23 replies to this topic

[Rich Joslin]

HO at Fantasy

February 27

 

There was a full house of HO racers on Saturday at Fantasy. 

Twelve hopefuls started the day in the IROC event. 

As usual this was another close one. The top six finishers were separated by only four laps. 

Steve Dickinson, with a few track records along the way, earned a hard fought win. Steve's fast lap of 10.159 helped keep him one lap in front of Dave Failing in second. Larry Weaver rounded out the podium in third place.

 

Dave Failing 2nd     -     Steve Dickinson 1st     -     Larry Weaver 3rd

 

Next up was the popular E-Fray group. Eleven drivers took up the challenge.

 

With another strong performance Dave Failing came within sections of the unofficial Fantasy E-Fray lap record taking the win with a total of 111.58. Rich Joslin needed a clean final heat and his best lap total to date to hold off Steve Dickinson for second place. 

 

                                      Joslin                                                      Failing                                                      Dickinson

 

Rich Joslin 2nd     -     Dave Failing 1st     -     Steve Dickinson 3rd

 

The great racing and camaraderie among this group of HO enthusiasts makes these events a great time. I strongly encourage anyone with an interest in HO cars to join us at Fantasy Raceways for the next races Saturday, March 20.  

[Rich Joslin]

HO racing at Fantasy Raceways

Saturday, March 20

 

Please join us Saturday, March 20 for HO IROC and E-Fray racing. 

Doors open at 10 am. IROC begins at noon. E-Fray follows shortly after the conclusion of IROC.

Fantasy Raceways is located at 3787 Dewey Ave. Rochester, NY. Call (585) 621-1373 with questions.

 

See you there!

[mdiv]

Is this a commercial track in Rochester?  Web page or Facebook?  I'll have to check it out!  I go to Nostalgia for parts and have raced there...and pretty much just race tjets with my very local club.  We are the Slot Car Nerds!

Mike

[Dave Buchholz]

Facebook exists for Fantasy Racewa.

Three tracks , drag race HO road course, and 1/24 Ogilvie 145ft hillclimb

[Rich Joslin]

Is this a commercial track in Rochester?  Web page or Facebook?  I'll have to check it out!  I go to Nostalgia for parts and have raced there...and pretty much just race tjets with my very local club.  We are the Slot Car Nerds!

Mike

 

Mike,

We have been racing about every three weeks lately. Our next event will be Saturday, April 10. The first race is IROC followed by E-Fray, (slip on silicone, no weighted front ends). If you ever get the urge, stop in, we would love to have you.

[Rich Joslin]

HO IROC in the house at Fantasy Raceways

March 20, 2021

 

It was a nice sunny Saturday in Rochester and yet eleven HO enthusiasts showed up to have fun while battling on the track with their brethren. 

 

IROC starts the day for the HO group. The Fantasy Blimp got a great picture of the cars rounding a turn.

 

 

Larry Weaver has consistently finished well in this driver centric race. This time his consistency was rewarded with a finish atop the podium. Larry finished a little over a lap in front of Dave Failing in second and had the fastest lap of the group, a 11.718 on White. After missing several races Dave Vickers of VRP Slot Racing picked it right back up again finishing third. This type of racing is so close. Each finishing position is usually separated by only a lap or two at most making things very competitive. 

 

 

Dave Failing  2nd     -     Larry Weaver  1st     -     Dave Vickers  3rd

 

Follow to the next post for the E-Fray report.

[Rich Joslin]

HO E-Fray at Fantasy

March 20, 2021

 

The IROC race recounted in the previous post started the day of HO racing at Fantasy off to a great start.

E-Fray cars were called to the starting line next. Ten racers remained in the house to continue the racing action. The E-Fray race record at Fantasy is 111.77 by Steve Dickinson followed closely by the 111.72 put up by Dave Failing. So the target is 112. It is a six heat race. At the end of the first heat Dave Failing had 20 laps. Hmmm, what have we here? While he fell off the 120 lap pace by a bit Dave still moved the race record to a whole other level winning the event with a 115.74 lap total. Very impressive. I guess we have a new target. Well behind Dave there was a good battle for second between Dave Vickers and Rich Joslin. Rich knew his total as he had finished his rotation and he knew that Dave, who was still racing, was well within striking distance as the final heat began. After the results were tallied Rich was in second by only 30 sections.

 

 

Rich Joslin  2nd     -     Dave Failing  1st     -     Dave Vickers  3rd

 

                          Joslin                                                             Failing                                                    Vickers

 

These tri-weekly events are a great time. The next race date is Saturday, April 10. If you find yourself in the area or live nearby stop in and see what the fun is all about. Doors open at 10:30. The first race starts at noon. Not sure you have the right car? No problem, loaners are available.   

