Winternats

For the much better known NHRA event, see NHRA Winternationals.

Winternats

File:WinternatsTRACK.jpg
Radio Operated Auto Racing
Venue	Nuggets Ranch R/C Raceway
Location	Arcadia, Florida, U.S.
Corporate sponsor	Shepherd Racing
First race	1972
Previous names	King Orange Winternationals
Circuit information
Length	0.120 mi (0.193 km)

The Winternats is a competitive on-road gas powered radio controlled car race attended by racers from around the world. It is currently held annually in Arcadia, Florida at Nugget's Ranch R/C Raceway, usually in the month of February. The Winternats is one of the oldest major R/C car racing events.

This event is sanctioned by the Radio Operated Auto Racing, or ROAR of North America and Canada. ROAR rules are followed. On-road gas (nitro) powered classes are 1/8 scale open, 1/8 scale masters and 1/10 scale sedan.

History

The first Winternats

The first Winternats was held in Miami, Florida in 1972. It was organized and put on by the South Florida R/C Car Club. The club had a temporary track that was striped and sealed on the side of a Levitz Furniture store parking lot. Two of the local hobby shops supported the club. Crown Hobbies paid for the site insurance and Orange Blossom Hobbies furnished the trophies. A few of the members came up with the idea of putting on a "BIG" race. From that idea of a "BIG" race the club started a monthly newsletter that was mailed out nationally. The ‘local’ club became known on a National level. Not knowing when to have this "BIG" race or what to call it, somewhere the idea came up to have a Winternationals. The club decided to capitalize on the great weather and the Annual King Orange Jamboree, a long-standing Miami tradition at that time. The club checked with the King Orange Committee, they had no problems with the club using their name and the "BIG" race was on. January, 1972 the first Annual King Orange Winternationals was to be held in sunny South Florida! The club put this in their Newsletter with the entry applications, and entries poured in from all over the country. This was the "first" R/C Winternationals in the country. The first winner was John Thorpe of Pomona California, driving a belt driven car that he manufactured, called the Thorpe Car. Other attendees were Art Carbonell and the Campbells of Delta and Dick Dobson of Marker. The trophies were silver bowls filled with oranges.

Early years

The South Florida R/C Car Club in Miami held the first races from 1972 to 1975. At that time there were no nitro sedans, impacts, or 4WD pivot ball cars. It was all 2WD 1/8 scale pan cars (made by Delta, Associated, Marker Machine) powered by K&B or OPS .21 engines.

In 1976, the event was moved to the parking lot of a Howard Johnson's in Orlando, Florida. This coincided with the starting of the Florida On-Road Gas State Series. In the early 80s, the race took place at the first permanent track in Florida, located at the Orlando airport. Kim Davis was the race director.

The race really started to become well known around the world when top European drivers and IFMAR representatives began to attend.

Fort Myers

Bob Rule of Bolink asked Jim Rice, the President of the Fort Myers R/C Car Club, to take over running the race and the race was moved to Fort Myers. In 1988 and 1989 the event took place at a semi-permanent location at the Edison Mall in downtown Ft. Myers. From 1990 to 2022 the race was held at the Lee County Civic Center. The warm Florida weather during the middle of the winter helped to increase the popularity, since most nitro R/C racers couldn't race during the winter months. With drivers from around the world attending and manufacturers competing with their latest innovations, the race used the slogan 'Test Track to the World'

Arcadia

September 2022 Hurricane Ian made landfall on the southwest coast of the Florida Peninsula. Hurricane Ian made impact as a Category 4 storm with 150 mph sustained winds and an onslaught of rain and storm surges that became one of the most powerful and deadly hurricanes in Florida's history. The storm surge put 28" of flood waters inside the buildings that stored all of the Fort Myers R/C Club equipment. The high winds and water destroyed the drivers stand, the pit cover and tables. Jim Rice, the President of the Fort Myers R/C Club made the tough decision that there was no recovery from this damage, with the looming lease with the Lee Civic Center set to end at anytime. He decided to retire and pass the race event on to long time friend and fellow racer, Greg Esser at Nugget's Ranch RC Raceway in Arcadia, Florida. Nugget's Ranch Raceway was established in 2010. On February 9 -12, 2023 Nugget's Ranch RC Raceway held the 47th Annual Florida WinterNats to a sold out event. The Florida Winternats tradition continues.

