Sunday 24th February saw Stoke-Nitro hold round 5 of the popular CML winter series. Cold but dry conditions at the track meant for a crisp and fast days racing was in order. The control tyre for the buggy class is Hobao angle spikes or crime fighters, with most drivers opting for the spikes, full and cut versions. Overall buggy Qualifying would be taken by Mugen star Simon Willetts and his Novarossi powered Mbx7. Close on his heels was Mugen driver Anthony Conroy who was lightening quick in the first outing with his new Mbx7 and clearly enjoying the new chassis. Third on the grid would be CML’s own Jon Howells with his RB/Associated buggy.
Fourth and fifth spots would be taken by two more Mugen’s, Ash Owens Nova/Mbx7 combo and Risa Racing’s Scott Francis. Truggy Qualifying would be taken by the RB/Associated of Jon Howells with team mate Lloyd Pitt with his Nova powered Associated truggy. A great 3rd place in Qualifying would go to the ever improving James Greener and his Associated truck, making it a 123 for the RC8T.
Onto the main finals and the A-main in the buggy class would see Simon show the field a clean pait of spikes from lap 1 to the flag. Jon would put his buggy past Antony on lap 7 and Ash would come back from an horrific start and a half lap deficit to take 3rd on lap 13. It would stay that way until the flag with Ash chipping away and Jon’s advantage but would fall just 3 seconds shy at the buzzer.
Antony would bring his new Mugen home in fourth and Scott his Mugen in 5th. Rounding out the top 6 would be Mick Butlers Reds powered buggy also using the new VP Powermaster fuel.
In the truggy A-main, Jon would take his RB/Associated truggy to a comfortable win in front of James Greeners Associated truggy in second place which was a great finish for the driver. Lloyd would bring his Associated truggy home in 3rd spot less than a 0.8 seconds behind James, a real dash for the line on the last lap, great racing.
Thanks to CML for supporting the series, Stoke-Nitro for the race meeting, race control for a slick run meeting and the drivers for braving the cold. The series now moves onto the final round held at the Frankley track in March.
Report by Blakey.
