BRCA 1/12th Nationals
The first round of the 12th Circuit nationals were held in Crewe over the weekend. A near capacity turn out saw some excellent racing throughout the field and some nerve-wracking A finals.
The only major rule change for this season was the lowering of the maximum allowed voltage to 3.7v, basically meaning that the whole field was now using a single cell LiPo battery for power. With the latest electrics available the cars are just as fast but now handle even better due to the lower weight.
The track at Crewe.
Saturday was ?Stock? day and saw the whole field running 10.5T motors. The grip built during the day and qualifying was very close with TQ eventually taken by Elliott Harper. The A final was a real cracker. Elliott built up a big lead early on and had the pace to stay ahead but the battle for second saw a train of seven cars nose to tail for the whole race. In the end it was Chris Kerswell who took 2nd with visiting Finnish star Vesa Yli in 3rd. Matthew Varah was unlucky not to make the podium with his Associated 12R5.1, showing excellent pace but getting some back luck in the final.
As always there's plenty of activity at the pitting tables.
On Sunday the field was split into two classes. The Sportsman class is for anything up to a 10.5T motor whilst the Modified is an open choice. Top spot in the Sportsman went to reigning Champ Mick Farrell with Elliott taking pole position again in the Modified.
The Sportsman final was won by Mick, ahead of Jim Spencer (R5.1) and Damien Holmes. The Modified A final was last on and it didn?t disappoint. Elliott got a good start but an incident around half distance cost him badly leaving Andy Griffiths at the front, making the least errors to take the win from Vesa Yli in second and Chris Kerswell third. This time it was CML?s own Keith Robertson left to rue his luck after a bad start, coming in sixth, only half a lap (about five seconds) behind first place using the impressive Novak Kinetic 1S speed controller for the very first time.
The 12R5.1 was the dominant car at the race and (right) is Keith's new Novak Kinetic 1S.
In the team event it was a fine weekend for Associated with the team of Paul Ash, Jason Butterfield, Scott Smart and Keith Robertson taking the win on Saturday and Mark Burgess, Gary Dyson, Luke Burley and Peter Winton taking the spoils on Sunday. All of these drivers were using the R125.1 along with a high proportion of the field.
The track at Crewe.
Saturday was ?Stock? day and saw the whole field running 10.5T motors. The grip built during the day and qualifying was very close with TQ eventually taken by Elliott Harper. The A final was a real cracker. Elliott built up a big lead early on and had the pace to stay ahead but the battle for second saw a train of seven cars nose to tail for the whole race. In the end it was Chris Kerswell who took 2nd with visiting Finnish star Vesa Yli in 3rd. Matthew Varah was unlucky not to make the podium with his Associated 12R5.1, showing excellent pace but getting some back luck in the final.
As always there's plenty of activity at the pitting tables.
On Sunday the field was split into two classes. The Sportsman class is for anything up to a 10.5T motor whilst the Modified is an open choice. Top spot in the Sportsman went to reigning Champ Mick Farrell with Elliott taking pole position again in the Modified.
The Sportsman final was won by Mick, ahead of Jim Spencer (R5.1) and Damien Holmes. The Modified A final was last on and it didn?t disappoint. Elliott got a good start but an incident around half distance cost him badly leaving Andy Griffiths at the front, making the least errors to take the win from Vesa Yli in second and Chris Kerswell third. This time it was CML?s own Keith Robertson left to rue his luck after a bad start, coming in sixth, only half a lap (about five seconds) behind first place using the impressive Novak Kinetic 1S speed controller for the very first time.
The 12R5.1 was the dominant car at the race and (right) is Keith's new Novak Kinetic 1S.
In the team event it was a fine weekend for Associated with the team of Paul Ash, Jason Butterfield, Scott Smart and Keith Robertson taking the win on Saturday and Mark Burgess, Gary Dyson, Luke Burley and Peter Winton taking the spoils on Sunday. All of these drivers were using the R125.1 along with a high proportion of the field.
