We’ll start with Digger class. This is the class based on the RJ Speed/Bolink Digger. We tweaked our Digger since last time with the “Project Puller” article. Check it out. Kris Button was once again driving this beast for Team Soup.

In the first round of qualifying, we forgot to reset the steering trim when remounting the servo, and since there’s no “practice”, this was its first time on the track. It pulled hard to the left and Kris was unable to compensate for the trim being off that much. He just barely skimmed the Out Of Bounds line, and was the first to admit his mistake and stopped it right after.

In the second round of qualifying, Kris was able to make a full pull and keep it in a straight line. Between rounds we pulled it off the track and adjusted the trim while driving it on the concrete floor. I believe all the Diggers that showed up qualified into the Pull Offs.

During the Pull Offs, several Diggers made it towards the end of the track (much further than last event). Kris was the only one to make a Full Pull and take the Digger out the gate. He edged out Joeshow‘s Joe Killian by a hair, who fell JUST short of the Full Pull mark. You can see in the video (at the end of the article), how close it was.

Next up, 2WD Box Stock class. This is the only class I ran last time. I used the Tamiya Mitsubishi Montero Wheelie again. After the last event I basically put the truck on the shelf when I got home, and took it right back off and onto the track for this event. No changes. I just charged up my Pro-Match 4600 nimh 6 cell stick pack and went.

During qualifying, I was able to make a full pull on the first shot. This allowed me to sit out of the following 2 rounds and concentrate on the Garden Tractor class.

In the Pull Offs, I went 2nd to last and took the lead for furthest pull. I was then dethroned by a Lunch Box that ran last. It was a close match though. I’m happy with 2nd place for this truck’s 2nd time out. Last event (Hanger Pull), it also finished 2nd, although losing to a different Lunch Box.

Lastly, Garden Tractor class. There were only 3 entries in this class for this event, which was a little disappointing, but still fun. This tractor I bought used as a roller with a s3003 Futaba servo. I added a Trinity D3.5 12×2 motor and Novak Cyclone esc to put the power to the ground. I also added the same 6 tooth RC4WD pinion as on the Digger. Needless to say, this thing has some grunt compared to the Montero. My first qualifier was a disaster, the weight balance was off and I didn’t get very far, and I gave up because the the nose was in the air the whole time.

After listening to Joe Killian and moving some weights around I went for another try at it in Round 2. It worked a LOT better, but it still pulled to one side and I went Out of Bounds. It went a lot further down the track though. That was a good sign.

In the 3rd and final qualifier, nobody had made a full pull, so at this point it was furthest pull wins it, no need to go into Pull Offs. Well, this time I kept it off the wall and it went out the gate. Full Pull! If you watch the video, Joe came close, and probably had the power to make it, but let off as he was getting close to the boundary line. Since nobody else made a full pull, this gave me the win in the class.

Overall I was very happy with the results of Team Soup’s 2nd attempt at pulling. Two first places and a second place. Granted, there wasn’t as much competition (due to lower turnout), but still… not bad. I can’t wait until the next pull. Maybe I’ll even have ANOTHER entry for next time. This pulling thing is kind of addicting.

Check out the video below, and if you have a youtube account, please consider subscribing! Don’t forget to also check out page 3 for a full gallery of the weekend’s action!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hkYlWOP5Qo[/youtube]