[woodcote]

Stage Four: Ford Ice Rink

Winner: Mike Dadson, SRC Porsche 914/6 GT

   

Group D were the first drivers on the Ford Ice Rink since the Slot Rally GB Saturday last July. Fifteen fast laps of the tiny Super-Special require concentration and a deft touch on the throttle - and probably not too much grip. Often it is best not to clean your tyres before this one. Andy set down the time to beat with a 39.37 second run for his Ninco Subaru. Scott's 43.3 for his Porsche 991 looked unlikely to be beaten by the other SCX runners. Kevin did a great job with the SCX Renault 5 club car...

   

The two Ragnotti Renaults - kindly donated by Gaugemaster - will receive a Dadson rebuild before next time and serve regular duty on the stages.

   

Mike and his group were next on rink. Although his Punto was a second and a half off Andy's time, it was enough to hold on to his overall rally lead. He still had to worry about the gaggle of SRC Porsches, but that was the Modern class wrapped up. Mike went fastest on the stage with his SRC 914 - a 37.64 second run taking a commanding lead. Ollie was best of the rest with his Subaru.

   

Rob again pipped Matthew in their SRC Porsche battle - those two cars the pick of the Group B runners. Rob's RS200 beat Steve's Subaru and Audi in their Scalextric skirmish, but neither could beat Scott's time with his Porsche 959.

Finally, it was Group A and the Porsche 914s challenging for the rally win... Terry managed a 39.71, Ryan a 40.17 and Oliver 40.34. It wasn't enough, but they would all be up there in the final standings after two frantic hours of the WHO Winter Stages...

   

Here are the stage results...

   

A bit of data input and crunching followed...