Neil Cragg wins Rd1 of BRCA 1/8th Off-Road series
As has become the norm in recent years, the Frankley Model Car Club played host to the opening round of the BRCA 1/8th Off-Road series. The main reason for having the astro turf tracks at the beginning of the championship is to guard against inclement weather, however this year the sun was out and it was T-shirt and shorts weather, which is pretty rare in April. Qualifying got underway with last year’s Champion Neil Cragg starting where he left off, by taking the first round win of the new season in convincing style with his Reedy/Byron powered RC8B. The new ST Reedy engine looking particularly strong at this fast track where power is a factor. Team mate Craig Drescher backed Neil up in second with his sister car and with Dave Bailey’s RB powered RC8B in fourth the Associated team were fast out of the blocks.
The second qualifying round saw Craig put in a stunning performance to take TQ for the round, and put himself right in contention for the overall TQ of the meeting. Craig has put alot of time in over the winter and after a strong showing at the Neo race a few weeks previously he was showing himself to be in top form, getting a proper handle on 1/8th racing after his switch from Touring Car. Simon Willetts showed good pace in this round to put himself second and also in with a chance for overall TQ.
The final round of qualifying saw Elliott Boots show what he is capable of by putting his RB/Savox equipped Mugen at the top of the timesheets. Elliott had been expected to challenge for TQ overall, but a few mistakes in earlier rounds had blunted his charge. Neil put his car second in round, but this would give the overall TQ, his first at 1/8th, to Craig on count back with Neil in second. So an Associated/Reedy 1-2 after qualifying was the perfect result for the team.
The A final got underway with very little incident at the head of the pack and the first few laps saw the drivers running in qualifying order while they settled into the race. First move was Elliott Boots getting up the inside of Neil Cragg for second and then chasing after Craig. From there it became a real battle as mistakes from all drivers saw the lead changing constantly and at the halfway mark it was Losi racer Darren Bloomfield with a few seconds lead over Craig. Neil and Elliott had dropped about another 10 seconds down from those guys after a few mistakes but both were charging hard. Craig reeled Darren in and got onto him and over the next few laps they battled hard for the lead, there were a couple of touches. The first of these saw Craig get stuck under Darren’s wing which although it didn’t cost them anything position wise, really helped bring Neil back in to contention.
Craig would receive a stop and go penalty for an unfortunate incident when they were in traffic which ultimately would take him out of contention. The result of these mishaps was that after the second pit stops it was Neil Cragg who took a small lead from Darren. Over the last 10 minute stint Neil gradually eased away from Darren and despite a couple of two-wheeled moments held a small but decisive lead to the flag. Elliott Boots came home third after being making an extra pit stop to his rivals. This result gives Neil and Associated a perfect start to the series, which he has made his own over the last three years, but Neil knows that he will face stiff opposition to make it four in a row.
Source: CML [cmldistribution.com]
