D1RC Drift Series Round 5 - Snetterton

Following the unfortunate last minute cancellation of the host D1GB full size drift event at Rockingham Motor Speedway, the D1RC round had to be found a new venue in a big hurry! This was successfully achieved but only with the kind help of Radio Race Car’s editor, Dez Chand and Snetterton Park MCC’s ‘boss’, Jon Guest. Our penultimate event for 2006 was thus held at Snetterton Park in Norfolk, a large island style circuit surrounded by a teaming Sunday Market and, of course, the Snetterton full size race track. Norfolk is a bit unpredictable at best weather wise but we were treated to a warm and sunny day for our competition and this too brought out the market shoppers, all of whom seemed to stop and watch proceedings with enthusiasm for a while as they passed by. Needless to say, we got several interested enquiries as to how to get involved – visit D1RC.co.uk of course!

The Snetterton track is big, very big! The drift circuit mirrored this with long, higher speed ‘lazy’ drifts than at previous events, combined with three tightish 180degree turns. Off the line the course swung left through a very long, fast 90 sweep past the crowd fencing and model shop, tightening through a slow 180 left (turn 1) back through a shortish left/right transition to a slower 180 right (turn 2) then another short straight to turn 3, a tricky 90 left opening to another very long 90 left sweeper to the finish line, this last sweep being a real challenge to drift right through! A 90 left brought the cars back to the start straight and provided a circuit for the Time Attack competition.

^{The D1RC crowd in all their glory!}

After some very long drives for some of the competitors (yes, sorry, but as we all know, this is a National competition! No one complained though!) the obligatory gazebos sprung up and the first of two one hour long practice sessions, split by a timed Time Attack practice session, got underway. The Time Attack format was a little different for this round with the clubs timing equipment being used. This involves a small transponder being attached to each car which records it's I.D. as it passes over the start line. The timing system continually monitors all cars simultaneously and announces the names of the drivers and their times as they pass the line. Using this, we were able to allow all the cars out onto the track in much the same way as F1 qualifying and, after a pre-specified time has elapsed, take the fastest times of each driver. .

^{The 19 car line up, all of them up to show car standard.}

Practice was followed by a quick lunch break to explore the giant, resident model shop (highly recommended) where many small and not so small purchases were made. .

^{Snetterton's track and shop, now the biggest in Europe! Brad, Phil and Stu drift for the crowds during the lunch break.}

Qualifying then commenced in usual reverse seed order with Brad Hurr taking top honours with a near perfect and very impressive 99,100,99.5 highest score of the year….so far! Stu Cave slipped in second with a best of 99 and Jimmy Lam 98, Eddie Turner 97 and Adrian Simon 97 completed the top five. .

^{Stu and Phil head off into the long, fast sweeper. That 180 that follows was a pig to slow and turn into.}

In the finals Brad, Jimmy and Stu were awarded byes to the quarters whilst Steve Davies won through Richard Savage, Eddie Turner took out Adam McEwen, Adrian Simon removed Peter Savage, Phil Warner beat Darren Read and John Turner took out Jamie Ford. In the quarter finals Steve, Adrian, Phil and John succumbed to the superior driving of Brad, taken out by Eddie in the semis and Jimmy, who was beaten by Stu after a ‘one more time’ repeat run to decide a drawn first run. .

The 3rd / 4th final saw Jimmy and Brad on the line. Brad had been shining all day and continued by taking both runs 9-1, 7-3.

^{3rd place Brad Hurr.}

This left Eddie Turner and Stu Cave to battle for 1st place (sound familiar?). It was very close, the first leg being taken by Stu 8-2 but with Eddie fighting back with a 6-4 win in the second run, but this time it was Stu’s turn to take the honours on the overall score. Well done Stu! .

^{2nd place Eddie Turner.}

^{1st place Stuart Cave.}

The best chassis and drift shell competitions were both won by Phil Warner, a few extra points no doubt being gained by Phil’s very clever servo operated opening doors, most impressive when put into action mid-drift, a real crowd pleaser!

^{Chassis Concours winner Phil Warner.}

^{Bodyshell Concours winner Phil Warner.}

The Time Attack event was taken, once again, by Eddie Turner (9.78secs) but this time more closely followed by John Turner and Adam McEwen, completing the top three places.

^{Time Attack winner Eddie Turner.}

D1RC would like to thank Radio Race Car International for their support and trophies, CML for their Yokomo battery pack prizes and Snetterton Park MCC for their last minute help and circuit facilities. We look forward to a more relaxed return visit in 2007!

In the mean time, we still have our final round at Colchester on Saturday 14 October. Don't miss it!
Thank You.

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Results

Drift Competition

• 1^st - Stuart Cave
• 2^nd - Eddie Turner
• 3^rd - Brad Hurr
• 4^th - Jimmy Lam
• 5^th - Brad Hurr
• 6^th - Adrian Simon
• 7^th - Phil Warner
• 8^th - John Turner

Time Attack

• 1^st - Eddie Turner
• 2^nd - John Turner
• 3^rd - Adam McEwen

Concours

• Best Bodyshell - Phil Warner
• Best Chassis - Phil Warner