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2006 Southern Clash (27/03/2006)

By:: Trev Winter

Rained out on Saturday

Once a year the Dunedin Radio Control Model Car Club host an On Road race meeting catering for electric and 1/10 scale gas powered cars. This year the organisers promised a bigger track enabling drivers to race their larger 1/10 2WD cars which is a popular class at our local track, Ruapuna model raceway.
Ten drivers from Christchurch made the 4 ½ hour journey south to Dunedin to compete against the southerners for the 2006 Southern Clash. The track was constructed from rectangle section PVC tube laid on a very large car park.
Saturdays racing was abandoned due to persistent rain showers in the morning with little sign of clearing so many of us departed to the nearest café where we discussed all matters concerning R/C cars over a few coffees & beers. When we emerged from the café some time later the sun was shining, so time to visit the track for engine tuning. Despite the rain the surface was still very dusty & lacking grip, very noticeable after our recent racing at the 200mm Nitro Pre Worlds in Brisbane a few weeks earlier.
Sunday dawned much brighter, club members were up early & had reassembled the entire track layout again

200mm Nitro Tourers

The first two rounds of qualifying in the 200mm Nitro Tourer class were dominated by local driver Rodney Richards with his Serpent 710. I struggled with the low grip & too small diameter tyres. However by round three I got the handling sorted & just beat Rodney’s time to gain TQ. The finals were unusual for gas classes in that there would be two short finals with points added for both to determine the overall winner, same method as used for the electric races. During the 2 minute warm up period I pushed the 710 too hard through the chicane & hit the edging at full speed, breaking the front left CVD. With only 50 seconds to go I had no choice but to start the race with only 3 wheel drive. A quick test lap to dial down the brakes & much to my surprise the car still handled reasonably well provided I was very smooth on corner exit & gentle on the throttle.

Even 3WD can win!

Having TQ position on a narrow track like this one is very valuable for start of the finals. I got a clean start whereas most of the other drivers tangled during the first few corners, this gave me valuable lead which much to my amazement I was able to hold throughout the race finishing first with only 3 WD! Rodney Richards came 2nd with his Serpent 710 & poor Tania Poll was knocked of the track on the last corner robbing her of 3rd place. Before the second final Rodney loaned me a pair of new CVD’s so I could get my car back to 4WD. What great hospitality from our sourthern friends for a competitor to give me parts for the second final which he knows will improve my cars performance! The second final I also got a clean start but the pace was now much faster with Rodney, Juan & Tania always very close behind. Despite the pressure I managed another win beating my qualifying time by a lap.
200mm Nitro Tourer final positions:-
1st Trev Winter Serpent 2nd Rodney Richards Serpent
3rd Juan Gasper Kyosho 4th Tania Poll Serpent Mega

2WD 235mm class

This is still a popular local class, the drivers like the simplicity of the 2WD cars & the less aggressive driving style required to keep them under control. The initial low grip track meant these guys were very cautious for the first two rounds however it was very clear that 4 drivers were in with a good chance. Bev Winter top qualified by a small margin from Kevin Frewer who was only slightly ahead of Kevin Dench after the 3rd round. Adam Brown was driving Kevin Dench’s old car & in some heats actually beat him!
The 2WD final started well for Bev but Kevin Frewer was always very close behind waiting for the inevitable mistake which happened 1 minute before the end of this final. The start of the 2nd final was confusing with over a 30 second set down period which unfortunately for Bev flooded her engine & stalled on the start line. Despite this she managed to gain a few places ending up in 2nd place when the finals points were added.

2WD final positions:-
1st Keven Frewer 2nd Bev Winter
3rd Kevein Dench 4th Adam Brown

Special thanks to the Dunedin club for organising another great meeting, see you next year.

Trev.

Southern Clash cars

Trev's 3WD Serpent 710

Troubles ahead!

Bev Winter chasing Kevin Frewer