523 replies to this topic

[Lowrider]

Thank you, Ray, and also to everyone who has or will contribute to the series as a whole.

Six days to go before Round 2 at Raceway 81 in Birtley, near Newcastle upon Tyne. I had contact with Andy Brown-Searle and some of the R81 racers at a Retro race last weekend and they're all looking forward to this event immensely. Andy is hoping for some home track payback for Erazor. Kate and I will be traveling up there on Saturday with the race on Sunday.

The track can be seen HERE.
A very nice circuit to drive and the locals are very friendly indeed. I have a few more Thingies to service before then and photos will appear in due course.

The cars I've looked at already, and the newcomers, were all track tested last Wednesday. Ray Fellows' car has an issue or two remaining but I've come to the conclusion that they may be 'designed in' rather than being caused by faulty components. Cleverer minds than mine may be required to put them right. Team Last Minute Men (Manta Ray and John Austin) have a car that impressed me greatly after just a couple of laps. Serious contender here.
Good luck to everyone.

Regards,

[garyvmachines]

 Hi Guy's

 

 Are we racing this weekend ??????    JOY

Good Luck To ALL!!!!

 

GAV

[Pablo]

I can hardly wait to see what happens when these cars get to stretch their legs out !!!!!!

(translation - I hope my car does better on a long track)         

[Jairus]

[Pablo]

That zip tie must weigh a TON

 

This is WAR  

[Lowrider]

Round 2 will be held tomorrow at Raceway 81 near Newcastle upon Tyne.
I have a little maintenance to do then I'll be traveling northwards.

From this round, at the suggestion of Jaak Beentjes and Rod Morrison, I'll be starting a sub-class to the main series called the Choti Challenge with points given from 10 downwards. I'll have to check exactly how many Chotis we have on board ...

Photos and results will be posted here as soon as I can but as I'll be away from home, it may be a day or three. Interested parties can get early info on Facebook HERE.
Perhaps someone could relay the results to Slotblog if it's not too much bother?

Following this round the cars will travel to Lugano for the Thingie Kingie to both judge the concours round (for race points), and to hold a quick solo race round on his track. For even more points. I'm very grateful to Edo for breaking into his busy schedule and agreeing to do this for us. Thanks, E.

Entering June (at my estimation) the cars will travel to the US, either to the Washington Slotcar Club in PA or to REM Raceway in Ohio. This will depend on race date availability. The original plan was to go to the WSC first but whichever track can hold the first race on US soil will do so.

Good luck to all the entrants tomorrow.
Regards,

[slotbaker]

....judge the concours round (for race points)

 Wouldn't be fairer to the shakey brush brigade (me inluded) to have the concours as a separate sub-event like the Choti?

 

There is no way that many of us can compete with the top painters, so we do a reasonable effort on the cars, but don't intend them to be concours material.

 

Is it possible to keep the race results separate?  That was the main reason for me to enter.

 

Just my 2 cents worth..

[garyvmachines]

Is there news from the track yet ??????\

 

 

GAV

[macman]

Its all on Facebook

[Lowrider]

Round 2 was a lot of fun.
The only downside was damage to a couple of the car's bodies. Ray Fellows' and Tony Davey's cars suffered the most and plans are currently being made for their reconstitution.

The results:

P1: 137.57 laps (4.944 secs) Team Lowrider
P2: 135.73 laps (4.984 secs) Team REM
P3: 134.85 laps (4.992 secs) Pablo Wolcott
P4: 130.75 laps (5.224 secs) Steve Weldon/Graham Walker
P5: 130.14 laps (5.148 secs) Steve King
P6: 129.95 laps (4.983 secs) Team Evil Minnows
P7: 129.32 laps (5.334 secs) Mike Zimmerman
P8: 128.78 laps (5.208 secs) Andy Brown-Searle
P9: 127.28 laps (5.269 secs) Jaak BK
P10: 126.91 laps (5.193 secs) Team Last Minute Men (Manta Ray/John Austin)
P11: 126.75 laps (5.193 secs) Team Washington Slotcar Club (Ron Culp/Dennis Krivacek/Steve Ploskunak)
P12: 124.21 laps (5.267 secs) Tony Davey
P13: 122.14 laps (5.363 secs) Ben Kernan
P14: 121.91 laps (5.375 secs) John Dilworth
P15: 121.74 laps (5.362 secs) Ray Fellows
P16: 120.95 laps (5.357 secs) Team Lo Bucks (Jairus Watson/Maximo Siller)
P17: 118.15 laps (5.470 secs) Highland Hot Rod (Rod Morrison)
P18: 118.06 laps (5.599 secs) Al Bond
P19: 115.20 laps (5.656 secs) Gary Vogeler
P20: 112.74 laps (5.696 secs) Jim Struckel

Congratulations to Team REM and Pablo on their great result, commiserations to the bottom end of the field. The bottom three earn a free do-over and any obvious faults elsewhere in the runners will also be remedied before the cars race again.

