BRCA 1/8 Electric On-road National Rd5 – Report

The fifth round of the BRCA National series took place at the Cotswold Model Car Club, returning to this track for the second time this season. Run alongside the Nitro classes, the race would see nice weather and as the 1/8 electric drivers are now figuring out their electronics packages, they’re edging closer and closer to the ultimate pace of the .21 engine nitro cars, all though it is clear to see that the electric cars have huge amounts of torque, the 4S battery limit is making the cars a little slower down the main straight. New comer Alex Thurston was setting the pace and it was looking somewhat ominous for the drivers behind him as he had such a pace advantage. Sunday morning headed into the qualifying which was dry and most drivers managed to get good clean runs in every round. After four rounds of qualifying the Electric A-final would line up as follows:

1/8 Electric qualifying top 10:
1. Alex Thurston – 20/ 308.829
2. Gavin Clinch – 19/ 303.433
3. Franck Dambrine – 18/ 300.267
4. Mathew Baker – 18/ 303.201
5. Jamie Paton – 18/ 310.003
6. Ian Billett – 18/ 314.498
7. Paul Bellinger – 18/ 320.142
8. Graham Baker – 17/ 302.202
9. James Ellice – 16/ 314.915
10.John Russell – 16/ 317.079

During the two legged A -main finals Alex Thurston laid down a master class in domination, winning the first final by a gap of 10 seconds, and the second final by a lap. If Alex is to race a full five rounds in this championship he has to be favourite to take the title based on this performance.

A-main results:
1. Alex Thurston – 2 Points
2. Gavin Clinch – 4 Points
3. Franck Dambrine – 6 Points
4. Paul Bellinger – 9 Points
5. Ian Billett – 12 Points
6. Jamie Patton – 13 Points
7. John Russell – 13 Points
8. Mathew Baker – 17 Points
9. Graham Baker – 17 Points
10.James Ellice – 17 Points

As the championship reaches the middle of the racing seasons, the drivers standings are as follows:

1. Franck Dambrine – 491 Points
2. Paul Bellinger – 490 Points
3. Mathew Baker – 484 Points
4. John Russell – 477 Points
5. James Ellice – 377 Points
6. Gavin Clinch – 300 Points
7. Ian Billett – 195 Points
8. Jamie Patton – 193 Points
9. Alex Thurston – 101 Points
10.Phil Hauge – 96 Points

Thanks to James Healey for the report.