David Spashett dominates BRCA 1/12th opener
Round 1 of the 2012/12 BRCA 1/12th scale nationals took place at Teesside last weekend and for many of the competitors it was like stepping into a time warp. David Spashett made a successful return to 1/12th scale racing last winter and over the summer has been working hard to improve his chassis and driving skills. He arrived at Teesside having recently won the third round of the popular AMC summer shootout series at Chesterfield so was in confident form heading into the event.
Those present witnessed the skill in car setup and driving that won David 3 world titles in this class during his career. Winner of every single qualifying round, TQ and dominant A final wins in both the 10.5 stock and open modified classes, David was almost untouchable all weekend.
Chris Kerswell was driving a development version of the Serpent S120LT and lined up 2nd on the stock A final grid ahead of reigning British champion Olly Jefferies, who was over a lap off of the TQ time. Olly’s Associated team mate Zak Smith drove superbly to line up 4th ahead of new CRC signing Mark Stiles who was running the new Gen-Xti chassis for the very first time. In the final Spashett cruised to victory by almost a full lap and the top 5 finished as they started.
10.5 Blinky Stock A Final
1. David Spashett (TQ) – TLR/LRP/Dynamite
2. Chris Kerswell – Serpent/LRP/Dynamite
3. Olly Jefferies – Associated/LRP/Reedy
4. Zak Smith – Associated/Reedy
5. Mark Stiles – CRC/LRP/Reedy
6. Mick Farrell – CRC/HPI
7. Daniel Holmes – V-Dezign
8. Luke Burley – DoRi5/LRP/Dynamite
9. Matt Rice – DoRi5
10.Richard Hicklin – Serpent
The 17.5 blinky class was won by the LRP powered Corally of Andy Sawyer, while local driver Adam Catchpole won the GT12 A final driving a Mardave ahead of Chris Ashton’s Schumacher and Mark Jewitt’s Mardave.
In the open modified class on Sunday, things at the sharp end were a repeat of Saturday with Spashett dominating proceedings. He looked at ease and never under serious pressure with a car that was consistent and fast. Olly and Chris were in the top 3 again but this time Olly joined David on the front row of the A final grid. Zak Smith qualified 4th again ahead of Mick Farrell’s HPI powered CRC.
The final was a scrappy affair, but David got away cleanly at the front and cruised to a comfortable victory. After a blistering start, Mick Farrell finished 2nd to equal his best ever result at a modified national, while Olly Jefferies completed the podium.
Open Modified A final
1. David Spashett (TQ) – TLR/LRP/Dynamite
2. Mick Farrell – CRC/HPI
3. Olly Jefferies – Associated/LRP/Reedy
4. Chris Kerswell – Serpent/LRP/Dynamite
5. Luke Burley – DoRi5/LRP/Dynamite
6. Zak Smith – Associated/Reedy
7. Matt Rice – DoRi5
8. Mark Stiles – CRC/LRP/Reedy
9. Andy Murray – Alien Racing
10.Andy Sawyer – Corally/LRP
Richard Hicklin won the 10.5 blinky class for Serpent despite a late charge from Jim Spencer. The GT12 A final podium was the same as on Saturday.
The next round of the Championship takes place at Chesterfield in November, but before then there will be a 4th and final round of their shootout series to keep the drivers busy.
Source: BRCA [brca.org]
