TQ for Associated TC6 on UK Debut

Associated’s new TC6 made a spectacular debut at the recent BRCA National at Aldershot.

In the hands of team driver Olly Jefferies the TC6 was fastest in the first two rounds of qualifying setting a pace well clear of the chasing pack. Olly cemented pole position for the A final with another TQ run in the fifth and final round of qualifying and lined up for the A final ahead of Elliott Harper and Chris Grainger.

If qualifying went well for Olly, the finals were disastrous, Olly was hit off in the first two finals, he recovered well in the first final to finish second but could not repeat a similar come back in leg two and three and eventually ended up fourth overall, a result which effectively ends any chance of winning this year’s national title.

“I was delighted with how the TC6 performed in qualifying. I only had limited testing at Aldershot prior to the national and I was also running knowing in the back of my mind we did not have any spares for the car. Taking TQ was a great start for the TC6 and I was confident I could hold off the chasing pack and secure a good result, but the finals did not go well and my initial euphoria was dampened by the fact my championship is effectively over! If I could have won at Aldershot I would have carried that momentum with the new car to the remaining two rounds but now I am left fighting for a top three place” said Olly.

While Olly’s championship aspiration disappeared, Chris Slater’s was coming alive as Associated’s Pro Stock front runner was right on the pace from the off. Driving the older TC5, Chris was the only driver capable of mixing it with front runners Johnny Bowden and Ben Cane. An excellent third for Chris sees him right in the hunt for the national Pro Stock title, his smooth style is getting the most from the car and with the new TC6 and new Novak Kinetic ESC waiting in the wings Chris’s challenge is right on track.

The new Associated TC6 (left) and the highs and lows of RC racing as demonstrated by Chris Slater and Alan Bickerstaff.

Alan Bickerstaff was using the new Kinetic Novak ESC in his TC5. With limited testing of the system Alan was constantly making adjustments and increasing his performance with every run. Overnight Alan held a top ten place but narrowly missed out on an A final place in the final round of qualification. Frustration for Alan in missing out on an A final slot but a positive step forward in the new found performance of the TC5 / Kinetic combination.

Mendip winner Zak Smith struggled to get a good set up on his TC5 in qualifying but both Zak and Steve Lander made the B final. Steve went on to win the B final with Zak fourth after a storming drive from tenth on the grid.

For Olly and Tom Jefferies next stop is France for the EFRA touring car Euros, then its back to the UK for the next BRCA national at Halifax.

The guys in the Associated tent have really gelled together as a team.

 

Source: CML Distribution