1/10 IC & GT8 BRCA Nationals 2020 Round 1 Colchester 

Following lot of hard work by the BRCA and Colchester club during the lockdown it was possible to stage the 1st meeting of the season on18th/19th July . Racers on Saturday arrived in glorious weather to find the circuit looking good with social distancing etc in place. An extended rostrum with designated marked drivers boxes ,one way access and exit ,gloves for marshalling and various other sensible safety measures were in place.

With limited places on the rostrum drivers waited patiently to set up and tune their cars ready for race day.

Sunday morning started with drizzle but with a fair forecast later on. Due to  limited numbers allowed in the heats a practice round was followed by 3 rounds of heats .

The heats started with a reasonably dry track and times steadily improved round by round and at the end of qualifying TQs were all held by current or formal National Champions:

200mm Touring 

1st - Alex Thurston 

2nd - James Connolly

3rd - Thomas Gill

GT8 Nitro

1st - Glyn Beal

2nd - Adam Southgate

3rd - Paul Bellinger

220mm GT.        

1st - Mark Green

2nd - Rob Scott

3rd - Kris. Pryke

Finals:

B Final 200mm Touring

Adrian Dew led for the majority of the race until he ran out of tyres allowing Stephen Brooke to catch him in the last few minutes.

1st Stephen Brooke (X-ray)

2nd Adrian Dew (Serpent)

3rd Aaran Russell

B Final GT8 Nitro

This was dominated by veteran and 1/10 chairman Bob Harley.

1st Bob Harley (X-ray)

2nd Ian Hartill (Serpent)

3rd Paul Dewsnap (Serpent)

B Final 220mm GT

Dominated from start to finish by local driver Byron Russell with Jim Beesley a comfortable second.

1st Byron Russell (Serpent)

2nd Jim Beesley (Serpent)

3rd Ian Arkell

A Final 200mm Touring

TQ Alex Thurston led from start to finish with James Connolly a comfortable second.Darren Keeble and Dev Mahatme had a close race for third with multiple changes of pit stop strategy with Dev just holding on at the end.

1st Alex Thurston   (Capricorn)

2nd James Connolly (Mugen)

3rd.    Devendra Mahatme (Serpent)

A Final GT8 Nitro

TQ Glyn Beal cruised this from start to finish with a 9 lap margin at the end. Adam Southgate was holding second  just ahead in a close tussle with Paul Bellinger before dropping down with mechanical issues leaving Paul to take a comfortable second place 

1st Glyn Beal (IGT8)

2nd Paul Bellinger (Serpent)

3rd Adam Southgate 

A Final 200mm GT

TQ Mark Green led from start to finish but there was a good battle for the remaining podium places between Jacob Hennell, Kris Pryke and Richard K .Eventually Richard took second as Kris struggled with a stripped rear belt and Jacob dropped out.

1st Mark Green (Serpent)

2nd Ryszard Kozakiew (Serpent)

3rd Kris Pryke (X-ray)

After a difficult year it was nice for everyone to meet up (socially distanced ) ,and enjoy a great days racing.

Thanks to the Colchester Club for all their hard work. Also to the BRCA and the support provided for tyre ,fuel and spares by John Russell ,Elite Racing Serpent and Rob Scott RC Racing Europe Capricorn .

Serpent Drivers with a strong Colchester representation!