The 2024 Large Scale Off Road (LSOR) Radio Controlled Car season was a thrilling blend of national and international competition, showcasing top talent and rising stars across the 2WD, 4WD, and Short Course classes. Spanning eight national rounds and a European championship, the season tested drivers with a wide variety of tracks and conditions, culminating in some truly memorable moments.
National Championship Overview
The battle for supremacy in the LSOR National Championship was fiercely contested across all classes, with standout performances from seasoned veterans and emerging talents alike. The season opener in March set the tone with Tommy Chung, Oliver Whittleston, and Dave Parish dominating in 4WD, 2WD, and Short Course, respectively. However, as the season progressed, the championship landscape shifted as different drivers found their form, and mechanical reliability became a deciding factor.
4WD National Championship
The 4WD championship fight was a season-long duel between Tommy Chung and his Elcon Fourtex and Dave Ashton and his MCD RR5. Chung, the defending champion, started strong but faced tough competition from Ashton, who displayed remarkable consistency throughout the year. The decisive moment came in the final round at Blackpool. After a promising start, Chung was forced to retire due to mechanical issues, clearing the path for Dave Ashton to claim his first LSOR National Championship. Ashton’s ability to perform under pressure and maintain his car’s reliability over the season secured his title.
2WD National Championship
In the 2WD class, Oliver Whittleston proved to be the dominant force. With his Elcon Traxx 2.0, he was untouchable in several rounds, taking TQ and winning races with flawless consistency. By the seventh round at North Ings Raceway, Whittleston had already wrapped up the championship, cementing his status as the 2024 BRCA LSOR 2WD National Champion. His excellent performance throughout the season set him apart from the competition, though Karl Norris, Craig Chilvers and Andy Blackburn pushed him hard on several occasions.
Short Course National Championship
The Short Course class witnessed some of the most exciting racing of the year, with Ian Oddie and his Losi 5ive-T consistently setting the pace. Oddie clinched the Short Course National Championship after securing multiple race wins, including a decisive victory in Round 7. Behind him, the junior drivers of Alfie-Jack Shilcock (Losi 5ive-T), Zach Whittleston (Losi 5ive-T), Jake Faulkner (MCD W5 Max) and Jake Humphries (Losi 5ive-T) made a significant impact, often running at the front and showcasing their immense potential. Alfie-Jack’s victory in Round 2, where he edged out Ian Oddie and Zach in an unforgettable race, was a particular highlight of the season. Oddie’s experience and skill ultimately made the difference, but the future of this class clearly belongs to these young racers.
Clubman Titles
In the Clubman category, drivers battled for consistency across the season. Andrew Stephenson and his MCD W5 Max claimed the Short Course Clubman title, while Ian Gardiner and his Elcon Fourtex took the 4WD Clubman crown after a strong finish in the final rounds. In 2WD, Craig McGinnis and his Elcon Traxx secured the Clubman Championship with a solid, season-long effort.
National Title Winners Summary:
- 4WD National Champion: Dave Ashton, MCD RR5
- 4WD Clubman Champion: Ian Gardiner, Elcon Fourtex
- 2WD National Champion: Oliver Whittleston, Elcon Traxx 2.0
- 2WD Clubman Champion: Craig McGinnis, Elcon Traxx
- Short Course National Champion: Ian Oddie, LOSI 5ive-T 2.0
- Short Course Clubman Champion: Andrew Stephenson, MCD W5 Max
European Championship
The 2024 LSOR European Championship in France added an international flavour to the season, bringing together 140 of the best drivers from across Europe. Team GB was as usual well-represented, with 35 drivers competing across all three classes. The week-long event was marked by changing weather conditions, making tyre choices and setup critical throughout.
The Short Course class was a major highlight for Team GB, with Tayler Letchford emerging as the 2024 European Champion. Letchford’s victory was hard-fought, with the lead changing multiple times during the final, but his consistent pace in the second half of the race secured him the title. Ian Oddie, the UK national championship leader, finished in second place, making it a 1-2 finish for Team GB. Junior stars Alfie-Jack Shilcock and Zach Whittleston also impressed, with Alfie-Jack finishing fourth overall and taking top junior honours, while Zach qualified in the top 10.
In the 2WD category, Oliver Whittleston carried his national winning form into the European Championship. He qualified third and battled hard in the final, recovering from early mistakes to finish on the podium in third place. His strong showing continued his excellent season at both national and international levels. Fellow Team GB driver Kev Churchill also performed well, securing a top 10 finish in his first European outing.
The 4WD class was highly competitive, with Dave Ashton leading Team GB’s efforts. Despite facing tough competition from the continent’s best drivers, Ashton performed admirably, but his run ended in the quarterfinals, falling just short of a semi-final appearance. Although the 4WD team couldn’t match their Short Course and 2WD counterparts, the experience gained at the European Championship will undoubtedly strengthen their future campaigns.
European Championship Team UK Results Summary:
- Short Course European Champion: Tayler Letchford, Elcon Truxx
- Short Course 2nd Place: Ian Oddie, Losi 5ive-T
- 2WD Buggy 3rd Place: Oliver Whittleston, Elcon Traxx 2.0
- Short Course TQ: Ian Oddie, Losi 5ive-T
- Short Course Top Junior Award: Alfie-Jack Shilcock, Losi 5ive-T
2025 Season not to be missed!
The 2024 LSOR season was a testament to the skill, dedication, and passion of its drivers, mechanics, and teams. The national championship crowned several new and returning champions and the Clubman categories highlighted the depth of talent across the fields.
On the international stage, Team GB made a significant impact at the European Championship, particularly in the Short Course category, where Tayler Letchford claimed the European title. Juniors Alfie-Jack Shilcock, Zach Whittleston, Jake Faulkner and Jake Humphries also delivered standout performances throughout the season, showing that the future of LSOR racing is bright. Their consistent top finishes and breakthrough results against seasoned veterans were some of the highlights of the year.
With champions crowned and new stars rising, the 2024 LSOR season set a high bar for excitement and competitiveness with drivers now eagerly anticipating the 2025 season.
