517 RC Motorplex

09/07/2026

Let’s Get Back To Racing!!

09/06/2026

Racers, get ready—race day is almost here! Race 5 of the eight-race 2026 “517” Points Championship Series takes place this Saturday, September 12th. Remember, you may drop your results from two events.

Our race day schedule is posted below:
• Pit Gates Open: 10am
• Race Registration: 3pm-5:30pm
• Open Practice: 2-5pm, w/track maintenance breaks
• Track Maintenance: 5-530pm
• Drivers’ Meeting: 5:45pm
• Racing @ 6:00pm
• Points Racing Entry Fees: 25$ per class
* Non-Points Classes: 20$ entry
• Losi Late Models
• Losi Sportsman Sprint Car
• Novice: $20 entry

Our 517 Class Championship sponsors include:
• Mudboss – Repair 1 Automotive
• Street Stocks - Leininger Motorsports
• Slash Super Stock – Dyron Walker & Devon Turner
• Traxxas Modifieds – DS Hobbies
• Midgets - Big Dawg Motorsports
• Losi Sprint Car - RWR Roger Watkins
• Super Late Models - Factory 41
• 13.5 Wing Sprint Car - Tier 1 Racing
• Open Sprint Car - Building Mechanical Services
• SC Modifieds - Babbit Race Cars

Losi Sprint Cars: Pinions up to 23T are permitted, as are replacement ball cups and ball studs. Racers may use Walkover Whitz Racing tires and wheels, along with 4000mAh or 5000mAh Spektrum smart batteries. Whitz Walk-Over tires and wheels and JConcepts wheels are available in the hobby shop. All other components, including the radio, must remain box-stock. A new, unopened Losi Sprint Car is also available for purchase; contact me if interested.

In the hobby store you will find tires from Whitz, JConcepts, Sweeps, AKA, DE Racing, and Promotion, along with brands like Custom Works, Whitz Racing, Triple P Racing, RacerX, Promotion RC, KMT Designs, Losi products, etc. Essential items—including tire cleaning products, gluing jigs, Loctite, bullet connectors, pinions, spur gears, sprint car wings, shock oils, late model bodies, parts storage, tool bags, batteries, and motors are available. We have a selection of used cars on the shelf along with several new kits including Losi Sprint Cars, Losi Late Models, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sundrop Late Model, Team Associated retro Sprint Car, etc.

We now have in stock, Losi Sprint Car front and rear tires pre-mounted, Losi Late Model Tires, pre-mounted, Losi Spur Gears, 5000 Spektrum Batteries, Losi Spur Gears, Spektrum Lipo Chargers, Traxxas Modified tires and other items.

The hobby store is fully stocked and open Fridays and Saturdays on race weekends. We are gradually expanding our Traxxas, Losi, and other brand inventory, with additional stock expected by the end of September. Until then, contact DS Hobbies or Performance Hobbies in Pearland, Texas, for immediate Traxxas parts needs.

The Kickstand Café will be OPEN and ready to serve all day!

Canopies are allowed, and power is available, bring your own tables, chairs, extension cords, pit lamps, and fans. You may use the slab for pitting, but only handicap vehicles can drive or park on the slab.

Thank you to our sponsors: Glenn Johnson, Kenny Micheals, Performance RC Hobbies, DS Hobbies, 41 Shocks, Babbit Race Cars, RW Racing, Building Mechanical Services, Dyron Walker & Devon Turner, ID Manufacturing, T3 Innovations, EZ Clean Tire Washers, Tier 1 Racing, Big Dawg Racing, Leininger Motorsports, Repair 1 Automotive and special thanks to Jenna, Brad, Holly, Midge, Roger, Skippy, RC Grove, Nathan Demski, Doug Ivey, and everyone supporting our venue, its much appreciated.

Thank you to all our sponsors for their support. As the fall racing schedule begins, I expect the Losi Late Model class to draw more than 10 cars and the Losi Sportsman Sprint Cars to become an established class. The hobby shop continues to expand, and I hope racers will enjoy its convenience and support it when possible. Our program welcomes both new and longtime racers, and our growing presence in Houston’s dirt oval community was reflected by the eight new participants at open practice two weeks ago.

See you Saturday, September 12th, for Race #5 of the 2026 “517” Championship Series, enjoy great racing, new racers, and a fun day with friends at the track!

I have almost completed the points for the last four events, plan to post them on the drivers stand on Saturday September 12th!!

Any questions about the race or our hobby shop inventory please message us.

Look for more race day posts after the holiday, please be safe and enjoy this Labor Weekend!!

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08/26/2026

Let’s get ready to kick points racing back off in September!! Lots more to come!!

08/23/2026

If you're looking to race this weekend, which we have several from 517 Motorplex following the Lone Star Dirt Oval series to Thunderbird Raceway in Palestine, Texas. The LSDOS will be in action at Thunderbird Raceway this Saturday and we wish all our local racers good luck, bring back the hardware!!