[Rich Joslin]

HO Racing at Fantasy

April 10, 2021

 

On a sultry sunny Saturday in Rochester, with plenty of options for things to do, eleven HO enthusiasts were drawn to the excitement of HO racing and showed up at Fantasy Raceways to compete in the IROC and E-Fray events. 

 

IROC started the day. Just a bit over one lap separated the three podium finishers in this one. Larry Weaver not only continued his streak of podium appearances but he did it in grand style making it two wins in a row. Dave Failing was never far behind and ended the race a mere six sections back in second place. With a very solid 99.18 laps Jim Harter made his podium debut in third.

 

 

Dave Failing  2nd     -     Larry Weaver  1st     -     Jim Harter  3rd

 

E-Fray was next with ten racers dueling for the crown. This one was a doozy. The competition was intense as all participants logged at least 100 laps for the first time ever. With the sit-outs required it is difficult to have a firm grasp on where you stand in the field. It was interesting to see drivers checking the totals at the end of each heat and listening to the calculations being made as to who was where in the standings and who needed how many laps to make the podium. Prior to the final heat Jim Harter commented that there were three drivers who would end up on top of each other's lap total and he was right. In the end there were five competitors within three laps of each other. Dave Failing came out on top posting an impressive 5th straight win. Rich Joslin edged out David Vickers by just sections for second. 

 

 

Rich Joslin  2nd     -     Dave Failing  1st     -     David Vickers  3rd

 

                    Failing                                                                   Joslin                                                                         Vickers

 

Thank you to Race Director Bobbi Eve for another well run event.

 

This is great fun. Please consider joining in at the next race scheduled for Saturday, May 8.

[mdiv]

Great race reports, love the tops of the cars.  Would love to see what's underneath!

 

Mike

[Rich Joslin]

Great race reports, love the tops of the cars.  Would love to see what's underneath!

 

Mike

 

Thanks Mike. I will keep that in mind on May 8 when we do it all again.

Please take care.

[mdiv]

Thanks Rich, looking forward to the report and pics!  I would totally come at least to check out but work is a little leery of interstate travel with everything that's going on.

 

Anyway, another topic, what are the IROC cars?  They look great!

Mike

[Rich Joslin]

Thanks Rich, looking forward to the report and pics!  I would totally come at least to check out but work is a little leery of interstate travel with everything that's going on.

 

Anyway, another topic, what are the IROC cars?  They look great!

Mike

 

 

These are AFX Ford Escorts on tjet chassis, custom painted and decaled by Dave Failing. 

[Rich Joslin]

HO at Fantasy

Saturday, May 8

 

A nice group of eleven started off the day competing for the IROC crown. As always the racing was close throughout the event. Any little mistake was impactful to the final results. With new lap records on yellow and white helping the cause Steve Dickinson took the checkered flag for the win. Larry Weaver continued his streak of podium finishes in IROC with a second place finish. Rich Joslin made his first IROC podium appearance in third.

 

 

Rich Joslin  3rd     -     Steve Dickinson  1st     -     Larry Weaver 2nd

 

Nine racers brought out their best E-Fray car for the second event of the day. Some side drafting and fender rubbing made for interesting racing through the first couple of heats then things settled down as everyone seemed to find their groove. Steve Dickinson made it back to back wins on the day with a strong 113.25 lap total for the victory. In a reversal of the IROC results Rich Joslin finished second with Larry Weaver getting on the podium again, this time in third place. 

 

 

Rich Joslin  2nd     -     Steve Dickinson  1st     -     Larry Weaver 3rd

 

Always a good time racing with this group. If you have any interest in HO cars please consider joining us for the next race Saturday May 22. IROC cars are provided and E-Fray loaners are always available. Doors open at 10:30. IROC race starts at noon followed soon after by E-Fray.

 

Thank you to our hosts Bobbi and Jeff Eve for another well run event.

[mdiv]

Cool!  I may take a ride up on the 22nd!

Mike

[mdiv]

Rich,

 

My apologies, I had thought Rochester was near the GW Bridge...not sure what town I was thinking of - Fantasy is 6 hours from me.  If I can ever save up enough PTO to take a few days off for a long weekend I'll get up there sometime.

 

Wishing you guys a great turnout!  Can't wait to see the pictures

Mike

[Dave Buchholz]

The good news is it's not the Rochester in Minnesota. It's just above the finger lakes in New York.

[Rich Joslin]

Rich,

 

My apologies, I had thought Rochester was near the GW Bridge...not sure what town I was thinking of - Fantasy is 6 hours from me.  If I can ever save up enough PTO to take a few days off for a long weekend I'll get up there sometime.

