The first round of the 2024 season was held on the weekend of 20th/21st April at the Halifax circuit in Yorkshire.
This season all 1/10 IC cars will run together qualifying for the usual A , B , and C finals etc with the usual trophies for the podium finishers and for TQ. Drivers have the usual option of running 220mm GT or 200mm Touring , with the addition of the new Wide bodied Touring shell using the wider tyres as used for the 220mm GT . Points will be calculated after each meeting for the three championship classes ,with the Championship trophies being awarded at the end of the season. Both the electric and nitro GT8 cars will also run together in the same heats.
Saturday morning was cold but dry with a reasonable entry of just under 40 entries. Several drivers had changed brands and for the first time some drivers were running the Infinity chassis.
Sunday morning was dry with the prospect of sun later in the day. Open practice took place from 9-00am to 9-45am followed by drivers briefing , and then the all important qualifying heats.
Lap times gradually improved throughout the heats as drivers tweaked their set ups, tuned their engines, and got used to the circuit. After the final round of qualifying the top three were as follows :
GT8
TQ: Craig Nutting
2nd: Alex Bold
3rd: Amelia Batty
200mm Touring
TQ: Alex Thurston
2nd: Stefan Chodzynski
3rd: James Hart
220mm GT
TQ: Matthew Cook
2nd: Mark Boothman
3rd: Matt Baker
Wide Touring
TQ: Jonathan Withington
2nd: Paul Dewsnap
3rd: Nigel Philpott
Finals
B Final GT8
Young Alfie drove exceptionally well to win two of the three legs. On his return to racing John took second with Bob completing the podium.
1st: Alfie Wadsworth (Serpent)
2nd: John Russell (Serpent)
3rd: Bob Harley
A Final GT8
This was a close tussle in all three legs with defending champion Craig Nutting doing enough to hold off Alex Bold with Amelia in third.
1st: Craig Nutting (X-ray)
2nd: Alex Bold
3rd: Amelia Batty
C Final 1/10
Neil Wallace set off in front before mechanical issues dropped him down the field. Dev took the lead and had a good battle with young Freddie before retiring with two minutes to go. Freddie took the win with a charging Neil back on the podium.
1st: Freddie Parker
2nd: Neil Wallace (Serpent)
3rd: Devendra Mahatme (Capricorn)
B Final 1/10
Jon Withington led from start to finish with Nigel driving consistently to take second. Paul just held off Shane Hennell to complete the podium.
1st: Jonathan Withington (X-Ray)
2nd: Nigel Philpott (Capricorn)
3rd: Paul Dewsnap (Capricorn)
A Final1/10
Close racing for the first few minutes between Matt Cook 220 and Alex Thurston 200mm Touring. Alex then lost a belt allowing Matt to pull away and remain in the lead for the duration.. Alex rejoined down the field but was able to claw back to second. The battle for the third podium place was tight between Matt Baker ,James Hart and Ollie Williams with Matt taking it by one lap.
1st: Matthew Cook (Mugen)
2nd: Alex Thurston (Mugen)
3rd: Matt Baker
A great start to the season. Thanks to the hard work of the committee in reorganising and arranging a full six rounds after the sad demise of the Cotswold circuit. Also thanks to Muriel and Bev in race control for making the meeting run smoothly. The next round is at Wombwell on the 18th/19th May.