1st Annual Shepparton Showdown Results

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By Tyler Hooks
LiveRC.com

The 1st Showdown was held at Shepparton Radio Control Car Club the newest event to join the prestigious Victorian Drivers Series in Australia. With National and State Champions in attendance in the event was super competitive and well received.

Starting on Saturday with a well prepared Dirt/Clay track a groove formed quickly during practice, however with a unfamiliar track and a un-abrasive surface tyre choice was a challenge for racers on the deceptively technical layout. 

With Qualifying starting Saturday then finishing Sunday morning, the event was unfortunately cut short during the 2nd round of finals due to rain , it was enough racing to get a result and competitors were more then happy with the event as a whole. RC is alive and well in the regional city of Shepparton.

2wd Modified Buggy
1. Ray Munday - TQ (AE/JC/Reedy/1up)
2. Lachlan Munday (AE/JC/Reedy/1up)
3. Simon Healy (ORCA/AKA)

Competition was hot and it came down to the last qualifier for Ray to secure the TQ with a 0.2s margin over his 12yo son Lachlan and experienced racer Simon Healy. Each of them scoring a round win also with margins under half a second in every round. In what ended up being a class Display Ray won each of the two finals by comfortable margins as the field fought it out behind him. With Both Lachlan & Simon both having hard fought second places it was a tiebreaker by best time that relegated Simon to 3rd.

4wd Modified Buggy
1. Jordan Isergin (AE/JC/Reedy)
2. Glen Bonetti (AE/JC)
3. Lachlan Munday – TQ (AE/JC/Reedy/1up)

The most frenetic, fast-paced class on track the crowd were not left disappointed. Again, individual drivers took each of the qualifying rounds. With what was an incredible run, Lachlan Munday took TQ achieving the fastest ever time at the track with a 5s margin. However, luck was to change for him in the final. With only 1 final run due to the weather we witnessed an absolute classic. For most of the race we had 5 cars fighting it out all within a second of each other. Holding his nerve and with a late breather from a few mistakes from his rivals, Jordan made it a special victory under pressure. Glen Bonetti making a return had a stellar drive for 2nd and an unfortunate Lachlan with 1 mistake got 3rd. The rain meant only 1 final was completed and the results stood.

2wd Stock Buggy
1. Ben Howard - TQ (AE/JC/Team Zombie/RC Speed Secrets)
2. Leigh Cheeseman (TLR/Motiv/Rawspeed/Schelle)
3. Simon McHugh (Kyosho)

The Drivers Series stock fields have historically had strong fields and no exceptions saw the reigning National Champion Leigh Cheeseman take 1 round and local Ben Howard taking the other two for the TQ. An early mistake by Ben in A1 gave Leigh the first Final as Leigh’s experience and consistency made it too much to make it up. With only 1 more final completed and Ben winning in a tight race with Simon McHugh, the winning time giving him the overall 1st Place.

4wd Stock Buggy
1. Ben Howard - TQ (AE/JC/Team Zombie/RC Speed Secrets)
2. Simon McHugh (Kyosho)
3. Justin O'Connell (AE)

Ben with the local track advantage was able to take all 3 qualifiers, with Nathan Krohn (Schumacher) qualifying 2nd behind him. In the deciding final Simon came from q5 to get the 2nd place in a battle with Justin & Glenn Grinter(AE), 3rd & 4th. Ben taking the double stock crown with a tone to tone win.

2wd Buggy Juniors (u16)
1. Angus Browne - TQ (AE)
2. Robert Holliday (Yokomo)
3. Sash Schembri (AE)

The Vic Drivers Series prides itself on its strong juniors’ scene. This event saw the juniors all have a fantastic meet. With all of them improving their personal best times. TQ was won by Angus who won all 3 rounds. Kane Schembri(AE) pushed him and took the 2nd place on grid. In the 2 finals completed Angus cruised to victory in times that would have not been out of place in the seniors. Rob Holliday had a great first final earning him 2ndoverall. Sash earning 3rd pushing his brother who had unfortunate set of finals to 4th.

2wd Stadium Truck
1. Nathan Healy (ORCA/AKA)
2. Wayne Robinson (AE)
3. Mitchell Isergin (AE)

Nathan Healy absolutely dominated stadium truck, winning comfortably with his fast style of driving. A popular victory for the young man it was Wayne & Mitch filling the remaining positions.

2wd 21.5t Spec Buggy
1. Dale Brown (AE/Team Zombie)
2. Mark Casey (AE)
3. Racko Schembri (AE)

The 21.5t class has had some popularity in our area. And local Dale won all 3 qualifiers and all finals in a dominant display. Mark Casey was clearly next best and Racko earnt his first podium.  

2wd Short Course Truck
1. Leigh Cheeseman (TLR/Motiv/Rawspeed/Schelle)
2. Angus Browne (AE)
3. Mark Browne (AE)

In what feels like a Short Course resurgence, Leigh Cheeseman showed his class with flawless driving. The Father Son Team of Mark & Angus Browne in 2nd & 3rd.

4wd 21.5t Spec Buggy
1. Matt Coad
2. Peter Crowe
3. Racko Schembri (AE)

The 4wd 21.5t class was run for some keen competitors to try and spark some interest. A class for the average man had some good racing. Matt, Peter & Racko enjoying themselves.

Concours D’Elegance

The Concours was won by Mitch Isergin for his magnificent Stadium Truck painted by his dad Michael Isergin. A hugely popular win it was good to see a body painted by the owner take this prize.

The Showdown was a success, some competitors camping out, others staying in accommodation around town. A great meeting for everyone to get together and have some serious competition in great spirits racing our cars. The club looks forward to seeing everyone again soon.

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