 

Wishing you guys a great turnout!  Can't wait to see the pictures

Mike

 

No problem Mike! I was thinking the trip would be at least an overnight trip for you. We would love to have you join us so If you ever decide to give it a go please let me know and I will help with the logistics as much as possible. 

I forgot to get pictures of the cars this time. I will make up for it on the 22nd.

 

Take care

[Rich Joslin]

Upcoming HO racing event. Saturday May 22 at Fantasy Raceways, Rochester NY.

Doors open at 10:30 am. IROC race starts at 12:00. E-Fray race starts shortly after the conclusion of IROC.

$10.00 gets you a spot on the starting line for both races. Yes, $10 for two races....and donuts, can't forget the donuts.

IROC cars are provided. E-Fray loaners are available. 

[Rich Joslin]

HO at Fantasy

Saturday, May 22

 

Considering we have summer weather in May, a turnout of ten for the latest HO race was pretty good. 

Also good was the fact that today we had a new Father/Son duo among the group. I could tell right away that John Durbin was pleased to have his son Derrick joining in the action. Derrick fit right in and we hope he will be able to race with us again sometime soon.

 

Left to right:

Derrick Durbin, John Durbin, Bob Dickinson, Dave Failing, Jeff Eve, George Vianco, Larry Weaver, Rich Joslin, Jim Harter, Rick Kibler

 

There were numerous positive comments when Dave unveiled the IROC cars we would be driving in the first race. We have used some interesting cars in this event but Dave may have outdone himself this time. HIs attention to detail is always top notch and his work on this group of cars was no different. The cars look and run great.

 

 

Everyone was given the chance to run a few laps with the new cars and then it was on to the starting line. There was still some getting used to the cars in the first heat but drivers quickly adjusted and we had our usual close and fun race. Coming away with the win was Dave Failing with a good IROC total of 96.12. Larry Weaver, maybe the only driver who did not take any practice laps with the new cars, finished on the podium once again, this time in second. John Durbin picked a great time to make a podium appearance taking third by a mere 7 track sections.

 

 

Larry Weaver  2nd     -     Dave Failing  1st     -     John Durbin  3rd 

 

Please move on to the next post for a recap of the E-Fray race...

[Rich Joslin]

E-Fray at Fantasy

Saturday, May 22

*Please see the previous post for a recap of the May 22 IROC race.

 

Everyone stuck around to participate in the E-Fray race. Shortly after the conclusion of the IROC event the ten drivers were ready to rumble again, this time driving their individual cars hoping to be one of the three on the podium at the end.

 

Front, left to right:

Dickinson, Vianco, Joslin, D. Durbin, Failing, Eve

Back, left to right:

Weaver, Kibler, Harter, J. Durbin

 

As the field started to rotate through the six lanes it was evident that there were numerous cars with the juice it would take to be near the top of the group. In the end, eight of the ten drivers were within six laps of each other. All eight also clocked at least 104 laps. It was a very competitive race. When the computer tallied the final results it was Dave Failing with his second win of the day. Jim Harter was one lap back in second. Larry Weaver with a very consistent run claimed his second podium appearance of the day finishing in third place by sections.

 

 

                                  Jim Harter  2nd                                                 Dave Failing  1st                       Larry Weaver  3rd

 

                                 Harter                                                      Failing                                                          Weaver

 

                               Harter                                                                   Failing                                                Weaver

 

A big thank you to our hosts Bobbi and Jeff Eve.

 

With everyone's schedules filling up with outdoor and family activities no race is on the schedule at this time but please watch this space as any future events will be posted here.

 

Please take care.

 

 

[Rich Joslin]

HO Racing at Fantasy Raceways July 31

 

Track opens at 10 am. Racing starts at 11:30.

Race 1 is E-Fray, silicone slip-ons, no weighted fronts

Race 2 is Fray

$10 per racer, covers both races. 

 

Not sure you have the right cars? Loaners are available so stop by and enjoy the fun!

 

Fantasy Raceways

3787 Dewey Avenue

Rochester, NY 14616

(585) 621-1373

 

[Rich Joslin]

HO at Fantasy

July 31, 2021

 

Rochester area HO racers returned to the six lane Fantasy layout after a short summer hiatus. Classes raced were E-Fray and Fray.

E-Fray started the day with nine drivers vying for the crown. Dave Failing and Steve Dickinson showed early on that they were going to be tough to beat. It was also obvious that the battle for the final podium position would be a close one with Jim Harter, Larry Weaver and David Vickers all in contention. At the finish it was Dave holding Steve off by less than a lap for the win. Dave also turned the fast lap of the group, 8.837 on Green. David Vickers managed a bit of separation from the rest of the pack to claim the third position.

