On The Track: 3DBotMaker

by Christopher Kidder-Mostrom

The story lines that have accompanied the races in the King of the Mountain’s third qualifying period have seemingly come to an end with the conclusion of the Impound Lot race. All sixteen spots in the tournament are now filled and attention can be turned towards the chase for the title, rather than on 3D being arrested, Susan getting him bailed out, cops monitoring the races, and so many messy crashes.

Mid-season rule changes don’t always get the best reception, but the participants in the KotM qualifiers have rolled with the punches this season.

Not only was the aforementioned police chase car added partway through the season, but so was the additional fifth lap in what had been a four-lap qualifier through the first few episodes.

Those are actually big changes. Almost as big as the shift that happened between the 2019 season and the 2020 season that got rid of head-to-head races in favor of the four lap races.

The thing that one must remember, though, is that King of the Mountain has had many, many variations since the beginning. It’s been head to head. It’s been three drivers compete to earn the right to challenge the King. It’s been one-shot chances at the crow. It’s been a tournament. It’s had no commentary at all. It’s had full commentary.

King of the Mountain is an everchanging beast, and that’s part of the fun. The competition is now more rigidly programmed than before. But, 3D is still innovating all the time. And, while I am glad to see the end of the police chase cars and impoundings, I love that there might be a second chance race as part of the next KotM tournament that will give second place finishers a chance to get into the main event.

So, as we move on to the actual tournament, who is in the position to win? What is the tournament going to look like?

3D already alluded to the fact that side rails are going to be added to the track, which means that the likelihood of cars taking a plunge off the straightaway between turns two and three decreases significantly.

And that means that some of the cars that handle more loosely than the others may not suffer the surprising exits that we’ve seen previously. But, when it comes down to it, cars that aren’t pinballing all over the place still have the clear advantage on race day.

It’s probably not a big risk to say that the favorite in the tournament has to be the number one seed, Luke H. In “The Faddy”. The car’s builder, Matt Allen, is one of the winningest racers to come on the scene over the last two years. His F’n Fifty made the last tournament, but ended up being a little too top-heavy to take it all the way to the checkered flag. This car, driven by his son, doesn’t have that problem at all. It’s carrying its significant weight low over a wide stance with huge wheels set in a long wheel base. If there was one car to show off to beginners as “this is how to do it”, well… this is that car.

But, as some may have seen in a recent repost of the 2019 tournament, even the fastest car in the tournament can careen off the track and the worst possible moment. Too much speed can send you airborne when that banked turn essentially becomes a ramp. So, who else is in the running?

I think Golden Girl , who is driving Orange Peel has a solid chance. That’s a Nero 62 car, and we’ve seen the ‘Tooned Chevelle do well before.

We have to respect the experience that has gone into the build of Terrance Jr.’s Purple People Eater. The builder of that car, Sean Coughlin (Redline Salvage Inc), is the guy who knocked my “Tartan Titan” out of the first KotM tournament. Sean builds fast cars what don’t normally exit in the first round. Will he make it to the final? I’m not sure, since he is starting in the same group as “The Faddy”, but it is possible that he will go far.

I’d be remiss in pointing out that I am also pulling for my own entry, “The Kraken”, driven by Miscreants. I built it out of a car that was one of my brother’s and my fastest cars from when we were kids. But, if I am being completely honest, I don’t expect to make it past the second round no matter what. If I make it that far, I’ll be happy. “The Faddy” and “Purple People Eater” are on my side of the bracket.

It’s going to be interesting to watch. Looking at the second half of the field, I think that we could see Pistol Pete or one of the Mustang playing spoiler, or even becoming a sleeper that sneaks into the later rounds. I really wish that Dale Johnson’s “Oh Really” was faster than it is. That Buick looks great, but it just doesn’t have the speed to compete. However, it did prove in its qualifier that sometimes slower, but steady can get you pretty far. Just not far enough to knock FGC Family off their throne.