I was joined by Steve, O'Brie and Keith for our successfully run (finally!) 295th event after all the previous cancellations because of track problems over the past weeks/months. Our last event - and the only one previously run for 2022 - was way back on January 15th, so it was really great getting back to some testing, practice, qualifying and racing at FRC after ten weeks.
We knew that the track call buttons were not yet ready, however we also encountered some other problems at this first event since solving the persistent power overload issues that have prevented use of the track. These included:
- Some lane changers auto-changing.
- Some lane changers simply not working.
- A problem on the Powerbase ID 2 port where each time the throttle was fully opened, the car would lose total power for a split second before responding correctly.
- Some of the small brass power continuity strips protruding up and snagging guide flags (this one's an easy solution - we removed the errant ones).
- The Powerbase buttons being unresponsive (although having the computer connected, this was not too big a problem, as settings could be done there).
O'Brie setting car IDs:
Steve organising the controllers:
The paddock with just my cars, some to be raced, others for testing:
The results
Kitbash grid: Steve's Ford Sierra Cosworth on pole, followed by my NSU TT, O'Brie's Peugeot 205 and Keith driving Steve's Mustang GT350:
Vintage Sports GT grid: My Cobra Daytona, Steve's Porsche 914/6, Keith driving my Cobra roadster and O'Brie's Ferrari 250 GTO:
Clubman grid: Steve's Ford Falcon, my Alan Mann Cortina, O'Brie's Escort Mk I and Keith driving Steve's Silbourne Clarke VW Beetle:
(How this is computed: https://www.frcforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=393)
Congratulations to the winners.
Next event's classes: BTCC, American Pony Car, Modified Production, GT - all no-magnet. This is tentatively planned for 23rd April.
Don't forget to see the updated overall fastest times and the fastest no-magnet times by driver and class to know what the benchmarks are for your cars. Older stats can be found in the Archive area of the forum.
See you on the circuit...
Gordon
