欧洲电越锦标赛6天完整报道 [超多图]AE B4和TRF501X分获2wd和4wd冠军

先上英文版的吧 中文版力争随后奉上

值得一提的是 Neil Cragg, Yokomo德国厂车手 非常强势 在两天的比赛中分别驾驶AE B4FT和Yokomo MR-4BX获得2wd Championship和4wd A2


以下图文来自友站oople.com 感谢他们的精彩报道

第一天

Euros Day 1 [Monday 23rd July]

Monday is practice only which is to be un-timed - but it appears that anyone with a personal transponder in the car is counting so their times are available on the large plasma screens in the pitting area. Those without a Personal Transponder are able to borrow one for the duration of the event for free by exchanging their EFRA licence at scrutineering. Of course there is some talk that some of the top drivers are not giving away their lap times to the opposition and disconnecting the PT for this practice - whether that's true or not we'll have to see.

The first round of practice was on a slightly damp track but this dried up quickly so the second was pretty much dry. Grip levels are good but not fantastic right now.

	Richard Barton
Jimmy with a 'media pass' wow	Craig Drescher
Hupo over the big jump

The sun had been out all morning but the clouds started to appear at the end of the second round of practice and seem to be increasing . Cars wandering off the racing line were treated to an increasingly deep pile of dust.

The wireless internet connection which had been working early in the day failed toward the end of the second round - some were still able to connect but many weren't. The organisers tried a lot of things but couldn't solve the problem. They said tomorrow they will bring a cable over to my table which was rather nice of them!

The organisers are doing a great job - 110 staff are in attendence over the week to creat a great Euros, and they can't seem to do enough for the racers. Still the atmosphere isn't quite the same as last years event which featured the vocal talents of Scotty Ernst from the USA, commentating on the race. I got told today Scotty will be here tonight and will be doing his thing on the Mic from tomorrow - we'll see if it happens!

A local Finnish driver, Kenneth Sodergard has been driving his own creation today for the first time, and what a first time to test a new car. The car is a mix of Tamiya 501X and Associated B4, along with a whole host of custom machined aluminium parts and carbon fibre. Kenneths brother Bjorn Sodergard designed the car, which uses a short HPI belt to transfer the power to the rear diff from the layshaft. 5 Cells are used along with a 6.5 GM brushless system. Unfortunately the alloy front bulkhead wasn't strong enough for the drivers ambition and the car was put out of action before it really had much chance to show what it could do. Hopefully the car will be seen again soon but sadly not at the Euros 2007.

This being practice day, it wasn't easy to see who was fast or not - but Neil Cragg and Paul Bradby both looked pretty dialled on the track. In the last practice round of the day, it was worth noting that the 2005 Champion Neil Cragg was able to catch and pass 2006 and current Champion Hupo Honigl - but this being practice neil immediately pulled the car off for a tyre change (to scrub some new tyres for tomorrows qualifiers) The last practice heat - some of the Finnish drivers are well versed on this track. Neil Cragg seems to be quicker than most though.

The first day of the Championships always holds an opening ceremony - which is usually pretty 'cheezy' and more than a little awkward for all but the most patriotic and proud. An 'Olympic Games' style procession of teams held to that countries national anthem took place, with teams lining up on the tracks main straight. Some Teams like the Finnish and British were huge - whilst others like the Russians had only 2 (one racing). The organisers said a few words then the Mayor of Vaasa took over giving the entire history of Vaasa including modern political situation and a full run down on the current economic 'good times' which the area enjoys. This wasn't really expected and in the hot sun it seemed to drag on a little - but it showed just how enthusiastic the local area is to have the mayor raving on about how a World Championships would be nice here. Some of the cars lined up The opening ceremony lasted a while!

The Atomic Carbon S2 looks great around the Euro track	Craig Drescher is racing both classes

After a long day of practice, many drivers were still at the track at 8pm when we left, preparing cars and tyres. The organisers have 24 hour security so many left their racing gear in the pitting tent - or only took the essentials.
Tomorrow there will be two timed practice rounds - the second timed to give the start order in each heat. This will be followed by the first three rounds of qualifying. Tomorrow we'll see just who is fastest and get a good idea of who can win this event.

