Before proceeding with the race results, I would like to mention that I have seen paint chipping at several of the track joints. I believe that this is a result of inadequate chassis/track clearance. I want the races to be fun and do not want to perform a full tech inspection on each car before each race; however, I will begin checking chassis/track clearance in order to preserve the integrity of my track. Please check your clearances prior to the race to minimize potential delays. BTW, I dont care about the size of the rear tires. We all run them down below the spec. height. Tire replacement can be expensive and frankly, I dont think it is an advantage to run smaller tires.
The second event of the True Scale Winter Series was held on 1/25/18. Six showed up for the event. Track conditions were excellent and a new record was set in Trans-Am by Bob.
Below are the Points Standings through Race #2 of the Winter Series 2018. Positions remain essentially unchanged; however Bob increased his lead from 7 to 16 points over Rich while Rich increased his lead from 7 to 10 points over James to round out the top three.
It is beginning to look like Bob is the Series favorite. He scored two consecutive wins in both Trans-Am (with his 67 Camaro) and GT1 (with his Enzo). Both cars are record holders in their respective classes. Rich seems to have cars for the mixed race dialed, scoring two consecutive wins. His Ferrari 458 is the record holder in terms of total laps and fast laps while his GT-40 is within a few thousandths of a second slower but capable of turning very quick and consistent laps. James fielded very quick rides in all three classes and challenged the leaders but has yet to stand on the top step of the podium, but dont count James out quite yet!
Trans-Am
Trans-Am has become a very competitive class with Rich, Bob and James turning laps in the mid to high 4.9 second range. Rons gray 67 Camaro has been challenging the top three, running a fast lap of 5.009 seconds (In fact all three of Rons Trans-Am rides including the gray 67 Camaro, orange Mustang and yellow Dart ran in the 4.9 second range in testing). Joes OSCAR based Firebird Trans-Am is capable of challenging the leaders; however, Joes inexperience at Electron Raceway has hindered his performance.
From the outset of race #2, it seemed that Bob, James and Rich would be vying for podium spots. All three cars ran fast laps of at or just below five seconds. Bob took the lead in the first heat and never looked, back, winning the race with a record setting 92.1 laps. The battle for second place took a few more heats to resolve. Rich and James were in a near virtual tie after the first heat. James; however began opening a half lap lead in the three other heats. In the end it was James in second place with 90.2 laps and Rich in third with 88.4 laps. Rons Dart was about .1 seconds per lap slower than the leaders. Several offs kept him from challenging the top three as Ron finished fourth with 84.4 laps.
Mixed
After setting a new total lap record for the class, Rich opted for a True Scale Ford GT-40 in favor of the record holding Ferrari 458. Rich recently swapped out the narrower Ford France body in favor of a replica of the Gulf Wyer car. The GT-40s run in the Gran Sport Class. The wider Wyer car allows the rear wheels to sit under the car rather than protrude as they did with the Ford France replica. The body swap was a cosmetic shift because the rear track is the limiting factor in the Gran Sport Class.
Bob and James ran Ferrari 458s. Ron also opted for a GT-40. Scott opted for his OSCAR based Honker and Joe, for his OSCAR based Lola T-70. Each and every car is quite capable of sub 5 second laps and a chance for a podium finish.
The race had an inauspicious beginning as Rich de-slotted on the first lap entering the lead-on. The subsequent high speed wreck that involved others saw Richs GT-40 hit the floor breaking loose a large piece of bodywork in the rear fender-well, cracking the front windshield and sending the rear window flying. The race was stopped. No chassis axle damage was observed. The custom bullet proofed front end of the GT-40 did its job. Thanks to plastic welder, the body will be fixed and ready to run before the next event.
After the incident, it was decided to re-start the race. Even so, the first heat of the restart was marred by more than a few offs. At the end of the first heat, it was Bob in the lead with 21.7 laps. James and Rich were in a virtual tie with 21.1 laps. James and Rich closed the gap on Bob in heat #2. At the end of the second heat James and Rich were in a virtual tie for the lead with 44.4 laps with Bob only three sections behind.
Rich rotated out for heat #3 while James rotated to black and Bob to white. At the end of heat three, James had opened up a nearly one lap lead over Bob (James 67.7 laps to Bobs 66.8 laps).
Bob rotated out for heat #4 and James rotated to white and turned 22.1 laps to finish with 89.8 laps. With James in the barn it was up to Rich and/or Bob surpass James total of 89.8 laps to capture the top step of the podium.
Rich rotated in on his favorite lane (red) and ran an excellent heat of 23.8 laps, putting him in the lead in terms of average lap count.
Rich rotated to yellow for the final heat while Bob rotated in on the red lane. At this point Rich was ahead of Bob by about a lap and a half. Both were within striking distance of James who was already in the barn. Bob closed the gap on Rich but was unable to push past. Bobs effort was enough, however to beat James. In the end it was Rich first with 90.8 laps. Bob second with 90.2 laps and James third with 89.8 laps.
Rons GT-40 was quite competitive turning a fast lap of 5.050, however a few offs put him out of contention for a higher finish. Joes Lola T-70 is a promising ride turning a fast lap of 5.051. Joe simply needs more practice at Electron Raceway.
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GT1
Bobs Enzo holds the class record in terms of laps and has been the car to beat in the last three races winning three in a row. To challenge Bob, Rich ran his Camel Porsche 962 and James ran his Jaguar XJR8LM. Ron ran his Toyota GT-One while Joe ran his Ferrari Enzo and Scott his Nissan R390.
Heat #1 was close. Bob ended up in the lead with 23.4 laps. James was in second place with 23.1 laps. Rich ended up third only a single section behind James. Ron was fourth about a lap behind his nearest competitor.
Heat #2 was pivotal. Both Bob and James turned 23.9 laps while Rich turned only 23.2 laps. At this point Rich was about a lap behind the leaders and for all intents and purposes nearly out of contention for the top two slots. Rich was first to finish his rotation with 94.1 laps. James and Bob continued to battle it out for the top spot.
Going into the final heat, Bob had completed 71.4 laps and James was only three sections behind with 71.1 laps. Both had an easy shot at overtaking Rich, who was already in the barn. Bob ran an excellent heat, expanding his lead over James. In the end, it was Bob finishing first with 95.4 laps. James finishing second with 94.8 laps and Rich finishing third with 94.1 laps
