Hi guys.
Glad you're all awake this sunny morning.
Here's the North London track again to refresh our collective memory.
The next of kin have all been informed now and, in most cases, plans have been laid to resurrect their sleek treasures.
I have a mass of photos to sort out and rework but here's a starter.
The happy gang of Thingie pilots and helpers.
John Crocker - marshal ordinaire, Phil Smith in mid-grumble about having to hold his stomach in for yet another photo, Steve Kempson - ever helpful in offering him assistance, John Ovens, Ric 'Mooster' Woods and Tech Director John Secchi.
Now to the results, thank you for being patient.
Phil will post his work sheet giving individual heat results, as well as the final standings but here is the short version.
Ten entrants for this round. Laps completed after four heats of three minutes duration.
P1 - Steve Kempson: 119.95
P2 - Ray Fellows: 119.10
P3 - John Roche: 114.43
P4 - Edo Bertoglio: 103.32
P5 - John Dilworth: 102.02
P6 - Phil Smith: 97.21
P7 - Al Bond: 85.65
P8 - Jairus Watson: 77.85
P9 - Jaak Beentjes: 54.34
P10 - Mike Zimmerman: 52.26
Here's my analysis of those figures.
The top two positions can be attributed to home track advantage (I built Ray's chassis as well as my own) and to the amount of track testing I was able to do prior to the series starting. Ray's car was actually faster than mine and if we use John Secchi on his favourite white lane as a measure, Ray had the top distance for the day in a heat with 31.55 laps, when John did only 30.72 with the Bat-noda. Mishaps elsewhere account for Batman's slim margin of victory over Ray.
John Roche's third place was won on merit although it also reflects the amount of rebuilding of the car that Mr Secchi was able to do, and the quality of that work. Well done JR.
Jaak the Knife was also a first time runner on any track and was in contention for a top three place until it's vintage silver-wound armature threw a winding in it's second heat. Respect is due to it's builder Jairus Watson.
The Kingie's beautiful Choti, now tastefully autographed by scrutineer Secchi, had a consistent run into 4th place. The noise of it's gear mesh subsided as the racing progressed and my ears have almost stopped ringing now.
First of the vintage motor runners.
Second in that sub-group was Howmet's Green Manalishi. Very popular body shape on the expected cleverly designed and executed chassis. Debate between Howmet and I is ongoing as to whether the Green Manalishi had a two or a three prong crown. Any Peter Green fans are welcome to chime in here.
Phil's Titaniboa is perhaps best viewed as a work in progress. Beautiful to look at, deadly to drive.
He can fill in the details as I haven't had that pleasure yet.
Chief32s first chassis build is called Parmalatypus. Nice wordplay and a very cleanly executed car. Close up photos will show the validity of that choice of name.
A silent and potentially quick runner, Al's car is currently suffering from too much rear grip and a light front end. The experienced club racers seemed to be seduced by the rear grip and were unable to restrain themselves from trying to punch their way out of corners. Amateurs ...
Firefly by Jairus Watson was a consistent mid-pack runner at North London until a lead wire unsoldered itself from his unmeltable endbell during it's final race and he lost around 16 or 17 laps.
32 Deuce's gorgeous heavyweight car was unencumbered by any noticeable brakes since it first arrived here. It was still easily driveable by leisurely coasting into corners and then giving it the beans on the way out of them. The chassis does seem to inspire great respect, along with a certain amount of fear by those lucky enough to view it.
Deuce's motor was the other one to let out the smoke in Round One. Trouble reared it's head early on and by heat three it was terminal. Plans are afoot to get this car running again before Wellingborough though and Deuce has a racer's heart.
One further observation I have to make is that there was absolutely no body damage to the cars in Round One. I wish the same could be said about the postal services. One car arrived with a jigsaw puzzle body. Photos later.
Two motors giving up and a small problem to a third should be seen in the context of this being the start of our competitive racing. The need for maximum strength to be built into the cars was stressed by me from the beginning and, with luck and persistance, we'll get there.
The only chassis damage was to The Kingie's royal carriage which lost it's drop arm downstop in an out-of-slot experience around The Sweep. Stuff happens.
This particular Crown Jewel was recovered safely and will be resoldered in return for my usual fee ...
A big thanks from me to all those who have entered so far and places are still available for anyone else who wishes to join in the fun.
Looking forward to the Wellingborough round in two weeks time.
Regards,
L.
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