RHR National 2012

Round 2 of the 1/10 Off Road BRCA Nationals was held at the popular Robin Hood Raceway venue just outside of Blyth in Nottinghamshire over the weekend of 12th and 13th May. Despite recent record-breaking rainfall over many parts of the UK in the days and weeks running up to the event, the event itself was a pleasantly dry but breezy affair and the club had once again laid out a deceptively challenging track on their multiple Astroturf venue.

The venue had recently suffered some wanton vandalism by currently unknown locals but despite this set back, the club and it's helpers had rallied and made good much, if not all of the moronic damage and a well presented immaculate venue greeted the racers on their arrival. Special thanks must be given to those people who helped the club in their hour of need and thanks also must go to ex-Horizon UK racer Rob Fox who supplied a massive marquee for the venue for the majority of racers to pit in throughout the event – top job Rob!

Once again, the Horizon Hobby UK TLR team was present for both days, racing the TLR22 in 2WD and the XX-4 in 4WD. In 2WD, Darren Bloomfield would qualify to line up in 4th spot in the A-final despite never really feeling settled with his car whilst team mate Stu Wood ended up in the B-final with Simon Reeves in the D. In the finals though, Darren lost out in the mid-order battle and had to settle for 6th overall. The win went to the evergreen Neil Cragg with Lee Martin in 2nd and Ben Jemison in 3rd who drove immaculately to make the most of the finals to be rewarded with a podium finish.

Sunday's racing would ultimately see a reversal between the two top front runners with Lee Martin taking another pole position just like Stotfold with his belt driven Tamiya 511 just ahead of Neil's shaft driven Associated B44.1. Again, TLR's Darren Bloomfield made the A-final and lined up 6th overall with his trusty XX-4 and again, just like the preceding day's results, teammate Stu Wood would end up creditably in the B-final with Simon Reeves in the C final.

Although a first corner incident in the opening leg allowed Neil to dominate and take the leg win, Lee would ultimately recover to take the remaining two legs and secure his 2nd 2012 4WD National series win. Neil finished 2nd overall whilst the "Old Man of the A-final" Ellis Stafford would guide his X-Factory prototype car from 8th on the grid to take 3rd place overall and the final podium spot.

A special note must be given to Ellis for his A-final result in 2WD on the Saturday marked an unprecedented 200th A-final at BRCA National competition. The BRCA later confirmed to him that his nearest rival, a certain Neil Cragg, would need a further 5 or more years of consistent A-final appearances to surpass the achievement, such is the extent of his career. Ellis, once a notable Losi / Horizon driver himself has been competing non-stop in the 1/10 Off Road Electric Nationals since the late 1980's and everyone at Horizon Hobby would like to congratulate him on this milestone achievement. Congratulations also to Lee and Neil for another incredible display of driving talent and also to the club and its supporters for a great weekend's racing.

Round 3 sees the series move "dahn sarf" to the challenging Eden Park Raceway venue in South East London which played host to last year's TLR Super Cup weekend and where the racing is sure to be close and exciting.