The UK MicroX 2010 is a big one-off meeting for 'micro' sized off-roaders, organised by micro aficionado and BRCA section chairman Cris Oxley. The event attacted a lot of sponsors wanting to support the exciting class of racing and to celebrate things the event was FREE to enter!
Yes, thats right, free - no money - FREE! how mad is that. Awesome.

The meeting was held at the Hereford RC Club in Leominster, Hereford. The club is a regular on the micro national series and has a healthy micro racing heritage so was the obvious choice for this event.

After booking-in was complete there was a quick concours competition to find the nicest looking car inside and out - Cris in all his wisdom deciding that cars would be judged on both their lovely bodyshells and the neatness of their internal electric installs. We wont be getting a prize then hey.

Ben Wain's shark with his nice shell
The drivers lined their cars up for concours	Ben Wain takes his concours trophy

Ben Wain took the honours and seemingly without any internal inspections - maybe they were cut for time reasons! :) Ben did confess he'd spent extra time on his wiring to make it super-neato and was slightly upset it hadn't been adored to contribute to his success.

Craig Harris with his carbon-tub home-enhanced LRP Shark.

Drivers briefing got underway about 8:50 and Cris went through the rules of the meeting, which is being run to the new 2010 rules for the first time before they come into effect in October for the start of the national series. The new rules seperate these little off-roaders into two seperate scales for the first time in a few years - designed to stop the LRP Shark style buggys from utterly dominating.

The newly re-configured 18th class has the more standard FTX Blaze (the basis for the LRP Shark, sort of) and other buggies including the new Associated RC18B2 - but all these buggies have to use wheels and tyres under a certain size, which rules out touring car type wheels and tyres.

Race control - these heros ran the meeting	Tony Bishop is famous for his fettling

In all there were three classes at the UK MicroX 2010 - the two 4WD scales, 16th and 18th - and a 2WD 16th class. There wasn't enough interest in the smaller 18th scale 2WD buggies to go through with a seperate class for these buggies so it wasn't included.

After a round of 5-minute practice for all the heats it was decided to change the track slightly - the small double before the straight was moved together slightly to make it easier to complete in one rather than a single-single.

Round One
In round one, Gavin Stepenson running a scratch-built buggy using Associated B4 parts similar to a Phatbodies CHUNK took the 2WD 1/16th honours nearly lapping second place man Thomas Graham, with Simon Osborne third.

In the baby-sized 1/18th 4WD class, Chris Leighton running the new Associated RC18B2 belt drive buggy took the round just ahead of Wes Myles and Phil Sleigh. All, strangely enough, running the RC18B2 - I guess it's OK then.

16th 4WD was the BIG ONE with 47 competitors and with the best drivers all bunched in together. Phil 'dominator' Sleigh making a move from 10th off road was driving the new pre-production Carisma GT14B buggy in dominating style - taking the only 19-lapper. Tony Bishop, Andy Jones and Mark Stiles were all within a couple of seconds of making it through for the extra lap with their LRP shark long-wheelbase warriors.

Reigning 2-time micro national champion Mark Stiles could only manage 4th in round one.
Cris Oxley with his mighty Ca-Ca-Ca-Carrrrisma	Phil Sleigh

	Phil 'THE MACHINE' Sleigh with his Charisma - and his Carisma. Carisma GT14B The new kid on the block to challenge the dominance of the LRP Shark / LWB Shark is the new Carisma GT14B. There were a few in attendance in the hands of CML's dedicated band of drivers - some of whom were also racing the new Associated in the 18th class. The Carisma is of course firmly planted in the new 1/16th class by virtue of its (porky) proportions. The buggy was in various guises since the spec of the final kits hasn't been decided we're told. Cris Oxley was running a basic-spec car from what we can tell, with fibreglass chassis parts and simple dogbone style driveshafts. Phil Sleigh was running what we'd assume will be the 'pro' kit - with full carbon fibre chassis parts, ball differentials and CVD-style driveshafts all round. Certainly looks the business and we're told it'll be a whole-heap load cheaper than the LRP offering - which also needs a pile more cash spending to bring it up to the long-chassis spec the top guys are running. We're told all the levels of car will feature these same alloy bodied 'big bore' dampers - which look rather nice. A JConcepts BJ4we type of layout adorns the new Carisma buggy - using saddle-pack lipos. The shell DOES look good- maybe not in green tho! ;) Big bore alloy threaded-body dampers, nice Losi XX4-style knuckles, nice.   Dual bellcrank steering. Shock tower brace The rear end. The car should be out soon once the final spec is complete - we're told there'll be three versions, RTR with the Carisma brushless, a basic kit and a pro-level kit with all the carbon fibre and nice turnbuckles etc.

