Below, Jim Dixon and Jamie Booth work like maniacs on James Helliwells car after James broke a wishbone on the warmup lap for his final. The guys got him out with only one lap dropped but sadly James had engine troubles return, which had plauged him the previous day.

Phil from Neobuggy is currently throwing around the idea of an electric 8th class at the next neo race. The class would likely be a 'guest class' and only have 1 or 2 heats and the details such as run times and finals would need to be worked out. A few drivers have already expressed an interest - particularly some of the top Electric racers here at the neo.

10th Euros A-finalist Tom Cockerill (below) was the only one of the oOple team left racing by the time the 1/8th finals came round - Tom crashed on the opening lap and dropped to last but fought hard - a bit like a warrior - to slowly gain places. A battle with Craig Drescher for 2nd place ensued but Tom had to settle for 3rd and a bump up to the 1/4 finals. When you take away the first laps (which are all skewed) Tom had the second quickest laps, just behind Drescher. Well done Tom!

Tom going in HARD

Tom with Damien Whittles borrowed losi car

There was a small Irish team come over for this event. Oisin O'Briain (2nd from left) is the brother of Eoghain O'Briain, the owner of the redrc.net news website. Oisin sometimes reports on races for the Serpent website and redrc, but was just racing and enjoying himself at this event.

The guys were all out on the sunday so caught an early ferry on monday after watching some more racing.

I'm not entirely sure why Adam Drake is on the Irish team - but hey! :)

From left to right: Tracey Burke, Oisin O'Briain, Mr. Drake, David Curtis and Michael Monaghan

After the 1/8th A&B finals and before the 1/4 finals were run, there was a Semi-final A & B practice of 10 minutes per final. This was a chance for these drivers to get warmed up as they'd all been sat waiting all day.

Thats Craig Drescher under that lot

did I mention it was very cold!

The 1/4 A final was won by Simon Willets from 1st on the grid. Tom Cockerill who'd bumped up to the 1/4's had two cuts at the start which effectively stuffed him. Paul Bradby was challenging for 2nd until two laps form the end when an engine cut stopped him progressing to the Semi stage.

Interview with Graham 'Sloppy' Alsop

Age: 27
Sex? Yes
Favourite Position: Her on top.
How many times a week? 10
Pink or Brown? Pink
Do you have a favourite pie filling? Steak.
Do you like cream pie? No

Your nickname is 'Slop', can you explain the reason behind this - is it because you like sloppy seconds?
No. Jamie Booth came up with it, just from my surname.

How long have you been with your girlfriend?
10 months.

What chat up line did you use to pull her? Can you pit for me?
When is the wedding, and am I invited? If she keeps her fingers crossed!

Favourite underwear: Men: Boxers Girls: French Knickers (jimmy, interesting that he volunteered what he likes on his men)

Have you ever got your testicles out to show another man in a nightclub queue?
Yes, lots of times.

Do you think that facial hair makes you a faster racer?
No - low maintenance.

Does it make you faster in bed?
No, just get grief.

Do you find bald headed women attractive? No!

When you win the A main does it excite you, and in what way? Yes, I used to get a chub on.

What is the most random question you've ever been asked? What do you think to the hyper 9?

I really should have gone out and taken more international team photos - but I was scared! haha. Seriously, going up to a bunch of guys who clearly have no idea who I am - 'oople what', etc... Well, it's not ideal! :)

The Portuguese HotBodies team gave me a photo of them at the neo08 - these guys were actually sat right behind me for four days and I didn't get a photo! Amateur or what!

Thanks to Rui Brites (centre) for sending the photo and his kind words about the report.

From left to right: James Leblanc mechanic, Rui Brites Driver and right
is Duarte Rosa also mechanic.

No one automatically gets into the A main - so it's the top 6 drivers from each Semi final (A & B) that bump into the main, plus the two fastest finishers after that. So you could end up with 8 drivers from Semi A and 6 from Semi B bumping up, if A-semi was a faster race for example.
The positions in the A Main final are decided on the times those drivers acheived in their respective Semi finals.

SEMI A
In the first Semi final - Robert Battle from Spain had a fuel line problem of some sort which ended his race. His team tried to find the problem but he was already several laps down.

Robert Battle looks on as his team assess the problem	Bloomfield couldn't hold on to Drake

Adam Drake and Darren Bloomfield lead the race - swapping positions several times. Coming up to 5 minutes to go and with Bloomfield in front, Adam was less than a second behind and pushing hard. A roll from Darren just after the main straight gave Adam the lead and a small gap which he held till the end.

Semi B
Jerome Aigoin had a problem at the start - his brand new receiver pack malfunctioned and he had to retire after only one lap. Ryan Maifield was leading for most of the first 10 minutes but ran out of fuel and lost lots of time.

With less than 5 minutes to go and laying in 3rd position, Neil Craggs Associated buggy had a broken servo and forced Neils retirement. Neil was storming round prior to the problems, so it's a great shame he won't make the final.

Neil suffered a broken servo	Chad Bradley just scraped through for the Main

On the last lap, Borja collided with Chad Bradleys Jammin buggy but waited. Chad and Borja had a battle right to the line with Chad sneaking it by less than 3/10's of a second.

Taylor James managed to hold onto the lead till the end, ahead of Mike Truhe and Joern Neuman. Taylor James had a faster time than Adam Drake in the first Semi so will be on pole for the Main final.

Phil from neobuggy decided that this years event needed something a little 'extra' and took the neo to the next level by getting in some gorgeous ladies to present the trophies to the winners.

The girls in question, Candice, Jade & Charlotte turned up around 2pm and had a few hours to kill so we took Jade and Candice round to the track for some exclusive oOple photo.

The girls were provided by www.grid-girls.co.uk and were very brave to stand around wearing very little in such cold cold conditions - and still smile!

Phil is a hero.