Morongo Valley 400

Team Cowles Racing presents The 2018 Morongo Valley 400 in Morongo Valley, California on Saturday, October 20th, 2018.

Event Sponsors Include:

Cowles, Clark, and Associates, REALTORS®

GATES OPEN – 7:30

Attendees can park along Eldorado Drive. There will be a designated pit area within Terrace Ranch. Both courses will be open for practice until 8:30.

SPORTSMAN RACE – 9:00

This class is geared toward new racers. *14 Sportsman drivers will compete on the exact same course as the Pro’s. The top 2 racers driving 1.9’s and the the top 2 drivers driving 2.2’s will transfer to the PRO Race at no additional cost earning the opportunity to win cash.

Entry to this race is $5
*Lunch included
*Limited to 14 entries

RACE ROSTER:

2.2 CLASS

1. BUTTON
2. OPEN
3. OPEN
4. OPEN
5. OPEN
6. OPEN
7. OPEN

1.9 CLASS

1. OPEN
2. OPEN
3. OPEN
4. OPEN
5. OPEN
6. OPEN
7. OPEN

KIDS RACE – 9:30

Racers 12 and under are invited to compete on The Terrace Course. *Parents are allowed on course as spotter. 1.9 and 2.2 classes will be combined in this race.

Entry to this race is $5
*Lunch included
*Muti-lap
*Limited to 14 entries
*Trackmate compatible transponders required.

RACE ROSTER:

1. BUTTERFIELD
2. COWLES
3. OPEN
4. OPEN
5. OPEN
6. OPEN
7. OPEN
8. OPEN
9. OPEN
10. OPEN
11. OPEN
12. OPEN
13. OPEN
14. OPEN

 

FPV RACE – 10:00

In the First Person View RACE drivers will be competing on The Terrace Course. Drivers will be restricted to goggles or monitors. A spotter on the course with a two way radio is highly encouraged, but not required. 1.9 and 2.2 classes will be combined in this race.

Entry to this race is $5
*Lunch included
*Muti-lap
*Limited to 14 entries
*Trackmate compatible transponders required

RACE ROSTER:

1. VILLANUEVA
2. COWLES
3. OPEN
4. OPEN
5. OPEN
6. OPEN
7. OPEN
8. OPEN
9. OPEN
10. OPEN
11. OPEN
12. OPEN
13. OPEN
14. OPEN

PRO RACE – 10:30

This Race will be a combination of the Terrace Course and the Wymore Racing Desert Course. Racers will complete 4 laps in a timed event. A cash purse of $200 sponsored by Cowles, Clark & Associates, REALTORS® will be awarded and split amongst the top three finishers in the 1.9 and the 2.2 classes.

1st $50
2nd$30
3rd$20

Entry to this race is $10
*Lunch included
*Muti-lap
*Limited to 14 entries – 7 per class
*Trackmate compatible transponders required
*Cash Prize 1st – 3rd

RACE ROSTER:

2.2

1. FRASER
2. CHAMP
3. WYMORE
4. VILLANUEVA
5. BUTTERFIELD
6. RESERVED FOR SPORTSMAN 2.2 TRANSFER
7. RESERVED FOR SPORTSMAN 2.2 TRANSFER

1.9

1. BRYANT
2. JIMENEZ
3. BATTS
4. CRANFILL
5. KRAMER
6. RESERVED FOR SPORTSMAN 1.9 TRANSFER
7. RESERVED FOR SPORTSMAN 1.9 TRANSFER

BBQ & OPEN CRAWL – 12:00 – 1:45

Once the last racer has crossed the finish line we’ll open up both the Terrace Course and the Wymore Racing Desert Course to all that would like to test their skills before the dust settles.

We’ll also have the grill blazing, refreshments and snacks in the Pit Area.

Entry to this event is $5
*Lunch included

AWARD CEREMONY/ TRACK CLOSED – 2:00

Space in limited in all events except the BBQ & OPEN CRAWL. Pre-Registration is required. PRO RACE slots have been earned by finishing positions in the 2018 Joshua Tree 500. Remaining PRO RACE slots will be available on a first come first served basis.

There will be a public restroom (with running water) available. We strongly encourage to bring the entire family to this event as it will be comfortable for all to enjoy this wonderful event.

Event Location:
8416 Terrace Drive, Morongo Valley, California

Event Date:
Saturday, October 20th, 2018

Event Schedule:

Gates Open -7:30
Sportsman Race – 9:00
Kids Race – 9:30
FPV Race – 10:00
PRO Race – 10:30
BBQ Open Crawl – 12:00 – 1:45
Award Ceremony/Track Closed 2:00

 

 

2018 Joshua Tree 500
Sponsored By Cowles Clark & Associates, REALTORS®
$200 Cash Purse
Awarded to 1.9 & 2.2 Classes
1st in class $50 ~ 2nd in class $30 ~ 3rd in class $20

This is a long race no doubt.

5 LAPS. Every lap is a 1/2 mile long. Don’t forget about the elevation gain – not to mention the gnarly terrain. Oh, and did we mention it’s in the dark? Like REALLY dark. We did our research. The sliver of a moon isn’t going to rise until were done racing. It will be pitch black once the sun has fully set.

This can really take a toll on an individual as well as your rig.

Yea, you don’t want to forget about the rig. You’d better make sure everything is thread locked properly. Anything that got skimped on during race prep will surely present itself during the race.

Teams – not only allowed, they are encouraged.

The only limitation is the driver changes are only permitted to happen in The Pits. Co-pilots can hang back in the pits and keep an eye on the split times.  GMRS 2 way radios (Motorola Talkabouts) can come in handy as well – relaying information back to the pits about events out on the trail and vice versa.