Round Two
Craig Harris got things together in the 2WD 16th class to take the honours with his PHAT CHUNK (! lol) to win the round ahead of Gavin Stevenson.

Another Associated RC18B2 orgy at the top of the 18th class saw Keith Robertson out on top just in front of Sleigh and Chris Leighton.

In the 16th 4WD class - Micro Champ Mark Stiles shows why he's the daddy and dispelled rumours about his driving and the LRP car being second rate well and truly. His time wasn't quite surpassing Sleigh's round one time but was close enough. Sleigh himself came in second a couple of seconds back and Andy Jones third.

Round Three
Craig Harris again took the 2WD 16th class with an improved time to take the provisional TQ. Gavin Stephenson put in his quickest time but wasn't going to trouble Harris.

Keith Robertson once again took the win in the small 18th scale 4wd's with Nicholas Snelgrove putting it in second this time around having just come off from racing in the 16th scale class he went over a lap quicker with his smaller ride! MAD

Phil Sleigh DOMINATED the 16th 4WD class with a new fastest time and the only 20-lapper of the day so far. A fastest lap of 15.38 was the fastest lap of the day to boot. Andy Jones came in second with Keith Robertson third.
Mark Stiles changed setup for the worse - adding a rear anti-roll bar to try and get more steering it upset the balance of the car too much and Mark was on is roof 50% of the time, well, nearly, and had to settle back down in 7th.

Interview with Susumu Kato

We hear you are here from Japan, is this true? where do you come from?
Tokyo yes, my friends say I'm crazy for coming here to race! (laughs)

You've come a long way to race micros - is this scale of racing popular in Japan?
No this isn't so popular in Japan. I lived here in England from 2006 to 2009 and worked as a big (real) car engineer - I did some racing then with micros.

Did you come just for this event or are you staying longer for an extended holiday - and is this your first time in England?
My son wanted to come see his friend over here and so I combined the timing with this race so we could do both. I arrived yesterday and stay for 2 weeks. It's very strange for Japanese to take 2 weeks holiday at one time - so a lot of people were surprised.

What car do you race here?
Yokomo mb4 - the same as the LRP shark but with the longer chassis and Phat body that I had sent to me in Japan.

Do you race any other classes of R/C?
10th touring and F1 mostly and some electric off road since 2008.

How long have you been racing in total?
Just less than 20 years! About 19 years I think yes.

What's the best race you've ever been to?
Very difficult question! Hmmmmmmm (thinks). 2008 when I came to the Tamiya Eurocup.

What's your favorite food in Japan / England?
In Japan it's sashimi - raw fish!

So in England do you like fish and chips?
Yes its nice, but not forevery day. YES I like vinegar.

So you're from Tokyo, do you shop in akibhabara? we went there, it was ACE.!
Ususally in Akihabara yes. In the UK when I lived here it was hard to find parts - in Japan you can just pick them off the wall and put in your basket. Everything in England is behind the counter, very strange!

Who is your RC Idol - whos the best in your eyes?
Masami Hirosaka of course.

Thanks very much Susumu and have a nice holiday!

	Slipper sits inside this cover

	Slipper adjustment

Keith told us the new buggy's shocks appear to be the same as the previous cars, but possibly updated seals and internals have made them perform a lot better and no leaks have sprung up like the old dampers were known for.

