1/8th Circuit Model cars come in many different shapes and sizes but with acceleration times of 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than two seconds, and top speeds in excess of 75 mph is it any wonder that 1/8th gas powered radio controlled model cars are considered the formula one of all radio controlled model car racing?
Racing 1/8th circuit radio controlled gas cars will add a whole new meaning to your understanding of the word excitement. Once you have driven a 1/8th car and experienced its awesome power, and stunning cornering speed, you’ll never be satisfied with driving anything else, and be back for more, again and again and again.
Your 1/8th scale I.C. powered four-wheel drive car can be built from one of the many available kits now on the market. Powered by a racing 3.5cc two stroke engine capable of delivering over two brake horsepower, you are just minutes away from the most mind-blowing experience in model car racing. Your car complete with engine will be a high tech 1/8th scale model racing car. All cars have front and rear independent suspension controlled by fully adjustable shock absorbers and springs. In addition you’ll have disc brakes and automatically shifting transmissions.
All this topped with a sports car style bodyshell painted to your own individual team colour scheme and designed for you to get the best from your car both mechanically and aerodynamically. 1/8th racing is a great activity and hobby for all the family to participate in, and as well as racing as individuals, many father and son teams compete in racing events. Once you’ve got used to the thrill of driving your own car around one of the purpose designed scale circuits located throughout the country you’ll be able to compete in your first event.
Following a practice session you’ll have tuned your car and engine for maximum performance. With your engine running you head for the drivers rostrum, whilst your pitman puts your car on the track for one of your qualifying races. Having qualified for a final you wait on the drivers rostrum as tension mounts waiting for the flag to drop. Accelerate hard into the first bend as you jockey for position with your fellow racers. As the race settles down you’ll have to think about the first of your scheduled re-fuelling pit stops. Head down the pit lane to your pitman, a full tank of fuel taken on in seconds, and you blast back into the action.
Well, could you handle it? If the answers yes, then come 1/8th I.C. racing!
By Michael Walton
By Lee Palmer BRCA 1/8 Circuit - Round 3 Race Report Brookland
Photos by Donna Boothman
Written by Lee Palmer
For Round 3 of the British National Championship returned after a couple years to Brookland Raceway in the south of England. The return to Brookland Raceway in no small way was due to an army of racers who spent many hours getting the track surface back to a level where 1/8 nitro could compete again on one of the fastest tracks in the UK. All the racers, officials and members really appreciate everyone one of those volunteers who gave up their time to get the track back to an amazing condition. Thank you all!
A bright warm Saturday saw the racers in open practise getting the cars set up for what is one of the fastest, high risk, high reward tracks your ever likely to race. With such a high-speed track run time in both nitro and electric classes was key. The Electric guys setting their ESC’s and gearing to maximise their speed but last the 5min (+1 lap). In nitro many of the drivers were struggling to get 4 minutes and so this became a focus for many alongside set up.
Sunday, race day, we were again greeted with warm sunshine and after the drivers briefing race got going at 09:00 with a full round of practise in heat order for the drivers and pit crews to finalise the cars for qualifying.
Throughout qualifying the pace was so fast in Electric the class Mark Green (Serpent) really set the pace with James Conolly (Serpent) only a few seconds behind with Mark Boothman (Shepherd) making the top three qualifiers.
In Nitro the battle of TQ was intense with Alex Thurston (Mugen) toping the timing sheets all day until round 4 when Andy Hastings (Shepherd) took the top spot getting the first 19 lapper of the day. Reigning British National champion Tim Wood (Shepherd) would make up the top three in Nitro.
Finals. For electric, best two of three run to count, Mark Green Continued his dominate form with James Conolly and Mark Boothman finishing second and third in the overall results but many great battles were seen throughout the electric races and this class certainly is becoming more competitive.
[ABOVE - Electric A Final]
[ABOVE - Electric B Final]
Nitro saw great races in all the finals with some very close racing throughout the field. The A final lined up and Alex Thurston, who has been the man to beat this year, taking an early lead after TQ man Andy Hasting had a plug blow. Some great pit work and super consistent driving from David Spashett put him second in the race with a great drive, after losing a number of laps, Andy Hastings making third.
[ABOVE - Nitro A Final]
[ABOVE - Nitro B Final]
[ABOVE - Nitro C Final]
The circus rolls on to Halifax later in the month for round four.
Congratulation to all those who attended and we look forward to returning to Brookland next year!
