2025 Smokem Australian Indoor Champs Results

Press Release From ACTMCRC:
www.actmcrc.org.au

On the 7th and 8th of June the ACT Model Car Racing Club based in Canberra Australia hosted the inaugural Smokem Australian Indoor Champs (AUSIC) run on AusBite carpet.

== ISTC 13.5 ==

In the 13.5 ISTC class, RCMAKER factory driver Jeffrey Mackie narrowly secured the top qualifier position, edging out ARC’s Brayden Stanley, with RCMAKER teammate Lincoln Codd completing the top three.

A1 saw an intense battle on the tight AUSIC layout, with Stanley applying pressure but unable to find a way past the defensive Mackie. In A2, Stanley finally pulled off a pass, only to suffer a mechanical issue that dropped him to last place, leaving Mackie to capitalize and take the win and ultimately, the title.

A3 delivered yet another nail-biting showdown, with Stanley crossing the line just two-tenths ahead of Mackie to secure second place overall. Meanwhile, Codd’s consistent pace and measured drives across all three mains earned him the final podium spot, fending off spirited challenges from Stone, Askell, Peet, and Ilievski.

== 1:12th Modified ==

In the 1/12 Modified class, Andrew Cooke and Carter Sims ended qualifying deadlocked on points, with Cooke claiming the top spot on a tie-break. Paul Sims secured third on the grid.

A1 saw a fierce duel between Cooke and Carter until a mistake from Cooke handed Sims the victory. A2 delivered a thrilling showdown, with Cooke pushing hard and finishing just one-tenth behind Sims at the line. In A3, Cooke found his rhythm and took the win, as Carter struggled to replicate the pace he had shown in the earlier finals.

Paul Sims delivered a solid performance throughout to secure third overall, following Cooke and Carter to the podium. All three front-runners were equipped with the Bezerk Katana, marking a strong debut for the chassis on carpet.

== 1:12th 13.5 LMP ==

In the ultra-competitive 1:12th 13.5 LMP class, local talent Alex Ilievski dominated qualifying, taking four of the five rounds with his Schumacher Eclipse to secure the overall TQ. Xray drivers Mark Wallin and Michael Stone locked out second and third on the grid, setting the stage for a tense showdown.

With both Ilievski and Stone showing blistering pace, navigating traffic and backmarkers would prove critical in the finals. In A1, Stone pushed hard but couldn't close the gap, as Ilievski crossed the line four seconds ahead to claim the win. A2 featured a back-and-forth battle for the lead, with Stone ultimately pulling away to take a commanding victory and set up a thrilling decider.

A3 was all or nothing, and Stone delivered under pressure, taking the leg win and with it, the overall title - a hard-earned triumph over the top qualifier. Behind them, the fight for the final podium spot was just as intense. X12 equipped Alex Brown emerged third overall by the narrowest of margins, edging out Wallin and Maher - the trio separated by just a single point.

== GT12 ==

GT12 featured the largest field of the event, with Schumacher’s Dan Maher setting the benchmark early and locking in the top qualifying spot after three dominant rounds. The fight for second and third positions saw Paul Smith come on strong late, winning the final two qualifiers to edge out Scott Hill for second on the grid.

In the final's Maher’s pace was too strong, with wins in both A1 and A2, all eyes were on the battle for the remaining podium spots. Sautelle driving a Kyosho Plazma finished a point ahead of Hill and Smith with Hill taking third spot on a tie break.

== ISTC 21.5 ==

SP1 rising star Logan Rintoul was in top form in the 21.5 ISTC class, winning four out of five qualifying rounds to secure TQ. Behind him, Ray Zarb put in a strong showing with his Schumacher Mi9 to narrowly edge out Ryan Parkinson and his Xray X4 for second on the grid.

Drama unfolded in A1 when a coming together between Zarb and Rintoul saw Rintoul forced to wait while Zarb’s car was marshalled, allowing Parkinson to slip through and take the win. Rintoul bounced back in style, leading Parkinson to the line in both A2 and A3 to secure the AUSIC title with a composed and clinical drive.

Parkinson’s consistency earned him second overall, while Zarb rounded out the podium in third after an eventful but competitive finals series.

== TCR FWD ==

The TCR FWD class chose to race to head-to-head for the whole event. After 5 head-to-head qualifying races, the starting order for the finals was Vincent Chu, Baden Macdonald, Tony Firth and Chris Stanley. In both A1 and A2 Baden Macdonald wasn't quite able to match Vincent Chu's pace, with some hard fought racing leaving Chu the winner. In A3 Chu tried to overcome a start handicap however fell short leaving Macdonald to take out the last final. Stanley and Firth raced hard for the last step of the podium, with Stanley claiming the trophy.