RWCC Slough hosted the third round of the BRCA Rally X nationals, with a totally new layout compared to previous years. Focusing on fast hairpins coupled with a high grip non oiled surface. 122 drivers raced across the weekend, with XRAYS Jonathan Skidmore claiming TQ by round 4 on Saturday evening. After 5 rounds the podium was completed by Erik Lykke (Agama) in 2nd and Elliott Boots (Sworkz) in 3rd.
Lower final bump ups:
1/64th B:
1st Michael Shorey
2nd Thomas Watkins
3rd Andy Booth
4thStuart Smith
1/64th A:
1stCarson Guppy
2ndAlex Page
3rdJosh Knight
4thThomas Beevers
1/32nd B
1stJacob Nicholas
2ndMichael Shorey
3rdStewart Baldridge
4thAndrew Rennick
1/32nd A
1stAllan Ward
2ndJosh Knight
3rdJordan Young
4thLewis Trafford
1/16th B
1stRob Cockcroft
2ndChris Carlisle
3rdAshley Pattison
4thLee Maggs
1/16th A
1stJames Harrold
2ndToby Nicoll
3rdDennis Holding
4thJack Slassor
1/8th B
1stBen Simpson
2ndChris Grimes
3rdTehannah Cradock
4thMax McDonnell
1/8th A
1stColin Brennan
2ndJames Harrold
3rdDaniel Austin
4thWilliam Carolan
1/4 B
1stBen Simpson
2ndDaniel Thorne
3rdTaro Cradock
4thCharlie Ware
1/4 A
1stHarry Weymouth
2ndDavid Gibson
3rdThomas Gill
4thLiam Brocklehurst
Semi B
Semi B was led from start to finish by Agamas Erik Lykke, throughout the final a tough battle ensued between WIRCBilly Grindley and SWORKS’ Graham Alsop for the 2nd and third spots, but Billy dropped down due to a few costly mistakes on the fast layout. Daniel Thorne (SWORKS)quickly made his way up the pack, after bumping up from the ¼ finals, made his way into the bump up spots and looking good for his first ever main final appearance. Unfortunately, 15 minutes into the race he had to retire due to a mechanical issue, but a great effort! Ben Simpson (AE) completed his journey to the main final from the back of the grid too, starting his day off in the 1/8ths and bumping the whole way to the main.
At the end of the 20 minutes the top 7 bumping into the main were 1st Erik Lykke (Agama), 2nd Graham Alsop (SWORKS), 3rd Bradley Baird (Mugen), 4th Ben Simpson (AE), 5th Kevin Brunsden (Agama), 6th Billy Grindley (WIRC) and in 7thSimon Reeves (SWORKS).
Semi A
Semi A was led by Elliot Boots throughout the main, with a close battle with Jonathan Skidmore (XRAY), with the two drivers finishing just 1.2 seconds apart at the end of the 20 minutes! Semi A also saw some potential new entrants to the main final alike to semi B, Freddie Thompson (WIRC) was comfortably in the top 7 until 2 minutes to go when a mechanical failure forced him to retire. However this did promote junior Agama driver Holger Lykke into yet another main final.
At the end of Semi A, the top 7 promoted to the main were 1stElliott Boots, 2nd Jonathan Skidmore, 3rd William Skidmore, 4thLewis Jones (WIRC), 5th James Le Pavoux (SWORKS), 6thMaxim Cook (AE) and 7th Holger Lykke.
Main Final
By the time the main final had arrived, the track at Slough had gripped up, with lots of drivers making last minute tyre choices to ensure they had enough tread for the 45 minutes.
Jonathan Skidmore led from early on in the main, after Elliott Boots made a mistake on the top left of the track, this was a costly one as the marshal struggled to get to him and dropped him back to 8th as the train of cars went by. Erik Lykke then commenced his campaign for 1st place as the top two broke away from the rest of the pack.
Elliott began to creep back up the pack and by the 20 minutemark had regained 2nd place from Erik Lykke. Towards the end of the main, Jonathan Skidmore found considerable pace and clicked up the extra lap at the end of the main over Elliott. After the 45 minutes the result of the final was:
Championship results:
National:
1st Place Finish – Jonathan Skidmore (XRAY)
2nd Place Finish – Elliott Boots (SWORKZ)
3rd Place Finish – Erik Lykke (AGAMA)
Junior:
1st Place Finish – Billy Grindley (WIRC)
2nd Place Finish – Holger Lykke (AGAMA)
3rd Place Finish – Henry Tomkinson (AGAMA )
40+:
1st Place Finish – Graham Alsop (SWORKZ)
2nd Place Finish – Simon Reeves (SWORKZ)
3rd Place Finish – Kevin Brunsden (AGAMA)
Clubman:
1st Place Finish – Henry Tomkinson (AGAMA)
2nd Place Finish – Charlie Ware (AE)
3rd Place Finish – Kieran Cox (XRAY)
Thanks again to the track team at RWMCC Slough, the BRCA 8th RallyX committee and all the drivers competing across the weekend, we look forward to seeing you at round 4 at Brookthorpe Model Car Club in July.
