Mini Astroturf Masters - Round 2
The weather held off so the entrants found a damp astro track but mercifully no puddles (or snow) to contend with at round 2 of the Mini MAM series in Coventry.
Over four rounds of 6 minute qualifying heats, the usual contenders were back at the front, with local ace Mark Hall setting the pace in round 1 with his Hong Nor, while Dez Chand took the victory in round 2 with the HoBao. Round 3 went to Mark Hall again, and the pair went head to head in the final qualifying round, crossing the line together with Dez just sneaking ahead by a fraction to make it two all. With round by round qualifying and best two of four to count, Mark got Pole by virtue of the fastest race time, as the pair had two wins a piece and a second each. How close is that! In the mix were regulars Chris Morrall and Michael Shorey, ever present and always keen to get in amongst it, so surely a threat for the final.
A very cool looking Mini ST with Coca Cola bodyshell.
The start was a little messy, with Mark out front and Dez dropped to the rear after several tangles on the first lap. A 15 minute final gives you plenty of chance to pull back, and Dez did just that, on Marks tail by half distance, when Mark went a little wide and ripped a corner off the front suspension, denying us of another sure fire battle at the front.
Dez took the win by playing safe with a one stop pit visit for fuel, and another splash and dash with two minutes to go to avoid the same fate as the first round of the series when he flamed out with just a lap to go.
The mini truggy podium.
Dez took the win with his HoBao Mini ST Hyper12, having changed the shock oils to 20 weight in the cold conditions, running pink Ballistic Buggy tyres front and rear, and FTX diff oils (5K front, 7K centre and 3K rear) to deliver the handling required to set the pace.
Chris Morrall kept his cool on the track to claim second, while Michael Shorey set the fastest lap of the race to take third place with his HoBao from Mark Ashforth?s Hong Nor.
In the 1/10th support class for nitro trucks, Paul Dickenson took the win with his RC10 GT2, from Colin McCabe and his XTM and Steve Bearman with a XXX NT. The two wheel drive trucks proving more difficult to keep in a straight line in the cold damp conditions, highly entertaining none the less.
Round 3 is January 11th, see you there, rain or shine!
The 1/10th truck podium.
A very cool looking Mini ST with Coca Cola bodyshell.
The start was a little messy, with Mark out front and Dez dropped to the rear after several tangles on the first lap. A 15 minute final gives you plenty of chance to pull back, and Dez did just that, on Marks tail by half distance, when Mark went a little wide and ripped a corner off the front suspension, denying us of another sure fire battle at the front.
Dez took the win by playing safe with a one stop pit visit for fuel, and another splash and dash with two minutes to go to avoid the same fate as the first round of the series when he flamed out with just a lap to go.
The mini truggy podium.
Dez took the win with his HoBao Mini ST Hyper12, having changed the shock oils to 20 weight in the cold conditions, running pink Ballistic Buggy tyres front and rear, and FTX diff oils (5K front, 7K centre and 3K rear) to deliver the handling required to set the pace.
Chris Morrall kept his cool on the track to claim second, while Michael Shorey set the fastest lap of the race to take third place with his HoBao from Mark Ashforth?s Hong Nor.
In the 1/10th support class for nitro trucks, Paul Dickenson took the win with his RC10 GT2, from Colin McCabe and his XTM and Steve Bearman with a XXX NT. The two wheel drive trucks proving more difficult to keep in a straight line in the cold damp conditions, highly entertaining none the less.
Round 3 is January 11th, see you there, rain or shine!
The 1/10th truck podium.
