Well, our 323rd event - this one for our Kitbash, Vintage Sports GT and Vintage Sports Prototype classes - was a very special one when we had a surprise return of Ramesh to FRC for the first time since March 2020, over four years ago. It was really great seeing and racing with him at FRC once more. We also welcomed FRC newcomer Mark Millar who stayed with us for the whole afternoon into evening, even participating in the second Kitbash, Vintage Sports GT and Vintage Sports Prototype races and doing a very decent job for a no-magnet and FRC first-timer.
There was the usual general practice session, followed by some very close racing in all the classes. As would be expected for those who have raced against him, Ram produced some very competitive cars and, despite the years since last participating at FRC, drove them as if he hadn't missed an event! The computer race management system worked well, as did the track with its recently installed new replacement lane-changers which Peter so generously supplied. Unfortunately he couldn't spend much time with us because of an issue with one of his feet that required keeping it rested. Wishing him a speedy recovery.
In the end, between the racing and the two "board room meetings", we all had a great time, and as you can see in the following results, Ram is back!
A lot of pics by Luke to start things off:
Everyone wanted to welcome Ram on his return to FRC after the four and a bit years he'd been absent. Here, myself, O'Brie, Peter and Steve pose with him:
Ram's lovely-looking Subaru:
Steve's new Nissan 400Z body:
Ram and I checking the track:
Ground clearance under-motor check:
O'Brie's magnetic-pull checker:
And his new magnetic setup block:
I welcome Mark to FRC:
Some testing in progress:
Mark takes his first laps at FRC:
Boardroom meeting number 1:
Boardroom meeting number 2:
The results
Kitbash
Kitbash race 1 grid - Ramesh/Peugeot 406, Luke/Subaru Impreza, O'Brie/Peugeot 205, Steve/Nissan 400Z, Gordon/BMC Mini Cooper:
Computer Kitbash race 1 results:
Sorry, no Kitbash race 2 grid (forgot to take pictures).
Computer Kitbash race 2 results:
Vintage Sports GT
Vintage Sports GT race 1 grid - Gordon/Cobra Daytona, Steve/Porsche 911 RS Carrara, Ramesh/De Tomaso Pantera, O'Brie/Ferrari 250 GTO, Luke/De Tomaso Pantera, Liam/Porsche 911:
Computer Vintage Sports GT race 1 results:
Vintage Sports GT race 2 grid - Ramesh/De Tomaso Pantera, Gordon/Cobra, Steve/Porsche 914, O'Brie/Ferrari 250 GTO, Liam/Corvette L88, Mark/Porsche 911S:
Close action at the end of the back straight:
VERY close between Ram's Pantera and my Cobra:
Computer Vintage Sports GT race 2 results:
Vintage Sports Prototype
Vintage Sports Prototype race 1 grid - Gordon/Ford GT40, Ramesh/Ford GT40, Steve/Ford GT40, O'Brie/Ford GT40, Liam/Lola T70 MkIII, Luke/Ford GT40:
Computer Vintage Sports Prototype race 1 results:
Vintage Sports Prototype race 2 grid - Gordon/Ford GT40, Ramesh/Ford GT40, O'Brie/Ford GT40, Steve/Matra MS670, Mark/Ford GT40:
Computer Vintage Sports Prototype race 2 results:
(How this is computed: https://frcforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=393)
Congratulations to the winners.
Total Championship Points for 2024:
Next event's classes: Rally and possibly some time-bracket and/or IROC racing. Suggestions welcome.
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