This years event was the first event to run to the new AARCMCC stock rules. Under these new rules the approved speed controller is to have no internal motor timing and while top speeds were a bit slower everyone seemed to be of equal speed which meant that it came down to the guy with the best set up and driving ability.

The event was still held over the two days with racing starting on Saturday at 1pm with 3 rounds of qualifying and then a further round of qualifying on Sunday morning followed by the finals. This is done to allow interstate and Mildura drivers to get home a respectable time. A big thanks to the Mildura drivers who made the trip down as they battled flooded rivers and washed away roads to be in attendance.

2wd Stock

Top qualifying spot was taken by Ashley Peeler driving his Tamiya 201 but he had stiff competition from Michael "The Doctor" Salis driving his X Factory. Also on the pace was Glenn Wilson (X Factory) and Scott Cameron (Team C). Others to make the A final in the biggest and most competitive class of the weekend was John Watkins (B4), Shannon Fitzsimons(B4), Andre Morton (Schumacher),Nathan Burge (X Factory), Shaun Thiel (Team C) and Keri MacDonald (Schumacher) making the trip over from Perth again for this meeting.

Come finals time and "The Doctor" found his groove and his X Factory was on fire as it looked so stable and fast on the grippy conditions.He won Final 1 of the A main by an impressive 6 seconds from Ashley Peeler and had time to coast around in Final 2 to take the title.Peeler taking the last final and securing second overall.Glenn Wilson drove consistently for third overall.Fourth was Scott Cameron followed by Keri MacDonald,John Watkins,Shannon Fitzsimons,Andre Morton,Natahn Burge and Shaun Thiel.

The B Final was hotly contested and was won by Simon Atkins folowed by Paul Kealley,Daniel Simms,Grant Soerono,Alan Lui,Mathew Evans,Jai Davis,Heath Murray,Shane McKay,John Wiggins and Chris Davis.

4wd Stock

Scott Cameron was debuting his new Team C Factory Team 4wd and took it to the top qualifying spot. On his heals was Glenn Wilson (Kyosho) with another Team C driver in Shaun Thiel third. Also making the A final was Alan Lui driving a "HOT BODIES", Nathan Burge (B44), Daniel Simms (Team C), Mathew Evans (Kyosho), Jai Davis (B44), Charlie Mercieca (B44), "The Doctor" (X Factory) and Bruce Cameron (Durango).

Scott Cameron would like to forget his finals as his car had a gremlin in it and failed to finish the first two finals and he did not start the third final. So that opened the door for Glenn Wilson, Shaun Thiel and Alan Lui. These three had an old ding dong battle and all 3 had thier chances of winning but Glenn Wilson was the most consistent and won two of the three finals. Shaun Thiel won the other final and had a second in another to give him second overall. Alan Lui claimed the last podium spot. Mathew Evans was over the moon about his fourth overall as was Jai Davis with fifth. Next was Daniel Simms,Nathan Burge, Charlie Mercieca,Bruce Cameron, "The Doctor" and the luckless Scott Cameron.

Truck Stock

I have seen some great truck driving in my time with Chris Primmers drive at the Maitland Nationals as the best I have seen, but Ashley Peelers driving today was a close second. While some people got close in qualifying Ashley was always in control and he took the top qualifying spot. Others to make the A Final were the Team C drivers of Shaun Thiel and Scott Cameron, John Watkins (T4), Andre Morton (Prototype) Simon Atkins (X Factory), David Engledow (T4), Nigel Spokes (T4) John Wiggins (T4) Shane McKay (T4) and Gerry Maya (Losi).

Finals time and Ashley Peeler disappeared up the road and won Final 1 by 8 seconds and Final 2 by 14 and posting the fastest run of the weekend,even faster than 4wd stock by nearly two seconds. Andre Morton was second overall with a win in the last final as Ashley only did one lap and Andre also had a second in Final 1. John Watkins had two seconds in the last two finals for third overall.Fourth was Shaun Thiel followed by Scott Cameron, Simon Atkins, David Engledow, Nigel Spokes, Gerry Maya, Shane McKay and John Wiggins.

SCT Stock

Top qualifier was myself driving a Team C but I had stiff competition from Ashley Peeler (SC10)and Shannon Fitzsimons(SC10) who both took a round of qualifying each with myself taking the other two.Hot on our heals were Keri McDonald (X Factory), Anthony Newham (SC10), Nigel Spokes (SC10),Gareth Martin (SC10) and the Traxxas duo of Glenn Hamilton and Rodney Bateman.

Final one was one to remember. I lead until the last lap as I was held up by some back markers and this allowed Ashley Peeler to close and make an awesome inside pass but I took the lead back with an equally impessive move but then Ashley tried to dump me through the double doubles to the delite of the crowd by I managed to get going quicker to take the win. Finals 2 and 3 I won by 6 and 14 seconds to take a clean sweep of the finals. Ashley was second in every final and Keri MacDonald worked his way through the field for third overall. Fourth was Shannon Fitzsimons followed by Anthony Newham,Nigel Spokes,Glenn Hamilton and Rodney Bateman.

Jump Competition

The popular jump comp was back again but moved to the end of the meeting and Keri MacDonald was the clear winner here with a massive jump but Rodney Batemans spectacular spiralling jump was unbelieveable.

Wrap Up

Big thanks go to the hard working crew at Keilor for creating an awesome track with amazing grip thanks to the sugar coat on Thursday by Pete Brady and John Watkins. Also a thank you to our club sponsors Food Process Engineering and Central RC, plus Feral Batteries, O.M.P, R.A.B Hobbies, John Wiggins Racing and Proline Tires for their support of this event.