1:16 scale success at the Clipsal 500.
As the naming rights sponsor for the unbelievably popular Australian launch of Stadium Super Trucks, Toyo Tires ensured that Clipsal 500 racegoers got their own hands-on taste of the trackside action.
The Toyo Tires Attack The Dirt R/C Arena proved to be a huge hit at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide. The custom-built track and Traxxas Slash VXL and Dakar Edition Slash R/C trucks drew constant queues over the four-day event.
Gold Coast stuntman and recently in-demand Stadium Super Truck driver Matt Mingay was a regular at the stand. Mingay threw the mini SST around with the same controlled aggression his 1:1 Stadium Super Truck copped during the weekend’s racing.
Likewise, 17-year old Sheldon Creed, now locally infamous for rolling over the finish line in Race 3, spent much of his downtime whizzing around the Toyo track.
The highlight of the weekend was a scale model showdown between Stadium Super Trucks creator and motorsport legend Robby Gordon, off-road racer Brad Gallard and Mingay, with the trio testing whether their ability on track translated to the miniature version.
In a time attack-style SST driver challenge, Creed took the win with a blazing 14.31-second lap. Second place went to Gallard with a 14.91, and Gordon came third with 15.14.
Attempting to throw each other off, the racers logged times that punters attempted to best over the course of the event.
Port Adelaide’s Chad Wingard and Jarman Impey also dropped by to log a time and take a selfie.
Even the Defence Force got involved, with a squaddie in a ghillie suit reportedly (we couldn’t see him) hiding out under jumps and getting pelted by R/C cars.
Despite a lowly bronze in the SST drive challenge, Robby Gordon enjoyed the Clipsal 500 and his time attacking the dirt at the R/C arena.
“Besides the racing there is something on every corner for everyone,” said Gordon. “Everyone involved has done a really good job at bringing excitement and entertainment to young and old.”
A great thanks from Toyo especially to the Modelflight crew for their recovery efforts during the long days under a relentless Adelaide sun. Thanks also to the Toyo Girls, Traxxas, Coates Hire, Stadium Super Trucks and everyone who stopped by and enjoyed the weekend.
We look forward to taking this show on the road.