08/23/2026

Thanks to everyone that came out Saturday to practice or stop by the shop to purchase what they needed for our upcoming racing schedule. Lots of new faces and people with cars and interest in our sport. I will post up up our September 12th 517 Championship Series race post soon, giving everyone time to prepare. If you’re new and have any questions please message us on Facebook and I will assist. Appreciate all of your support and looking forward to racing in a couple weeks.

Thanks to Roger Kenny, Melanie, Jenna, Glen and our sponsors for the support. I couldn’t do it without you.

08/22/2026

Racers, today the track will be open for some practice. We will prep and open it for practice. The track should be ready around 2:00 PM, giving everyone time to make laps.

I plan to keep the track open into the evening. Because of the heat, the best practice window will likely be around 6:00–9:00 PM through dark, when the breeze picks up and temperatures start to drop. If you want to run earlier in the afternoon, that’s perfectly fine, but evening practice should be ideal for summer conditions. The hobby shop will be open today for those needing items plus I have work to do in there today.

For Troy Kettler’s friends, we are postponing the TK52 race until September 12th. Due to the heat and a few late cancellations from racers who wanted to participate, we’ll run this special race before our points series event that day. We’ve also added more money to the purse, creating bigger and better payouts for the competitors. Moving the race gives us extra time to grow the event and increase the prizes. I want everyone there that wants to be there so this is the best decision and with the summer temps it’s the right call.
General practice is $20, payable at the RD booth.

Remember, racing resumes on September 12th with Race #5 of our 2026 517 Championship Series. I’ll share more details soon. 517 RC Motorplex will also host the Lone Star Dirt Oval Series on September 26th. I was able to win the track owners race at Thompsons securing 517 with an extra LSDOS race this year, September 26th and November 14th. We have a busy schedule of racing September through November with points races and two LSDOs races. I’m excited about our upcoming racing schedule, and the hobby shop will be fully stocked by September 12th.

We also have a few improvements in progress, including a new track packer arriving next week. See everyone today or on September 12th, stay cool and hydrated in these summer temps.

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08/21/2026

Racers, tomorrow we’re opening the track for a Play Day—who needs "practice"?

On Saturday, August 22, we’ll prep the track and open it for practice. The track should be ready around 2:00 PM, giving everyone time to make laps and fine-tune their setups. We’ll take a few maintenance breaks throughout the day to keep the surface in good shape.

Many racers have asked for time on a freshly prepared track before the September points season begins, and this is a great opportunity to get that practice in.

I plan to keep the track open into the evening. Because of the heat, the best practice window will likely be around 6:00–9:00 PM through dark, when the breeze picks up and temperatures start to drop. If you want to run earlier in the afternoon, that’s perfectly fine, but evening practice should be ideal for summer conditions.

For Troy Kettler’s friends, we’ll also host the TK52: a $52 heads-up, 52-lap race for Mudboss and Super Stock cars. There is no entry fee for the TK52 race, and the winner will receive $52 from 517 Motorplex. It’s simply a fun, relaxed race for whoever is there on practice day.

I need some testing time as well, so let’s enjoy a low-pressure day at the track. We’ll shut down around 9:00 PM so everyone can get home at a reasonable time.

General practice is $20, payable at the RD booth. TK52 racers do not pay an entry fee for the TK52 race. The winner will receive $52, and second and third place will each receive a $10 hobby shop gift certificate.

I’m looking forward to a great day hanging out with friends at the track—no pressure, just fun in the sun at the racetrack!

Remember, racing resumes on September 12th with Race #5 of our 2026 517 Championship Series. I’ll share more details soon. 517 RC Motorplex will also host the Lone Star Dirt Oval Series on September 26th. I was able to win the track owners race at Thompsons securing 517 with an extra LSDOS race this year, September 26th and November 14th. We have a busy schedule of racing September through November with points races and two LSDOs races. I’m excited about our upcoming racing schedule, and the hobby shop will be fully stocked by September 12th.

We also have a few improvements in progress, including a new track packer arriving next week. It should make watering during the show and packing the track quicker during race events. I will be picking it up next Friday!

08/14/2026

Racers, we are a week away from a Play Day—also known to longtime racers as a Practice Day—and we’re making it happen.

Saturday, August 22, we’ll prep the track and open it for a full day of practice. The track should be ready around noon, giving everyone time to make laps and fine-tune their setups. We’ll take a few maintenance breaks throughout the day to keep the surface in great shape.

We know many racers wanted time on a freshly prepared track before the September points season begins, and this is the perfect chance to do that.

For Troy Kettler’s friends and family, we’ll also host the TK52: a $52 heads-up, 52-lap race for Mudboss and Super Stock cars. There is no entry fee, and the winner will receive $52 from 517 Motorplex.

Come out for a full day of practice and racing as we run into dusk. I need some testing time too, so let’s enjoy the sun, the sunset, and a great day at the track. We’ll shut down around 8:00 PM so everyone can get home at a reasonable time.

General practice is $20, payable at the RD booth. TK52 racers do not pay an entry fee for the TK52 race. The winner will receive $52, and second and third place will each receive a $10 hobby shop gift certificate.

