Summer Shootout Series Rd2 – Report

Last weekend saw round 2 of the Action Model Centre supported Summer Shootout Series take place in Chesterfield, UK. With 100 entries across 5 different classes it was set to be a top notch event run on a nice track with good grip levels. The LMP12 open modified class saw a small entry of less than 10 cars. However, all of the drivers were of national A-final standard so the racing was still very competitive. 3 drivers battled it out for TQ honours, with Andy Murray eventually coming out on top driving a V-Dezign car ahead of the Reedy-powered Yokomo R12C3 of Mark Stiles and former World Champion David Spashett. These three were split by just 0.35 seconds, so it looked like the final would be a close race.

In the final, the lead trio immediately pulled away from the other cars and ran closely during the opening laps. After a few more laps, Andy Murray made a mistake and crashed out of the lead, thus gifting it to Mark Stiles. Mark then drove a controlled race and despite a late charge from Andy he held on to win by 3 seconds, a result that follows his victory at the first round of the series. Andy and Dave were 2nd and 3rd respectively and were less than 1 second apart at the finish.

The LMP12 10.5 class saw a dominant qualifying display from Mick Farrell. He drove his CRC flawlessly to take TQ by a full lap ahead of Mark Jewitt, who was driving a Team Associated car. It looked as if Mick would have an easy time of it in the final, but an intermittent radio glitch allowed Jewitt to close him down and mount a challenge for the win late in the race. The pair battled until the end of the final lap, with Mick just holding on to win.

In LMP12 13.5 Damien Holmes took TQ driving an Xray chassis. Despite coming under some pressure from an in-form Lee Carr during the final, Damien seemed comfortable in his driving and cruised to the win.

GT10 was won by Jon Dixey who took his 2nd win in the class in as many events, while GT12 saw a dominant display from Steve Lander and his well prepared Mardave chassis. Round 3 of the series will take place in July. For event info feel free to click here.

Thanks to Marc Stiles for sending the report.