[Published by Nikita Finnigan]
By Michael Walton 1/8 Circuit 2024 Opening rounds of the championship
Cotswold Model Car Club hosted the first round of the 2024 BRCA 1/8 circuit championship, over fifty drivers were entered to compete it what might have been the last race at the circuit. (Thankfully it now seems as though the club’s future is secure). DDRC.TV were present on race day and creating some nice video clips available on youtube.
Dashcam on RC car video (Craig Hook) Shepherd - https://youtu.be/sC5KWHa57So?si=8SrldGk7V2S5vKSp
Mark Green’s Electric Serpent 990e - https://youtu.be/BhjaHNe-l9A?si=8Dm8banUHncUHU_Z
Some drivers have moved chassis and classes, Alex Thurston is now running Mugen in nitro and topped the times from Tim Wood Shepherd and Karl Dransfield also Shepherd. The A-final also included John Carr, Andrew Hastings, Craig Hook, Steve Davis, Jason Frost, Richard Hicklin and Matthew Cook took the final spot.
In electric we had a strong field led by Mark Green of nitro fame, 2023 champion James Conolly, Glyn Beal and previous champion Michael Walton all running the Serpent 990e chassis which has definitely took the class by storm. Shepherd also had cars present in electric with front runner Mark Boothman running a prototype new car and there was the odd Capricorn and Xray cars too.
Finals results
Nitro D Final
1st Hayley Baker
2nd Frank Noel
3rd Robin Gearing
Nitro C final
1st Steve Smith
2nd Thomas Burton
3rd Rob Mckenna
Electric B final
1st Steve White
2nd Martin Thorpe
3rd Joe Diacono
Nitro B final
1st Sam Snell
2nd Max Holland
3rd Daniel Ludena
Nitro A-final
The A-final was a 30 minute race, unfortunately on the first laps there was a collision with some cars and pit crew which took Karl out early on, Alex also had some damage but was able to continue and battle it out with Tim at the front. In the end after 30 minutes both finished on the same lap with Alex winning from Tim and John Carr third.
Electric A-final
Mark Green took victory, with James pushing him in leg 1 final, James took second overall and Glyn third. Mark had some issues in the last final but he had already won by this point and clearly was the quickest throughout the weekend with the Serpent 990e. Eight Serpent 990e’s in the final and two Shepherd.
Adur Round 2
Adur hosted round two of the championship near Brighton, a much tighter circuit for 1/8th cars but nonetheless enjoyable to drive. In electric we had a more local drivers present which was good to see and with David Spashett competing in Nitro he was sure to be in the mix at the top.
Qualifying
In the electric class Mark Green continued to dominate and took TQ from local star Greg Fairlie, Dan Leonard third and Mark Boothman. In nitro Alex Thurston took TQ with his Mugen ahead of Tim Wood Shepherd and David Spashettthird. John Carr and Matt Cook rounded out the top 5.
Finals
Nitro C-final
1st Rob Mckenna
2nd Hayley Baker
3rd Vincent Meron
Electric B-final
1st Jake Sheldon
2nd Graham Hurley
3rd Jason Hurley
Nitro B-final
1st Jon Melton
2nd Steve Smith
3rd Thomas Burton
Electric A-final
Again Mark Green dominated the three legs to take another win with the Serpent 990e, Mark Boothman and Greg Fairliebattled for 2nd overall with Mark coming out on top, taking two second places.
1st Mark Green – Serpent 990e
2nd Mark Boothman - Shepherd
3rd Greg Fairlie - Serpent
With the sun out ten 1/8 scale cars competing at this tight circuit was always going to be a race of attrition over the 30 minute with many pit stops taking place. Alex with his Mugenmade a super quick start with Tim behind him, unfortunately Tim lost some time on a track marker. David Spashett was on a charge up the order after a slow getaway. Alex meanwhile continued to pull away, cutting his way through the backmarkers. Also in the mix was John Carr and Craig Hook who were running well also with Shepherd cars. Alex was able to build up a lead of over two laps in the end to take the win for Mugen from David Spashett (Shepherd) and Tim Wood third (Shepherd).
Nitro A-final
[ Published by Nikita Finnigan ]
By Michael Walton If you've got a 1/8 circuit electric or nitro car there's still time to join us for Rd5 of the championship at Halifax 26/27 August.
Saturday - optional practice
Sunday - Qualifying and finals for all
With the cars reaching speed of 70mph+ they are great to see in action.
Spectators are also welcome with a new spectator area with hot/cold food and drinks.
Halifax Track
Stainland Rd, Halifax HX4 8LS
Enter here:-
December 30, 2024
June 28, 2024
June 18, 2024
August 18, 2023
April 19, 2023