4WD 1/16th 'rest of' Qualifying     Pos Name Points R1 R2 R3 R4 11 Mark Williamson 18 8 14 16 10 12 Wez Myles 21 47 11 10 14 13 Thomas Graham 22 10 12 13 12 14 Dan Harding 24 17 13 11 23 15 Jimmy 'oople' Storey 26 19 10 21 16 16 Chris Bottle 26 11 16 15 42 17 Ben Turner 26 14 20 12 15 18 Andy Vincent 28 31 22 17 11 19 Gavin Stephenson 28 18 15 40 13 20 Paul Biggs 29 15 19 14 17 21 Richard Rimmer 36 20 24 18 18 22 Stuart McDonald 37 25 17 20 25 23 Simon Osborne 40 22 21 19 22 24 Morgan Rham 41 26 18 23 26 25 Cris Oxley 41 34 32 22 19 26 Mike Elliott 42 16 26 48 45 27 John Price 45 21 33 34 24 28 Nicholas Snelgrove 46 39 31 25 21 29 Rick Evans 46 23 23 26 27 30 Steve Hawkins 47 37 30 27 20 31 Susumu Kato 49 30 25 24 28 32 John Howe 51 24 27 31 29 33 Rych Brind 55 27 28 39 34 34 Jason Ametrine 56 28 29 28 30 35 Ben Wain 60 35 34 29 31 36 David Williams 61 29 35 36 32 37 Doug Heath 62 32 39 30 39 38 Ashley Roat 68 38 37 33 35 39 James C-Worrall 68 33 41 35 41 40 Jon Dowding 73 36 43 37 43 41 Cain Squires 75 42 42 44 33 42 Martin Coles 75 41 38 46 37 43 Simon Stickland 76 40 44 38 38 44 Oliver Berryman 79 50 46 43 36 45 Curtis Dowding 80 45 40 41 40 46 Jon MacKinnon 85 43 47 42 47 47 James Sanders 88 44 45 45 44 48 Paul Hammond 93 46 48 47 4

Round Four
The final round of qualifying was the last chance to make the main finals for some drivers - previous national champion Craig Harris wasn't feeling it in 4WD 16th scale but a good run in round three was backed up with anothre 7th in round four to place him 8th on the grid.

Phil Sleigh again took the win in 4WD 16th with the Carisma followed by the un-sponsored Tony Bishop with his Shark machine.

Phil Sleigh didn't seem able to capture the form he was showing in the 16th class and transfer it to the smaller scale heroes of 18th - 3rd in round and 4th overall on the grid was the best he could do here. Keith Robertson confirmed the TQ with another round win and looked pretty near untouchable.

Craig harris also won another leg of the 2WD 16th - making it three from four, just like the other two top qualifiers, and took the TQ.

4WD 1/16th TOP 10 Qualifying

4WD 1/18th TOP 10 Qualifying

2WD 1/16th Qualifying

PRIZES!
After qualifying had finished, there was a short break before finals began and it was the time to hand out the goodies. The sponsors for the event supplied a whole heap of good quality prizes for the lucky few to win in the form of a raffle.

Stu Macdonald was the luckiest guy and took away a truckload of goodies.

Event sponsors were, in no order what so ever: CML Distribution - Dremel - EXOTEK - Frogger Products - JC Racing Products - KifoPaint - MuchMore UK - Phat Bodies - RRCi - RC Racer Magazine - RC Modelimports - Schumacher Racing - TrakTech - Xfactory UK. Oh, and some girl called Louise.

Actually, that was in alphabetical order - so, scratch what I said before.

2WD 16th A Final
Craig Harris lined up on pole for the 2WD 16th scale A final and on the buzzer lead them into the first corner. Gavin Stephenson in second took the corner too tightly and ended up nose into the track markings as the rest of the field flew past and put him into last. Simon Osborne got past Thomas Graham for a split second before Thomas got back up into second and hunted for the rapidly disappearing Craig Harris.
As the guys came round to complete lap one, Gavin Stephenson had clawed his way up to third but the same exact mistake as the first lap again put him to last position.