Series points thus far:

P1: 50pts (25+25) Team Lowrider
P2: 43pts (19+24) Team REM
P3: 42pts (21+21) Steve King
P4=: 41pts (22+19) Mike Zimmerman
P4=: 41 pts (18+23) Pablo Wolcott
P6: 40pts (20+20) Team Evil Minnows
P7: 39pts (24+15) Team Washington Slotcar Club
P8: 38pts (16+22) Team Weldon Walker
P9: 37pts (23+14) Tony Davey
P10: 33pts (15+18) Andy Brown-Searle
P11: 26pts (17+9) Rod Morrison
P12: 23pts(13+10) Team Lo Bucks
P13=: 22pts (14+8) Al Bond
P13=: 22pts (10+12) John Dilworth
P15: 20pts (9+11) Ray Fellows
P16: 18pts (12+6) Jim Struckel
P17: 17pts (0+17) Jaak BK
P18: 16pts (0+16) Team Last Minute Men
P19: 13pts (0+13) Ben Kernan
P20: 7pts (0+7) Gary Vogeler

The Choti Challenge points:

P1: 10pts Team REM
P2: 9pts Pablo Wolcott
P3: 8pts Jaak BK
P4: 7pts Team Last Minute Men
P5: 6pts Ben Kernan
P6: 5pts Team Lo Bucks
P7: 4pts Rod Morrison

Photos will follow when Photobucket starts behaving itself again.
I have some repairs to do and then the cars will be on their way to Switzerland and the tender ministrations of the Thingie Kingie.

To Sydney Steve, the concours was a part of the concept for this series from Day 1 and so it will remain. I don't think it's anything to get too exercised about.
Edo is, of course, free to do things any way he pleases but at UKRRA events each car is scored out of 10 - 5 for the chassis and 5 for the body. Some people agonize endlessly over it but if I spend more than 15 seconds marking a car, always erring on the side of generosity, I start to ask myself why? These cars may lack the vintage quotient that Edo loves so dearly but I'm sure he'll take everything into consideration and use his judgement to mark the cars fairly.

Regards,

[Pablo]

    I'm extremely happy with 3rd

[MantaRay]

As well you should be........wtg
Congrats to all....
Thank you Stevearoonie and All

[slotbaker]

Congrats to the podium getters. Well done.

[Gator Bob]

The cars look outstanding in the on track group shots.

 

What is the schedule of the U.S. events coming up?

[Lowrider]

Four US stops, Bob.

Washington Slotcar Club in PA, REM Raceway in OH, club rounds organized by Mike Zimmerman in the St Louis area and wherever Jairus wants to run a race or two in Oregon.
The first two may get switched around depending on available dates on the WSC calendar.

Thanks for the good wishes, guys. There's a long way still to go yet.
Regards,

[Pablo]

I'm hoping to beat Team REM at their own track

Just kidding, Brian

[Gator Bob]

 Will you beat young Jaak with a Choti . .. 

 

  Hi-Jaak     

[One_Track_Mind]

Hey Pablo,
I know to always let the customers Win!
So, you just may? LoL!

[Pablo]

Steve, please ensure my intake stacks are velcroed in place for the REM Raceway round

[garyvmachines]

On the ROAD again !! I think Our Slot car's are on the road again !!!!  

 

 JOY

 

GAV

[Lowrider]

That's right, Gary.
They were posted to Edo in Switzerland last Saturday with a 7-10 day ETA.
Concours judging and, with luck, a solo time trial on his track. Anyone wanting The Kingie's autograph on their car should get their request known as soon as possible.

As long as everything goes smoothly (when does it ever?), the cars should reach to USA towards the end of June.

Regards,

[Jairus]

Way to go Steve, thank you! 

[Duffy]

If it please His Thingie Majesty, Team Evil Minnow requests an inscription. Or a fishhook. Whatever's appropriate.

[Pablo]

The # 4 car respectfully requests an Edo Bertoglio autograph

[garyvmachines]

Every one Break out your ABBA Record's   our cars are in Switzerland  !!!!!!!

  DUAAAAAA  ..... O   ....   ABBA is from Sweden , Not Switzerland ..... What band is from Switzerland ??????

 

 O well on to Lagono & Edo .........

 

GAV