We just wrapped up an incredible weekend at the Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino, competing in Round Four of Hot Pit. With 32 drivers battling it out for podium spots, it was intense from start to finish. I made some changes to my setup, including a new design to keep things more professional, but don’t worry, I’m still repping JDMBooger for the socials. Friday’s practice went well; we ran three one-hour sessions to dial in the car and burn through some tires, preparing for Saturday’s big competition.

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Things didn’t go as smoothly as I’d hoped on Saturday, though. After the first practice session, the car started running rough, and we traced the issue to low fuel pressure. We swapped signals, relays, and even replaced the regulator, but nothing worked. The setup made it impossible to access the fuel tank easily, so we had to pull everything apart, including the radiator, to inspect the tank. Turns out, a line in the pump was bleeding pressure. We fixed it just in time to skip practice and jump straight into the Top 32.

Despite the chaos, we pushed through. The car felt solid, and I managed to advance through the rounds, facing some strong competition. In the Top 16, I stuck to my opponent’s door during my follow but knew I had room to improve on my leads. Each battle was a test of strategy and skill, but the car held up. When we got to the Top 4, we fell short of making the final, but I’m proud to say we won the battle for third. Landing a podium spot after all the setbacks was a huge relief and an incredible moment.

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This weekend was a rollercoaster, but it was all worth it. From troubleshooting the car under pressure to facing some of the best drivers out there, it was a test of resilience and teamwork. Huge thanks to everyone who helped out and supported us through the challenges. Third place may not be the top, but with everything we overcame, it feels like a win. Onward to the next round—let’s keep building and improving!