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Race Five - Sussex Trophy

This was the first time these models of 1950s World Championship sports cars have competed at a WHO Goodwood event. Originally planned as a team race to alternate with Kinrara, the Sussex Trophy now runs as an individual sprint race with the same format as the 1950s Grand Prix cars. For the first running, it was great to have a 6-car line-up...

   

The grid was set by best times from a 2-minute practice and qualifying session. Mike's Mercedes 300 SLR pipped Alex's Aston Martin DBR9 by the smallest of margins - just 0.073 of a second. Andy was a second behind with the Ferrari 250 Testarossa, the others nearly three seconds off the pace.

   

There was first lap chaos as the leaders came together at the first loop after the powerbase. Less-than-slick marshalling allowed Andy through, followed by Duncan and then the recovering DBR9. Andy put up some brief resistance, but Alex was soon into the lead and pulling away from the pack. Mike took five laps to work his way through and pass Andy for second - and was already over half a lap behind the leader. It looked like a repeat of the previous race, but with the order reversed. Simon's Porsche Spyder sat in fourth, ahead of Duncan's 300 SLR in fifth and Dean sixth in the D-Type Jag.

Alex looked to have the race wrapped up with two laps to go. However, a freak surge put his car off the track and on the floor, the vintage car in pieces. With the leader out, Mike took the chequered flag comfortably ahead of Andy. Alex was classified as finishing third, having completed 13 laps a very long time before Simon did. Duncan beat Dean to fifth...

   

That was awful luck for Alex, but Mike grabbed his second medal of the day...

   

Here are some video highlights...



Five races down and only the Whitsun Trophy to go...

[Kevan]

I think you mean DBR1 not DBR9

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Race Six - Whitsun Trophy

Comfortably ahead of schedule, a tea-break was requested and we took the opportunity of a 15 minute breather before the final race of the day. Duncan said his goodbyes, leaving us thirteen racers for the Whitsun Trophy - an individual event for Sports Prototypes up to (and including) 1966. As usual, there were plenty of loaners on offer so everyone would take part...

   

There were six GT40s (four MkIIs), three Ferraris (one 365P2 and two 412Ps), two Chaparrals (a 2A and a 2E), one Porsche Carrera 6 and a McLaren M1A. Using a similar format to our Tin Top Muscle Car Mondiale format, these cars were spread over three seeded heats of 10 minutes, the top two from each going through to a 10-minute Feature to end the day.

Heat One saw Alex dominate with his George Turner Chaparral 2A, getting into a great rhythm, setting an extremely rapid 12:273 second fastest lap and only pitting once. Four laps behind, Ryan came out best in his battle with John and Ash for second, the Scalextric Ford GT40 MkII he'd borrowed from Dean finishing a lap ahead of two more Scalextric GT40s.

   

Heat Two was another dominant affair for the top seed - this time Mike's George Turner McLaren M1A finishing two laps ahead of the competition. Simon and Oliver had a great tussle for the second step-up spot - the result eventually hinging on the final pit stops. Simon's Fly Porsche came out in front, but without enough fuel to get to the end. Almost a perfect undercut, his disappointment doubled because he'd loaned Oliver the yellow Ferrari that beat him. In the only 5-car heat, there were two GT40s bring up the rear - Pete came fourth and Kev's car broke down.

   

There was a new car as top seed in Heat Three. We allow Policar and Slot.it models to run to the same rules as George Turner kits - Scalextric or PSR motors, gearing the same as Scalextric (ie 11T & 36T for sidewinders) and tyre restrictions as for the class. Last year, Jeremy won with a Policar 412P and this year Andy was trying to get in the mix with a Slot.it Chaparral 2E...

   

It was looking good for an epic 3-way battle in the Feature, the 2E on the pace of Alex and Mike's cars. However, disappointment struck around halfway when the car stopped on track. The usual digital diagnostics took time and suggested a controller issue. Much flipping of switches and the car came back to life, but a 3 lap lead had turned to a two lap deficit and not long to go. Those couple of minutes were exciting to watch, but ultimately fruitless - Andy finishing a few yards behind Dean's second-place car, Terry having finished a lap ahead...

   

The Feature race grid saw two George Turner kits and four Scalextric models (two Fords, two Ferraris) line-up on the grid for the final time. There was chaos at the back on the first lap, but Alex, Ryan and Mike got away cleanly. The two George Turner cars would gradually drop Ryan's Scalextric Ford and settle down to a close-fought battle. Mike was able to shadow Alex, but just didn't have the grunt to get past - the two circulating almost nose-to-tail. Mike eventually got through when the two leaders came together lapping Ryan - the McLaren getting going first. That incident certainly got Alex fired-up, which thankfully translated into more pace, not more errors.

   

Although the Chaparral had more speed and Mike was a bit more ragged, the race turned on fuel economy - the McLaren needing to pit one more time and that extra 11 seconds equating to almost a lap. Alex made his advantage count, finishing strongly and just getting through the line before time ran out to give a slightly flattering margin of two laps. Ryan had driven his Scalextric GT40 magnificently to finish just a lap behind Mike. Terry was 2 laps further back in fourth, Dean fifth and Oliver last with a sickly Ferrari.

   

Massive congratulations to Alex on a fabulous Whitsun win and a most enjoyable battle with Mike...

   

Here are some video highlights of the race...



And that was the end of the action for probably the best WHO Goodwood Revival yet. As we packed away, we decided the clothes and the cars are distilling down very nicely to give us a perfect Goodwood vibe. Despite squeezing all six classes into the day, we finished on schedule (with a tea-break) and there's still room for the grids to expand. Help is always on offer to choose and prepare cars - and Mike will keep us supplied with suitable tyres. Indeed, most of the WHO purchases at the Havant swapmeet on Sunday were for next year's Revival - including three Cartrix Grand Prix models, a pair of Whitsun big-bangers and two new RAC TT Celebration cars.

Huge thanks goes to everyone who took part in the day. Special thanks goes to the set-up and race control crews and all those who stayed behind to pack away. We couldn't do it with you. And we're back for another unique day of racing - the WHO Birkett Six-Hour Relay - on Saturday 12 October. Keep an eye out for the event thread.

[Kevan]

...now where's that flat cap...

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There are some short videos of each of the races ready to go on our Facebook and Instagram. I've also added them into each race report.

A video of the full day will follow...

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And here are highlights of the full day...



Thanks to Isaac for his camerawork on the Sussex Trophy race.