Race Results R5 Winter Series 7th April 2013

[HOTSHOT III]

Upon arrival at the track it was immediately noted that there was more sunshine than forecast, and for the first time in months it was possible to wear normal clothes instead of the usual two layers of thermals, a welcome change! The weather was still a factor though, in the form of a westerly breeze which although light was still affecting the in-flight behaviour of even the 1/8th cars due to its direction. It was also surprisingly cold for the time of year but this could bode well for later, as spring 2006 was the same and was followed by the best summer in living memory where the UK was hotter than North Africa and it didn't rain once from June to September.

An excellent turnout was noted with not only a full complement of 1/10th and 1/8th racers, but also several new faces enjoying the test area until racing finished. Looks like we could be getting some more permanent members soon

1/10th qualifying seemed mainly to be a battle between the Crewkerne massive with Nick S (Durango DEX410) winning the first heat and backing this up with two second places and Mark D (Losi Ten T) taking second in heat 1 and winning heats 2 and 3. It's a good job these two take turns to give each other lifts to race days, if not their rivalry could spill out onto the Dorchester Bypass on the way home! Mark R (Losi SCT) also did well, sneaking in a seven lapper in heat 3 and exhibiting some careful and consistent driving all day. A couple of other drivers debuted new buggies in 1/10th, Dave "Block" R sporting an immaculately-prepared Schumacher Cat SX3 which looked promising in the early part of the day and Levon "Red Baron" Traut campaigning the 4WD FTX Vantage with a blisteringly fast 5.5 turn ESC/motor combo. Also ex-chairman Stumpy (Another Losi Ten T) made a welcome return after a four month abscence and finished third in heats 2 and 3, proving that you don't necessarily have to show up at every play day to be able to drive well when it matters.

In 1/8th group 1, qualifiying was again dominated by the unnervingly consistent Ian R (Losi 8Te 2.0) who posted a faultless 3 x 9 laps to put himself on pole for the final just like in the last round on February 24th. However, the pack seem to be catching up round by round as could be seen in heats 2 and 3, the first of which was characterised by an epic battle for every microfibre of astroturf between the truggy man and Nick S (Durango DEX408) where paint was traded, marshals were distracted and the entire episode made Ian Duncan Smith's penny-pinching assault on disability benefits look quite compassionate and merciful in comparison. Ian (R, not Duncan Smith) eventually won but this was the highlight of the day in many ways, drawing a round of applause from all who watched. Heat 3 was much the same, this time with Dave R (Losi 8B 2.0) posting possibly the first ever 9 lapper for a nitro buggy and crossing the line only a few seconds behind Ian. Other drivers of note were Mark D (Losi 8Te 2.0) who managed a second, third and fourth in heats 1,2 and 3 respectively, and Stumpy (HotBodies D8Te) who posted two 8-lappers in heats 1 and 3.

Every time this is said it gets more predictable, but group 2 was less predictable. Alex (HPI Vorza) recovered from a first lap crash over the quads to take the win in heat 1 but spent a few laps battling with Simon F (Team Nick S Hotbodies D8) who dropped back to third with engine problems allowing Matt "Captain Carnage" R (Losi 8 EU) to take second. In heat 2 Simon won convincingly with Nick C (Losi 8Be) coming in second with a consistent 8 lapper and Captain Carnage third, again posting 8 laps. Heat 3 saw Alex post his only 9 lapper of the day with Captain Carnage taking another second, but it was Dean (HPI Trophy Truggy Flux) who really showed the value of calm, consistent driving with his three 4th places giving him his first A Final grid position since the track was revamped in October. If his current buggy build proceeds as planned it probably won't be the last!

Nick S led the 1/10th final for the first seven laps only to be ruled out by a cruel accident over the quads to eventually finish third. It then became a decider between the two Losis where Mark D took the win with 8 laps showing some quick reflexes when the back end of the car repeatedly broke away suddenly, closely followed by Stumpy also on 8 laps. Mark R turned in another outstanding drive to come home fourth with 7 laps.

The 1/8th B Final was in some ways the same with Alex leading for most of the race until popping off a ball end over the tabletop. It was hastily repaired on the rostrum and thrown back into the race but by this time the damage was done, Simon F (who had been lying second) had gone by to take the win and earn his place in the A final with an excellent drive and all Alex could do was cross the line in second place. Matt W (Losi 8B 2.0) put in a consistent drive to come in third with 6 laps but it was Dave R who really turned heads, coming in fourth but posting the fastest lap time of both finals (in fact the fastest time of the day) with a 33.714, one of the fastest times ever on the new track layout. It was discussed afterwards that although this occured in the B Final it's still worth the extra point for the fastest lap in the final. Well done Dave . Levon Traut (Associated RC8Be) showed that they don't call him the "Red Baron" for nothing by jumping the car like a truggy over the tabletop and turning in a more and more consistent 3+1 combination over the quads to finish 5th.

In the A final Ian R dominated from beginning to end, putting in another faultess 9 lapper to take the win, the first for a truggy on the new circuit layout proving that even though the new track is more technical, the nimbleness of a buggy isn't everything against someone who knows how to throw a truggy around. Nick S, Captain Carnage, Simon F, Mark D and Dean fought a close battle for the runner-up spot finishing second, third (the best result for a nitro buggy since the track was revamped), fourth, fifth and sixth respectively and these five only had 18 seconds between them when they crossed the line! Nick C also did well, finishing seventh overall in only his second race meeting. Stumpy decided to run his new Hobao Hyper SS RTR nitro buggy and although this looked like it could punch above its weight, through no fault of his own he was ruled out by steering problems after 2 laps. The only aspect of this race that could have been improved would have been if more B finalists had made themselves available to marshal. As it was the race started with only 3 marshals (one of whom was Adrian, who only turned up to get some practice in with his Losi 8B but probably helped out more than anyone) and this was discussed at the last play day. Please make an effort to marshal after your race has finished, for those who (unlike myself) drove well enough to make the A it's not very encouraging to potentially have their race ruined by a lack of marshals.

Man Of The Meeting this time goes to Nick C. In only his second race meeting he put in three consistently good drives in qualifying (including two 8 lappers and one second place), made the A final and showed he can beat the jitters and mix it with the top guys. Definitely an up-and-coming racer who we'll hopefully be seeing more of through the summer.

Once again thanks to all involved for a great day's racing with a few surprises and a great turnout. Next race day is in two week's time on April 21st but between now and then the track will be open for practice on Sunday 14th and also on Wednesday evenings between 6 and 9pm. See you there!

Also once again special thanks to the multi-talented Red Baron who took over 100 photos:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 75de9b49d4

[HOTSHOT III]

Finals now on YouTube:

1/8th A final:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=12481SpyKmk

1/10th Final:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5Pqi...yer_detailpage