So it was back to normal for round one of the fourth series as we were racing on all six lanes and I didn't have many cars to play with. In fact I only had three cars, one each for the Open BMW, Modern F1 and the Ninco Classic but nothing for the SCX/Scalextric Collaboration. The latter is a mouthful so I'm going to to calling it "Historic Slots".
I was pretty hopeful for the Open BMW (which is for touring cars only) as I was running a Spirit BMW 635 although it was pretty much standard. In my first race I worked my way into the lead after three laps and then promptly fell off for a last place finish. In my second race I was making my way through the pack when Wes spun off and took me with him. 3 points in two races was not what I was hoping for but fortunately I put that right by winning the next race. I should have won my fourth race but lost it under pressure. A win followed and then, at last, a dominant win in my final race. The car is fast and I did take the most wins but didn't seem to seem to have much grip. Top of the class with two wins and his best score on the night was DaveH running a SCX BMW to 28 points. DaveL came second in class on 26 points running a Scalextric BMW of all things. I was one point behind him in third. Keith took a win also running a Scalextric BMW and scored what was going to become a constant score for him on the night of 24 points. Jim had the final win with his Spirit BMW 2002 on 19 points with Wes on 16 and Trigger on 9 points.
I had picked the next class, Modern F1 on the strength of my SCX "Lotus" going so well (even on three wheels!) last time I race it. Not this time around as I suffered with gripless tyres again. I did get a win in my first race but only because Jim managed to throw his Ferrari off when it was miles in the lead. Other than a second place finish in my fourth race I seemed to slither about behind everyone to garner 22 points. Again it was a pretty even class with DaveL, Jim and Wes all scoring two wins and take the top three podium places as well. DaveL, running a Scalextric car of all things and getting his best score on the night, just pipped Jim running a SCX Ferrari 27-26. Wes, also getting his best score on the night was just one point behind Jim. Following that trend Keith was one point behind Wes with yet another 24 point score. Trigger also got his best score on the night but only 12 but at least he was one point better that DaveH.
At the break it was DaveL on 53 points from Keith 48, me 47, Jim 45, Wes 41, DaveH 39 and Trigger on 21 points.
Historic Slots were up next and I had to borrow a car from DaveL whose choice of class this was and he was lending a few of them out. I was running a SCX rally Ferrari GTO which was a bit short on top speed but quick around the corners. Remarkably I ran out class leader on 30 points with my best score on the night and a controller imprint on my thumb! I also had a very nice sequence going, win, third, second, win third, second. My last race saw an extremely tight three way fight between DaveL, me and Keith which was neck and neck for 10 whole laps. Jim and DaveL tied for second place on 26 points with DaveL getting three wins with a BMW and Jim two with a BMW M1. Keith was a close fourth overall with his Lancia 037 taking yet another 24 points. Wes on 20 points led a distant Trigger and DaveH but this class was remarkably close fought and exciting. At this stage the points scoring was DaveL 79, me 77, Keith 72 and Jim 71.
Finally we got to Ninco Classic and Jim really put his mark on this one taking five wins and 33 points with a Cobra and obviously his best score on the night. I was slightly surprised to end up second overall and managed a win when Jim fell off. In fact I had a sequence going here starting with fourth, third, second and then my win. I ended up with two more second places. Wes took the final podium place on 24 points running a Jaguar. DaveL took the final win but tied with DaveH on 19 points with Keith struggling a bit on 17 and Trigger a distant last on 7 points.
I ended up overall winner on the night with 105 points with Jim just one point behind on 104. DaveL dropped down to third on 98 with Keith on 89, Wes 85, DaveH 68 and trigger on 39 points.