Fast-paced action at nationals

Bushveld Model Racing Club was fortunate to host the second leg of four nationals this year.

May 18, 2017

Riana Joubert 2 minutes read

High-flying action was the order of the day during the Nationals of the Model car racing in Polokwane.

POLOKWANE – The event took place at the Polokwane track on Saturday, 13 May.

It is a SARDA (South African Radio Drivers Association) sanctioned event.

Drivers have a bird’s-eye view of the track at the Model car nationals in Polokwane.

The event consists of SA’s top drivers competing with 1-10 scale (electric) radio-controlled cars around a track for six minutes per race in six different classes:

1. Two wheel drive buggies stock

2. Stadium trucks

3. Four wheel drive buggies stock

4. Short course trucks two wheel drive

5. Two wheel drive buggies modified

6. Four wheel drive buggies modified

These are battery operated high performance models and are very technically advanced and thus very competitive and fast.

These cars can be fully maintained as replacement parts are available.

An interesting fact is that this is one of the only sport disciplines that does not discriminate against gender or age.

Dad, mom, son and daughter can compete in the same class.

Practice on Friday went well and most of the drivers got the hang of the track and it looked like the competition was going to be stiff.

Due to Saturday’s showers all run races had to be squeezed in two qualifying heats (best one to count) and two final heats (both counted) on Sunday.

The races went extremely well and the weather conditions on Sunday were excellent. The competition in the two stock classes was very competitive and places were exchanged round for round.

Seventeen local drivers took part in this event and clubs from Tzaneen also displayed their driving skills.

Driver Waldo van Vuuren sets the model cars up for another off-road race during the nationals at the Polokwane track. Top: High jumps guaranteed. Spectators stay glued to the edges of their seats.

The results for this event:

(Q is qualifying position):

• Two wheel drive buggies stock (B Mains)

1. Johan Cracknell local driver (BMR Club)

2. Garreth Lambert local driver (BMR Club)

3. Kobus Kotze local driver (BMR Club)

• Two wheel drive buggies stock (A Mains)

1 Quintin Baker (Q1) local driver (BMR Club)

2 Wikus Coetser Tzaneen driver (BMR Club)

3 Rikus J v Vuuren Pretoria driver (Trap Club)

• Stadium trucks stock

1. Wikus Coetser (Q1) Tzaneen driver (BMR Club)

2. Abri Kohn Pretoria driver (Ultra Raceway)

3. Wikus van den Berg Tzaneen driver (BMR Club)

• Four wheel drive buggies stock (B Mains)

1. Andre Fichardt local driver (BMR Club)

2. Pierre Hunt Tzaneen driver (BMR Club)

3. Dawie Lessing local driver (BMR Club)

• Four wheel drive buggies stock (A Mains)

1. Quintin Baker (Q1) local driver (BMR Club)

2. Wikus Coetser Tzaneen driver (BMR Club)

3. Johan Cracknell local driver (BMR Club)

• Short Course trucks two wheel drive

1. Wikus Coetser (Q1) Tzaneen driver (BMR Club)

2. Abri Kohn Pretoria driver (Ultra Raceway)

3. Wikus van den Berg Tzaneen driver (BMR Club)

• Two wheel drive buggies modified

1. Charles Hollander (Q1) Pretoria driver (Ultra Raceway)

2. Quintin Baker Local Driver (BMR Club)

3. Abri Kohn Pretoria driver (Ultra Raceway)

• Four wheel drive buggies modified

1. Charles Hollander (Q1) Pretoria driver (Ultra Raceway)

2. Rikus J v Vuuren Pretoria driver (Trap Club)

3. Jaco van Eeden local driver (BMR Club).

The drivers and spectators alike said that they were impressed by the way the competition was run and cannot wait to get back on the track for the next race.

riana@nmgroup.co.za