Race name

The race was first called the ‘King Orange Winternationals’. In a few years, the race was promoted as the ‘Winter Nationals’. In the 1980s, the race was briefly known as ‘The Miller’ because of a sponsorship from the Miller Brewing Company. ROAR did not sanction the race in 1988 due to a disagreement over the naming of the race. Private insurance for the race was purchased by the Fort Myers R/C Car Club (FMRC) and a new name, the ‘Southern Gas Championship Race’ was used. Next year (1989) ROAR and FMRC came to an agreement on naming the race the ‘Winternats’. ROAR was again the insurer and sanctioning body. The race was promoted under both the Winternats and Southern Gas Championship Race names. Finally, in recent years the race is known simply as the WinterNats.

Track features at The FORT - Fort Myers, Florida.

This Fort Myers track was considered one of the most unforgiving R/C tracks in the world with a very fast and narrow driving line. The track's nickname, 'The Fort', has been earned over many years of battle with drivers. The 30-year-old galvanized steel 'boards' make a loud bang exaggerating every hit, but yielding little. In the late 90s, plastic guards were added to many of the most destructive corners in an effort to tame the track. If a car is on line through the large sweeper onto the straight your car will disappear briefly because of the concrete curbs that create the island. The chicane in front of the driver stand, 'aka Dead Mans Curve', is one of the toughest spots on the track as drivers try to negotiate this tight area without lifting. The dots (plow disks) on the carousel were recently tamed in 2005, when they were covered by a plastic loop. The start–finish lap timing loop is located just before the pits, requiring drivers to make almost a whole lap before starting their qualifying run. This makes the 5-minute qualifiers a battle between power and fuel mileage. Some drivers will make a pit stop during qualifying. Before the 2005 event new asphalt was laid, due to damage by Hurricane Charley, and for the first time Mike Swauger and Michael Salven were able to complete 26 laps during qualifying. In 2008, live scoring over the internet was added, to allow people from around the world to view the races in real time. In 2009, live video coverage and audio of the race announcers was added to the site without a fee. Thanks to good weather and lots of traction compound testing during the summer, DJ Apolaro was able to set the first 24 lap qualifier in a sedan and Mike Swauger turned the first 27 lap qualifier with a 1/8 scale car. Paolo Morganti would set a new track record for the sedan at 24 laps in 5:11.71 and Mike Swauger 27 laps in 5:10.97 with a 1/8 scale car.

Track dimensions	150 feet × 90 feet
Driving line	635 feet
Surface	Asphalt
Timing system	AMBrc
Scoring program	LiveTime

Practice

Practice days are on Monday through Wednesday from 8:00 AM till 5:00 PM. In the middle of the day, practice sessions are sorted into 1/8 and sedan classes. No fuel bottles or refueling is allowed inside the fenced-in track area to allow all drivers the chance to get practice. Severe penalties from the officials for breaking this rule include reprimands, loss of fuel bottle or being sent home.

Qualifying

Takes place from Thursday through Friday. Qualifiers are four minutes long using the IFMAR start with up to ten drivers racing on their own clock. A maximum of five qualifiers are run over a two-day period. Practice is allowed in the mornings from 8:00 AM till 9:00 AM and in the evenings from the end of qualifying till 5:00 PM. Drivers are required to turn marshal after their qualifier or they will be docked one lap from their best qualifier.

Mains

The mains are run over a two-day period. The lower mains are run on Saturday. The upper mains are run on Sunday. Mains are run from the lowest to the highest (A-main). The winner and runner-up of all mains below the A-main, are allowed the option to bump-up to the next main. Trophies are awarded to all A-main participants and the top three places in all mains. Bump-up drivers give up their trophy for the chance to race in the next main.

Traditions

A free barbecue prepared by Jim on Friday night after the lower mains, consisting of smoked pork and chicken as well as all the fixings, is a unique feature only provided at this event. A raffle including car kits, engines, radios, tires, tools, etc., donated by the race sponsors, contributes to the appeal of this race. Silver bullets and the Red Cup racing team can trace its origins to the long days and nights of a Winternats week. In recent years, this race has been held in mid-February. The attendance of pro drivers, manufacturers and race teams make this race a great learning experience for racers.

