Calandra Racing Rocks Cleveland Again

CRC cars T.Q. + Win 4 out of 5 pan car classes

The CRC T.Q. Crew (a real ugly bunch, but fast)

Frank Calandra (Masters), Aaron Buran (WGT), Mark Calandra (17.5), Andrew Knapp (13.5)

The Annual U.S. Indoor Championships in Cleveland has now completed it’s 32nd year of competition. Known as the original hotel race, the Champ’s midwest location has always drawn the racers from the surrounding area; the midwest, mid-Atlantic and northeast, places strong with indoor road racing in the fall and winter. While the race has seen it’s ups and down in turnout, the champs has always had strong competition and a club-like feel.

For the 2011 version, CRC had another successful weekend, again capturing Top Qualifiing (T.Q.) positions in 4 out of the 5 pan car classes. In addition CRC cars and tires took 4 out of the five victories, a strong performance. The CRC #3701 Rocket Fuel battery pack also performed very well, taking 3 out of the 5 class victories.

Masters

CRC cars have won every Masters Championship since the beginning of the class in 1995. The streak continues with Chuck Lonergan’s win in 2011. The Masters class proved to be very exciting all week with extremely close qualifying, culminating with a stunning A-main finish. In classic qualifying battle, CRC team priniciple, Frank Calandra took the Top Qualifying position by the smallest of margins over his teammmate Brian Wynn. These 2 drivers were the only 17.5 cars to turn 47 laps although stock class competitiors Mark Calandra and Dave Johnson came very close. After 6 rounds of qualifying, CRC drivers took the top 4 grid positions with Michigan driver Chuck Lonergan third and Ohio driver and defending champion, Wayne Gerber in 4th. In the A-main, 60% of the competitors chose CRC.

During the A-main, Frank led from T.Q. with Brian and Chuck all over his rear bumper. The race would remain very close and with a minute to go, Frank would lead Chuck in a very close battle. As time expired and with just 2 turns to go, the two drivers were rubbing fenders with Chuck making a great pass at the end to take an exciting win. A very fast Brian Wynn had a small issue allowing defending Champ Wayne Gerber to take final podium spot.

Masters Podium

Calandra, 2nd, Lonergan, 1st, Gerber 3rd

Lonergan’s Gen-Xi, with CRC/Powerpush battery, CRC Pro Cut tires + Black Art R8C Body

1:12th 17.5

In the 17.5 class, CRC drivers Mark Calandra, Dave Johnson and Kenny Lambert battled for T.Q. with Mark taking the spot early in qualifying. Mark and Kenny had their Gen-Xi cars set up with the full sized 1s battery right down the center. During the race weekend, Johnson, impressed with the speed of the 2 true inline cars, converted his Gen-Xi to inline configuration. In the A-main, Halloween Classic winner Dave Johnson took the win with CRC drivers taking 3,4,5,6. Johnson, Calandra and Lambert used the CRC Gen-Xi (#3203) and CRC Pro Cut Tires. On another note, one of our favorite pit reporters, www.RC50.com man Robert Dirla, took an impressive 5th place with a solid performance all weekend.

1:12th 17.5 Winner + 3rd

CRC drivers Dave Johnson 1st and Kenny Lambert 3rd.

Johnson’s inline Gen-Xi, built at the Champs with Mark Calandra

World GT

The awesome CRC Gen-X 10 LE (1712) has had a strangle-hold on the World GT class since its inception. Multiple victories in Las Vegas, the ROAR Nats, Snowbirds and Cleveland have made the car one of the most victorious cars ever. The dominance kept on rolling in Cleveland for 2011 as Aaron Buran took the T.Q. and A-main win. Fresh off a victory at the Halloween Classic, Aaron took a late 6th round T.Q. over teammates Brian Wynn and Tom Firsching. Aaron’s CRC Gen-X 10 LE feaured a very stock set up with CRC WGT spec tires. Again, 60% of the WGT field used the CRC Gen-X10.

World GT Podium

Wynn 3rd, Buran 1st, Firsching 2nd

Buran’s T.Q. and winning Gen-X10 LE

1:12th Scale 13.5

At the conclusion of the 2010 US Indoor Champs last year, Andrew Knapp was a 2-time champion of the 17.5 class in 1:12th scale. Since that race, Andrew went on to some big victories; 2011 Snowbirds and ROAR Nationals for both asphalt and carpet.

At the U.S. Indoor Champs for 2011, Andrew bumped up to the 13.5 and modified divisions of 1:12th scale. In the very competitive 1:12th 13.5 division at the Champs for 2011, Andrew started on top and never looked back. He posted an early T.Q. and led every lap in the of the 13.5 main. Total dominance over a field of national champions. Andrews CRC ride was run in very stock trim. CRC Michigan mafia members Terry Rott and Max Kuenning as well as Vegas champ, Kenny Lambert, joined Andrew in the A-main with their CRC rides.

12th Scale 13.5 Winner

Andrew Knapp dominates 1:12th 13.5 Class with CRC cars and tires!

Andrew’s 13.5 ride, with CRC tires

Thanks go out to all the racers at the event and all the CRC loyal racers and customers.