[ 本帖最后由 Jason_Jo 于 2007-8-7 04:51 PM 编辑 ]

Euros Day 2 [Tuesday 24th July]

Jimmy outside the fence where he belongs

Tuesday was the first day of serious driving and started off with two rounds of practice. The second round to decide the start order in the heats, the fastest two consecutive laps the decider. Overnight showers gave the track a good soaking and the first few heats out struggled with the slippery conditions. Toward the end of the first practice the track was drying up and earlier clouds were starting to disappear to make way for the sun. It was at this point the officials decided there should be no more people within the track apart from themselves and marshalls, so everyone was herded out. I stood my ground and brandished my 'media pass' which didn't help too much. Later in the day I saw a whole host of photographers on the track anyway, which surprised me (to put it mildly) and it seemed that whatever rule it was that got me kicked off the track was now relaxed as I had no further problems.

In the first round of timed practice, Hubert Honigl was the fastest over the 5 minutes but Peter Pinisch, Lee Martin and Neil Cragg were all on sub-27 second fastest laps - showing their pace.

The Cloud came over early in the first qualifying round and didn't look promising at all. Around heat 9 of the first round the rain started to slowly fall - not affecting things much but stopping the track from properly drying out. And this was the way things went all day - with a scant few minutes of sun toward the end of qualifying but the track remained damp and traction fairly low. Neil Cragg took the first qualifying round ahead of Hupo Honigl two seconds further back. Lee Martin had a quicker lap than these two but was four seconds further back in third.

ALKO is the Finnish state-owned off-licence (alcohol shop) and has a monopoly on selling all alcoholic drinks above 4.7% ABV. So whilst you can find beer in the local super markets, Vodka and similar are simply not available. Finland has some strict drinking laws which I can't pretend to know all about - but one thing we found was that Vodka was impossible to find in Finland. Drinks over here in Finland seem a little expensive, especially in the Hotel bar - so we went in search of an ALKO during the break in racing. The Alko in Vaasa is hidden down a back street which initially gave the impression that this was a sordid affair which we should be ashamed of. When we found ALKO it was actually a really nice clean shop in a little arcade of small shops. Inside was a wide array of every sort of alcoholic beverage you can think of - along with a mandatory (under law) small range of low alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks. The range of Vodkas on offer was huge but we went for a classic bottle of Finlandia, since this is Finland after all, it would be rude not to.

My 'Tip Off' was right (thanks Lee) and Scotty Ernst turned up toward the end of the second day of 2WD and will be commentating tomorrow, wednesday, in time for the finals. The commentating that Scotty does really adds to the driving experience and makes the event a lot more professional and entertaining. After last years European Championships in Austria, where Scotty did his thing - a lot of people came away hugely impressed with his style of commentating. Scotty is also a good racer and borrowed Neil Round's Associated B4 for a thrash around the track - the verdict? He wishes this track was back home in the USA!

Neil Cragg went on to win the next two qualifiers - taking all three qualifying legs today almost guarentees him pole in the A main. The positions are calculated on the best two round scores from the five qualifiers - so with the final two qualifying rounds tomorrow it's still possible for someone else to sneak past with the same score but faster times than Neil - but not likely given Neils form at the moment. Hupo Honigl and Lee Martin are looking good also and should be near the front of the grid come wednesdays finals.

Overall qualifying after three rounds:

			Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q5
1	Neil Cragg		0	0	0
2	Hubert Honigl		2	3	2
3	Lee Martin		3	2	10
4	Richard Cree		4	4	15
5	Peter Pinisch		6	12	3
6	Paul Bradby		7	5	7
7	Richard Barton		10	7	5
8	Marc Rheinard		15	6	9
9	Simon Moss		8	11	8
10	Tommi Torikka		13	8	11

[ 本帖最后由 Jason_Jo 于 2007-8-7 04:49 PM 编辑 ]

Euros Day 3 [Wednesday 25th July]

The final day of 2WD started with a quick 2 minute round of qualifying to get the drivers used to the conditions on the day - and it was a good move as the track was different to the previous evening - with slightly less traction. The fast guys were still fast but for mere mortals like myself the car was hard work.

The organisers were hard at work again last night and installed the large grandstand style seating for spectators. This should make watching the finals a lot easier as standing against the fence can get a bit crowded.

Neil Cragg had dominated the previous day and kicked it back into high gear to take the final two rounds ahead of Hupo Honigl and Lee Martin in third. After a fairly poor day prevously, with some breaks, Craig Drescher got it together and with his 6 & 4 he made it into the A final.
The Overall top 10 in qualifying were as follows:

			Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q5
1	Neil Cragg		0	0	0	0	0
2	Hubert Honigl		2	3	2	2	2
3	Lee Martin		3	2	10	3	6
4	Peter Pinisch		6	12	3	4	5
5	Paul Bradby		7	5	7	5	3
6	Richard Cree		4	4	15	7	95
7	Craig Drescher		30	97	6	12	4
8	Richard Barton		10	7	5	8	7
9	Ellis Stafford		5	16	89	9	8
10	Joern Neuman		9	17	94	6	15

Practice A final
The A finalists get a practice A final - it counts for nothing but gives the drivers a chance to get used to the start. Neil set off from pole and pulled away slightly before spinning out on the main straight which put him back to last place. Neil was trying some new inserts in the rear which caused the car to spin out.
Lee Martin took up the lead but Hupo and Pinisch were right with him. Pinisch pulled a move and took the lead before crashing and letting Lee back through. Coming onto the straight Hupo tried to pass and crashed, cartwheeling down the straight and into the fence - putting him out of the running.
During this time, Neil Cragg had been slowly (or quickly) passing people, moving up to fourth with some amazing driving. Peter Pinish was being chased hard by Paul Bradby and Neil but took a corner wrong, collecting Bradby. Peter came off worst and was back to fourth with Neil chasing Paul very had for second. Lee took a compfortable victory and must be wishing it counted.

Quote from Lee after the practice A main - "Practice makes perfect"..... we'll see.

Lee - Hupo - Pinisch	Hupo retires
Lee walking away with it	...Meanwhile the battle rages behind
Pinisch takes the corner wrong- Bradby gives no love	Neil fought hard to pass Bradby but couldn't

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A1
Neil set off again from pole but this time there were no mix ups. Hupo Honigl tried to pressure Neil but it wasn't going to happen and Neil pulled away. The battle for second was a much more interesting affair, with Peter Pinisch chasing Hupo. Coming into the final corner only a couple of feet from the loop to finish, Peter tried to get the inside like when there wasn't one, and both drivers were stuck together. Peter waited until Hupo was back on his way before setting off, so it finished Neil - Hupo - Peter.

A-main Leg 1

1	Neil Cragg	13/5:13.550	25.329
2	Hubert Honigl	13/5:18.473	25.394
3	Peter Pinisch	13/5:19.145	25.499
4	Paul Bradby	13/5:22.293	25.605
5	Lee Martin	13/5:22.706	25.342
6	Jorn Neumann	13/5:24.341	25.501
7	Richard Cree	12/5:00.683	25.838
8	Craig Drescher	12/5:00.850	25.854
9	Richard Barton	12/5:03.143	25.810
10	Ellis Stafford	12/5:11.228	26.040

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A2
Neil got away cleanly with Lee Martin behind. Hupo Rolled at the start and fell right back. Neil commanded things and we all expected him to pull away - instead Lee Martin not only kept with Neil but put serious pressure on. Neil isn't one to be pressured and kept lapping consistently. Lee Martin fell back very slightly a couple of times but fought right back to Neils bumper. Lee looked like he could take it from Neil and was putting in the fastest laps of the week and jumping with supreme confidence. Coming around the sweeper after the straight and over the small table top jump, Lee Rolled and Neil was away. Lee Martin was being chased hard by Peter Pinisch but knew he'd have to settle for 2nd unless Neil made a big mistake - which he didn't. Neil won the second leg and with it the 2WD European Championship 2007. Well done Neil!

Neil leads	Lee Martin was all over Neil like a rash
....A Roll from Lee Martin lets Neil get away.	Mick Cragg congratulating Neil on the win

Finishing Positions in Leg 2 of the A Main.

1	Neil Cragg	13/5:13.383	25.202
2	Lee Martin	13/5:16.390	25.157
3	Peter Pinisch	13/5:18.429	25.651
4	Richard Cree	13/5:23.910	25.758
5	Jorn Neumann	13/5:25.620	25.415
6	Craig Drescher	12/5:01.313	25.390
7	Paul Bradby	12/5:01.904	25.517
8	Hubert Honigl	12/5:04.852	25.409
9	Ellis Stafford	12/5:10.964	26.211
10	Richard Barton	9/3:45.170	25.512

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With 8 of the top ten drives racing the Associated B4 - it proves the dominance of the car. Hupo did great with his Losi XXXCR but no matter what he did he couldn't quite match the pace of Neil.

A-main Leg 3
Neil sat out of the third leg so it was Hupo Honigl at the front. Lee Martin got into the front right away and it was Lee from Hupo and Peter Pinisch chasing. Hupo was right along side lee coming off the straight but had to ease off as he didn't have the line. Lee got a small gap but Hupo rolled coming off the straight giving Lee enough room to breath and take the third leg - and with it second place.

The grid - minus Neil who sat out leg 3	Hupo was alongside
Hupo cartwheels along after the straight	A stylish backflip from Lee to celebrate

Finishing positions in leg 3 of the A Final.

1	Lee Martin	13/5:15.059	25.248	GBR
2	Hubert Honigl	13/5:16.907	25.390	AUT
3	Craig Drescher	13/5:20.631	25.734	GBR
4	Peter Pinisch	13/5:22.384	25.546	AUT
5	Richard Cree	13/5:24.176	25.701	GBR
6	Jörn Neumann	12/5:01.951	25.555	DEU
7	Paul Bradby	12/5:03.148	25.371	GBR
8	Richard Barton	12/5:07.061	26.097	GBR
9	Ellis Stafford	12/5:10.106	25.722	GBR
10	Neil Cragg	DNS	-	GBR

Overall results after 3 legs of the A final.

1	Neil Cragg
2	Lee Martin
3	Hubert Honigl
4	Peter Pinisch
5	Craig Drescher
6	Richard Cree
7	Paul Bradby
8	Jörn Neumann
9	Richard Barton
10	Ellis Stafford

Full list of results can be found here.

So Neil is the 2WD European Champion 2007 - he will surely be looking to repeat his success in the 4WD class but with a lot of competitive cars out there and a lack of success this year in 4WD Neil will have his work cut out.

The trophy presentation for 2WD was a little strange. The idea was to have the official presentation at the night club in the Vaasa Sokos hotel - but there was also a quick presentation at the track after the second leg of the A when Neil won. The night club presentation was a little cramped with so many racers, pit crew, photographers and officials - but it was a good 'do' and Neil even won a bottle of bubbly.

More photos and report soon from the 2WD event. Tomorrow is 4WD practice.

[ 本帖最后由 Jason_Jo 于 2007-8-7 04:49 PM 编辑 ]

Euros Day 4 [Thursday 26th July]

Nice bright sunny day for the start of 4WD EFRA officials debate the ventilation rules

Thursday was the first day of 4WD and consists of 7 rounds of 5 minute practice. The transponder loop is again working throughout practice so drivers can get a feel for their times. The day was a contrast to the previous day with bright sun from early in the morning. This meant the track was dried out after the first practice round. The heat today in the sun and of course the heat generated by the 4WD cars brings up the subject of bodyshells and what is allowed in terms of cooling holes. Only holes pre-defined by the shell makers that are moulded into the shell are allowed to be cut out. And they need to be full cut out - not a series of holes drilled. The rules are designed to protect the sport and keep the cars a good scale representation but it does leave some people a bit 'stuck' if their shell is already wrongly cut. Scotty Ernst doesn't have quite so much to talk about today since this is practice but he's been working hard on the mic' to entertain the racers and calling out the fast laps in each heat - also warning the drivers of collisions on various parts of the track. The track today is starting to get a 'blue groove' on the racing line and a build up of dust off it is reappearing after the moist couple of days previous. Many people are running front one ways in the cars to help around the corners. The problem with the oneway is that if the nose comes up it's usually not possible to rescue the situation (apply the brakes to bring the nose down) and there's going to be a hard-hard landing. Using a differential up front means you can control the car properly in the air but at the expense of some steering. The 4WD cars are able to jump a lot further than in the 2WD event but the track doesn't really allow for this to be put to good use.

Round three of practice and first Paul Bradby got down to 24.0X for his fastest lap - the next heat however and Marc Rheinard stepped it up to 23.728 with his Tamiya 501X, and this was the fastest so far. There are many Tamiya 501X buggies here since it's a favorite among local racers and the local shop RACING FACTORY has very good support for the car.
In round four of practice Neil put in the quickest lap of 23.515 - a new fast lap.
Richard Taylor driving for Losi has been driving the XX4 all last year and this - in the first three rounds this was the same but he wasn't happy and switched to the XXX4 which seems to be well suited to this track and he went consistently faster.

Old vs new - Richard Taylor has gone to the old (new!) XXX4 chassis for this event.

The Tamiya is popular here - but only three team drivers are here, the rest are shop or private sponsored.

Round 6 of practice and many top drivers were throwing in 23.XX second laps - pinisch, Neuman, Rheinard, Ellis Stafford. But it was Neil Cragg who went even quicker to get a 23.489 which was the fastest of the day at that point. Neil looks super fast and consistent again.

A bit more news: The JConcepts guys like Cree, Barton, Pinisch and Drescher are running the new B44 slipper - or actually a hand made prototype of the slipper. Comments back were that it's genius and makes a huge difference to the car. Richard Cree was certainly eploiting the new slipper and getting some very good times. Hupo Honigl is running the 501X Tamiya and has some one-off machined centre pulleys. He has a new car just built with the latest large diameter pulleys and belts but has chosen to use his older car for this race. Hupo is using hotbodies ball studs with Losi white ball cups - mainly for style reasons I think. Friday consists of two rounds of practice - timed, with the second using fastest two consecutive laps to sort the start order. Followed by three rounds of qualifying.

Hupo had a centre one way on the table but wasn't using it, but was using the front one way.

[ 本帖最后由 Jason_Jo 于 2007-8-7 04:50 PM 编辑 ]

Euros Day 5 [Friday 27th July]
Another hot and sunny day in Finland. Thursday was to consist of two rounds of practice - the second round decided the start order in the first qualifying round, and this was decided on the best two consecutive laps. In this second qualifier the fastest driver from the previous days practice was again at the top - Joern Neumann, driving the Durango. Lee martin wasn't too far behind with the similarly laid out AERO. Third fastest and it was the old man Ellis Stafford finally showing us he's a super star and putting in the third fastest lap time. Pinisch was fourth and Neil Craggo 5th.
Round one of qualifying was as follows- with Hupo Honigl on top with his Tamiya 501X - Richard Taylor took second in round with the XXX4, Ellis with the X-5 rounded out the top three. Lee Martin is still chasing a good setup and had to settle for fourth while Richard Cree pushed his BJ4we into 5th in round.
Qualifying position round 1

	Name	Time	Best Lap
1	Hupo Honigl	13/5:14.096	23.726
2	Richard Taylor	13/5:15.720	23.922
3	Ellis Stafford	13/5:17.685	23.508
4	Lee Martin	13/5:18.030	24.137
5	Richard Cree	13/5:18.815	24.084
6	Neil Cragg	13/5:18.916	23.816
7	Peter Pinisch	13/5:19.167	24.104
8	Richard Barton	13/5:19.662	24.097
9	Tom Cockerill	13/5:21.147	24.158
10	Juho Levanen	13/5:23.331	24.176

Heat four were first off in round two of qualifying. Heat six was abandoned when the carpet covering the tabletop jump tore - the heat was re-run at the end of the second round.

Top 10 scores in round 2 of qualifying.

	Name	Time	Best Lap
1	Lee Martin	13/5:16.271	23.788
2	Richard Barton	13/5:17.079	23.765
3	Neil Cragg	13/5:18.609	23.444
4	Hupo Honigl	13/5:18.679	23.687
5	Tom Cockerill	13/5:20.090	23.832
6	Craig Drescher	13/5:23.481	24.126
7	Richard Taylor	13/5:23.797	23.827
8	Jussi Luopajarvi	13/5:24.243	24.208
9	Viktor Wilik	13/5:27.274	24.185
10	Peter Pinisch	13/5:30.536	23.746

Top results from round 3 of qualifying.

	Name	Time	Best Lap
1	Jorn Neumann	13/5:16.309	23.842
2	Hupo Honigl	13/5:16.452	24.017
3	Neil Cragg	13/5:16.796	23.776
4	Richard Barton	13/5:17.029	23.689
5	Richard Taylor	13/5:17.309	23.830
6	Peter Pinisch	13/5:17.367	24.044
7	Paul Bradby	13/5:20.948	24.263
8	Richard Cree	13/5:21.506	24.146
9	Jussi Luopajarvi	13/5:22.172	24.366
10	Juho Levanen	13/5:24.493	24.131

Optimized R/C Products - 501X gearbox covers Arnaud Ledun from the french team at the Euros came to show some new dust covers for the Tamiya 501X. The dust covers were just rapid prototypes for now but the finished items should be available soon moulded in black plastic. The new covers are both for the rear gearbox - the rear replacing the kit cover and the front joining up with the rear to provide a very nice seal for the rear gearbox / differential. Arnaud teamed up with Cedric Devillers to start the company with the aim of producing innovative and exciting parts for the popular cars (not Just the 501X) - the dust covers will be their first product and should provide a good seal especially at the rear.

Rear cover - sits in front of the diff New REAR-rear cover sits behind rear diff

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Tom Cockerill surprised a few including himself with some great runs to lay 8th after three rounds - Tom is using the XX4 with alloy CVD's all round and raised rear hinge pins - also a one way diff.
Richard Taylor was 5th after three rounds with a standard XXX4G+ - The car seems well suited to the smooth Vaasa track.
Joern Neumann driving the Durango started inconsisently but got it together to take round 3 just ahead of Hupo. Joerns Durango now sports the beefy Tamiya front suspension arms.

Overall qualifying positions after 3 rounds of qualifying.

		Round 1 Score	Round 2 Score	Round 3 Score
1	Hupo Honigl	0	4	2
2	Lee Martin	4	0	19
3	Richard Barton	8	2	4
4	Neil Cragg	6	3	3
5	Richard Taylor	2	7	5
6	Richard Cree	5	87	8
7	Peter Pinisch	7	10	6
8	Tom Cockerill	9	5	30
9	Jussi Luopajarvi	52	8	9
10	Jorn Neumann	19	29	0
BQ	Pau Bradby	16	13	7

[ 本帖最后由 Jason_Jo 于 2007-8-7 04:50 PM 编辑 ]

辛苦了......貓貓

Euros Day 6 [Saturday 28th July]

Rain the previous night had given the track a real soaking but despite the huge puddles in the car park, the race track was in reasonable condition with no puddles. The muddy conditions were making a mess of the cars in the three minute practice before the Qualifiers got underway. Richard 'Tricky' Taylor was the fastest car on the track during the short practice round, putting in a 24.7 lap - obviously the conditions were slower than yesterday.

Not long after the start of the fifth and final round of qualifying a heavy rain shower stopped racing and a 30 minute break was called to make sure the track was safe to marshall - the wet clay surface was becoming a hazard. The track was swept of standing water and the guys who were still to race were feeling pretty upset that their laptimes would be slower. Tom Cockerill drove his best to take 4th in round, proving the moist conditions were still fast.

The oOple.com website went down some time during the morning due to excessive traffic (even though I have an 'unlimited' bandwidth account) and it pretty much put an end to chances of reporting 'live' from the event. Sorry to everyone who tried to read about the A finals etc, but there was nothing I could do.

Top 11 positions after all 5 rounds of qualifying.

		Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q5
1	Hubert Honigl	0	4	2	19	5
2	Richard Taylor	2	7	5	4	0
3	Neil Cragg	6	3	3	0	2
4	Lee Martin	4	0	19	3	6
5	Peter Pinisch	7	10	6	2	3
6	Richard Barton	8	2	4	7	81
7	Jorn Neumann	19	29	0	8	12
8	Ellis Stafford	3	21	37	5	7
9	Tom Cockerill	9	5	30	17	4
10	Richard Cree	5	87	8	11	83
BQ	Craig Drescher	82	6	78	32	8

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The A final practice is a chance for the drivers to get to grips with the track and it was Hupo, Tricky (Richard Taylor) and Neil out front from the start. These three traded places like they were going out of style. Neil pulled some amazing over taking manouvers - jumping over Hupo going over the big double-step down.
Neil settled into the lead but made a mistake and dropped down the order a little allowing Richard Taylor to lead with Hupo in second. Richard went wide coming to start another lap and Hupo took the inside - not to be out done Richard was right behind Hupo but they touched which sent Richard cart wheeling and Hupo facing the wrong way with a fast approaching Lee Martin. Lee and Hupo collided head-on which sent both cars out.
Richard carried on with a fast approaching Neil Cragg who always seems to be able to dig deep and bring some amazing laps out. On the last lap Richard was still out front but Neil was trying everything to take the lead - coming up to the huge table top, half a lap from the end, Neil hit the rear of Trickys car mid-air which sent Neil tumbling but Tricky managed to carry on to the win just ahead of Neil with Richard Cree in third.
A1
Hupo got off to a great start but richard Taylor had a tumble and dropped back allowing Neil to take up second behing Hupo. Neil looked quicker over the jumps than Hupo, throwing his Yokomo higher and further than the Tamiya of Hupo - closing the gap constantly.
Coming off the huge table top jump Neil and Hupo were side by side - Neil had the inside line and made the pass. Hupo tried to keep with Neil and the two came over the huge Double-step down jump side by side - again Hupo came up short over this jump and a roll put him down to 5th. Meanwhile Richard Taylor who won the practice A Main was out with a broken rear shock tower.
Neil simply didn't look back from here on - and lead a drawn out procession with Richard Cree (from 10th!) in second and Tom Cockerill in third (from 9th!!). Tom Cockerill seemed to like his third position and stayed there for a while but was chased hard by Joern Neumann and Hupo Honigl though they couldn't pass - Tom rolled coming off the huge table top and dropped back but it was an impressive performance.
Neil went on to win convincingly.

Neil looks on the inside	Neil passes on the inside - forcing Hupo wide
Hupo tries to get it back	After this Hupo crashes and Neil is away
Hupo gives Cree a gentle tap after falling back to 5th	One to watch.... Tom Cockerill in his first Euro A final

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A2
Straight from the start and Hupo took the first turn ahead of the rest with Richard Taylors XXX4 right behind and Lee Martin chasing hard in third. These two quickly built up a gap on the rest and through parts of the track Richard was faster but couldn't make it past Hupo. Richard showed great patience riding the bumper of Hupos car for several laps, even getting the inside line one at least one occasion but backing off and waiting for a better chance. It wasn't to be though and a roll saw Hupo get some breathing room and Neil Cragg now put pressure on Richard Taylor for the 2nd place spot. The pressure took its toll and Richard crashed, sending him out of the race with a broken ball cup. Neil was too far behind to challenge Hupo so Hupo took the second leg.

Richard "Tricky" Taylor, looked very fast in 4WD	Tricky looks on the inside - first lap
Hupo stretches it out on the straight	Tricky reels Hupo in around the corners
Hupo closes the door	Disaster for Richard again

A3
Hupo got away with Richard Taylor and Neil Cragg - it stayed that way for several laps - Neil putting pressure on Richard until he made a mistake to let Neil through. Neil fought his way up to Hupo and again was quicker over the huge jumps at the Vaasa track - particularly the huge table top where hupo couldn't match Neils technique. What followed was some of the closest most exciting racing you'd ever want to see - Neil Cragg brought everything he had to the table and showed just why he is World Champion, racing so close without colliding was fantastic to see. Neil tried several times to pass Hupo over the jumps and coming onto the straight Neil had the inside twice but couldn't get the power down to make it count and Hupo Honigl kept his cool to take the 4WD European Championship title with the Tamiya 501X.

Start of A 3	Taylor looks super fast but can't pass
Neil tags onto the front runners	Over the big tabletop the three are well matched
Neil gets right behind Hupo in the air - pushing hard	Neil takes the straight line into the next corner
Neil doesn't have the power to pass	Hupo wins as Neil does a perfect backflip

4WD combined A final results.

		Total Points	Leg 1	Leg 2	Leg 3	Country
1	Hubert Honigl	2	4	1	1	Austria
2	Neil Cragg	3	1	2	2	GB
3	Richard Cree	6	2	10	4	GB
4	Jorn Neumann	6	3	3	8	Germany
5	Lee Martin	10	9	5	5	GB
6	Richard Taylor	11	10	8	3	GB
7	Tom Cockerill	11	5	6	6	GB
8	Peter Pinisch	12	8	4	9	Austria
9	Richard Barton	13	6	9	7	GB
10	Ellis Stafford	14	7	7	10	GB

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Hupo Honigl takes the trophy and Tamiya their first BIG win with the 501X. Congratulations to the organizers and EFRA on holding such a great and well run meeting. The level of professionalism and dedication that these guys and girls had was inspiring - and anything you needed they would go out of their way to provide. It's been a great time reporting from Vaasa, Finland - at the 2007 European Championships. Also a lot of hard work, much of which is still to be seen in the form of photos, interviews, spy photos, setups... etc.

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呵呵 不谢 希望什么时候咱们的比赛宣传也能做成这样哦~

那辆改装车真是特别,大齿重心比较高,2WD也用皮带传动,感觉还不错

看来Losi XXX4G+还是宝刀不老哦
战绩不错

另外 无刷时代真的到了...