[woodcote]

25 racers gathered at the Barn last night for the first WHO/digital event of the year. 

Simon's track was massive - filling the width of the Barn and offering our six digital debutants a suitable "wow!" when they walked through the door...

   

Sadly, I had to sit this one out - so massive thanks to Rob, Ollie and Ash for sending images and data, plus Oliver and Mike for filling the details. It was a busy digital driving school session - six new racers, plus Steve, John and Alex all requiring a recap. And then it was straight into the Nascar Team Race...

   

There was a mix of experience and expertise across the teams - each having at least one Gold or Silver rated driver. Ethan and Nathan had one HO event under their belts, but for Mick, Mike P, Dexter and Ray it was a completely new experience...

   

Team Six looked strong - Stephen, Alex F, Simon and Kev all WHO veterans. So it was no surprise they finished the first 20 minute segment top of the pile with 83 laps in the Blue Valvoline-sponsored Ford Taurus. Close behind were Teams One & Five on 81 laps. Team One - Dexter, Dean, Mike D and Rob - fared very well with the Green John Deere car. Team Five - Daniel, Jean, Mike M and John - had lots of experience too and their 81 lap score was with the Yellow DeWalt Taurus. Two laps back were a youthful Team Three - Ryan, Nathan, Isaac and Ash - racing the Orange Tide Taurus. In fifth place, Team Four scored 77 laps - Ollie, Ray, Steve and Oliver driving the White Herbie-themed car. Bringing up the rear with an impressive 71 laps were rookies Mike P, Mick and Ethan, alongside Alex and Terry.

Segment One was simulation-free, the following races would feature pit stops. Not surprisingly, those teams with learner-drivers faced the biggest challenge as the racing became more complex. Nonetheless, Team Two improved their score in Race Two and again in Race Three - Alex and Terry obviously working hard to get their inexperienced team mates up to speed. The coaching was less intense for the others... The youthful Team Four won Race Two, this time driving the DeWalt Taurus. Team Six took the Red CitGo car to second, maintaining their overall lead. They'd finish with the John Deere Taurus, again finishing second - this time to Team One, their closest rivals. It was a nailbiting finale to the hour of racing - the two teams separated by just one lap overall!

   

Congrats to all the teams for some fantastic performances...

       

         

         

Next up is the Legends pairs race...