Gavin Stephenson had a bad start	Craig Harris in control of things

Craig extended his lead and was now about double the length of the main straight in front of second place Thomas Graham. Craig caught up to second place qualifier Gavin and the two had a race for a few laps as Gavin put the hammer down trying to avoid being lapped but Craig was on top form and eventually got past.

Thomas Graham	Harris flying

Craig won by over a lap from Thomas Graham in second and Mark Williamson finished third.

2WD 1/16th A Final

Thomas Graham 2nd - Craig Harris 1st - Mark Williamson 3rd

Craig Harris with his Phatbodies CHUNK 2wd buggy

4WD 18th A Final
Keith Robertson lead them off and the mighty green machine of Phil Sleigh from fourth took the first corner tight - catching Wes Myles quickly - TOO quickly. Stuffing into him and losing both drivers a lot of time as the rest of the field came charging into and over them.

With the mess sorted Chris Leighton was mildly in tough with Keith Robertson up front - but Keith was simply in another class with these small buggies.

An error from Keith however over the big double at the back of the track saw him sat on his roof for several seconds which allowed Chris to catch and pass - Keith getting marshalled just as 3rd place came around, just managing to keep 2nd.

First corner	Keith made a rare error - Leighton capitalizes

Chris Leighton leads Keith	Out of shape over the double - it's enough for Keith to get back through.

Keith caught Chris quickly and the pair went nose-to-tail for half a lap - eventually Keith bullying his way past as the pair came over the double where he'd lost the lead.

Keith checked out from here on in and with an average lap 1.5 seconds quicker than anyone else he took a very comfortable win, two laps up on Wes Myles in second and Nicholas Snelgrove.

4WD 1/18th A final

Wes Myles 2nd - Keith Robertson 1st - Nicholas Snelgrove 3rd

Keith Robertson done good with his Associated RC18B2 - with truck shell

4WD 16th A Final
The main final of the day came last of all, the hotly contested 16th class was head-and-shoulders above the other classes in terms of participation and interest. Whilst Phil Sleigh didn't seem quite as at ease with the smaller cars, he was fully in charge of the bigger 16th class. This time at the buzzer all the drivers got around the first corner together without incident. Tony Bishop made an error after the big double and went from his second place to near last as Stiles and Andy Jones came through.

Completing one lap Sleigh lead the breakaway group with Stiles and Jones a small gap behind. Sleigh slowly pulled away from this chasing duo however as they continued to battle between themselves. Coming onto the straight stiles made an error which allowed Jones through for second as Stiles managed to get back underway just as the rest of the chasing pack threatened to swallow him up.

Andy Jones

The front runners were getting quite spread out by this point as Andy Jones chased Sleigh up front. Craig Harris tried to keep with Stiles as the pair ran in 3rd and 4th but just couldn't quite do it with his self-made Shark conversion and Stiles slowly increased the gap and closed in on Andy Jones..

Andy Jones closed up on some back markers and perhaps the pressure told but an error saw him needing marshalling and Stiles caught and passed just as Andy was back underway. The pair went round like a train for a couple of laps before Andy Jones made a move - the pair clashed wheels and Andy was sent into the barriers allowing Mark Stiles some breathing room.

Sleigh	Stiles

A last push by Andy Jones wasn't enough and things finished with Phil Sleigh way-way out front, Mark Stiles second and Andy Jones less than a second back in third.

4WD 1/16th A final

Mark Stiles 2nd - Phil Sleigh 1st - Andy Jones 3rd

Phil Sleigh with his mighy - all conquering - Carisma GT14B

The meeting had a great atmosphere and it was nice to see the ultra dominant Shark buggies finally toppled from their throne - more competitive chassis' will bring more people into this class of racing. The new rules - which essentially split the classes to allow the smaller buggies to compete in their own class is interesting and puts an end to the ever increasing size/performance unequality.

The smaller classes didn't have good numbers and the 4WD 16th scale class was dominant - but hopefully in time more drivers will take up the smaller classes where the buggies are definitely more 'interesting' to control.

The UK MicroX 2010 was a great success with some seriously great racing. Thanks to the organisers, particularly Cris Oxley for helping us get to the event - thanks to everyone who gave us their time to make a race report possible.