It was round 2 of the Caldicot Winter Series and both Ieuan Payne and Nathan Notley were in attendance Ieuan running both his Team Orion powered TLR 22-4 2.0 and Team Losi XX 2wd in vintage class. Nathan running his Hobbywing powered TLR 22-4 2.0 and Losi Mini 8 in micro class. Both going into the event confident from the their previous results on the Friday night were they got the cars ready.
Controlled Practice.
Both drivers using practice to learn the track and find a good line especially in the tricking triple in front of the drivers stand. Ieuan and Nathan weren't in the same heat for practice in all classes meaning they could watch each other and give each other advice after the run. Practice going very well for both drivers with making little adjustments even down to where they stand on the drivers stand made the biggest difference.
Round 1.
Nathan and Ieuan getting put into the same heat and this then meant that they would both be able to help each other push hard to get high up the rankings. Ieuan getting a top 6 run in round 1 putting him in a good position to be able to make the Amain. Nathan not having luck with his PT not working properly but after getting it sorted he was positioned 7th overall after round 1.
Round 2.
Ieuan going off 1st and Nathan behind him this meant Nathan helped Ieuan push hard but a small mistake cost Nathan the 22 laps but he got the 21 which was good. Ieuan managed to get the 22 laps meaning this put him 3rd overall after round 2 and Nathan was still in 7th.
Round 3.
Again Ieuan went off 1st with Nathan behind him and again this helped Ieuan to get to the 23 laps it didnt happen this round but still an improvment for both drivers. This time Ieuan was in 4th overall and Nathan in 8th so both drivers going down 1 spot each. So both drivers had some work to do in the next round.
Round 4.
Ieuan and Nathan going very well both expected an improved time and Ieuan was on for a 23 laps and then about 3 mins in Ieuan came up to back markers and just caught them up to quickly and got tangled with them then it was just a shame it took a long time for him to be marshalled but he drove hard to the rest of the time and he still managed to get 22 laps and only 3 seconds off and improved time. Nathan had bad luck in this round and had lots of crashes with back markers and some mistakes made on his own. But he still managed to pull a 22 lapper out of the bag putting him in a good position. At the end of the round both drivers go over to the results board and see their times and where they were positioned and it was good news for both drivers. Ieuan in 5th and Nathan in 7th. They both made the A main and with the quality of drivers and how close times were anyone in the final could win the final it would just be down to the wire which it was.
THE FINAL.
A small collision on the wood floor put Ieuan in last behind Tom Owen. Nathan managed to make it past with out getting caught up. In the first minute Ieuan and Tom were having a good battle then Tom made a mistake over the triple in front of the drivers stand letting Ieuan past at around 4mins Ieuan caught up to the pack again where Nathan was having a great battle with 2 other drivers then Nathan having a bit of bad luck his rear outdrive coming loose meaning he had to take it a little slower and him being the great sportsman and great team mate he let me past so that he didnt hold me up. Which was a great shame because we normally have a great battle but it wasnt meant to be he managed to get the car hom in 6th place in the end. Ieuan pushing harder and harder allowed him to get back up to the pack and by then it was just too late. Finishing in 5th where he started but only 4 seconds off the next place.
We would both like to thank our sponsors for their support with out them a lot of this wouldn't be possible:
Team Losi Racing
Horizon Hobby UK
Team Orion
Spektrum
Dynamite
W.V.M Racing.
Also thanks to my parents for their support and taking me racing.