The Cobra Daytona Challenge Series began on 11/29/21 and included five events culminating in the race held on 3/14/22. Seeding for the initial race was determined by the number of laps completed in Qualifying (one minute any lane). Bob was top qualifier. See details and image below
There was also an award for Concours. NAPA Joe walked away with this one. See images below
Cobra Daytona bodies are 1/20 scale and were cast in resin. Chassis for the class are the usual production H bracket offerings and are the very same ones that are used in our Sports Car and Trans-Am classes. So, all that was required was a body swap to compete in the Cobra Daytona class
Part of my motivation for creating this Series was to determine if my resin casts, strengthened with carbon fiber were viable racing machines. The short answer is yes. Bodies were subjected to race conditions where wrecks were inevitable. On at least two occasions Daytonas left the track at high-speed landing with a thud on the floor. One crash left a front fender cracked while another sheared a windshield post. Both cars were repaired and are still competing. Other, less severe crashes led to no or very minimal damage. My conclusion is that these cars are sturdy enough for slot car racing.
The following table illustrates the point standings after race #4
Note: Points are awarded based upon finishing positions. 20, 15, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7 points for first through ninth respectively.
Examining the table above, one would conclude that it is nearly impossible to dethrone either Bob or Rich from first and second place positions.
Meanwhile, Ron and Joe are battling for the third spot in the Series. With only a single point separating these two, the fight will continue into the final contest
The number five spot and last to be eligible for a trophy in the Series has been hotly contested between Mike and Scott. Both have amassed the same number of points through race #4. I expect this battle to continue through the last race of the Series.
With this backdrop in mind, Race #5 was held on 3/14/22. Seven racers the attended final race in the Cobra Daytona Series. As has been the case in previous contests, the battle for the top step of the podium was between Rich and Bob. In the initial heat of the race, Rich was able to put about a lap between him and second place Bob. In the end, Rich made it two in a row but it was too late to tip the point standings in his favor. In the end, Bob won the Series with Rich firmly in second place.
Ron and Joe battled for the bottom step of the podium and tied in the point standings. As a tie breaker, the race director ordered a single heat contest between the two with Ron coming out on top for the third place trophy and Joe fourth.
Going into the final race, Scott and Mike were tied for fifth place. Scott was able to edge out Mike in the final contest by more than a half of a lap. So it was Scott in fifth place and Mike in sixth
See below for complete results.
Team Competition
Shelby American Team includes the following
- Rich
- Ron
- Mike
- Joe
AMR Team includes the following
- Bob
- Scott
- Ken
- Lowell
- Mark
Note that AMR has five members while Shelby American has only 4. In order to level the playing field, only the top 4 finishers from AMR amass Team points.
Going into the final contest, Shelby American had scored 200 points while AMR had scored 192 points. Shelby American’s lead was not insurmountable but AMR would have to score a big win to overtake.
In the final contest, Shelby American dominated. The final tally was Shelby American 255 points, Alan Mann Racing 235 points. See below for details
