Last weekend the annual invasion of Tamworth by R/C racers took place for the 2007 Tamworth Cup & QLD vs. NSW Interstate Challenge. This year despite a strong contingent of around 20 Queenslanders we were well outnumbered the NSW drivers.
Tamworth has one of the best tracks in the country for 1/10^th scale electric racing. This year a different layout was used for the first time, which despite being a longer lap yielded similar lap times due to a more open design.

This was to be the first race meet with my new Hot Bodies Cyclone so unfortunately (for me) Tamworth’s much needed all day long dowsing of rain on Friday meant that the first proper run I’d have with the Cyclone would be in the first round of qualifying.
Saturday’s qualifying was a mixed bag for me. I managed to set TQ early on but struggled in some of the later rounds when trying different things on the car that didn’t work so well. Peter Dooley laid down some quick times becoming the only other driver to turn 23 laps in modified which secured him second place from Scott Parkinson (NSW), who was unlucky to miss 23 laps with several quick 22 lap runs.
The qualifying order remained the same at the front of modified after the last qualifying round on Sunday morning leading into the finals.
Other Queenslanders qualified strongly in their respective classes with Keith Mackrill TQ’ing stock, Tristan Hyde TQ’ing 540 and Jason Dorn qualifying 3^rd in the hotly contested Pro Tourer class.
Come the finals the lack of track time with the new car was showing with my car still being a little edgy to drive. I managed to win all 3 finals but it was in less than convincing fashion and required a bit of luck on my part – Unfortunately Scott Parkinson’s front belt flipped while he was leading the second main. Peter Dooley had good runs in A-1 and A-3 which secured him 2^nd overall despite melting a diff in A-2. Martin Nichols capitalised on Scott’s bad luck by doing enough in the finals to take 3^rd overall for an all Queensland podium.
Queensland’s drivers did well in the gas classes with Michael Redmond finishing 3^rd and Jason Dorn 4^th in Pro Tourers. John Taynton crossed the line in 2^nd place in Pull Start.
In the other electric classes Tim Weier finished 2^nd in 19 turn after a count back was used to split the top two drivers as they were tied on points after their 3 mains. David Guyatt finished 5^th with the brand new Mi3.
Coming off his win in stock at the Victorian Titles, Keith Mackrill made the most of his pole position and went on to win the stock class. Damian Barnier in his first race meet back after winning stock at last year’s nationals finished 3^rd and previous winner of the stock class at the Tamworth Cup Bob Vardy finished 4^th.
Steve Evans and Tristian Hyde secured a Queensland 1-2 in 540 finishing first and second respectively.
Overall NSW won back the Inter State Challenge shield 150 points to our 133.
Hopefully next year will be bigger and better, with even more Queenslanders making the trek down to help win back the shield. It’s always a great event so be sure to mark it on your calendar.