The Eagle Point Remote Control Club hosted its 2025 Invitational last weekend, with organisers hailing the event as a resounding success.
Perfect weather set the scene for a relaxed atmosphere and intense racing, with six rounds of qualifying giving all drivers ample track time to familiarise themselves with the layout and natural clay surface.
Sunday’s finals produced edge-of-your-seat action for spectators.
In the Ebuggy finals, Liam Jones got off to a flying start in heat one and never looked back, claiming a comfortable 12-second victory. Heat two saw Shannon Watts take the early lead, with Jones close behind. The final minutes featured multiple lead changes and thrilling displays of skill and racecraft, with Jones ultimately crossing the line first, less than three seconds ahead of Watts. Jones’ back-to-back wins secured him the overall victory, ahead of Watts and Alexander Stefanakos.
The 45-minute Nitro Truggy final provided drama from start to finish. Local driver Llewyn Fry was consistent throughout qualifying and looked the man to beat, but both Will Haines and Owen Magnus showed strong pace. Haines faced early mechanical issues, starting from the pit lane, but recovered to challenge Fry. Fry initially built a solid lead, but Haines surged ahead mid-race. In the final laps, Fry closed the gap, capitalising on Haines’ problems with back markers and failing brakes to snatch a thrilling victory. Shannon Gilbert finished third.
In the Nitro Buggy final, fastest qualifier Ryan Reynolds had a slow start, dropping to sixth after the first lap. Reynolds battled back over the next four laps, moving into third and joining the fight for the lead. Shane Smith and Liam Jones got excellent starts, with Smith holding first and Jones close behind. Reynolds eventually overtook both drivers, taking first with five minutes remaining. The final 10 laps were a nail-biting battle for the lead, with multiple position changes. Smith held on to win, just eight seconds ahead of Reynolds, with Jones finishing third after backing up from his Ebuggy triumph.
The Eagle Point Invitational showcased outstanding skill, competitive racing, and the growing depth of talent in the region’s remote-control racing scene.
