2014-15 WA EP Interclub Series Rd2 – Report

With the Australian Summer now in full swing, round 2 of the WA EP Interclub Series kicked off at Carine Radio Controlled Car Club INC. The small and challenging track came up wonderfully for the strong showing of 65 entries who arrived on Sunday morning to do battle. The multi-surface track, well known for its challenges and unique layout was sure to make the racing interesting, and it did not disappoint. The sun was out, the track looked good, the cars primed and ready – the stage was set for a great day of racing.

Kicking off proceedings with the EP8 class in qualifying, it was the young Kyle Francis moving straight to the front, taking convincing wins in all three qualifiers to take TQ ahead of Gabriel Mikhail and Carine regular David Wilson. 4WD Buggy Stock saw the usual suspects in Dan Anderson, Cody Ireland and youngster Riley Papalia battling it out at the front of the field, with Anderson managing to take 2 of the 3 rounds for the TQ spot over Papalia. 2WD Buggy Modified saw Josh Pain straight to the front of the field in the early runs, but a surprise win from Chris Mitchell in Q2 had them tied for TQ going into the 3rd round, where Pain drove a safe run behind Mark Hawkins to lock down TQ over Hawkins and Mitchell.

4WD Short Course came around and once again it was the Australian National Championship winner Kyle Francis moving straight to the front, taking wins in round 1 and 2 to take TQ ahead of Fabio Silvi and Brady Piggott. In 2WD Buggy Stock Dan Anderson was back on strong form after a less than memorable day at the first round due to being very ill, taking convincing wins in all three qualifiers, handing him the TQ spot over Kristian Goodchild and series newcomer Ray Oliver. In 4WD Buggy Modified it was once again Josh Pain directly to the front, taking TQ in the only class to be split over two heats over Steve Smith.

At the conclusion of qualifying the sun was beating down over the track, temps were climbing and drivers sought shade wherever possible as everyone enjoyed a small break before unleashing the cars on the track for the triple finals format. With a small sorting delay, finals were eventually underway and the atmosphere was buzzing with drivers ready to do battle once again.

In EP8 Kyle Francis immediately shot to the front taking wins in leg 1 and leg 2 to lock down the overall win, in leg 3 it was all on the line for the remaining podium positions, with Jarrod Smith taking the win, securing him 3rd place overall, edged out by David Wilson’s consistency in the first two legs to put him in 2nd.

In 4WD Buggy Stock it was the youngster Riley Papalia making the most of the mayhem on track to take the win in leg 1, but round 1 winner Cody Ireland fought back, taking the win in leg 2 to force the 3rd round decider. Leg 3 came around and it was nothing short of spectacular, with constant lead changes between Ireland, Papalia and Anderson, it all came down to the final lap between Papalia and Ireland, with Anderson out of contention for the win. A spectacular final lap, final corner crash from Ireland sent the crowd into a frenzy as the youngster Riley Papalia stormed past Ireland to take the 3rd leg win and the overall win for the round ahead of Cody Ireland and Brady Piggott.

In 2WD Buggy Modified Mark Hawkins used his track knowledge to his advantage to take wins in leg 1 and leg 3, taking the overall win from Jarrod Smith and Steve Smith, Josh Pain succumbing to some bad luck, coming home 4th overall.

In 4WD Short Course once again Kyle Francis out classed the field taking leg 1 and 2, and even leg 3 to dominate the entire event ahead of Fabio Silvi and Brady Piggott.

2WD Buggy Stock finals were dominated by Dan Anderson from start to finish in the first two legs and the overall win, leaving Ray Oliver to take the leg 3 win and secure 2nd on the podium ahead of Kristian Goodchild.

4WD Buggy Modified was mayhem on track with all drivers jostling for position aggressively on the opening laps of each final, emerging from the gaggle of cars was Steve Smith in leg 1, however Mark Hawkins once again used his track knowledge to take the win in leg 2, leaving the final winner to be decided in leg 3, where Josh Pain held on for the win, however bad luck in the first two legs meant it was only enough for 3rd, Steve Smith taking the win over Mark Hawkins in the final results.

All drivers had a great day at the Carine club, they now take a small break over Christmas and New Years until they hit the Astro at Belmont RRC for round 3 in January

Thanks to Christopher Mitchell for sending the report. Additional images: Peter Schofield