[AdeC]

A new month ushered in the next rounds of racing at Viking SCC, with the return of the much anticipated/dreaded (delete as appropriate) Trucks.  If nothing else, these things provide entertainment, typically in the form of smiles and curse words in equal measures; and a very different driving experience from anything else the calendar has to offer.  This has been the first outing for the trucks in a while, and credit should definitely be given to Mike West for resurrecting the battered bits-box that the club trucks had become and servicing and piecing them together to give us a grid of smoothly functioning and good-looking trucks.
To the astonishment of all, most made it around the first few corners unscathed, only to be thwarted but the downhill section off the bridge; heavy trucks, little braking and a tight bend… carnage ensued.  However, as the laps went on and the driving styles adjusted, it wasn’t long before everyone was hustling the big units around the track with grace and speed.  Not to say the races weren’t without quirks.  A couple of jettisoned wheels, a blue lane truck that insisted on pirouetting and driving the wrong way back along the track with unfailing regularity.  All part of the fun, and something to be rectified in time for next week’s rounds.
Once the dust had settled (and the guard rails reinstated to their rightful positions), the results table showed Wayne H and Mick W tied for first with Ade C just pipping Skippy to the final podium spot by 1 point.

   
 
Then it was on to the main class of the night, the return of the ever-popular Slot It Group C.  As always, a grid of iconic cars lined up.  However, with the notable absence of Darren C and his Jaguar XJR10, the door was left open for Wayne H (with the only other big cat on the grid) to romp away, seemingly unchallenged, to a maximum podium tally for the night.  Not to detract from Wayne’s achievement; but it has certainly emerged that there is a clear and distinct advantage offered by the new Slot It XJR10 and its sleek, low, long and wide proportions. Could some levelling be called for to rein the Jags in? Watch this space…

   

Aside from Wayne’s clean sweep, racing throughout the grid was close and fast paced.  Nick P had an absolute stormer with his rapid and smooth Mercedes, regularly battling with Ade C’s Lancia and ultimately holding his nerve to finish one point ahead of Ade’s LC2, tied for second place with Mick W’s consistently fast Nissan.
Finlay once again provided an admirable performance, using the club car Nissan to regularly hustle his way into the mix in each race, and showing that in the right hands, club cars can be put to good use! And it was also a welcome return for Jon Darby, who returns to the club after a long hiatus.

   

So, points ties, close racing (pole-sitter aside), an attractive grid, and Jaguar, Mercedes, Nissan, Lancia and Porsche represented in the top 5.  This is why we all love Group-C.