Platnick Turbo Charges To Victory!

Heat: Pedal to the Metal made it back as a Trial Event again by popular vote for 2025. Heat 1 was a “get your feel for the track” race on the USA map with basic upgrades and a standard Legend racer. Heat 2 moved to the France map with standard snake draft for the upgrades and a Pro 1 Legend Racer. Heat 3 was the same except we raced on the Great Brittain map. The Semifinal was raced on the Italy map where 29 racers on 6 tables competed for a shot to earn laurels in the event.

For the Final, our drivers found themselves on the new Espana track with Tunnels. This is a single lap race with plenty of turns (11) and length (109) to challenge the best drivers. In the pole position was Jack Wolf driving Green with the Gas Pedal 1 (24), Suspension 4 (34) and RPM + (29) upgrades. Next to Jack was alternate qualifier Hannah Manley in Black with the Brakes 2|4 (9), Gas Pedal 4 (27), and the Brakes 1|5 (10) cards. The second line had Mary Jo Sminkey in her traditional Purple with the R.P.M. 1|2 (31), 4 Wheel Drive + (47) and the Front Wing 4 (59) equipped. Next to Mary, Tricia Wolff was in Red sporting the Cooling System 3 (13), Front Wing + (55) and Front Wing 2 (57) upgrades. The back line had Matt Stankey in Blue showing off his Gas Pedal 3 (26), R.P.M. 2 (15), and Front Wing 3 (58). Finally, in Yellow David Platnick equipped his car with Tires + (40), Body 2 (20), and a Turbo Charger 8 (43), which included two of the upgrades most found on cars winning this tournament.

The race was run in overcast conditions, adding a heat card in driver’s draw decks and led to no drafting in the first two straightaways at the start of the race based on track modifications. There was a ‘1’ speed hairpin to deal with midrace and a final 3 curve just 7 spaces before the finish line. Going into the second to last round, Jack was 8 spaces from finishing and two spaces from crossing the final curve. Hannah was right behind Jack. Matt was on the inside behind the final 4 curve line 3 paces behind Hannah. David was on the outside next to Matt. Tricia was behind the first 4 curve, 3 spaces behind Matt and David. And Mary Jo was 3 spaces behind Tricia and the 3 curve with a one fire penalty having spun out trying to keep with pack.

The penultimate round was critical as Jack, David, and Hannah all passed the final curve and were 4,5,and 6 spaces away respectfully from finishing. Matt and Tricia still had to clear the final curve, and Mary Jo was edging her car through the curves with no heat available.

The final round came down to cards and available heat to expend. Jack was on fumes so was only able to move 8 to +5 over the finish line and finish third. David, who started at the rear of the pack at the start and was in 4th place two rounds ago, had an engine full of heat and a turbo charger to burn. He was able to move 17 spaces to +13 past the finish line. Hannah took on the challenge but was only able to drive 13 spaces to finish at +8 and a second-place finish. Matt and Tricia both ended right behind the finish line where Tricia was able to out race Matt in a drag race for the fourth position.

When it came to upgrades the most popular pick was the Body 5 (5) with 13 picks followed closely by the Brakes 1|5 (10) with 12 picks. The 4 Wheel Drive 4|+ (1) and the Wings 4 (44) had 11 picks each. Rounding out the most popular upgrades with 10 picks each were the 4 Wheel Drive +|+|+ (2), the Gas Pedal 3 (26) and the Turbo Charger 8 (43). When it came to race winners, the most common upgrades were the 4 Wheel Drive +|+|+ (2), the Turbo Charger 8 (43), and the Tires + (40).

Green was the most popular color chosen but Red had the most 1st or 2nd place finishes. Interestingly, all 6 starting positions had the exact same number of wins except for the number 2 car which won only 2 races over the entire tournament. Small sample size but something to look at in future tournaments. Interestingly the #2 starting position was also the least likely to finish last. The average differential between starting position and final position excluding the Legend cars were -2.2 for the pole position followed by -1.3, -0.7, 0.2, 2.3 and finally 2.4 for the car starting last. As expected, no one who spun out/stalled won a race, but two drivers did manage to come back for second place finishes.

Thanks to everyone who participated and for supporting the late substitute GM. Hopefully our attendance was high enough for Heat: Pedal to the Metal to become a Century event for next year.