6.5 Seconds! That is what separated 1st and second place at the 2006 Tamiya Halloween Enduro.
In the history of Tamiya America Endurance races it has never come to the last lap of the 4 hour race to declare an overall winner. Both Team Nemo and Team San Diego Racers finished with 903 laps and the only thing that separated them was a few corners. What an exciting race!
The 2006 Tamiya Halloween Enduro consisted of eight teams competing to see who could win the 4 hour race. The motor technology of choice for Tamiya Endurance races has become the different Brushless motors that are available out on the hobby market today. The three motors seen this year were the Novak, LRP and HACKER brands respectively. Brushless motors have given teams the reliability and longevity needed for endurance races and now the battery technology has also seen a turn for the future. That future is Lithium Polymer batteries. While still in the early stages of electric sprint racing it has become evident they have become the battery of choice in Tamiya endurance races. The two top teams used LIPO batteries made by companies such as Orion and the San Diego Racer team was able to stretch their batteries to almost 20 minutes per charge. In the end this strategy may have cost them the race as Team Nemo played it safe with their pit stops and only stretched their batteries to 15-16 minutes. With 24 minutes to go Team San Diego elected to get the most out of their battery as they stayed out longer than they should have. Their car stopped in the middle of the track because there was simply no more power to use. Orlando Sherman had to run to retrieve the car and bring it into the pits, but by then it gave Team Nemo the lead and they never looked back! Well, almost as they needed to pit at least one more time which could have given the edge back to Team San Diego, but with 21 minutes to go there was no way they could go to the end on that last pit stop. They had to pit at least one more time and they did. Even then it became apparent that they were driving strapped and Team Nemo was fighting a tire wear issue as 2nd place was gaining fast. By the end of the day time just ran out for Team San Diego. Just like Formula 1 racing most of the passing was done in the pits and most of the teams were really guarded about their strategies. To say the least it was a great race to watch and announce.
Congratulations to the winners and all the participants as we look forward to the next Tamiya America Endurance race!