KOE 2023 was a blast. Several rollovers. Numerous broken parts. We won 1st place (technically).
So the race is a time trial on a course centered around the infamous Boat Ramp. Each racer is given 10 min to complete the course. There are 3 categories of racers: side by sides, small tire (40” and under), and unlimited (40s+, portals or rear steer).
We initially registered for unlimited, as we planned to race the CJ buggy on 42s. Later, for unrelated reasons, we had to change rigs to dad’s yota-based blue buggy on 40s. By then it was too late to change classes, so we stayed in unlimited.
That proved to be a mistake. Most of the unlimited rigs were on 42-44s, a couple on 50s. Most running dual shock setups w/ air bumps, 400+ hp and 5”+ uptravel.
Needless to say, dad’s low slung buggy on measly 40s, 2” of up and stock 22re was in the wrong class and severely outmatched. And so he raced.
Ended up setting a time of 2 min 27 sec. For comparison:
1st place SxS: 2 min 30 sec
1st place Small Tire: 2 min 40 sec
1st place Unlimited: 2 min 1 sec
So had we initially registered in the right class, he would’ve been in 1st place by a wide margin. Oh well, it’s our 1st year racing, happy we got this far, and without any breakage. Got much more planned for next year!
Interestingly enough, watching the buggy run the course was boring. Where all the rock bouncers were throttle heavy, bouncing around searching for traction, the buggy calmly glided across. Makes you wonder. I may post up a couple videos later.
So the race is a time trial on a course centered around the infamous Boat Ramp. Each racer is given 10 min to complete the course. There are 3 categories of racers: side by sides, small tire (40” and under), and unlimited (40s+, portals or rear steer).
We initially registered for unlimited, as we planned to race the CJ buggy on 42s. Later, for unrelated reasons, we had to change rigs to dad’s yota-based blue buggy on 40s. By then it was too late to change classes, so we stayed in unlimited.
That proved to be a mistake. Most of the unlimited rigs were on 42-44s, a couple on 50s. Most running dual shock setups w/ air bumps, 400+ hp and 5”+ uptravel.
Needless to say, dad’s low slung buggy on measly 40s, 2” of up and stock 22re was in the wrong class and severely outmatched. And so he raced.
Ended up setting a time of 2 min 27 sec. For comparison:
1st place SxS: 2 min 30 sec
1st place Small Tire: 2 min 40 sec
1st place Unlimited: 2 min 1 sec
So had we initially registered in the right class, he would’ve been in 1st place by a wide margin. Oh well, it’s our 1st year racing, happy we got this far, and without any breakage. Got much more planned for next year!
Interestingly enough, watching the buggy run the course was boring. Where all the rock bouncers were throttle heavy, bouncing around searching for traction, the buggy calmly glided across. Makes you wonder. I may post up a couple videos later.
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