I look forward to a great day hanging with friends at the track, no pressure, fun in the sun on the racetrack!

Good luck to those attending the Lone Star Dirt Oval Series race at Thompson R/C Raceway this weekend. I'm traveling up in hopes of hosting the LSDOS race in October at 517 RC Motorplex. Wish me luck as I race against Paul Gertner and Jay Black, winner will host Race #7 of the 2026 LSDOS here at their venue!

We have a two new improvements coming to 517 RC Motorplex, one should be in play by August 22nd, stay tuned!

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08/05/2026

You asked for a Play Day—also known to longtime racers as a Practice Day—and we’re making it happen.

On Saturday, August 22, we’ll prep the track and open it for a full day of practice. The track should be ready around noon, giving everyone time to make laps and fine-tune their setups. We’ll take a few maintenance breaks throughout the day to keep the surface in great shape.

We know many racers wanted time on a freshly prepared track before the September points season begins, and this is the perfect chance to do just that.

For Troy Kettler’s friends and family, we’ll also host the TK52: a $52 heads-up, 52-lap race for Muddboss and Super Stock cars. There is no entry fee, and the winner will receive $52 from 517 Motorplex. Come out for a full day of practice and racing as we run into dusk. I need some testing time too, so let’s enjoy the sun, the sunset, and a great day at the track. We’ll shut down around 8:00 PM so everyone can get home at a reasonable time.

General practice is $20, payable at the RD booth. TK52 racers do not pay an entry fee. The winner will receive $52, and second and third place will each receive a $10 hobby shop gift certificate.

I look forward to a great day hanging with friends at the track, no pressure, just fun in the sun on the race track!

Guest star....Elvis might make an appearance! Yes, the real Elvis!! IFYKYK!! The King may make an appearance as well....IFYKYK!!

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08/03/2026

Racers, as we enter our summer break in August, please review the updated schedule for the remainder of the year. The revised schedule is pinned at the top of the page under the “Feature” tab. A few dates have been revised due to LSDOS schedule, and our October schedule has been adjusted slightly. Our November schedule remains unchanged as we finish the season and host the LSDOS Finals.

We are also working on the 2027 schedule and Championship class lineup. The 2027 season will move to a 10–12 race points series, with our usual July and August break because of the summer heat. Below is our remaining schedule and I have shown the LSDOs races for clarity.
• August 15th: Off - LSDOS - Thompson
• August 29th: Off – LSDOS - Thunderbird
• Sept.12th: Round #5 – 517 Championship Series – 5pm
• Sept. 26th: Off - LSDOS - N-Control
• Oct. 3rd: Round #6 – 517 Championship Series – 4pm start
• Oct. 17th: Round #7– 517 Championship Series - 4pm start
• Nov. 7th: Round #8 – 517 Championship Series– 2pm start
• Nov. 13th: LSDOS – Practice
• Nov. 14th: Lone Star Dirt Oval Series – Racing 2pm start
• Final Club Race & Awards Ceremony of 2026: TBD
• January 2nd: Club Race, followed by 2nd Annual LED Lights Out Event

Several racers have asked about the 2027 season. Below are tentative 2027 Championship Series classes, which are subject to change. This early list gives everyone time to plan their racing program for next year. Upgraded radios will be allowed in the Losi 410 Sprint and Losi Late Model classes. All Losi classes will require the standard Spektrum 2S 4000/5000 mah 50C battery. Tire options for the Losi 410 Sprint will be discussed, including allowing an optional tire in addition to the OEM tires.

• Losi 360 Sprint Car – new racers
• Losi 410 Sprint Car – experienced racers
• Losi Late Models
• Traxxas Modifieds – upgraded radios allowed
• Mudboss – look for rule updates soon
• 13.5 Street Stocks
• Open Wheel Midget
• Open Late Models
• Wing Sprint Car - TBD
• SC Modifieds

517 has sold eight Losi Late Models, with another sold today. Four new racers are also joining in September, all with Losi Sprints and Losi Late Models. This brings the Losi Sprint class to more than 20 cars and Losi Late Model class to 12 cars. The Late Models use the majority of the same part numbers as the Losi Sprint, and the stock body configuration will be required when the class launches during the 2026 racing season.

Losi Late Models must run stock tires, a 5000 mah 2S Spektrum battery, the stock ESC, servo, motor, and stock battery plugs. Racers may upgrade the radio and increase the pinion size. The pinion and radio are your only options!

Rules for both the Losi Sprint and Losi Late Model classes will be posted in the next couple of weeks. We are expanding the hobby shop’s parts selection to include more common brands, including Traxxas, Losi, Team Associated, and others. If you or someone you know is looking for a Losi Sprint or Losi Late Model, we currently have them in stock. For retro racers, we also have the Team Associated 1/10 Sprint Car available—a fun car to build, run, and add to your collection, with a classic feel reminiscent of 1990s racing thanks to its original tub chassis, aluminum cage, and wing mounts.

Thank you for your continued support. Watch for a new display at Performance RC Hobbies in the next couple of weeks promoting our venue, and we look forward to great racing coming September through November!

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