Winners

1/8 scale 4wd

Year	Date	Driver	Chassis		Top Qualifier
2025	Feb. 3-9	Andrea Catanzani	Serpent		Andrea Catanzani
2024	Feb. 5-11	Jilles Groskamp	Infinity		Jilles Groskamp
2023	Feb. 6-12	Eric Dennett	Capricorn		Diego Morganti
2022	Feb. 17-20	Paolo Morganti	Capricorn C804		Paolo Morganti
2021	Feb. 16-20	Paolo Morganti	Capricorn		Paolo Morganti
2020	Feb. 19-23	Eduardo Cabal	Serpent		Ralph Burch Jr.
2019	Feb. 14-17	DJ Apolaro	Capricorn		Paolo Morganti
2018	Feb. 14-17	Ralph Burch Jr.	Serpent 988		Ralph Burch Jr.
2017	Feb. 15-18	Roniel Regalado	Capricorn C803		DJ Apolaro
2016	Feb. 9-13	Paolo Morganti	Serpent 977		DJ Apolaro
2015	Mar. 17-21	Ralp Burch Jr.	XRAY RX8		Paolo Morganti
2014	Feb. 11-15	Dario Balestri	Capricorn		Mike Swauger
2013	Feb. 12-16	Paolo Morganti	Serpent		Mike Swauger
2012	Feb. 14-18	Ralp Burch Jr.	XRAY RX8		Ralph Burch Jr.
2011	Feb. 1-6	Mike Swauger	XRAY RX8		Mike Swauger
2010	Feb. 7-13	Mike Swauger	Mugen MRX-4X		Mike Swauger
2009	Feb. 8-14	Paolo Morganti	Serpent 966		Mike Swauger
2008	Feb. 11-16	Mike Swauger	Mugen MRX-4X		Mike Swauger
2007	Feb 11-17	Chris Tosolini	Kyosho Evolva		Josh Cyrul
2006	Feb. 12-18	Mike Swauger	Mugen MRX-4R		Mike Swauger
2005	Feb. 6-12	Mike Swauger	Mugen MRX-4		Mike Swauger
2004	Feb. 8-14	Mike Swauger	Mugen MRX-3		Ralph Burch Jr.
2003	Feb. 9-15	Michael Salven	Serpent		Michael Salven
2002	Feb. 11-16	Kenji Osaka	Mugen		Kenji Osaka
2001	Feb. 12-17	Michael Salven	Serpent		Ralph Burch Jr.
2000	Mar. 13-18	Ralph Burch Jr.	Serpent		Ralph Burch Jr.
1999	Feb 22-27	Michael Salven	Serpent		Michael Salven
1998	Feb 8-14	Michael Salven	Serpent		Michael Salven
1994	Feb	Michael Salven	Serpent Excel		Michael Salven
1992	Feb	Ralph Burch

1/10 Scale Sedan

Year	Driver	Chassis		Top Qualifier
2025	Michael Palazzola	Mugen		Michael Palazzola
2024	Jose Almonte	Serpent		Bryce Butterfield
2023	Bryce Butterfield	Serpent		Bryce Butterfield
2022	Chris Lefebvre	X Ray		Chris Lefebvre
2021	DJ Apolaro	Infinity		DJ Apolaro
2020	Jeremiah Ward	Serpent 750		Ralph Burch Jr.
2019	DJ Apolaro	Capricorn		DJ Apolaro
2018	Dominic Greiner	Serpent		Dominic Greiner
2017	DJ Apolaro	Capricorn		DJ Apolaro
2016	Paolo Morganti	Serpent 747		Paolo Morganti
2015	Paolo Morganti	Serpent 747		DJ Apolaro
2014	DJ Apolaro	Capricorn		DJ Apolaro
2013	DJ Apolaro	Capricorn		Ralph Burch Jr.
2012	Paul Lemieux	XRAY NT1		Ralph Burch Jr.
2011	Ralph Burch Jr.	XRAY NT1		Ralph Burch Jr.
2010	Chris Tosolini	Serpent 720		Chris Tosolini
2009	DJ Apolaro	Serpent 720		Paulo Morganti
2008	Ralph Burch Jr.	Xray NT1		Paulo Morganti
2007	Paulo Morganti	Serpent 720		Paulo Morganti
2006	Paulo Morganti	Serpent 710		Paulo Morganti
2005	Scotty Gray	Serpent		Michael Salven
2004	Mike Swauger	Mugen MTX		Michael Salven
2003	Barry Baker	Associated		Kenji Osaka

