Super Production Cup – Round 1
The first round of the brand new Super Production Cup (incorporating HPI Formula Ten Challenge) was held on Sunday 21st March at Ardent Raceway in Derbyshire. Ardent is a new track, and it has received very favourable early reviews. With over 50 drivers booked in, expectations for a good day’s racing were high.
With four classes running, regulations had been carefully designed to ensure competitive, close racing whilst still making the series accessible to all, regardless of ability and depth of pocket.
On the day, there were 56 cars racing across the classes, and there were lots of familiar faces, as well as a number of new ones. The track was the excellent facility promised and we were made to feel welcome and very well looked after.
HPI Formula Ten Challenge
This is the more restrictive of the F1 classes, as only HPI Formula Ten cars are allowed. Motors have to the Saturn 20T from HPI which are handed out at meetings, and tyres can only be HPI ‘Bridgestone’. There are very limited modifications allowed. Hotbodies touring car driver Chris Clarke came out top in the A Final, ahead of Stan Chodzzynski and Dez Chand, with Robin Davison from HPI in fourth. Andrew Clarke was in fifth place.
HPI F1 Open Challenge
This is the less restrictive F1class with cars from HPI, Tamiya and 3Racing allowed, still using the handout HPI Saturn 20T motor, but this time with HPI, Cross and Pit Shimizu rubber tyres all permitted. This class saw the largest number of drivers, and also saw the most closely contested A final of the day. First was Alan Harland, second was Dez Chand and third was Andy Webb. Lee Dolby and Dave Smeeton took fourth and fifth place respectively.
Much-More Clubman Mini Challenge
This class is for Tamiya M-03 and M-05 Chassis front wheel drive cars, running on a Much-More Clubman motor, again handed out at meetings. Some option parts, from Tamiya and 3Racing, are permitted. The only tyres allowed are control tyres, supplied by Much-More UK. Stuart Colby won overall, with Richard Isherwood in second and Simond Simmons in third. Simmons was actually racing under Mini Outlaw class regulations. Mike West came in fourth, with Ross McAllister in fifth.
Comet RC Team Magic Stock TC Challenge
This class incorporates Tamiya and Team Magic plastic tub chassis touring cars. They use HARD 17.5T brushless motors and Team Magic control tyres. Predictably, former Tamiya World Champion Marcus Askell finished in a very comfortable first place, with Mark Bristow and Sam Hopper behind him. Series organiser Stephen Fabray was fourth and Pete Drury was fifth.
A good day’s racing was had by all and the series looks set to be a great success. The second round is on Sunday 11th April at Eastbourne. For more information, rules, series dates, links to booking in for a meeting, including full results from this meeting, please visit www.superproductioncup.co.uk
Source: Super Production Cup
