Yokomo B-Max in UK debut success
The fifth and penultimate round of the BRCA 1/10th Off Road Championships took place at the great track at Southport this weekend ans saw Neil Cragg triumph with the new B-Max from Yokomo.
The 2wd competition saw Ellis Stafford take the overall TQ with some very fast times in the qualifying sessions. European Champion Neil Cragg took second on the grid with a fastest time in round 1. Neil was joined in the main final by fellow Associated B4 drivers Lee Martin, Paul Bradby, Chris Doughty, Matt Benfield and Tony Truman. The first leg of the final saw Lee Martin from 4th on the grid take the victory with a very controlled drive, Ellis made a mistake late on which allowed Lee through for the win. The second leg saw Ellis take a comfortable win from Doughty and Bradby. The 3rd and final leg, and Ellis again drove a good race to lead to the flag and take the meeting from Neil Cragg and Paul Bradby. This win has sealed the chmapionship for Ellis after his good start to the season. This was Ellis first championship success since the year 2000, so it has been a long wait for him to get back to the winners circle. Congratulations to Ellis.
It was a lovely day in Southport.
4wd saw the UK debut of the yet to be released Yokomo B-MAX car. Neil Cragg had already taken the car to European Championship glory in Italy a couple of weeks ago. This was a new car that had been brought over by Robert Itoh of Yokomo prior to the race, unfortunatley Robert couldn't stay for the race due to prior arrangements. If he had, he would have seen a totally dominant performnce from Neil and the new car. Neil took TQ in all 4 rounds of qualifying and was the only man to break the 13 lap barrier, getting 2.5 seconds inside that mark. In fact Neils best time was some 4 seconds faster than anyone else could manage. Darren Bloomfield lined up 2nd with Lee Martin 3rd. Lee making hard work of it after to poor early rounds, but 2 fast and clean rounds late in the day sealed 3rd on the grid for the AE B44 car.
Neil commented after qualifying "The car is stable and easy to drive, I feel alot less likely to make an error. It also dealt with new tyres on this track better than anybody else's car. I am very confident with this car."
Neil's new Yokomo and Paul Bradby's Associated B4.
In the finals Neil carried on from where he left off in qualifying by taking victory in both the 1st and 2nd legs. This gave Neil his first 4wd National win for over 2 years! Lee Martin took second overall by winning leg 3 and putting him in the driving seat for the championship, which will be decided at Stotfold in August.
It was a lovely day in Southport.
4wd saw the UK debut of the yet to be released Yokomo B-MAX car. Neil Cragg had already taken the car to European Championship glory in Italy a couple of weeks ago. This was a new car that had been brought over by Robert Itoh of Yokomo prior to the race, unfortunatley Robert couldn't stay for the race due to prior arrangements. If he had, he would have seen a totally dominant performnce from Neil and the new car. Neil took TQ in all 4 rounds of qualifying and was the only man to break the 13 lap barrier, getting 2.5 seconds inside that mark. In fact Neils best time was some 4 seconds faster than anyone else could manage. Darren Bloomfield lined up 2nd with Lee Martin 3rd. Lee making hard work of it after to poor early rounds, but 2 fast and clean rounds late in the day sealed 3rd on the grid for the AE B44 car.
Neil commented after qualifying "The car is stable and easy to drive, I feel alot less likely to make an error. It also dealt with new tyres on this track better than anybody else's car. I am very confident with this car."
Neil's new Yokomo and Paul Bradby's Associated B4.
In the finals Neil carried on from where he left off in qualifying by taking victory in both the 1st and 2nd legs. This gave Neil his first 4wd National win for over 2 years! Lee Martin took second overall by winning leg 3 and putting him in the driving seat for the championship, which will be decided at Stotfold in August.
