Is This the Year Eastbourne Get Beat?
KOC25 Round 1 – Aldershot Model Car Club | Demon Raceway
Eastbourne Electric Car Club have never lost a King of Clubs Teams Championship. Not once. But after Round 1 of KOC25 at Aldershot’s Demon Raceway, that perfect record is under real threat.
Aldershot delivered a stormer on home turf—clocking just 13 points across their six drivers. With wins in Stock Touring Car, Talent Cup and Masters, it wasn’t just a case of local advantage. It was a full-on team performance. The teams championship is a format all about depth, clean racing, and delivering under pressure. Eastbourne have made it work every year. But in 2025, they’ve got company.
How It Works
Each club selects six drivers before Round 2 of qualifying. They can race in any class except Rookies. Only their first final result counts. The goal? Lowest total score across your team. One point for a win, two for second, down to ten. It’s brutal, simple, and rewards all-round club strength.
That format rewards strength in depth—and Round 1 showed just how important that is. It’s not just about having A-final winners; it’s about smart picks across the board. Lower finals matter. Picking a driver qualifying mid-pack who then goes on to win their final can swing the entire round.
Aldershot smashed it with the lowest team total of the day. Adur made a strong showing to finish second—solid effort away from home. Eastbourne were uncharacteristically off the top step but still very much in it. Colchester and West London will be looking to regroup and close the gap heading into Round 2.
Aldershot Demon (13 points)
Clean, fast, ruthless (at home).
Ben Cane and Chris Sheldrake both took A-final wins in 17.5 Stock and Masters.
Eliot Adams and Harry Johnson grabbed a 1-2 in Talent Cup.
Jay Westwood held his nerve for 3rd in a tense Frontie race.
Charlie Johnson added a solid 5th in the B final.
Total: 13 points. That’s a full-team performance. Job done.
Adur Model Car Club (26 points)
Adur were strong across the board—especially impressive for an away round.
Mick Hendy was the standout (or snadbagger?) — 2nd in the B final of Masters.
Oscar Sturt placed 4th in the super competative Talent Cup A Final.
Luke Thompson and Harry Honsa kept it tidy in the 17.5 lower finals.
A gritty second place and a platform to build from when the series hits their home track next.
Eastbourne Electric (29 points)
Usually fast, often clinical—but Round 1 was a scrap.
Ben Moorey did his bit with the Frontie A-final win.
Chloe Snashall stayed strong under pressure for 3rd in Talent Cup A.
Richard Harrison and Jack Collins added solid Frontie scores.
But 8th-place finishes for Kevin Sturt and Finley Lanaway pushed their total up to 29.
The Rest of the Pack
Colchester (31 points)
A decent round, just off the podium.
Byron Russell and Craig Woods did the business with strong Frontie B results.
Matthieu Dambrine made the A final but had a rough run.
Paul Bellinger grabbed a clean top-5 in Masters A.
Too many in one class? With a little more firepower at the sharp end, they could easily upset the order.
West London RC (36 points)
One of the most experienced squads, but it didn’t quite click.
Ricky Copsey was the bright spot with 2nd in 17.5 A.
Poppy Hyde and Damian Giddins both showed fight, but a string of mid-pack finishes made it an uphill battle.
This team had potential—they just need all six to do the business.
🏁 Round 1 – Team Results
| Position | Team | Total Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Aldershot | 13 |
| 2nd | Adur | 26 |
| 3rd | Eastbourne | 29 |
| 4th | Colchester | 31 |
| 5th | West London | 36 |
🏆 Teams Championship Standings – After Round 1
| Position | Team | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Rd 3 | Rd 4 | Rd 5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Aldershot | 1 | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| 2nd | Adur | 2 | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| 3rd | Eastbourne | 3 | – | – | – | – | 3 |
| 4th | Colchester | 4 | – | – | – | – | 4 |
| 5th | West London | 5 | – | – | – | – | 5 |
Next up, it’s Round 2 at Adur Model Car Club on Sunday 26th May—a fast, open layout that always delivers close racing and drama in the lower finals. Adur will be looking to capitalise on home soil, Aldershot will want to prove they can do it away from the Demon, and you can bet Eastbourne will come back swinging. One round in, and the Teams Championship is looking hot.
Thanks to Our Presenting Sponsors
The King of Clubs Race Series is proudly supported by our 2025 presenting sponsors:
- Schumacher Racing
- RC Vision
- MB Models (UK Distributor of Volante Tyres)
- Ti22
- RDT Products
- Onyx RC Power
- Zen Racing
- BRCA (British Radio Car Association)
Your support powers the future of grassroots RC racing, inclusive participation, and hands-on STEM learning.
