With the Qld Champs just days away, the entry list published, and all in readiness, we thought it time to cast an eye over the field and make some unjustifiable predictions….
Entries are down a little in numbers (possibly a consequence of the event running at Logan for the 3rd time in 4 years – time for a change?), but there is plenty of quality throughout the field.  Qualifying should be hot, finals even better.
 
540
The standout driver in terms of experience in 540 is Johnny Hyde. If he gets it together it should be a championship for the Logan club stalwart. Beyond that is really hard for me to say, just about anybody could make the final, and anything could happen.  My long-shot pick is Jason Elton. Jason has plenty of experience – can he string enough races together?  Anybody who knows the 540 field a little better might have some alternate views to post?
 
Rebuildable Stock
This is going to be extraordinairy.  There are heaps of potential finalists, and just about any of those could win without it being a suprise.  It is often said, but this really could be the toughest championship ever in this class.  Here’s my predicted top 10 in no particular order:

• Keith Mackrill – HPI Pro 4
• Damien Barnier – HB Cyclone
• Adrian Beggs – Kyosho Stallion BD
• Darren Matthews – XRay?
• Andrew Shapland – XRay?
• Rodney Patch – XRay?
• Tom Leahy – XRay?
• Bob Vardy – Kyosho? HB?
• Scott Harris – Schumacher Mi2-EC
• Johhny Hyde – Corally RDX

I think the winner will come from Shapland, Barnier, Beggs or Mackrill – but wouldn’t be game enough to pick it!  Outside shot – Bob Vardy to repeat!  Jason Wakefield and Martin Nichols are two names missing from the entry list who could impact on this top 10 if they are late entrants…
 
Modified
Here is a class that is undergoing something of a regrowth. A few faces from last year’s event have either moved on to new classes of racing (Keith) or are taking a break (Iain S, Adam S) and Peter Dooley & Mick Sherman are off travelling the world (not together as far as I know…).  It will still be very tight at the front, but the result is a few new faces in with a good shot at appearing in the final.  My predicted top 10 (again, no particular order):

• Anthony Atack – Kyosho Stallion BD – Novak Velociti? or DC/Orion V2?
• Leonard Lai – HB Cyclone Hara – Checkpoint?
• Drew Crawley – XRay T2 – Novak Velociti
• Scott Guyatt – Schumacher Mi2-EC – Novak Velociti
• Andrew Abbot – AE TC4 FT – Novak/Reedy B/L
• Andy Cooke – Corally RDX – Novak Velociti
• Simon Fiegl – HB Cyclone (?)
• John Perkins – Corally RDX – Novak Velociti
• Brett Ryan – HB Cyclone “Peter Dooley Edition” – Checkpoint?
• Martin Nichols – Corally RDX – Novak Velociti??

It’s safe to predict that the winner will come from Atack/Abbot/Cooke. Anthony didn’t get a clean shot at it last year, so look for him to step it up.  Outside chances? John Perkins is fast on home turf, and Leonard Lai has prepared well. A podium for either would be a great result.  My own objective is to avoid being in position to do the A final commentary!