BRCA 1/8th Nationals Rnd 6 - Race Report
2007 BRCA 1/8th Off Road champion Neil Cragg retained his title at Pendle in dramatic fashion this last weekend.
Going into the race the title was between Neil and Graham Alsop. Graham had the points on the board and would need a top 2 result to improve his score, but Neil was in position to drop a 14th from the very wet final at Frankley earlier in the season, and the situation was that if Neil were to TQ and finish 1st or 2nd, or just win then Graham would not be able to prevent Neil taking the title.
The track at Pendle.
Qualifying went the way of local man Dave Crompton with 2 round wins in the 1st two rounds of qualifying. Neil ended up 3rd overall and in a position to fight for the win. Graham had some tough qualifying sessions and could only manage to line his car up 7th on the grid.
The main final started with excitement and anxiety in equal measure, and it was Crompton who lead the field round after lap 1. Neil had managed to keep himself in contention with a cautious opening lap that saw him in 4th. A bad start for Graham had seen him in a few tangles mid-pack that left him unable to mount any challenge with the leaders. Neil made his way into 2nd over the next few laps and set about closing the leader down. This he did until a mistake cost him about 6 seconds and put him back into a fight with Darren Bloomfield for 2nd. At this point Crompton managed to extend his lead steadily until about the 20 minute mark, where Neil got back on the case of closing him down. Neil had the gap back to about 10 seconds when Crompton's car seemed to be struggling, the gap reduce by about half over 1 lap and then with about 4 minutes to go, his car broke. A rear shock tower had failed and he was limping, Neil seeing his chance re-doubled his efforts and was on him by the end of the lap. Not wanting to make a mistake in his eager to get around the stricken car Neil bided his time and past him on the start straight and then saw the final few laps out to take the title. Graham was heartbroken that the title had been taken away at the death by a cruel twist of fate, but as they say 'that's racing'.
Neil looks chuffed after his winning performance.
Also making the final for the CML team were Paul Bradby, Craig Drescher, Richard Barton and Lee Martin.
Neil took his Associated RC8 Factory Team to its second title in a row with Proline Tyres, RB Engines and Byron GEN2 Fuel.
Congratulations from CML are extended to both Neil and Graham who represented us and their teams fantastically all season long.
The track at Pendle.
Qualifying went the way of local man Dave Crompton with 2 round wins in the 1st two rounds of qualifying. Neil ended up 3rd overall and in a position to fight for the win. Graham had some tough qualifying sessions and could only manage to line his car up 7th on the grid.
The main final started with excitement and anxiety in equal measure, and it was Crompton who lead the field round after lap 1. Neil had managed to keep himself in contention with a cautious opening lap that saw him in 4th. A bad start for Graham had seen him in a few tangles mid-pack that left him unable to mount any challenge with the leaders. Neil made his way into 2nd over the next few laps and set about closing the leader down. This he did until a mistake cost him about 6 seconds and put him back into a fight with Darren Bloomfield for 2nd. At this point Crompton managed to extend his lead steadily until about the 20 minute mark, where Neil got back on the case of closing him down. Neil had the gap back to about 10 seconds when Crompton's car seemed to be struggling, the gap reduce by about half over 1 lap and then with about 4 minutes to go, his car broke. A rear shock tower had failed and he was limping, Neil seeing his chance re-doubled his efforts and was on him by the end of the lap. Not wanting to make a mistake in his eager to get around the stricken car Neil bided his time and past him on the start straight and then saw the final few laps out to take the title. Graham was heartbroken that the title had been taken away at the death by a cruel twist of fate, but as they say 'that's racing'.
Neil looks chuffed after his winning performance.
Also making the final for the CML team were Paul Bradby, Craig Drescher, Richard Barton and Lee Martin.
Neil took his Associated RC8 Factory Team to its second title in a row with Proline Tyres, RB Engines and Byron GEN2 Fuel.
Congratulations from CML are extended to both Neil and Graham who represented us and their teams fantastically all season long.
