TM2 at Eden Park National

[Smartalec]

A very big well done to all three of the TM2's competing at the Eden Park Off Road National 25th May.

Firstly, SMD Team C Team driver Iain Mellish on another excellent result with the TM2 on a track that he rarely visits. Iain qualified 18th with the TM2 and then drove a very impressive final to finish an excellent 3rd in the B final (13th overall). Iain's set up for the day included the geared diff (standard kit) as this is how he prefers the car. He drove four very consistent rounds of qualifying on an extremely challenging track. The track at EPR is very tricky and has various different surfaces and many undulations that, if not familiar with them, can catch out even the very best of drivers so a result here is extremely rewarding. Iain will post his set up on here soon for all to see.

Secondly, RC Domination's David Poulter who, after loaning a car from me for a week to test, has now chosen to use the TM2 for the remainder of the national season. David only finished building his own TM2 on Friday so the practice on the morning was it's initial shakedown. David chose to use the ball diff at EPR and with four very impressive qualifying rounds qualified in 12th place (B2), one place behind multi national and European champion Ellis Stafford, his fourth round of qualifying resulting in a very commendable 5th in round against the best drivers in the country. David drove an impressive final against Ellis and Iain Mellish who drove his socks off to come up from 8th on the grid, to finish second behind Ellis and just ahead of Iain. David is one of the top 20 drivers in the country but has not gelled with the 2wd he has been testing over the winter period and so has not had the best starts to the national series this year with two poor results (by his standards) at the first two national events at Kidderminster and Southport. His current sponsorship with RC Domination allows him to use whatever cars he decides and after a very encouraging test session at Stotfold he has chosen to use the Team C TM2 for the rest of the year. Looking at this first national result with his new car it looks to be an excellent choice

Thirdly, privateer Mr James Helliwell using the almost completely box standard TM2 (he ran different front axles allowing him to use his endless box of wheels). James qualified a very commendable 24th overall at EPR with very little running of the car beforehand. A strong run in the final saw him hold on to that position and finish 4th in the C final in front of some very well respected drivers. Being a privateer, James can run any car he chooses and with results like this all of us at SMD are very glad to have him choose to drive the Team C TM2.

Once again, a very big thank you to all three competitors for putting the Team C TM2 at the sharp end of a very competitive national event and I wish you all the best for the remainder of the series.

Alec