Australian Slot Car Racers Association

Hi All

The 2017 Retro Nats for CanAm and F1 were held on Saturday 12 August at Hornsby Slot Cars on the Short Track.

The race attracted a small but quality field of 7 and with 3 volunteer marshals comprising James, Joe and Gregg we were able to have a virtually full field race in both classes. The track was in absolute pristine condition as James had cleaned and gooed it the day before when I was at HSC for some practice and testing.

CanAm

Darryl took out the Concourse award Qualifying

Neil Ray Brad Matthew Darryl Stoo Mark Well there were some pretty good times early on when Brad hit the track with a 4.97 and Darryl and Matthew in the 5.0’s – a great time by Brad in anybody’s language and the first time for Brad into the 4’s (I think – please correct me here if I have erred) to join a fairly small and select club. Last up it was me and I was obviously nervous about Brad knocking off my job of TQ man as I did not realise that my time was running until 45 seconds left and then I had put my car on Orange while hooking up on Green! – I tell you the Al’s Hammer is getting worse – anyhow the upshot was that I managed to regain composure eventually to cut a 4.90 to keep my job. The Race

L-R
Brad, Matthew, Stoo, Ray, Darryl, Mark and Neil. Well it was an all the way win for me with Brad chasing hard. Darryl settled into 3rd after getting Purple and Black out of the way. Stoo pretty much ran 4th all the way followed closely by Neil.

Matt suffered some real bad luck after being clobbered in the 3rd bracket and losing a lead wire to come in 6th followed by Ray who drove a good race but has limited exposure to this track and was up against guys who have many hours under their belts here.

My total laps of 273 was a new benchmark over the long held 271 by Cody so I was very pleased.

There were some blistering lap times by Brad and Myself with cars that would be generally considered quite light for this track at around 117 grams. L–R

Brad, Mark and Darryl Mark Brad Darryl F1

Darryl took out the Concourse award

Qualifying A fast time of 4.98 claimed TQ for me with a new track record to boot. Closest was Darryl with a 5.22 followed by Stoo on 5.29. I had been hopeful of this record as I had done a best of 4.89 in practice the day before but could not get close to this on the day. The Race

L-R
Brad, Matthew, Ray, Darryl, Mark, Stoo and Neil Pretty much an all the way again for me after clawing my way ahead of Brad who led the 1st bracket. Brad held down 2nd until a rough run on Black saw him drop laps to be 4th where he stayed. Meantime Stoo and Darryl slogged it out for the minor podium with Stoo coming home a lap up. Ray just pipped Matthew for 5th who finished over Neil.

My win total of 267 equaled Cody’s benchmark of 267 but it was touch and go for me to even finish the race as my motor smoked and stopped dead toward the end of the 7th bracket.

I gave it a real sluicing with some electronic cleaner spray and praise be to the slot car gremlins; they had mercy; and so although slower the motor limped along to finish the race with a good margin and great lap total. L-R

Stoo, Mark and Darryl Mark Stoo Darryl Winners are Grinners

Darryl
Concourse CanAm and F1, 3rd CanAm and 3rd F1 Brad
2nd CanAm Stoo
2nd F1 Mark
TQ CanAm and F1 (new record), 1st CanAm (new laps record) and F1 (equal laps record). Neil
Special Award for Whinging, Moaning and extraordinary efforts to demonstrate the effectiveness of ‘Pester Power’. Again as always thanks to James for hosting the event and to he, Joe and Gregg for marshalling to help make it a great night.

Thanks again for the report Mark.Mate,I am pretty sure I've hit a 4.9 before.When and what event I can't remember.I have hit a couple of low 5's.It doesn't matter in the end cause you always knock me off.I must thank you though for sharing your chassis designs with us.I have used .078 rails for a long time as you know but man that thing is the quickest damn Can-Am I've ever built or driven.Well done everybody for a good nights racing.Regards Brad.

brady wrote:I must thank you though for sharing your chassis designs with us.I have used .078 rails for a long time as you know but man that thing is the quickest damn Can-Am I've ever built or driven.

Mate you are correct - that design is the best to date with plenty of runs on the board.

Glad you followed suit - just look at the times - we were both on fire and there was nothing between us.

Stoo also loved driving it in the Enduro

Thanks Mark
Always look forward to seeing your reports. I agree with Brad your willingness to 'share' is greatly appreciated.
A few more competitors would have been great and although we all appreciate Greg's marshalling. Greg you just have to start building!
Cheers Neil (Professional Pest)