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28/12/08Christmas bash

What an awesome day! We had a great turnout for the clubs 4^th

 Annual x-mas

 bash and the competitors were chomping at the bit in

anticipation. This bash had nearly everyone tweaking their cars in the hope to

take silverware home.This year we had proper timing gear, with the decoder

kindly loaned to us by Caldicot /rc.www.tracksidespares.co.uk  were organising

and sponsoring the event again this year and put up the prises/trophies and food

etc, which was included in the entry fee.Race control was sited outside the pitting

area to allow for a bit more space for the racers. There were 3 qualifiers and 1

final for each heat, which allowed just enough time to get everything into the day,

 including a lunch break.Each heat comprised of just the right amount of talent, to

make the race a challenge for all.The day was really cold, but bone dry and grip

was a major issue for every driver.A few of the competitors did get a little to

worked up, as the icy conditions caught them out and a bit of slow marshalling

caused their engines to cut. A few drivers were starting to stand out and look

likely to make the “A” in their group. They were Team Trackside drivers; Craig

Harris, Tom Graham, James Maggs and Luke Knight. Terry Hanchett, Steve

Morgan and Bob Wheeler were right up there with them and at this point, it was

anyone’s game. After a very tasty supplied lunch break, of hot dogs, chilli,

burgers, crisps, cakes and drinks etc, we got the finals under way. The “B” final

truggy, was out first and immediately mr Axeman got off to a fantastic start, where

he managed to stay for the duration of the 20 min final.Now with racing being

racing, the drivers in each final didn’t really reflect their talent and maintenance

may not be their strong point, or it’s just a case of bad luck, but one or two of the

drivers could have made the “A”. Nicky Young was definitely going for it and was

a one point neck to neck with the Axeman, but an engine cut put him back a

place or two. He did have a good battle for the latter part of the race with the

brothers “Jay” and was only piped at the finished by Steve Jay, to put him in 3^rd

 spot by 4.5seconds.

Dave Jay came in 4^th

, with Richard Hanchett 5^th

 and Ricky 6^th. 

A FINAL TRUGGY

Wow, this was going to be a battle! All these drivers were quick in qualifying and

there was going to be some close racing.Into the first bend and there was a right

mash up, with truggies battering each other all over the place! I think Maggs got

out in front with Terry 2^nd

, Andre 3^rd,

 Tom and Ade 4^th

 and 5^th

with Craig dead last! By the end of the first lap, the field had started to sort itself

out a bit and Tom had now taken the lead, with Craig making his way through the

 field to 2^nd

,Maggs 3^rd

,Terry 4^th

 Ade 5^th

 and Andre 6^th.

The racing staid close and

 in those positions for most of the final. Going in to the last 5 minutes of the race,

Tom and Craig had pulled over a lap on the rest of the field, but Terry and James

were oblivious to this and continued to scrap it out between themselves. It was

only a sneaky move that Terry pulled on James, that allowed him to pull away

 and move into 3^rd place! The last 2 minutes of the race had Tom and Craig, neck

 and neck as they constantly swapped places for the lead. It was amazing to

watch, as no one was sure who was going to take the flag. One the last lap, they

were swapping places at every corner, but a bad jump put Tom under the

tabletop and gave Craig a bit of breathing space. Tom new it was do or die time

and really let the RB engine have some welly. He was now catching Craig again

and coming into the penultimate corner he floored it, almost taking the rear off

Craig’s car. We new he was too fast for the corner, but after the grip role it was

one it’s wheels and pointing at the finish line! With one last flat out burst of

acceleration, he was over the line, but just 0.249 hundreds of a second behind

Craig.

Terry came in 3^rd

, James 4^th

, Ade 5^th

 and Andre 6^th.

 “A” FINAL

RALLYCROSS Another good race promised here, with the top 4 drivers all very

close on laps in qualifying.The flags up and their away, with Owen, Derek and

Steve Morgan out for an early lead. After the first lap the field has calmed down a

bit and now Luke has the lead, followed by Steve, with Owen, Derek, Brian and

Bob chasing like wailing banshees!As the race progressed, a few casualties

arose and Gary dropped right back, with Andrew fairing slightly better. Owen and

Brian were now slightly off the pace, while Steve, Luke and Derek were still at it

like hammer n tongs.Into the last five minutes and while Derek came in for fuel,

Luke and Steve went for the 2 stop strategy. Despite my subtle hints over the PA

system, they just kept going and went for it. I new they were going to pushing it to

 the max fuel wise and just sat back and waited to see if they would make it to the

finish.Luke had got a 2 corner advantage over Steve and he could have come in f

or a splash and dash, coming out of the pit lane at the same time as Steve going

past, but ignored the opportunity and sailed by. We were now into the last

30seconds, with the lead cars closing on the finish line, but they were to quick

and this would mean that they would have to do another lap! Coming onto the

tabletop, just yards from the timing loop and Luke’s engine died. This allowed Steve to go through and pick up the extra lap, with Derek doing likewise and

finishing 3^rd on the same amount of laps as Luke. Bob was just one lap behind

 Derek for 4^th

,Owen 5^th

Brian 6^th

,Andrew 7^th

 and Gary 8^th. 

What an awesome

  day.

 With the trophies given out the inclusive prize raffle done and everything cleared

away, it was finally time for home. Everyone was a bit chilly, but had a great day.

I was particularly pleased with the help from the club members with track set up

etc and many thanks to the Axeman for the chilli and tortillas. Well done everyone

Thank you

Paul k