKolor on my shoes. I used a adhesion promoter that I got at auto parts store for rubber bumper primer. Don't remember the name of it. Sorry. I gave it to Boogie so he can paint shoes for his grandkids. Not sure if that is really needed?

I also clear coated with Rustoleum crystal clear enamel. The shoes where FUBU brand I got them at Walmart for 17 bucks. I got those because they where white to begin with. Not the best shoe I own.

It was fun. I did it as the last thing of seminar. First shoes I have done.

Thanks for complements. LOL.

[Pablo]

Thanks, Steve. 

[Pablo]

After 10 years this event is not only a race for top guys but for a lot of people a social occasion where they only get to see each other once a year and renew friendships. For the most part it is very friendly on and off the track and this allows everyone to enjoy themselves. So it doesn't take much to wreck your weekend when a guy you are racing with after three lanes is already five laps behind you and 10 laps out of first place continues to hold you up after you have politely ask to be let by and his response is f**k you and an attitude. That behavior has no place at the R4. Most racers are OK and act in a civilized manner but it takes just one to ruin the whole weekend. And is really disheartening when so many people put so much time and effort into the event.

 

My first R4, Rob Hanson and Bill Fulmer were right outside O'Hare International to pick me up. On time, on target. That kind of racer friendship and dedication to the hobby is priceless.

 

I know those who attended are busy recuperating and it's none of my business, but nobody else has addressed this issue so I will.

 

Bill Fulmer has been an avid supporter of the R4 for many years, way above and beyond the call of duty.