The first (annual ) Brendale Winter Champs fro Electric is done and dusted. For the record it was generally a pretty good day after a slow start do to transponders not being charged. After the start things ran like clockwork and we all enjoyed some great racing and a fabulous Brisbane Winter day.
We (Action RC Team Schumacher) had some mixed results although some were almost predictable. With no prior track time since the Interclub 2005, and never on here with an EC, our No 1 driver (Scott), was always going to struggle to get his setup right. It turned out that way with the first couple of races quite forgetable. He did get it nearly right by the end and did enough to finish 4th behind Abbot, Cooke and Atack. A great effort Scott. Scott ran Sorex 36/c in all races except one where he tried RP30’s with disastorous results. Scott used a Novak brushless 4.5.
In mod I think there were 3 brushless in the top 5 including 1st and there were 4 different makes in the top 4 – Associated, Corally, Tamiya, Schumacher.
In stock the EC brigade was represented by Shayne Pearce and Scott Harris. Shayne has been racing modified for awhile now and I think the improvements made in stock and the super competitiveness of the assembled field took him by surprise. If he persists in stock until the nationals I predict he will go better. I think he finished 11th today.
Scott Harris has been hot at Brendale and although he has only had a few hit outs in the EC we were expecting big things from him. He ended up about 8th I think which, when you look at the calibre of the drivers in the stock class at this meet was a very commendable effort.   
I made a late decision to run the Academy STR4 even though I didn’t have any other option springs or roll bars etc. The car was run absolutely box stock and with a front oneway. I ran Sorex 32/B premounts and only ran one set alll day. I used a Surge Monster (tried a CO27 in one race but went back to the Monster). I started the day with a rare fit of nerves, possibly due to racing an unfamilar car or possibly just my newfound old age. I thought the car was pretty good, certainly there are a few things I want to try and changes to make but for a budget priced box stock kit to finish in 10th place in such a competitive field and ahead of a lot of more expensive and extensively optioned and sorted cars was a credit to it – so far nothing has broken and nothing has fallen off. I was very happy with the result and I guess my only regret was that I hadn’t had more track / development time with the car at Brendale.
Looking forward to running the car on Wednesday night at Hobby Station – until then – cheers, Heavy.