G.O.A.T & MASTER TAKE COMMAND
Cragg & Martin rise to the top as championships heat up!
Round 5 of the 2024 BRCA 1/10th Offroad Nationals was an intense roller coaster ride where the track bit when least expected. Over the weekend of July 27/28 the series progressed to TORCH at Swanmore College not too far from Southampton. The club really knows how to put on an event – good track, good facilities, great selection of food vendors and a great selection of ladies fashions – if you know, you know. The weather over the weekend was mostly sunny and warm apart from one heavy shower on Saturday which upset things at a crucial moment.
The Saturday morning drivers briefing was held in glorious morning sunshine and in the absence of Section Chairman Martin Owen, Tony Evdoka MC’d proceedings. The briefing was comprehensive as there are several extra restrictions with the track being based in school grounds. The track walk showed that the circuit design was a very welcome progression as UK tracks aim to become more 3D with the addition of the very large 3-way table top which could be used in several ways depending on the lane layout. Another thing that’s new at TORCH is the amount of slump in the soil under the artificial grass. The result is that the track surface has become very undulating, and the bumps would play a key role in the results that unfolded over the two days.
As 2wd practice got underway on a damp but quickly drying track, many of the bystanders were chatting about how the 2wd championship was unfolding. Neither Neil Cragg, Tommy Hall, Ben Smith nor Lee Martin can win the championship at this round, but they can deal themselves out of their chance with a poor performance.