[Steve]

When the Red Microsizer Pro 2.2 Turbo Celica rolled up to the line, the anticipation was high, but after a disappointing 2.75, even with the boost on full from the start, it was decided that this little import should stick to show and tell.

Out with the old, and in with the new. The first of two Awesome R/C cars went to the line. Slightly modified with slot car rubber on the rear and a tight fitting Camaro body, flash bulbs were popping like nitro blowback as the tree began to light. Hoppity hop hop out of the blocks, and all the way down the pipe. Even with the rubber on the back, it just couldn't get traction on the lanolium, and in fact, several runs had to be made cause I just couldn't hit the timer gate on the other end. I even tried punching the turbo after half way just to see if it mattered, but nope, it was hopeless. I did manage to bounce through the gate twice, the best being a 1.89 second miracle, almost knocking off the 3cell Civic, but this car had driven me to drink, and I couldn't bear another run.

and finally, the top seeded, crowd favorite, odds on bet to take it all Awesome R/C Supra, with serious slot car rubber all around, and a massively modified rear end, consisting of nothing more than the motor pinion and rear axle drive gear. With the turbo mashed right from the start, I rocketed through the timing gate, the cat and the crowd went wild...only to be crushed when it didn't register. Upon inspection of the timing unit, all was in order...was the car just too fast? A second flawless run proved that either I had B1 bomber stealth paint, or the car was just too quick for the timer. To rectify the situation, I had to put a block of foam in the gate, thinking that the car would hit it, and the large movement of the block would trip the timer.

(stay tuned...)