[Kevan]

No Jag XK120... 

[woodcote]

   

The feedback from Wednesday is really positive. We had a 2-minute online questionnaire ready for people to fill out at the end of the night via a QR code.

So far, 17 of the 31 racers have completed it, which is a very acceptable return rate.

   

Of those, all 17 enjoyed the event, 12 are extremely likely to attend another similar event, with the other 5 'very likely'. Sixteen would like to see more slot rally events on the WHO calendar in 2025. And 14 are either extremely (8) or very (6) interested in attending the Slot Rally GB event at the Barn in July.

   

As for the stages, 16 though 4 stages in the evening was just right, with one respondent wanting more. Titnore Lane was the favourite stage (8), followed by the Ice Rink (4), Ilex & Sea Lane (3) and Jupp's Farm (2). There were some really useful comments about what worked and what didn't - eg sight lines, power and timing.

Six of the 17 chose 'none of the above' for their least favourite stage, with Jupp's Farm and Ilex tying on 4 and the Ice Rink 3. No-one picked Titnore Lane. Fourteen felt the stages were a good challenge, two thought they were not enough of a challenge and one didn't know.

   


The survey - and lots of very positive direct feedback - means that we'll look at a few things...

• More slot rally events on the 2025 calendar - ideally 4-5 events, both Wednesday evenings and all-day Saturdays.
  
• Wednesday evenings have 4 stages lasting 40-60 seconds and a maximum of 60 cars.
  
• Saturdays with more (and longer) stages and the opportunity of more cars.
  
• Limit racers to two cars for Wednesday evenings - and help everyone acquire two competitive cars. Better 60 cars = 30 x 2 rather than 15 x 3 + 15 x 1.
  
• Develop a range of stages - different sizes, track surfaces, using elevation etc - that we can choose from.
  
• Make sure all stages are tested, maintained and bullet-proof.
  
• Develop timing units to suit the lighting in the Barn - look at overhead gantries, rather than sitting to the side.
  
• Clear written instructions on stages for how timing works, number of laps etc.
  
  

We'll also trial the very promising Scalextric Hot Laps app when it is available in July / August. Simon from the Scalextric team hopes to demonstrate it at the July Slot Rally GB event.

   

[BAracer]

With my cars still warm from Wednesday's WHO rally evening, I was up and out the house at 4:30am this morning and made my way to Abergavenny for the Usk Valley round of the Slot Rally GB Championship. I had visited the Abergavenny club once before and had driven most of the eight tracks that made up the round, but had little, if any, finger memory of how to get round them quickly! 

Regardless of that, they are a joy to look at and to race round.
   

But early into the drive there, I realised I had forgotten my 'car tray', the essential piece of equipment that every professional slot rally entrant uses to carry their cars round between tracks. No problem...Costa Coffee at the Leigh Delamere services on the M4 to the rescue!
   

So I was teamed up with Alan, Dave and the all conquering Gareth for the day, and it was an education to watch them race similar cars to mine round each circuit much smoother and faster that I was able to. There were a few technical secrets shared, but basically you need to be able to adapt on the hoof and race three or four dissimilar cars back-to-back around each track with no practice laps. So 4 cars x 8 tracks = 32 different driving styles/trigger techniques!

Some of the tracks for the day...
   

   

   

   

   

   

No results online yet, but I think I got three top ten positions out of my four cars, so well pleased with that in that company, and not forgetting the benefit gained from the WHO event a few days before

And it was great to catch up with Slotracer.Online proxy buddies Graham and ClassicChris in the flesh!