NEO 2010 Tamiya race report by: Ryan Lutz

[MR Piraterc]

Neo 2010

 

Just got back from England where I attended the Neo 2010 event at Harper Adams University! Once again Phil and his crew put on an awesome event! Before you even get there you already know all the rules (driver handbook) and you know what practice heat you are in and at what time your race will be running all week long (time schedule). It is a well run and well organized event and the competition level is fierce with many of the best drivers in the world in attendance.

 

My initial hopes of the week were to improve upon last years results. This wasn't going to be easy as last year I finished 3rd on the Podium. Once practice began I realized that last years set-up wasn't going to work on this track. There were more large jumps this year and some flatter landings. So as we worked through the 3 rounds of practice and into the 6 rounds of qualifying it was all about adjusting set-ups constantly to try to get a grip on the track. All week something just didn't feel right in my engine / clutch set-up. I had what seemed to be a lean bog on the track and it caused me to have some issue in the first couple qualifiers. I couldn't tune it out so I went and changed out my tank and fuel lines. It was better but still not great. I struggled slightly throughout most of the quals trying to just get a nice feel to my car. I was still able to put in top 12 runs for the most part and get into a solid Semi-Final qualifying spot. (As no one qualifies directly for the A)

 

For the semi I ended up changing my clutch set-up and the feel was back. I finally felt more comfortable on the track. Starting 8th on the Semi Grid I quickly moved up and was running in 3rd. Then halfway through the Semi i Lost steering for half a lap. My wheel was leaned over and I thought I was done. I lost some positions and fell back to 7th. I still tried to keep driving and somehow the steering came back. I was able to finish the race and came in 7th. (The top 6 qualified directly to the A-main. The fastest next 3 of the two semi's would also qualify) So I had to wait until the end of Semi-B. In the end I had the fastest time of the rest and qualified 13th for the A-main. Once I got my car back I found that my knuckle screw had come out. I guess I got very lucky that it allowed me to finish the Semi Final!

 

We had 30 minutes to prepare for the A-main. At the sound of the tone I took it easy, checking up as to not run into the guy in front of me but the guy behind me wasn't as patient. He pushed me into the guy in front of me and we tangled and I got out last. Then about halfway through the first lap I was called in for a Stop and Go....My pit guy had taken the starter box to the starting grid. (Which wasn't allowed at this event) So now I was 1/2 a lap down after 1 lap. On top of that I had to stand on the side of the drivers stand that I hadn't stood all week and it wasn't an easy transition. Basically I just struggled the entire time I was out there. After about 30 minutes my rear cvd came apart and I just pulled it off. Two others bowed out before me and thus I took 13th.

 

Overall it was a trying weekend. The car was actually very good in the main and it was down to tire choice and driving position that I feel really cost me. My set-up I think felt pretty good and I did get quite a few comments by people saying how good the Tamiya 801X looked on the track! I just wish everything else would have fallen into place to get that result! But Alas, there is always the next event and I was able to take away a good learning experience from the Weekend!

 

Looking forward to staying home for a few weeks before I head off to Australia at the end of May. I will be doing some Nor Cal series races and club racing in the meantime!