Team Magic Disappears

After a changeable day of practice on saturday due to moist weather conditions, the qualifying on Sunday was a bit of a lottery as to what times the track was going to allow. With heavy rainfall overnight it took most of rounds 1 and 2 for the track to dry out and show the dry times possible in round 3. With several local Aldershot track specialists in attendance and going well qualifying was a frantic affaiar but it was Stephen who headed the time sheets with TQ and pole position for the A-Final after one the best nail biting exhibitions of qualifying by two drivers this year. In the 3rd round Stephen (Team Magic G4S) and Chris Slater (Serpent 720) were never more than half a second apart for the entire run, with any small mistake being punished by the other driver, however it was steve who was triumphant. Special mention must go to Andy Gardiner and Aaron Wearn ( Both G4S) making the A-Final, it being Aarons first Natioanl A .Well done guys. The A-Final started with all the cars making a clean start and it was soon apparent that the race between the front two was well and truly on. Chris was on the pace very early and applied maximum pressure on Steve from the beggining hoping to force a mistake, Steve's car had a little understeer initially but tight lines and carefull car placement meant that there was no way past for Chris, then at about 3 minutes in to the race Chris suffered grip roll and threw himself of the track, Steve then relaxed and as the car began to come to him he started to get the hammer down and the laptimes began to fall, he pulled out a commanding lead and after carefull consideration instructed his pitman to switch from 5 to 6 minute fuel stops, saving himself a pitstop on the majority of the field, Aaron Wearn was running a good 3rd when he was unfortunately struck with electrical trouble and dropped down the order. With the benefit of his pitstop strategy, consistent lapping and fantastic re-fuelling by team mate Darren Johnson (in the absence of his usual pitman Bill Philpott who was on holiday) he then disappeared in to the distance and went on unchallenged to take the win by over 2 laps on the rest of the field for Team Magic and the G4S. Congratulations must also go to Andy Gardiner on finishing in 3rd place with his G4S. That now takes the tally of wins for the G4S to 6 out of 7 nationals this year with multiple wins for both Stephen and Darren , with Darren retaining his national title for a second consecutive year. With the European title also under its belt the Magic G4S has had an excellent year successfully showing its racing pedigree. Darren and Steve now travel to Brisbane in Australia for a crack at the World Title for Darren, after his European 3rd place in Holland. With Darrens smooth driving and Stephens technical support and set-up knowledge they should do well. CML Distribution wish them all the best in their efforts, Good luck lads!! The team will next be in action in the UK at the last round of the BRCA Nationals at the new Cotswold circuit where they hope to continue their winning ways.