Round 4 - Wokingham- January 2016
There are more pictures of the event in our Facebook photo album.
Race report
January 24th saw the first THORL round of 2016, continuing the 2015/16 season.
Round 4 took us to Wokingham, Berkshire, home of Pinewood Raceway.
Pinewood Raceway currently hosts 2 great tracks. A 120ft 6 lane 1/24 track, which saw the first THORL round held upon, and a new 5 lane 1/32 track.
This time round, the track was laid atop the 1/32 track. A mix of AFX and BSTS made up a track which at first sight looked fiddly, but was a great drive with a mix of straight lengths, each leading onto a rewarding challenge at each turn. Banked sections of BSTS took the track under the bridge section.
The day started with a late Christmas Present. The latest delivery of AFX cars, track and other parts.
All were drooling over the new LMP car, the GT40 looks amazing, and the NASCARS are stunning.
Al W was particularly exited over the new AFX lapcounters, and soon had them apart to inspect their inner workings!!!!
Round 4 took us to Wokingham, Berkshire, home of Pinewood Raceway.
Pinewood Raceway currently hosts 2 great tracks. A 120ft 6 lane 1/24 track, which saw the first THORL round held upon, and a new 5 lane 1/32 track.
This time round, the track was laid atop the 1/32 track. A mix of AFX and BSTS made up a track which at first sight looked fiddly, but was a great drive with a mix of straight lengths, each leading onto a rewarding challenge at each turn. Banked sections of BSTS took the track under the bridge section.
The day started with a late Christmas Present. The latest delivery of AFX cars, track and other parts.
All were drooling over the new LMP car, the GT40 looks amazing, and the NASCARS are stunning.
Al W was particularly exited over the new AFX lapcounters, and soon had them apart to inspect their inner workings!!!!
The 18 competitors grabbed their controllers ready to race in the Open Wheel class. It was quickly apparent that the track was suited to the new MG+ chassis. Some were even ripped out from the packet and put straight to work on the track. The pace was quickly being set by the racers from Larkfield. Ash, and Elliot and first time THORL competitor Martin were all putting lap counts in the high 20s-early thirties. Running right with them, 9 year old Henry. Dad Marc proudly watching all the action unfold. Henry brilliantly qualified first, breaking the Larkfield stronghold since the second round in October. Top Mega G runner was Clive, qualifying in 4th. The finals underway, Louis took the first win from Dave H and Josh. The finals, each taking their turn showed great close racing and the winners each rewarded by stepping up to the next final. Winners of each final were Louis, Marc, Al T, Al W, and Martin. Martin doing a fantastic job at his first THORL round. However.... The A final, with top qualifier Henry joined by Elliot, Ash and Martin was an absolute thriller. Ash with his 'unusual' paint scheme on a 3D printed body was victor, but only just from Henry. 0.15 laps was the gap. Martin was a brilliant third, and Elliot came in 4th. Drive of the day, there and then, awarded to Henry. Brilliant driving under pressure all morning. Dad Marc, super proud. |
After a bit of grub, the afternoon classes commenced.
Grand Touring with Callum, Clive, Dave were joined by juniors Louis and Joshua.
The Quinn family also joined us in the afternoon and took part in the Le Mans Class using the THORL LMP club cars.
The qualifying for the closed wheel classes underway, Callum cementing his place at the top of the A Final. Dave H was his closest rival, with good scores in blue and white lanes. Mr consistent, Clive just couldn't match the others in outright pace.
In LMP the Elliot and Ash continued to lead the pack with the MG+, this time under the LMP bodies. Elliot being the first person to use the awesome new Peugeot 908 Matmut livery.
Further down the pack, father and son Marc and Henry were doing battle, qualifying next to each other, Henry not quite able to find the consistency of the morning round. Marc (along with Deane) was trying out the short wheel base MG+ with shorter Group C Body mounted on. Very quick, but would swap ends in a heartbeat!
The finals for the Grand Touring class were first. Louis and Joshua did battle, with Louis winning his final.
In the GT A final, Callum bettering his score in Blue lane took the win, nearly 4 laps ahead of Dave, who also bettered his score.
Clive only just lost out to Dave, about half a lap down.
With a field of 16 racers, the first of the Le Mans finals began. Deane won the first of the finals after a disappointing qualifying session. The 'Family Quinn' enjoying their first go at HO racing, with dad Frank just finishing ahead of Oliver.
Further up the field, Marc edged ahead of Henry to win his final, stepping up, but unable to progress as the pace increased.
Soon it was time for the A final. An all Larkfield affair, with Nick stepping up from the B.
Martin was having a great day, with another A final.
Lights out, and it was soon clear that Elliot and Ash has the upper hand. After the 3 minutes, Elliot narrowly took the Le Man win from Ash, who was just 0.3 laps behind.
As the medal presentations took place, biggest cheer went to Henry taking the prize for top Junior. Brilliantly driven under pressure in the morning.
Prizes went to:
Ash Melville : Open Wheel
Callum Norris : Grand Touring
Elliot O Gorman : Le Mans
Henry Townsend : Top Junior
A Fantastic race day.
Many thanks go to Pinewood Raceway for letting us use their fantastic facilities.
Thanks also go to Clive who assisted in setting up the track the day before.
Next race is at HONK, Orpington. 28th Feb. See you at the Races.
Andy w.
Open Wheel
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Le Mans and GT
Downloads and Finals Charts
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AM Open Wheel Qualy Raw Results | |
File Size: | 105 kb |
File Type: | xls |