[woodcote]

For me, the highlight of the show was Hub's new rally track 'Slot Rally Hill'...

       

Much as I loved driving on Flat Over Crest, this new track adds a completely new dimension. The endless elevations and continuous camber changes make Slot Rally Hill an engrossing drive. Hub's use of 4mm mdf has given him flexibility in the road surface to do all this - and his build thread should be a key text for all budding slot rally builders. Hub also allowed me to run some rally cars I'd brought with me - and Mike took a close look at Hub's work to hopefully inspire a first effort for our new WHO slot rally adventure...

       

And then it was the afternoon - and time for some Goodwood racing...

       

Despite an amazing track that had been busy all morning, there was some disappointment with the numbers entering the two 'official' races. It was similar on the Policar track - only the established Policar Grand Prix going ahead and other races cancelled. But we went ahead with a four-car RAC TT Celebration race for front-engined GT models - two Fly Ferraris, plus a Cobra and E-Type Jag from Scalextric. Mike led the way with his silver GTO, two Andy's having a spectacular scrap for second, before I lost a guide wire on my red GTO in the final stages (I'll be ditching eyelets for grub screws after that!). Graham got in some valuable digital racing experience and brought the Jag home fourth...

       

Scalextric had donated the prizes - and they descended en masse at the end of the day to have a play on the track with the Mustang track cars...

       

That left just one race on the Goodwood track - the St Mary's Trophy pairs race. Sadly, Graham's Galaxie broke down in practice, which left just three cars - teams from Worthing HO, East Worthing / Gaugemaster and Slot Car Magazine...

       

It was a cracking opening stint, with myself, Marc and Matt all circulating in very close proximity - but then Mike showed all his digital racing nous to pull away from Tony and Andy. This felt a much better race than earlier - but Paul and his team of marshals said both the competitive races had looked spectacular on the big Goodwood track. Having made off like bandits with the Scalextric goodies, Mike and me are keen to pay something back and help Paul come up with a strategy for 2025 that might include club or company teams racing cars prepared by WHO/digital. That certainly worked for the St Mary's race today.

All-in-all it was a very enjoyable return to the event, catching up with old friends, meeting some in the flesh for the first time - notably Tony from Australia, Nico from Austria and our very own Proxy supremo Graham - and having the opportunity to see and chat to some of the new kids on the block. There was loads I didn't do - especially racing on all the tracks - and I only spent £5 on purchases. Maybe plan for two days next year...