Good entries for the penultimate radio controlled race of the year
These trucks are very realistic with the proper noise and good speeds
KWAZULU-Natal Regionals Off-Road Radio Control Car Racing Leg 5 race day, held at the Douglas Mitchell Sports Ground last Sunday, attracted a field of 29 entries.
Dean Steenmans with his ‘good looking’ 1/8 buggy was declared winner of first Concourse Class.
With two Electric disciplines and two Nitro disciplines and three qualifying rounds in each to determine grid positions in the finals, the tight schedule needed to run like clockwork.
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Starting with the 1/8 Electric buggy it was amazing to see the speed the electric cars are up to these days with the new brushless technology. Dean Steenmans top qualified with ease in this class and won the finals with 16 laps in eight minutes.
Second was Akshay Patel and third Willem Steenkamp, who had an excellent final. All other drivers are regular contenders in this class and Christian Fourie, a local member, took part for the very first time, finishing in eighth position.
Next was the 1/8 Nitro Truggies. These trucks are very realistic with the proper noise and good speeds. The marshals had their work cut out as they worked hard to put the cars back on the track as they made mistakes.
Young Richard Duckham from Durban top qualified and he managed to take honours in the half -hour final, as he nearly ran out of fuel in the end with 53 laps.
It is awesome to watch these finals as they come in for pit stops and the mechanic or helper has to refuel their cars and get them back on the track as quick as possible. Strategy plays a big role. Brendon van Staden finished second after a slow start, with Matthew Pillay finishing third.
Electric Short Course Trucks was the next discipline and local Ashley O’Reilly qualified in a good second position. Willem Steenkamp top qualified and won the mains with 17 laps. For their 10-minute final it was very close between Ashley O’Reilly and Dalton Steenmans, who qualified third.
They had a ding-dong battle the whole race and Dalton managed to finish second and Ashley managed a bronze medal. The most admirable driver in this class is however Howard Smith, who has only one working arm. Denkit Hobbies made a contraption for him to use his foot as well and he drove for the first time in a competition, finishing fifth.
The last class was the big bangers in 1/8 Nitro Buggies. Dean Steenmans dominated this class and, although he did not race the first qualifier, he managed top qualifier. This was the final race for the day and a few drops started falling as the race started.
With 15 minutes to go it started raining harder and the conditions changed completely. The traction was bad and slippery, but the guys had good sportsmanship and enjoyed the race up to the end. Dean drove like a champ in the 30-minute final and finished with 55 laps in that allocated time. Jason Raath was two laps behind in second and Brandon May closely behind Jason.
With only one more race left on 2017 calendar, at APN in Durban, it will be thrilling to see who ends up as KwaZulu-Natal Champion in the respective classes.
The club’s next race meeting takes place at Douglas Mitchell Sports Ground on Sunday, December 3 at 3pm. Spectators are most welcome.
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