Small in Size but Packing a Powerful Punch, RC Drag Racing National Event Will Be a Part of Sick Powerfest
The sport of drag racing knows many different levels and budgets, which everything from 330-foot to a full quarter-mile distance done by millions of race cars, street cars, motorcycles, dragsters and more.
That same spirit also exists on a smaller scale as RC Drag Racing, but make no mistake, these 1/10-scale version pack a serious punch that rivals their full-sized counterparts.
The RC Drag Racing series will host a national event at this year’s Summit Sick Powerfest Presented by M1 Concourse, and a big part of making it happen is competitor and long-time RC car enthusiast Frank Ulbrik.
“National events are held all over the country, and there’s usually one national event each month,” said Frank. “Tom Bailey contacted me about helping put together one at Sick Powerfest, and the response has been great.”
Summit Racing Equipment Sick Powerfest Presented by M1 Concourse comes to Pontiac, Michigan this Friday - August 11, 2023! For more information, click HERE!
RC Drag Racing marks Frank’s second dive into the world of RC cars, as he originally got his start with the ones that turn during competition. “I used to competitively race RC cars on oval tracks from 1995 through 2011,” Frank said.
“After that I took a break, and during the COVID years, I had some friends that were drag racing RC cars. I thought it looked pretty cool, and I went out to a couple events to see what it was all about. It’s spiraled into a big habit with several cars, but I get to travel the country, so I’m enjoying it.”
The 1/10-scale race cars that will be featured at Sick Powerfest compete in an Outlaw heads-up format. Despite the Outlaw name, cars are still held to strict standards.
“There is the NPRC organization that sets and oversees the rules and dimensions,” said Frank. Those include a wheelbase limited to 13-1/2 inches maximum, as well as a maximum 13-inch wheelie bar length. Minimum weight is 2060 grams, and every car needs to run the same 2-cell battery at a specific charge rate.
A wide variety of bodies in different finishes are used, but it must be a readily-available production body with some rules for shape and size.
Running on a 132-foot distance (1/10 the size of a full size drag strip), the miniature hot rods are quicker than some might imagine. “The fastest outlaw cars will run the distance in the 1.3-second range at over 100 mph,” said Frank.
“Most national events have a 50 to one hundred dollar buy in to participate, and they can have up to 400 participants. Some purses can grow to between 10,000 to 30.000 dollars.”
The cars will get some private practice time at M1 on Thursday August 10th before taking center stage as part of Summit Sick Powerfest Presented by M1 Concourse this Friday, August 11th.
“The turnout looks to be pretty big; we’re excited about it,” said Frank. “Part of me will miss being able to compete, but being a part of bringing a new national event to Michigan is a great thing as well.”
The Summit Sick Powerfest Presented by M1 Concourse is a huge 1-day event coming to Pontiac, Michigan this Friday, August 11th, 2023!
Massive amounts of smoke will come from the burnout competition, as well as the style and engine-screaming sounds of the drifting competition, with $5000 on the line for each!
PLUS, a super-sized Car Corral, nitro-breathing cackle cars, Powerwheels, and RC Drag Racing, it’s a full day of fun you won’t want to miss!
Want to participate, or come out to watch all the action? All the information on Summit Sick Powerfest is AVAILABLE HERE!
Spectators: you can get special $10 general admission tickets thanks to Summit Racing! Use the discount code summitracing when you pre-purchase TICKETS HERE!
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Garrett Olsen.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com