President’s Shield
After a rained out event earlier in the year the rain subsided for the weekend and the entrants setup their gear in eager anticipation for the commencment of the President’s Shield. A few QRCCRA members were there too, including Trevor Kerr (President of QRCCRA), pitman Darryl Willis, Steven Irvine (Snapper), Anthony Attack, Tim Weier and the rookie EP driver Luke Sinanian on his first ever drive with a numbered car. Other familiar names were there too, John Hansen and Hesham Kader in gas, Jason Dorn, Steve Irvine and Chris Watchorn in Pro touring lined up against the locals at Bayside and prepared to qualify for the long 150 lap final later in the day.
The canteen was open early serving bacon and egg rolls and coffee, while race control was a hive of activity in preparation for the first rounds. Tarps, power, lights, benches and all the necessary gear of RC racing were in readiness. Track grip is always good at Bayside and the challenging sweep at the end of front straight was painted brightly in yellow to make everyone aware of the consequences of exceeding their limits. The race director Doug NOrton called for the drivers meeting and set a strict tone to good driving ettiquete and the drivers returned to the garages with a clear idea that rules were going to be enforced and event had commenced.
The new and extended track was opened for a short while and a few went out to get some practice out of the way. Race schedules were announced and many had their heads down and focussing on setups. The mini’s went out early and put on a great demonstration of how fun and affordable RC can be. The remaining morning heats ran smoothly, slight threatening rain didn’t shadow the eagerness and the sun had warmed an ambient track temperature to evaporate what little the morning showers had to bring.
Of the QRCCRA members, Anthony Attack re-inforced his dominance in MOD EP with his Tamiya and Luke Sinanian drove his E4 confidently and yielded to the faster drivers in the field and maintained excellent car control. In the Gas touring heats Trevor Kerr and John Hanson did their best to keep up with the Gas touring champion Hesham Kader and the racing was clean, fast and very competitive. Steve Irvine was Pro Touring and seemed to have little trouble achieving a well balanced car, the odds were stacked against him with local champion Jason Dorn and Michael Sherman on track.
Racing ran smoothly throughout the morning, a few clouds and showers dried up quickly as the final rounds aproached. Anticipation for the long 100+ gas touring final had crews debating tyre diameters and ride heights and many were looking skywards to the looming clouds approaching from the SE.
The gas final started and TJK was not at the start and appeared on track shortly afterwards. Hesham Kader was driving like a demon on track and John Hansen was there doing his best to keep him honest. TJK had his work cut out for him and his second speed was changing a little late. A tyre strategy perhaps, but it was hindering him on the front straight and into the sweeper. After the first pit stop, TJK seemed a little leaner and his transmission changed earlier, the competition for the podium was in reach. The skies darkened and began to drench the track, Hesham had completed lap 51 and the race was stopped, race control called the race finished as Hesham had passed the 50% mark by one lap.
Gas Touring A Final – Courtesy BRCCC
The Bayside track is sloped and well adapted to drying, the rains subsided and an army of BRCCC members were out on track blowing it down and drying it for the Pro Touring final that lay ahead.
The Pro Touring final was underway with Michael Shermanand Jason Dorn dominating the first two positions. Sherman had opened up a small early lead and Dorn was on a serious mission to catch him. Jason soon closed in and then lost a side belt and entered pit lane. Michael Sherman opened up a lead that was soon to evaporate with a flame out and the loss of second gear and Jason Dorn was back out on track and the two were pushing hard. The race continued with “Little Johnny” keeping the big boys honest with what seemed to be a difficult taily drive, Chris Watchhorn was doing wheelies trying to catch them and Snapper (Steve Irvine) was consistently lapping in what was to be a very challenging long Pro touring final.
Pro Touring Results – Courtesy BRCCCC
Anthony Attack, Tim Weier, Luke Sinanian - QRCCRA MOD EP drivers.
In the EP mod finals Anthony Attack maintained his dominance and Tim Weier was pushing hard close behind to get that ellusive first place off him. Corey Broadstock of the Sunshine Coast put in an excellent display for the young and upcomings and Luke Sinanian’s performance was nothing short of impressive for his maiden event.
Final MOD EP Results – Courtesy BRCCC
Overall there was plenty of good racing and regardless of a some disputes the President’s Cup was filled with excitement, excellent driving and diligently executed by the race controller who lost her voice by the end of the day. Special thanks to Ashley Cobb and partner for scruteneering and to the BRCCC members that committed to the event organisatiion, the Canteen “Laddies” for their hi calorie menu and to all the entrants for putting on a great demonstration for RC motorsport as a whole.
Courtesy BRCCC – Bayside Radio Controlled Car Club
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