[woodcote]

   

Twenty-one racers took part in the first of two Tin Top Saturdays that bring our Scalextric digital season to a close.

Simon had tweaked and extended his Snetterton-inspired layout, which took up most of the length of the Barn and certainly posed a challenge for the more myopic amongst us. As we discovered at last month's Birkett Relay, it is a brilliant track to drive, with good overtaking opportunities and enough Radius 2 corners to keep us on our toes...

   

The day would start with a 30-minute Sierra vs Commodore team race to get us warmed up and reacquainted with the track. Then the BTCC weekend simulation - qualifying plus three races - would play out, with lunch and a Carrera Classic Nascar race interspersed. The day would end with our new Euro Saloons format - a nice leisurely climax to a Saturday of tin top action.

Race One: Group A Team Race

   

Twenty-one drivers were divided into three teams of four and three teams of three for this thirty minute race. Dean and Mike entered a pair of Holden VL Commodores and with a couple of Aussie Sierra liveries and some bright morning sunshine, this definitely had the feel of a spring day in Australia...

   

No qualifying for this one, so we were straight into racing. It was super-close in the early stages, everyone (apart from Mike) having raced on this track last month...

   

The teams of four changed drivers after seven and a half minutes, the teams of three following at ten minutes. The threes would probably have a small advantage, but the Mozzie Commodore quartet were keeping the Gearzilla and AST One Sierras in sight...

   

As the end of the race loomed, Gearzilla had stretched out a two lap lead, but all the good work put in by Rob and Isaac unravelled when Oliver put the Sierra on the floor and the motor came loose. AST One inherited the lead, just a couple of laps ahead of the Mozzie Holden and that's how it stayed when the chequered flag fell...

   

Gearzilla dropped to third, finishing just ahead of the second Commodore...

   

Congrats to Alex, Jeremy and Duncan for winning the first medals of the day!

         

         

         

That had us nicely warmed up and ready for BTCC qualifying...