The 1st Annual Top Gear Hobbies Spring Shootout was held this past weekend in Clackamas, OR. This is the home track of Team Orion USA Team Manager Joe Pillars. Making the trip out for this event was Team Orion’s current 2wd & 4wd IFMAR World Champion Ryan Cavalieri. The North-West’s fastest racers would all be in attendance to test their skills against the 4-Time World Champ.

The Invitational Class would consist of 30 racers that were divided up into 4 heats of 8 in random order. All drivers would use 2wd Modified Buggies for all 8 rounds. 4 rounds of heads up racing were ran on Saturday and another 4 rounds on Sunday. Each driver was given 2 throw-outs, using their best 6 finishes. Tie-breakers were determined by the number of 1st place finishes, 2nd place finishes, and on using the 6 counted points. If still a tie, each drivers 2 fastest runs would be combined by laps and times to decide the higher finisher.

For all other classes, 3 rounds of qualifying were ran on Saturday and 1 last chance qualifier on Sunday. The rocket round format was used to determine the overall qualifying order by taking each drivers single fastest run. Then triple A-Mains were ran to determine the champion in each class.

In the Invitational 2wd Modified Buggy class Team Orion/AE Factory Driver Ryan Cavalieri took the overall win by finishing 1st in all 8 heats earning him a perfect score of 6pts. Finishing 2nd overall was Team Orion USA Team Manager Joe Pillars with four 1st place finishes and two 2nd place finishes with a score of 8pts. 3rd overall went to Washington’s Mike Brown. Mike ran fast and consistent all weekend and earned the 3rd spot on the podium.

Invitational 2wd Modified Buggy Top 10 Overall
1. Ryan Cavalieri – Team Orion/Team Orion/Team Orion
2. Joe Pillars – Team Orion/Team Orion/Team Orion
3. Mike Brown – LRP/Reedy/Reedy
4. Shaun Dunlap – Team Orion/Team Orion/Team Orion
5. Chris Nealeigh – Team Orion/Team Orion/Team Orion
6. Ryan Matesa – Team Orion/Team Orion/Team Orion
7. Tanner Day – Team Orion/Team Orion/Team Orion
8. Austin Seim – Team Orion/Team Orion/Team Orion
9. Chris Gould – Team Orion/Team Orion/Team Orion
10. Roger Seim – Team Orion/Team Orion/Team Orion

Last but not least, Cav’s car shot’s and setup. From the pics, it looks like Cav used the carbon parts, ti-nitride ballstuds, ti screws….wicked looking whip. I wonder just how much weight is in that WTS pack?!

Also, huge thanks to Thomas Tran for the use of his 2wd photos and Red RC and/or Orion for the race write up!