Epic A-Main Battles Heat Up Crash’n Bash on a Chilly Saturday!
Cedar Rapids, IA – January 12, 2026 – While the Iowa winter tried to freeze things out, the Mini-Z A-Main races turned the indoor circuit at Crash’n Bash Hobbies Raceway into a scorching speed fest this past Saturday, January 10, during the On-Road Winter #8 extravaganza. Tiny RC titans zipped through hairpin turns and straightaway sprints, delivering drama, comebacks, and enough laps to make controller thumbs ache – over 250 combined in the mains alone! If you weren’t there dodging “crashes” (it’s in the name, after all), buckle up as we recap the pulse-pounding action that had the crowd buzzing.
For the uninitiated, Mini-Z racing is RC heaven: 1/28-scale cars that pack Ferrari-level ferocity into Hot Wheels-sized bodies. Running on the iconic Trackside@ Crash’n Bash layout, these A-Mains were the grand finales after qualifiers, with timed sessions (5-6 minutes) where laps and consistency crowned the kings and queens. Let’s zoom into each class’s showdown – spoilers: there were photo finishes, lap records, and a few “bash” moments!
AAA Sportsman A-Main: Neck-and-Neck Nail-Biter!
Kicking off the mains with a 5-minute thriller, the AAA Sportsman class was all about fair-play fun with entry-level vibes – but don’t let that fool you; these drivers brought the heat! Chris Simmons snagged the win with 25 laps in 5:09.557, his 11.734-second scorcher on lap 23 setting the pace and a rock-solid 94.82% consistency. Jake Tuel finished second with 25 laps in 5:10.052 – just 0.495 seconds behind – thanks to an 11.820-second fast lap on turn 6. Eric Murray rounded out the podium in third with 21 laps (4 behind), but his 14.191-second lap early on showed grit. This race was a photo-finish masterclass, proving sportsmanship and speed go hand-in-hand.
Stock Mini-Z A-Main: Pure Power, No Frills Attached!
Shifting gears to the 6-minute Stock class, where mods are banned and it’s all driver skill, Chris Simmons dominated like a Mini-Z maestro! He crushed 29 laps in 6:11.256, dropping a 12.143-second bomb on lap 12 and boasting 96.24% consistency – untouchable! Eric Norris battled to second with 25 laps (4 behind), his 13.255-second lap late in the game keeping things spicy. Davey Boy grabbed bronze with 21 laps, improving his pace with a 15.560-second fast one on 13, while Matt Langfitt (17 laps) and Mike McCoy (just 1 lap) showed the learning curve’s steep but fun. This class was raw RC at its best – no fancy upgrades, just heart-pounding hustles and a few “oops” moments in the turns.
Novice Mini-Z A-Main: Rookies Rising to the Challenge!
The 5-minute Novice class was a crowd favorite, where beginners got their shine without the pro pressure – and boy, did they deliver! Mr. Mudflaps (epic name alert!) owned the track, hammering 18 laps in 5:04.813 with a jaw-dropping 15.335-second lap right out the gate on 2, and 91.45% consistency that screamed “future champ.” Kaylee Miller put up a fierce fight for second, completing 14 laps (4 behind) and improving to an 18.967-second fast lap on 10, with solid 86.66% consistency. This race was all about growth and grins – proof that Mini-Z is the perfect entry point for hobby heroes. High-fives to these rookies for turning nerves into nitro!
Open Mini-Z A-Main: No-Holds-Barred Speed Spectacle!
Saving the wildest for last, the 6-minute Open class was a modded-out mayhem where anything goes – and it went fast! Nick Williams wired it from pole, blasting 34 laps in 6:07.324 with a blistering 10.505-second lap on 13 and near-perfect 97.65% consistency. Eric Murray clawed to silver with 32 laps (2 behind), his 10.941-second early lap and 97.83% consistency (the day’s highest!) keeping the pressure on. Jake Tuel took bronze with 32 laps in 6:11.112, just 3.437 seconds off Murray, thanks to an 11.154-second surge on 19 and 95.73% consistency. This A-Main was pure adrenaline, with sub-11-second laps and battles that had spectators on their feet.
The Big Lap: Why Saturday’s Races Were RC Royalty
With fast laps dipping under 11 seconds and consistencies topping 97%, On-Road Winter #8 was a testament to the Crash’n Bash community’s passion – drivers swapping tips, sharing laughs, and embracing the occasional bash. Special shout outs to multi-class masters like Chris Simmons (two wins!) for their versatile vibes. Total event energy? Off the charts, turning a snowy Saturday into an indoor inferno of fun.
If this recap has you revved up, hit up Crash’n Bash for the next round or dive into LiveRC for full event details with lap times and race analysis. Keep those Mini-Zs charged, Cedar Rapids – the winter series is just heating up.