Race Report

 

Cragg Reclaims 2wd European Title For Team Associated

Event: European Offroad Championship
Location: Vassa, Finland
Dates: July 23-25, 2007
Website: http://www.oople.com/rc/photos/euros2007/
Vehicle Class: Electric Offroad
Special thanks to oople.com for the use of all photos below

Synopsis:

Offroad racing is alive and thriving in Europe! With a sellout number of entries for this year’s EFRA Offroad Championship, the best from across Europe gathered in Finland to battle for the title of Europe's Champion. The racers have described the track in Vassa, Finland as a challenging layout with a low-bite groove and large carpet-covered jumps.

Heading in to the event, reigning 2WD World Champion Neil Cragg was looking to reclaim what he felt was his…the 2WD European Title. Neil had won this event from 2001 to 2005 and finished a close 2nd last year in Austria. Also looking to challenge Neil for the title were Associated teammates Lee Martin, Peter Pinisch, Richard Barton, Paul Brady, Craig Drescher, and Richard Cree.

As qualifying began, Neil served notice to the field that he was there to take the win. By taking the TQ in all five rounds of qualifying Neil and his Reedy/Nosram-powered B4 sat comfortably on the pole position. Joining Neil in the final were seven other B4s, one Losi, and one X-Factory.

From the start of the first main to the end of the second, Neil led the field on his way to a dominant victory. The only challenge of the weekend came from his Associated/Reedy teammate, Lee Martin in A2. Lee kept the pressure on Neil for the first half of the race; however, a slight mistake dropped him back and allowed Neil to cruise to his 5th 2WD European Title in six years.

Congratulations to all the drivers who made the main and especially Neil and Mick Cragg for a dominant performance. Look for Neil and others from Team Associated at the World Championships later this year in Japan.

Team Associated – Champions By Design

 

2WD Rostrum

Cragg's B4

Cragg's B4

Overall Results

Place	Name	Vehicle	Motor	Battery	ESC
1	Neil Cragg (TQ)	FT B4	Nosram Brushless	Reedy VMXR	Nosram
2	Lee Martin	FT B4	Novak Brushless	Reedy VMXR	Novak
3	Hubert Hoenigl	Losi	Orion	Orion	LRP
4	Peter Pinisch	FT B4	LRP Brushless	Reedy VMXR	LRP
5	Craig Drescher	FT B4	Novak Brushless	Reedy VMXR	Novak
6	Richard Cree	FT B4	Orion	Orion	LRP
7	Paul Bradby	FT B4	Novak Brushless	Reedy VMXR	Novak
8	Joern Neumann	FT B4	Orion	Orion	LRP
9	Richard Barton	FT B4	Novak Brushless	Reedy VMXR	Novak
10	Ellis Stafford	X-6	Nosram Brushless	Nosram	Nosram