Racers are expected to drive in a controlled fashion (walk pace) through the pit area – although racers and their vehicles have right of way over spectators.

Joshua Tree 500 is limited to 14 entries total.

Based on the results from The King of Sliprock 2018 the following racers have earned a spot in The 2018 Joshua Tree 500 on July 7th, 2018:

1. Villanueva 4401–  CONFIRMED
2. Brown 4403 – RESERVED
3. Thompson 4601 – RESERVED
4. Wymore 4404 – CONFIRMED
5. Kramer 4602 – CONFIRMED
6. Jimenez 4406 – CONFIRMED
7. Bryant 4407 – CONFIRMED
8. Champ 4408 – CONFIRMED
9. Fraser 4411 – CONFIRMED
10. Batt 4604 – New Racer – CONFIRMED
11. Cranfill 4605 – New Racer – CONFIRMED
12. OPEN SLOT
13. OPEN SLOT
14. OPEN SLOT

Race Numbers have been assigned for The 2018 Joshua Tree 500 based on their finishing position at The King of Sliprock 2018.

The first 4 racers will start individually at 1 minute intervals. Racers 4-14 will start side by side at 30 second intervals.

Racers are asked to confirm their entry at their earliest convenience.

Racers who are on the list but are not able to attend are asked to contact Team Cowles Racing so we can give your spot to another racer. If you would like to race but you are not on the list please contact TEAM COWLES RACING on FACEBOOK to be put on the standby list.

More updates are coming soon!

Sheldon

 

 

The course has been carved out.

We wanted to follow up to our last event –The King of Sliprock with something that would be even more fun for everyone.  With only 5 of the 14 racers actually finishing I feel we could provide an even better racing experience with a greater percentage of racers crossing the finish line.

JT500 ain’t no walk in the park.

Located at the East end of Joshua Tree Dry Lake Bed where the mountains meet the lake bed is a 1/4 mile loop consisting of loose trail, rocks, sand, and huge elevation changes. Racers will be required to complete 5 laps. There will be a “Pit Row” where repairs can be made. Racers are also welcome to create teams and race multiple drivers per vehicle, but driver changes are limited to “Pit Row”.

It’s a night race.

Temperatures in the Mojave Desert are literally off the charts so we felt we had no other choice than to run the event at night. As soon as the sun dips behind the mountain, temperatures drop into the comfort zone. Unfortunately the trade off is the darkness.  ALL RACERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE HEADLIGHTS ON THEIR RACE VEHICLES. The more lights the better.

This is a timed event.

We’re stepping up the racing experience by providing official timing. You’ll need to purchase your own transponder if you don’t have one already. We’ll be running the Trackmate system. Transponders can be purchased online here directly from Trackmate for only $38. There will be a 2 hour time limit on the race course.

1.9 & 2.2 4wd Crawlers

There will be two classes racing separate races on the course at the same time. 2.2 Racers will start first at 30 second intervals followed by 1.9. This should be interesting.

What to bring:

• EZ-UP for pit area
• Folding Table
• headlamp
• water
• sturdy shoes
• Pit light
• plenty of charged race packs

 

 

Team Cowles Racing has been busy in the shop. This year we’re giving the RC Rock Racing scene a shot.  While racing is not new to us, 4 wheel drive and solid axles are new. This is definitely a learn as you go process.

We’re starting with a stock Axial Jeep Rubicon Unlimited SCX10 that we purchased used about a year ago. Over the next couple of weeks we’ll be making some modifications to the vehicle to ensure a successful race day.

March 10, 2018 – SoCal U4RC Summer Series Round 2 – Apple Valley, Ca
March 31, 2018 – SoCal U4RC Summer Series Round 3 – Cherry Valley, Ca
April 21, 2018 –  SoCal U4RC Summer Series Round 4 – TBD
May 12, 2018 – SoCal U4RC Summer Series Round 5 – TBD
May 19-20, 2018 – Pro-Line By The Fire 2018 – Apple Valley, Ca
June 9th – SoCal U4RC Summer Series Round 6- TBD
July 18-22, 2018 – Axialfest2018 – Soda Springs, Ca

 

As we have been increasing speed there has been a concern of the car catching air under the body and flipping. This obviosly creates a dangerous situation, be cause once airborne, the car could travel anywhere.  From our research this typically happens around the 50 MPH mark. Well, we’re there and it’s time to do something about it.

After studying images of the Traxxas XO-1 Chassis, we had a good idea on how to accomplish the Team Cowles Racing version. The materials used are:

• Foam core board
• Aluminum Tape
• Industrial Strength Velcro

We’re fortunate to be starting off with a Chuckworks A-5 aftermarket chassis for the Traxxas Slash.  The chassis itself is flat allowing for the extension plates to be easily added to create a full chassis tray.

Once cut to fit The foam core peices were secured to the chassis with hardware and attached to the body with Velcro along the bottom of the doors. As of this test the body is attached to the car in 8 places including the new tray mounts.

RESULTS:

The first thing we noticed is the car slammed to the ground at higher speeds. PRO-TIP The fenders are lined with aluminum tape which has really saved the body from the tires stuffing into the wheel wells.

Additionally, all electronics we’re smokin’ hot. We did not expect this issue so we did not have the temp gun on hand.

Aside from those small issues the test was a success.

GOING FORWARD:

The next step is to increase the spring rate in the front so the tires don’t rub.

There’s also some small deflectors behind the front wheels intended to keep debris & air from entering the body.  It’s easy to forget that this is a converted Short Course Race Truck and dirt is no problem. We think removing them will help reduce electronics temperatures.