The FPL 8 season has delivered some incredible racing so far — fast, competitive, and packed with standout performances. But there’s been one unexpected twist: three of the four league titles have already been claimed after just four rounds.
That early lock‑in might be disappointing for some, but for Matt Hipwell, Steve Baggley, and Aiden Chevens, it’s a testament to the huge step forward each of them has made this season. All three have delivered maximum points on their way to securing their respective titles, showing real growth, determination, and consistency.
🔥 Rising Above the Pack
Matt Hipwell has been in phenomenal form, combining raw pace with rock‑solid consistency. After finishing 3rd in both the Elite and Overall Championships last season, he’s gone one better — beating both drivers who finished ahead of him last year and fighting for A Final wins at every round.
Steve Baggley, racing in F2 after being demoted last season, has been one of the biggest surprises of the championship. Not only has he qualified for the A Final at every round, but he’s also been beating many of the F1 racers along the way. His pace has clearly taken a big leap forward.
Aiden Chevens is another racer who bounced back after a tough demotion. Last season didn’t go his way, and missing two low‑attendance meetings cost him dearly. But this year he’s returned transformed — scoring a perfect set of results in the first four rounds and even qualifying for the A Final in Round 2, battling with F2 and F3 drivers.
With such impressive improvements, we reached out to the racers to learn more about their journey. Matt and Aiden were kind enough to share their thoughts with us.
Matt Hipwell – F1 Champion
Matt has been a fixture of the FPL for years, often finishing just outside the top three. Last season marked a breakthrough with 3rd place in both the Elite and Overall Championships — but this year he’s gone even further.
With two A Final wins already and the F1 Elite title secured, Matt’s pace has clearly shifted up a gear. His trademark consistency is still there, but now it’s paired with the speed needed to challenge for wins every round.
We spoke to Matt to learn more about what’s changed and how he’s found this new level of performance.
Matt's Feedback
Congratulations on the title, is there anyone you’d like to thank for helping you secure it?
I would like to thank all members of the Tamiya community, including Richard Cheetham and Jason Kahler. We race a rare car where setup help is few and far between, but between us we’ve managed to get the car performing well. Since Richard’s purchase of the TRF421, we’ve been able to fine‑tune it together and push each other forward.
I would also like to thank the members of the RCRacer website, where all things Tamiya are discussed and improvements are suggested. I’d also like to thank all the Sheffield RC Racing team for holding the meets and allowing me to continue racing on Friday nights.
What do you enjoy the most about FPL racing at Killamarsh Raceway?
It’s a friendly atmosphere, the track is relatively large for an indoor circuit, and in my opinion the layouts are always fantastic. With the addition of the new carpet introduced last year, we’re now able to consistently set up cars between here and other local venues.
What's been your favourite round of the FPL so far?
I would say the meeting after Christmas. It was busy and had a number of quality drivers from all over the country. It was nice to still make it into the A Final with the addition of faster drivers from other clubs.
Who would you class as your closest rival in the FPL?
My closest rival throughout the year has been James Herring; however, due to other commitments he hasn’t attended as frequently as I would like. JK has recently made a comeback and has me on overall pace, but I do think that in time I may be able to catch him and have some competitive races.
What changes have you made since last season?
Nothing major, but small tweaks each week have consistently improved the car. Changing to the aluminium chassis was probably the best upgrade, and in recent months I’ve been running a higher roll centre and more camber all round compared to previous setups.
What do you think has been your biggest strength in taking the league title?
Consistency. There are drivers who, on the night, can produce a faster lap time than me; however, my consistency through minimal impacts and cautious driving has been the key to strong, reliable performance.
How do you think you’ll perform next season?
I’m hoping Tamiya will release some upgrades in the coming months. The car is almost two years old now, and the usual Tamiya cycle would suggest a new car or upgrade kit, although it’s still performing at a top level. I do feel it needs some minor tweaks, such as stiffer suspension arms, to squeeze a little more performance from it.
A new battery is also on the cards, as mine is now two years old.
Next season, I feel, depends heavily on whether the top three drivers — Ricky, Dave, and JK — can make a consistent return. If they do, I’ll be heading for 4th. If not, I reckon there’s another win in the bag 😎
Aiden Chevens – F4 Champion
Aiden’s turnaround has been one of the stories of the season. After the frustration of last year’s demotion, he’s come back stronger, faster, and more focused. His perfect score across the opening rounds has already secured his promotion, and his pace has regularly put him ahead of most F3 racers.
His A Final appearance in Round 2 showed just how far he’s come — and had he not been demoted, he’d almost certainly be in the fight for promotion to F2.
With his title secured, we caught up with Aiden to find out more about his breakthrough season.
Aiden's Feedback
Congratulations on the title, is there anyone you’d like to thank for helping you secure it?
I’d like to thank Ben Gosling for his setup tips and advice on the Xray. My very own Xray guru 😁
What do you enjoy the most about FPL racing at Killamarsh Raceway?
The fast‑flowing track layouts that you guys at Sheffield RC put together make it possible to enjoy good, competitive racing.
What's been your favourite round of the FPL so far?
Definitely round 2 and my first FPL A Final. The car felt great and qualifying went perfectly.
Who would you class as your closest rival in the FPL?
My closest competitor would probably be my teammate Chris, based on lap times and fastest laps.
What changes have you made since last season?
Mainly, I’ve slowed down my servo speed and expo settings, but I’ve also focused a lot on setups for my Xray to give me more consistent lap times by making the car easier to drive and more stable. The results have shown that well.
What do you think has been your biggest strength in taking the league title?
My biggest strength, I think, is that the car has been very easy to drive, and the consistency has just started coming together.
How do you think you’ll perform next season?
I’m looking forward to next season. It’s going to be interesting to be back in the F3 league with competitors I’ve previously out‑qualified and raced against. I’m hoping my progress keeps improving and who knows, maybe another promotion 😁