 

 

                                           Steve Dickinson 2nd                       Dave Failing 1st                   David Vickers 3rd

 

                      Vickers                                                      Failing                                                                      Dickinson

 

Next up, the Fray cars. It has been quite some time since this class was raced and it showed. The first heat was a bit rocky as the two volt bump took some getting used to. Eventually things settled down and the racing got very interesting. In the end four racers were within three laps of each other. In first place it was Dave Failing with back to back wins, squeaking by Larry Weaver by just over a lap. Just another lap back in third was Jim Harter. 

 

 

                                   Jim Harter 3rd                                          Dave Failing 1st                              Larry Weaver 2nd

 

                         Harter                                                               Failing                                                             Weaver

 

Thank you to our Hosts, Bobbi and Jeff Eve.

Stay tuned for the announcement of our next race sometime in August.

[Rich Joslin]

HO at Fantasy

Saturday, August 21

 

Some of the top HO racers in the area took time from their busy Summer schedules to challenge each other for the crown in a couple of different Classes at Fantasy. Maybe they could be the "King of the Slot Car Track." https://youtu.be/ZIXN5RYDT

 

Left to Right:

Bob Dickinson, Jeff Eve, Dave Kane, Jim Harter, Larry Weaver, Chris Mathewson, George Vianco, John Durbin

Dave Failing behind the camera

 

First up was Magnatraction. General rules were stock chassis with any rear wheels and slip on silicone tires allowed. The top three Drivers separated themselves from the pack just a bit with Dave Failing and Chris Mathewson locked in a very close battle for the top spot. At the end it was Dave pulling out a one lap victory over Chris. Larry Weaver, proving he can drive just about anything, makes another podium appearance in third. Fast lap of the bunch was turned by Chris, a 9.098 on Green.

 

 

 

                           Chris Mathewson 2nd                             Dave Failing 1st                             Larry Weaver 3rd

 

The second race of the day was Tyco 440X2 Nascar. Narrow and wide pan chassis were allowed with rear wheels and slip on silicone tires being the only acceptable change to the stock platform. This one turned into a two man battle with Dave Failing and George Vianco running close together lap after lap. With a little help from his fast lap of 6.060 on Orange, George edged out Dave by just a bit over a lap for first. Jim Harter grabbed the final podium spot, finishing in third place.

 

 

                         Jim Harter 3rd                            George Vianco 1st                    Dave Failing 2nd

 

Thank you to our hosts, Bobbi and Jeff Eve!

 

The Fall series of HO racing will begin soon. There are groups that race on Wednesdays and Fridays on a variety of tracks in the Rochester area. PM me here if you would like additional information.

 

[Rich Joslin]

HO at Fantasy

Saturday, September 11

 

With great reverence we remember the events of this day 20 years ago. Our thoughts are with those who lost loved ones in this horrific event and our thanks go out to those who responded with such bravery and selflessness to help others. 

 

Ten racers showed up to participate in the two races this day. 

 

Kneeling: Dave Failing

Left-Right: Jeff Eve, Rick Kibler, Dave Kane, Bob Dickinson, Joe Saccomanno, David Vickers, Tony Stuhler, John Chmura, Rich Joslin

 

 

First up was the Magnatraction class. Rules are stock chassis with rear wheels and slip on silicone tires the only legal changes. Rich Joslin got off to a hot start and established some benchmark lap times for others to chase. However, as racers rotated through their marshaling stints and got on the track it was soon evident that by the end of the race the results would be very close. Exhibiting his usual consistency Dave Failing chipped away at the lead and at the finish it was Dave in first with 102 laps 45/sections and Rich in second with 101 laps 75/sections. Rich barely managed to hold off David Vickers in third place with 100 laps 24/sections. 

 

 

Rich Joslin 2nd      Dave Failing 1st      David Vickers 3rd

 

Next on the track were the Tyco 440-X2 chassis with NASCAR bodies. Rules are, wide and narrow pan allowed with the only legal  modifications being rear wheels and slip on silicone tires. 

After the driving the much slower Magnatraction cars the first heat was a doozy as most of us had some issues getting our eyes and reflexes adjusted. There were some spectacular crashes throughout with cars on the floor occasionally. The crashing settled down just a little for the remainder of the race but it was still pretty dicey. It was quickly apparent that David Vickers was the man to beat in this race. He had his car flying around the track. Try as we might none of us could reel him in and he won easily by 8 laps. In second place was Rich Joslin just a couple laps ahead of third place finisher Dave Failing. 

 

 

Rich Joslin 2nd      David Vickers 1st      Dave Failing 3rd

 

Thank you to our hosts Bobbie and Jeff Eve. 

 

Stay tuned to this space for information on upcoming HO events at Fantasy.

 

If you live in the Rochester area the local HOSCAR group is off and running with their weekly races. The group meets on Wednesday evenings at various locations throughout the area. We are welcoming new members. Please PM me here for more information.