After a couple of ‘dry’ months, we were in a position to host a reasonable off road club race for a change.  The guys that we actually depended on to come and race, never joined us (apart from Vincent, that only joined us for the Final 30 minute race)

We were however surprised by a couple of guys from the Jo’burg area.

Local current and ex club members, Kevin Bann and Johan Barnard also entered for the July club race.  Club owner, Henry sommer entered for both buggy and truggy races….wow….. this is a very unusual occurrence.

Kyle Stoffberg also raced in both disciplines.

As we at Meyerton Raceway cater for two 6 month series per annum, the drivers can now start on a blank slate and just compete in at least four more races until December, to qualify for the 6 month trophy.   (6 races, 5 best scores to count. In other words, there is one throw away)

After lunch, a bunch of very noisy drag racers arrived and had some fun on the adjacent tar track. Maybe that had been a bit of a disturbance for the competition guys, so we will rethink this….

Best Presented:

The drivers weren’t prepared for a mini concourse – locally we always choose a best Presented RC body of the Day – but we nevertheless chose Gavin Leiching’s car. Congratulation!

The Race:

Heat 1  - Nitro  Buggy:

Kyle Stoffberg, practicing for upcoming nationals, won this heat. Anette (that’s me) was in the control room with the mike in her hand and she encouraged him through the first 7 rounds to aim for a 49 sec lap. The track was extremely loose and it was a tall order, but he rose to the occasion and did so in his last lap of this round. Thank you, good and obedient boy! haha No, it is just a matter of being able to recognize a driver’s potential after many years. So I make a habit of drawing out of a driver what I know he or she can deliver.  Kyle’s quickest lap – 49.77sec.

Some drivers should be left alone, or else they get too nervous, but my gut instinct told me that Kyle was strong enough to be challenged.

Pierre Lotriet, a former on road guy, ended second and Henry Ogden 3^rd.

Chris Travers almost equaled Henry’s performance and he ended 4^th.

Gavin Leiching had car trouble and only completed one lap.

 

Round 2:

Kyle managed to get one more lap done in this round and he also improved on his previous best lap, now boasting two less -than -50 sec -laps. Best lap -  49.35sec.

Chris moved into 2^nd place and Pierre took the 3^rd place over from Henry, who was pushed down into 4^th now.  Gavin completed 5 laps.

Round 3:

Kyle won yet again, this time he couldn’t achieve that 49 sec lap.

Pierre did well in this round by getting a 53sec lap.

Buggy Final:

Kyle won this 30 minute race hands down. He completed 34 laps with an average of 54 sec. His quickest lap equaled his earlier one of 49.77 sec.

Chris completed 29 laps. It seems that he might have had a flameout or two.

Gavin eventually lived up to my expectations and with only one major flameout he completed 27 laps, with a fastest one of 54.15sec. I know Gavin’s driving and didn’t expect anything less…

Henry quit racing after 19 laps. I cannot remember what went wrong with his buggy.

Vincent only drove 5 laps before he retired and Pierre only completed 3 laps.

1. Kyle Stoffberg
2. Chris Travers
3. Gavi Leiching

 

Heat 2 – Nitro Truggy:

Kyle Stoffberg won this race as well.

Johan Barnard ended 2^nd and Henry ended in 3^rd place.

Kevin Bann did not start.

Round 2:

Kyle managed to get a fastest lap of 49.6 seconds.

Kevin now joined the race and ended 2^nd

Henry caught up with Barries and also beat him to the end line.

Round 3:

At this stage the track was very loose and that could have been the reason why none of the drivers could improve on their personal best lap times anymore.

Kyle in 1^st position, Kevin in 2^nd again, Henry in 3^rd again and Johan in 4^th.

Truggy Final:

Whoop whoop!!!! Our local man, Kevin Bann succeeded in beating Kyle in this final race of the day!

But to Kyle’s defense; he was out of the race for almost 6 minutes. What a bummer…

Kyle had a bad start, but when he was on the track, almost all his laps were in the average of 51 seconds. He is a very skilled driver and we wish him all the best for the Nationals.

Henry did not do too badly; he completed the race  - 26 laps - and also improved on his personal best lap time of the day. Well done.

Johan Barnard did not start.

Do come again next month??