Clive Maland reports from the 7th & 8th round of the popular NitroXcross series… Weston Park Model Show is the Jewel of the NitroXcross series and always the best attended of the series and this year was no exception, even bigger and better than ever. Some of the nations, national drivers opting to run this meeting instead of the National just goes to show the pull of this event. Last year’s reigning ‘King of Weston’ Steve ‘ Shakey’ Shakesphere was in attendance to fight for his title… Also adding to the spectacle Axeman and Reg were adding their unique take on sarcastic race commentary, fun especially for the spectators maybe not the racers eh Josh / Ryan. Round 7 Saturday saw a damp start with lush grass, 1 Practice round and 4 Qualifying rounds.
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Team Associated’s Josh Powney set the pace early and set Round 1 TQ. But this partially due to the rain in heat 7 forcing the drivers to run for cover under the canopy of the race rostrum while the race was taking place it was like a line dance not that I know what that’s all about!
Saturday qualifying saw varying conditions with track wear and rain showers. At the end of the day top ten Nitro Buggy looked like this:
- Jon Howells AE RC8.2
- Ryan Lawrence AE RC8.2
- Rob Lloyd
- Ian Ford
- Matt Box
- Clive Maland AE RC8.2
- Alex Page AE RC8.2
- Wayne Davies
- Chris Ely
- Jon Griffiths AE RC8.2
Steve Shakesphere AE RC8.2 the 2012 King of Weston decided to make it interesting and had to bump out of the B to make the A, so to Jon Griffiths AE RC8.2, Shaun Stenson and Joe Cockill AE RC8.2 after a missed lap incident had been resolved.
So on to the A-main with the late start and changeable track conditions it was all about tyre selection I opted to stick with my Fastrax Medium Twister tyres that I had ran all day, On the grid there were mini spikes and Hobao Angle Spikes. The race duration was 25 minutes so most fuel strategies were opting for the 8.20 8.30 fuel stops if you could make it on the now slippy track surface.
As the start began Jon Howells AE team leader got away well but soon had a big off and lots of cars were involved. Joe Cockill, Steve Shakesphere, Ryan Lawrence and myself were fortunate to avoid the incident and get away. Jon on the back foot had a lot of work to do and with slippery conditions had to guide his AE carefully. Joe Cockill was the man on the move and easily the fastest car on the track putting some amazing lap times in with his AE RC8.2 Hobao Angle Spike on his car. New to Nitro he showed his class and was pulling away from everyone. Secret of the day, ‘don’t crash!!!’ A few mistakes late on and a last minute splash and dash in the closing laps cost Joe big time and he lost his almost certain win. Jon Howells in the mean time had got his RB powered AE RC8.2 back past everyone into 1st Clive Maland (yes myself) 2nd STS 2117 powered and Steve Shakesphere 3rd LRP powered. Me and Shakey had a good tussle late on, I was holding station and it was for Shakey to catch and pass, easier said than done. But well done 1-2-3 for CML Team Associated race team.
Top 10 Saturday final results:
- John Howells, AE RC8.2
- Clive Maland AE RC8.2
- Steve Shakesphere AE RC8.2
- Chris Ely
- Jon Griffiths AE RC8.2
- Ryan Lawrence AE RC8.2
- Matt Box
- Joe Cockill AE RC8.2
- Rob Lloyd
- Shaun Stenson
7 Team Associated cars in the A final and a top 3 AE lockout.
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Round 8 Sunday saw a different start to the day, it was nice and sunny, myself and the team were hoping for a more of the same a few were just hoping for better things. The track quite obviously with a full day of racing was in a worn state so it was decided to scratch the practice and go straight into the qualifying. Straight away Jon Howells stamped his authority on to the proceeding clear to show he’s the boss!!! Hmmm Whist 2012 the King(Shakey) Steve Shakesphere struggled in round 1 he soon got his act together in round 2 putting in a top ten fast time. Myself i put a good run in round 1 but tried different tyres in round 2 and lost ground, my fault no one elses!!!
Top 10 after qualifying:
- Jon Howells, AE RC8.2
- Ryan Lawrence AE RC8.2
- Rob Lloyd
- Steve Shakesphere, AE RC8.2
- Josh Powney, AE RC8.2
- Jase Fowler
- Joe Cockill, AE RC8.2
- Clive Maland, AE RC8.2
- Chris Ely
- Wayne Wilson
Top 3 bumping in to the A from the B final Wayne Davies, Nick Whitehouse AE RC8.2 and Daz Moult, with Jon Parsons and Matt Box already straight into the A.
Sundays A-main was a far more certain thing, Jon was on it from the off with no repeat of the previous day. I had an amazing start from the mid grid order and never looked back straight into 2nd. Some stunning drives from young hotshot Ryan Lawrence and Josh Powney pushed me round and briefly got in front. Again make no mistakes and cry less on the way home sorry guys I held on for 2nd Jon checked out early on 2nd 3rd and 4th had some good tussles in the mid field but all good clean racing. Josh was unfortunate to suffer an engine cut this a new engine so probably related to that more than anything. While Ryan the up and coming superstar pushed me round relentlessly for the last 5 laps sorry Ryan you’d have to take it from me I wasn’t giving it away!! Awesome guys, Team Associated 1-2-3-4-5
Top 10 Sunday final results:
- John Howells, AE RC8.2
- Clive Maland AE RC8.2
- Ryan Lawrence AE RC8.2
- Josh Powney AE RC8.2
- Joe Cockill AE RC8.2
- Daz Moult
- Matt Box
- Chris Ely
- Steve Shakesphere AE RC8.2
- Rob Lloyd
7 Team Associated cars in the A final and a top 5 AE lockout
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A stunning weekend a great team a great 2 days racing a big thank you to Bryn Pound and the East Shrewsbury team, you know who you are, everyone who attended I had a great weekend and the weather wasn’t that bad… Some good racing especially by the up and coming young guns Ryan and Nick you drove well all weekend, myself and Jon are very worried about next year, bring it on! 2013 King of Weston Jon Howells, The Howler.
Photos from the event can be found here.