The fifth and final round of the Portuguese 1:8 National Championship was held at the Vizela track, and saw the crowning of Fernando Almeida as the new PORTUGUESE CHAMPION! Fernando drives an XRAY XB8EC powered by a Boss B21 OFF engine and Werks Racing Fuel, with a Hitec CRX Radio and Multiplex Titan servos keep things under control.
The race was attended by 55 drivers and the 30°C and higher temperatures (plus the dust) made conditions very difficult for all drivers.
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Miguel Matias was TQ followed by Fernando Almeida. Each of the two drivers won their semi-final, putting Matias as number 1 and Fernando as number 2 for the Final. With this result Fernando was already the new Portuguese Champion, having 3 wins and one 2nd place... he was certainly the best driver this year.
In the final, Matias used his Number 1 starting position to his advantage, pulling away from the field and getting a 4-lap lead by the end over 2nd place finisher Carlos Duraes. Tiago Almeida came in 3rd.
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Fernando was 2nd in the race until he was hit by another driver, breaking his right rear lower suspension arm and putting him out of the race. It was a pity that things ended this way but that's the way races are!
With the hot temperatures, dust and hard track, only 4 cars finished the race; all the others stopped with either engine or differential problems.
In a monthâ™s time the same track will be used for the CUP of Portugal... looking forward to it!
Final results:
1. Miguel Matias
2. Carlos Duraes
3. Tiago Almeida
4. Horácio Monteiro
5. Miguel Pires
6. Carlos Cardoso
7. Rodrigo Luis
8. Nuno C. Ribeiro 9. Fernando Almeida -XRAY XB8EC
10. Luis Bessa
