Black Swamp Shootout 2025 – Race Recap

Racers from all over Ohio, Michigan and Indiana ascended into the Black Swamp RC Raceway on Saturday, March 1st, 2025 for our annual Black Swamp Shootout. All racers threw their hats in the ring to try and come out on top. The racing and battles were fierce, but in the end, we could on have 1 first place finisher per class. Thank you all for making the event one to remember and to all that helped make the event a success!

Losi NASCAR:

1st & TQ - David Brock — 2nd - Jason Cope

Losi NASCAR - Special appearance by Ryan Cope (3rd place)

VTA:

1st & TQ - David Brock — 2nd - Marvin Davis — 3rd - Chris Tomalka

GT 12:

1st & TQ - Greg Anthony — 2nd - Keith Hamilton — 3rd - Aaron Mermin

WGTR:

1st & TQ - Greg Anthony — 2nd - Keith Hamilton — 3rd - Aaron Mermin

25.5 Touring Car:

1st & TQ - Dave Johnson — 2nd - Paxton Herman — 3rd - Eli Ezrow

1/12 17.5:

1st & TQ - Dave Swoosh — 2nd - Chris Keller — 3rd - Aaron Mermin

21.5 Touring Car:

1st & TQ - Dave Johnson — 2nd - Paxton Herman — 3rd Alston Kelso

Congratulations to all the winners!

2025 Ohio State On-Road Championship

The Black Swamp RC Raceway hosted the 2nd annual Ohio State On-Road Championship presented by Dumper’s Speed Shop.  As expected, several top racers showed up to put on a show.  Friday practice, racers were setting some incredible paces around the track.  That trend did not stop there as early Saturday morning practice showed the grip was still there and the lap pace was not slowing down.  We topped last years entry list, and the pits were filled almost to max capacity.  If you missed this race, you won’t want to miss the next!  I want to personally thank all of those that did attend this year’s race.  The threat of weather may have scared off a few, but overall, a great turnout.  As always, the racing was competitive, fast and exciting to watch.

Thank you Dumper for sponsoring this year’s on-road Championship race

 1/12 GT A-Main:

1st – Brandon Phillips -- 2nd – Aaron Mermin -- 3rd – Junior Norton -- TQ – Keith Hamilton

12GT A-Main Winners

 VTA B-Main:

1st – Steve Osterholt -- 2nd – Dave Willey -- 3rd – Marvin Davis

 VTA A-Main:

1st – Eli Ezrow -- 2nd – Larry Gross -- 3rd – Byron Linder -- TQ – Larry Gross

VTA A-Main Winners - 1st and 3rd place finishers had dates and left before pics.

WGT-R A-Main:

1st – Brandon Phillips -- 2nd – Keith Hamilton -- 3rd – Steve Osterholt -- TQ – Brandon Phillips

World GT-R A-Main Winners

 25.5 Touring Car C-Main:

1st – David Brock -- 2nd – Steve Osterholt -- 3rd – Marvin Davis

 25.5 Touring Car B-Main:

1st – Byron Linder -- 2nd – Jeremy Zlonkevicz -- 3rd – Junior Norton

 25.5 Touring Car A-Main:

1st – Dave Johnson -- 2nd – Paxton Herman -- 3rd – James Reilly -- TQ – Dave Johnson

25.5 Touring Car A-Main winners

1/12th 17.5 B-Main:

1st – James Otis -- 2nd – Gabe Hoban -- 3rd – John Studabaker

 1/12th 17.5 A-Main:

1st – Chuck Lonergan -- 2nd – Joe Trandell -- 3rd – Mike Molnar -- TQ – Chuck Lonergan

1/12th 17.5 A-Main Winners

21.5 Touring Car A-Main:

1st – Dave Johnson -- 2nd – Paxton Herman -- 3rd – James Reilly -- TQ – Dave Johnson

21.5 Touring Car A-Main Winners

Thank you to all the racers and spectators for making this a great and memorable event. Congratulations to all winners!

2024 Reindeer Trot Charity Race

By David A. Brock

On December 7th, we hosted a charity race to help support the Wood County Children’s Service.  This was our second year in a row running this race.  Turnout was a little lighter than the first year running, but the generosity of those that attended would state the opposite.  I want to personally thank each and every one of you that donated toys and money.  Christmas time can be a hardship for many families.  Our goal is to bring a smile to those kids in less fortunate families.

If the generosity of our racers wasn’t impressive enough, the racing was over the top.  It is always a great time seeing the more experienced racers run.  And then we have racers that are just starting out.  Watching these newer racers improve with each lap is always a great time.  Congratulations to all of the 2024 Reindeer Trot podium finishers.

In our Novice class, Jason Cope started first on the grid, followed by his young son, Ryan.  Jason put up a great battle, by Ryan was able to quickly get by him for the number one position.  Jason applied pressure many times, but Ryan ran a great race and came out the victor.  Great job Ryan on your 1st of many RC racing victories!

VTA: 1st Larry Gross (TQ) – 2nd David Brock – 3rd Mavin Davis

12GT (B-Main): 1st Dale Krop – 2nd Barb Bury (TQ) – 3rd Lon Burling

12GT (A-Main): 1st Larry Gross – 2nd Keith Hamilton (TQ) – 3rd Aaron Mermin

WGTR: 1st Keith Hamilton (TQ) – 2nd Aaron Mermin – 3rd Rich Mickle

25.5 Touring Car: 1st Paxton Herman – 2nd Larry Gross – 3rd Aaron Mermin – Todd Bigelow (TQ)

1/12 17.5: 1st Keith Hamilton (TQ) – 2nd Clayton White – 3rd Jeremy Otis

Thanks again to everyone for their support!

Battle at the Swamp Has Been Decided

The battle commenced on November 3rd, 2024, and the Champions were decided.  The battles were fierce.  There was some great racing action and a couple of upsets throughout the mains.  If you missed this race, you missed a great one.  We hope to catch you at the next one.

Our 2nd annual Reindeer Trot Charity race is right around the corner.  See the event for details.

Below is you Top Qualifiers and Top 3 podium finishers:

12GT                    1st Greg Anthony (TQ), 2nd Keith Hamilton, 3rd Aaron Mermin

VTA                      1st Larry Gross (TQ), 2nd David Brock, 3rd Dave Willey

WGTR                  1st Greg Anthony (TQ), 2nd Keith Hamilton, 3rd Aaron Mermin

25.5 TC               1st Larry Gross (TQ), 2nd Willie Thomas, 3rd David Brock

1/12th 17.5         1st Chuck Lonergan, 2nd John Studabaker, 3rd Clayton White – David Dunn (TQ)

21.5 TC               1st Dave Johnson (TQ), 2nd Brian Anthony, 3rd Alston Kelso