Young, Broad & Hampson Win Rug Racers UK 2012-13 R1
The Sweep Rug Racers UK series began on Sunday 7 October with round one seeing some changes to last year’s series. The 13.5T Touring Car Championship stays as was but this year a switch to 17.5T Blinky (stock) was welcomed by many. As well as this the SUKRR series has also become home to the Mardave Championship this winter providing a great series for those racing a Mardave chassis.
Qualifying opened with the 17.5T Touring and it was set to be a battle between TOP driver Mark Young and Andy Ashman. Through the four rounds of qualifying the provisional pole switched between the two taking it to the fourth and final leg where Andy would just take the upper hand and grab pole for the A final. Mark in second spot would have his daughter Dani, another TOP driver, right behind him in third both driving the Photon EX.
In the first A final leg Andy would win by under a second from Mark with Nicky Yarranton coming in third from fifth on the grid. Leg two would see Mark taking the spoils with Dani second and Andy third. Overall this would see Mark taking the first round win ahead of Andy second and Dani third.
In 13.5T we had another two-way battle between Tony Broad and Schumacher’s Ashley Wiffen. The pair would put in some great qualifying runs pushing each other all the way. It would be Tony though that would take pole for the final with Ashley’s Mi4CXL right behind him in second and Richard King with his Awesomatrix in third.
In leg one of the final, Tony would be hard pressed by Ashley to the line, taking the win by just six tenths of a second from Ash. Brian Eldridge would take third spot this leg. Leg two would see more of the same excitement, this time Ashley taking the win just ahead of Tony with Richard King third. Overall this meant Tony would take the win on the tie break from Ashley with Richard King having done enough for third spot.
The Mardave’s had a mixed affair over the qualifiers with Tom Hampson looking to be the favourite for the pole with some consistent fast runs. He would eventually take the pole for the finals with Chris Wilksinson (Mr Mardave himself) just a few seconds shy in second spot. Garrett James would leave it until round four to take third spot for the final.
The first leg of the Mardave finals would be a demo run by pole man Tom Hampson taking the win by over a lap to secure this leg. Garrett James would come in a comfy second spot with James Carvell third. Leg two and Tom just carried on producing some quality driving. Another win in this leg with James Carvell this time in second and young driver Harley Eldridge in third. Tom would take the overall win without any doubt, followed by James in second spot and Garrett third.
SUKRR also opened its track to anyone with a 1:12 pan car to come and race. A few drivers made the journey which saw Mark Stiles taking the pole for the final ahead of Tim Hancock and Jason Butterfield.
In the finals Mark proved why he is a top National driver and took the win in both legs ahead of Tim Hancock (second in both legs) and Jason Butterfield (third in both legs).
During round one each year the team at SUKRR always hold a charity event to make money for a worthy cause. This year the money would go to GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital). Racers gave generously and in the end raised £280 for this great cause.
Overall it has been a great start to the season opener. Some really great racing and as always and perfectly relaxed and fun atmosphere that only SUKRR can deliver. Round two takes place on 4 November so there is time to get booked in for this great series. We will see you there.
Source: Sweep Rug Racers UK Team
