Five teams turned out at Dartford on what turned out to be a warm sunny day with periods of overcast..
The Australian team of Fitzgerald/Cameron (Rob and Paul) were over for World Champs and decided to use the day to blow out a few cobwebs by flying in a U/K domestic competition. They were using a Vorobiev and had quite a lot to sort out.
It was quite a relaxed attitude with the top two British teams showing normal pace - Ross turner achieving a 3:17.7 and Langworth Campbell 3:21.3 (both in 2-up races). Radcliffe/Yeldham were unlucky not to break 3:30 when they put in a 3:32.8 having had to do a third pitstop on 98 laps (could have been 3:25 ish ??)
As the top two teams were concentrating in preparation for the World Champs in France it was decided to let the other teams fly a final for experience.
All three were away well at the start and with Radcliffe/Yeldhams motor on song and starting well it looked like an easy win for them but, after doing a couple of perfect stops, Gordon got his leg in the way on the third stop and the model slewed in towards the pilots - luckily with not to serious a result but causing them to retire on 102 laps.
Fitzgerald/Cameron were short of range and had several problems with blockages and overheating causing them finally to retire on 188 laps.
Barker/Tompkins had good airspeed but slow stops and finished the 200 laps in 7:31.3 to take 1st place in the final.
Thanks again go to Dave Rudd for organising the event and timekeepers - Dave Fry and Mike Fitzgerald (Mark failed to get out of bed)
Heat 1 |
Heat 2 |
Heat 3 |
Heat 4 |
Final |
|||||||
1 |
Barker/Tompkins |
4 |
24.5 |
3 |
57.7 |
4 |
24.5 |
3 |
47.1 |
7 |
31.3 |
2 |
Fitzgerald/Cameron |
4 |
43.6 |
4 |
33.0 |
4 |
43.6 |
3 |
46.5 |
ret |
188.0 |
3 |
Radcliffe/Yeldham |
3 |
40.7 |
3 |
32.8 |
3 |
50.6 |
3 |
39.6 |
ret |
120.0 |
4 |
Ross/Turner |
3 |
21.7 |
3 |
27.9 |
3 |
21.6 |
3 |
17.7 |
||
5 |
Langworth/Campbell |
3 |
29.0 |
3 |
52.2 |
3 |
32.8 |
3 |
21.3 |
League Points were awarded as followed due to final being missed by the top 2 teams
Ent |
Plc |
Fin |
Imp |
Tot |
|
Barker/Tompkins |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
Fitzgerald/Cameron |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
n/a |
Radcliffe/Yeldham |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
Ross/Turner |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Langworth/Campbell |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |