1/12th Fresher

I thought I would finally do a new post on this blog, but not about the usual TC racing I ramble on about.  I have finally decided to take up 1/12th racing over the winter season.  It occurred to me during the summer that the majority of the top UK racers and even the top racers around the world all race this class, or have done at some point over their racing careers.  1/12th scale is the ultimate in terms of grip and reflex speed required to drive them, and boy did I realize that my first time out.

It all began in July when I was talking with my Team manager James Stewart at HPI UK who is a season long 1/12th racer and he convinced me to have a go.  James had his old V-design for me to use with electrics already installed so all that was required from me was my radio and a receiver!  The Chesterfield shootout round 3 was where my debut took place, a fantastic club that's very well supported by the 1/12th and GT12 community.   It was pretty funny how little idea I had about preparing a 1/12th car, even setting the ride height had me all confused and looking for shock collars haha.  But with the help and support of the committed 1/12th guys I was getting on okay :-).

To drive a well prepared 1/12th scale is just awesome.  The amount of grip you have is just bonkers and at first I was having difficulty just trying to follow the car around the track as you are lapping so much faster than a touring car would indoors.   I've raced at two events now and its pretty good to never experience a loose rear end.  The 8 minute racing is also great and I believe this will really benefit Touring car driving in terms of staying consistent over 5.  I have also found the car setup window to be very wide with a 1/12th car.  As long as your car is well prepared and all is in good shape, it will lap round the track and feel pretty good!  You may not be as fast as the experienced guys, but due to the amount of grip you have naturally it will feel rather good to drive 99% of the time.

I would encourage any touring car driver who has not yet tried 1/12th scale to give it a go, I guarantee you will enjoy it and feel a benefit in your touring car racing on the track.  Oh and as for the foam tyres, I used two sets for five runs at the last shoot out so its not as expensive as some make out.  And these tyres will be used again ;)

I need to thank James at HPI for all his help as without him I would for sure not have started 1/12th racing as comfortably as I have.  Also David Spashett at Zen racing has been a great help along with the rest of the Zen team.  For the 1/12th season I will be running the Yokomo car with MB Models so a big thanks to my long time sponsor Michael Ball for making this happen.

Until next time - Stef