BRCA 1/12 Nationals Rd1 – Report

The first round of the 2018/19 BRCA 1/12 Nationals took place in Eastbourne last weekend. The event saw an entry more than 20 percent larger than at this event last season, which bodes well for what looks like being a healthy and competitive season. On Sunday the field is split into two classes, with 6.5 Modified and Sport 13.5 stock offered. In Modified qualifying Ollie Payne was the driver to beat; he was top qualifier by 7 seconds ahead of Mark Stiles, Andy Murray and David Spashett who were covered by just over 3 seconds. In the A-final Ollie and Mark pulled away from the chasing pack which was headed by Dave Spashett. In the early stages Mark was almost able to stay with Ollie, but as the race settled down Ollie began to stretch his legs and extend a lead of nearly half a lap. Pushing hard early on hurt Mark later in the race when he suffered a loss of rear grip. This allowed a stealthy David Spashett to creep up and snatch 2nd place at the last corner, demoting a disappointed Mark to 3rd place.

Modified final results:
1. Ollie Payne – Roche
2. David Spashett – Roche
3. Mark Stiles – Team Associated
4. Andy Murray – Schumacher
5. Louis Parker – Schumacher
6. Andrew Smith – CRC
7. Nathaniel Goodban – Schumacher
8. Patrick Bandeira – Roche
9. Damian Giddins – Xray
10.Adam Catchpole – Capricorn

In the Sport class Ben Vincent was the class of the field. Ben has switched to Roche for this season following successful seasons driving for Schumacher. Mick Farrell kept Ben honest during qualifying and could have taken TQ in the final qualifying run but for a mistake late in the run. Craig Nutting qualified 3rd on his return to 1/12 scale after sitting out most of last season. In the A final, Ben enjoyed a lights to flag run to victory, with Mick putting on a late charge to close to within 1.5 seconds of the lead. Matt Rice endured a frustrating qualifying but came good in the final to complete the podium from 8th on the grid.

Sport final results:
1. Ben Vincent – Roche
2. Mick Farrell – CRC
3. Matt Rice – Team Associated
4. Mark Jewitt – Schumacher
5. Scott Morton – Roche
6. Barry Lynch – Schumacher
7. Tim Wood – Roche
8. Craig Nutting – Team Associated
9. Gavin Clinch – Destiny
10.Jim Spencer – Roche

Already on Saturday the 65-car entry all raced in the 13.5 blinky stock class. This season there is a slight change to the format, with formula finals being introduced. This means that drivers qualify as normal in heats, but are then split in F1, F2 and F3 finals according to their rating from previous races. It is hoped that this format will enhance the competitiveness of the racing throughout the field, with drivers of all levels able to race for an achievable championship title.

Defending British Champion David Spashett was the class of the field throughout qualifying and took a dominant TQ with his Roche chassis. David’s team mate and European Champion Ollie Payne was 2nd, with an in-form Mick Farrell 3rd driving a CRC. The A final was a lights to flag untroubled win for Dave, but there was plenty of action behind him. Mick got the jump on Ollie at the start and the pair spent almost the entire race in a close battle for 2nd place. Mick drove superbly under pressure, but late in the race suffered a loss of grip and Ollie slipped through to complete a 1-2 finish for Roche. Meanwhile, Mark Stiles had been making progress up the field after a poor start left him near the tail of the field. Mark caught Mick with 1 lap remaining and somehow found a way past Mick with a do or die lunge at the very last corner.

F1 final results:
1. David Spashett – Roche
2. Ollie Payne – Roche
3. Mark Stiles – Team Associated
4. Mick Farrell – CRC
5. Louis Parker – Schumacher
6. Adam Catchpole – Capricorn
7. Nathaniel Goodban – Schumacher
8. Andy Murray – Schumacher
9. Craig Nutting – Team Associated
10.Ben Vincent – Roche

In F2 Barry Lynch drove superbly to take TQ with his Schumacher car, with James Stewart 2nd for Team Associated and returning racer Andrew Smith 3rd driving a CRC. Barry took a commanding lead in the A final, but a body shell issue allowed Andrew to catch and pass him on the very last lap. Danny Mountford completed the podium from 6th on the grid driving an Associated.

F2 final results:
1. Andrew Smith – CRC
2. Barry Lynch – Schumacher
3. Danny Mountford – Team Associated
4. Arran Turner – Schumacher
5. Mark Barford – Roche
6. James Stewart – Team Associated
7. Jonathan Simblet – Roche
8. Peter Stockton – Roche
9. Rob Jackson – Roche
10.Kenneth Rogers – Schumacher

In F3 Morgan Williams took TQ, but Mark Rogers won the A-final by 7 seconds. Tim Fry completed the podium.

F3 final results:
1. Mark Rogers – Yokomo
2. Morgan Williams – Roche
3. Tim Fry – Destiny
4. Mark Trinder – Roche
5. Rob Warren – Team Associated
6. Lee Moss – Roche
7. Russ Giles – Roche
8. Geraint Williams – CRC
9. Chris House – Roche
10.Peter Winton – Roche

The next round of the championship takes place in Barley Mow in the north of the UK in November.

Source: BRCA [brca.org]