1/8 Scale Masters

Year	Driver	Chassis		Top Qualifier
2025	George Martinez	Capricorn		Brad Toffelmire
2024	Billy Bowerman	Mugen		George Martinez
2023	Sal Difazio	Capricorn		Sal Difazio
2022	Peter Breton	Shepherd Velox		Peter Breton
2021	Peter Breton	Shepherd Velox		George Martinez
2020	Peter Breton	Shepherd Velox		Joaquin Desoto
2019	George Martinez	Capricorn		George Martinez
2018	Don Jones	Mugen		Chuck Moon
2017	Skip Starkey	Xray Rx8		Joaquin Desoto
2016	Joaquin Desoto	Serpent Viper 977		Joaquin Desoto
2015	Joaquin Desoto	Serpent Viper 977		Joaquin Desoto
2014	Skip Starkey	Xray Rx8		Joaquin Desoto
2013	Chuck Moon	XRAY RX8
2012	Joaquin Desoto	XRAY RX8		Joaquin Desoto
2011	Skip Starkey	Mugen MRX-4X		Skip Starkey
2010	Randy Colvin	Mugen MRX-4X		Joaquin Desoto
2009	Maxy Velazco	Serpent 966		Maxy Velazco
2008	Jim Sowa	Mugen MRX-4X		Eli Ezrow
2007	Jim Sowa	Mugen MRX-4R		Don Jones
2006	Lucas Garneau	Mugen MRX-4		Don Jones

1/8 Scale GT

Year	Driver	Chassis		Top Qualifier
2025	Andrea Catanzani	Serpent		Andrea Catanzani
2024	Paolo Morganti	Igt8		Paolo Morganti
2023	Jose Almonte	Serpent		Carlie Lopez
2022	Hector Montaner	Sworkz		Diego Morganti
2021	Paolo Morganti	IGT8 2021		Paolo Morganti
2020	Martin Johnson	Serpent Cobra GT		Dave Larry
2019	Rino Lino	IGT8		Rino Lino
2018	Rino Lino	IGT8		Rino Lino
2017	Joaquin Desoto	Serpent Cobra GT		Paolo Morganti
2016	Joaquin Desoto	Serpent 811		Rino Lino
2015	Rino Lino	IGT8		Joaquin Desoto
2014	Bart Collins	Serpent		Joaquin Desoto

1/8 Scale GT Electric

Year	Driver	Chassis		Top Qualifier
2025	Franco Desidario	X Ray		Franco Desidario
2024	Avery Pierce	Igt8		Avery Pierce
2023	Jose Almonte	Serpent		Jose Almonte
2022	Dave Larry	X Ray		Dave Larry
2021	Franco Desidario	Sworkz		PJ Dietz

1/10 Scale 4wd

Year	Driver	Chassis		Top Qualifier
2006	David Larry	Mugen MTX-4		Mark Unger
2005	Mark Unger	Serpent 835		Jim Rice
2004	Vince Tate	Mugen Avance		Juan Prohias
2003	Juan Prohias	Serpent 835		Don Jones
2002	Ralph Burch Jr.	Serpent Impact M2		Ralph Burch Jr.
2001	Ralph Burch Jr.	Serpent Impact M2		Ralph Burch Jr.
2000	Robbie Malphurs	Serpent Impact 2		Fred Bowen-Smith

1/10 scale 2wd

Year	Driver	Chassis		Top Qualifier
2002	Marty Barnes	Serpent Impact M2		Danny Horta
2001	Frank Calandra	Serpent Impact M2		Frank Calandra
2000	Ralph Burch Jr.	Serpent Impact 2		Ralph Burch Jr.
1999	Josh Cyrul	Serpent Impact 2		Josh Cyrul
1998	Josh Cyrul	Serpent Impact 2		Josh Cyrul
1994	Art Carbonell	Serpent Impact		Michael Salven
1993	John Adams	Serpent Impact

1/8 scale 2wd

Year	Driver	Chassis		Top Qualifier
1999	Ted Hammer	Delta		Ted Hammer
1998	Ted Hammer	Delta		Ted Hammer

External links

• Remotely Operated Auto Racers
• Winternats home page