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News  Racing
T4 wins Shanghai Muchmore Touring Series (MTS), Round 2 |
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After last monthâ™s Round 1, the MTS continues in the beautiful RCI V2 facility. There was VTA and modified 1/12 scale but the highlight was again the 1/10 TC with Muchmore controlled motor, ESC and tires. IFMAR race format was used except for VTA. Temperature for the day was similar to Round 1 except humidity was lower, giving the track less traction.
After some testing in the prior day, Nicholas chose to drive his carbon chassis T4 instead of the aluminum chassis in Round 1. Combined with softer antiroll bars and some setting changes, the carbon chassis provided more overall grip and stability.
Nicholas was put in group B for qualifying which had a number of slower drivers. Passing was a real problem and Nicholas was only able to do 24-lap times despite winning all 3 qualifiers. The top drivers in group A were doing 25-laps times. In any case, Nicholas qualified third, behind Wen Bo, LU (TQ) and Jimmy QIAN.
The finals were held in the afternoon. There were drivers complaining about low traction so Nicholas knew he had to drive very smoothly. At the same time, 4th, 5th and 6th grid drivers were all capable of clocking lap times as fast as, if not faster, than Nicholas. Nicholas knew he could not make any mistake or he could easily lose a few positions. A1 started well and Nicholas was able to hold his 3rd place up to the 2 minute mark. 4th place driver, LIU, clipped a wall and caused everyone behind him to lose their tempo. This allowed Nicholas to concentrate on chasing 2nd place driver, QIAN. At the 4 minute mark, Nicholas caught QIAN and started challenging for number 2 position. QIAN made a small error near the finish and allowed Nicholas to pass in the inside line. By this time LU was way up front with a comfortable lead. Leg 1 finished with LU in first, Nicholas in second and QIAN in 3rd.
Nicholas had a poor start for Leg 2, allowing LIU and HUA to squeeze through. Nicholas then followed closely in 5th place for 3 laps before launching attacks. By mid race, Nicholas was able to pass the 2 cars, regaining 3rd spot. At this time LU and QIAN was fighting for the top position up front. In another unusual mistake, QIAN spun after clipping a board and Nicholas was just close enough to take advantage. A2 finished with LU winning (sealing the overall position), Nicholas second and HUA third.
LU did not start Leg 3 as he had secured the overall win but 2nd and 3rd place was
still up for grabs. If QIAN won this round, he would take 2nd overall and Nicholas would take third. Under tremendous pressure, Nicholas again started less than perfectly allowing LIU to take 3rd position in turn 2. However, Nicholas then kept pressure on LIU, forcing LIU into a mistake in lap 3. This allowed Nicholas through to chase down QIAN, who had gained about half a second. Driving at 10/10th, Nicholas chased down QIAN within 3 laps to the roar of the crowd. Putting the nose of his car within an inch of QIANâ™s car at every braking point, Nicholas pressured QIAN at every corner. QIAN eventually made an error at the half way mark and Nicholas slipped through and held the lead to the end.
By winning the A3, Nicholas secured second overall. HUA came in 3rd, racing his new T4 for the first time. |
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(click to enlarge) |
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| Top 3: |
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1. Lu - XRAY T4
2. Nicholas Koh - XRAY T4
3. Hua - XRAY T4 |
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