Area 3 News - March 2009
Many thanks to all the guys at Newcastle for a great days racing in our final
area meeting of the season.
For the first time in over 20 years, we have a new area champion. Graeme
Stephenson won saloon and F1 to take the title on 200 points. Charlie Gooding
was second on 197 and George Kimber third on 189. The meeting saw an era come to
an end with George retiring from strap powered racing. It was therefore fitting
that he bowed out with a win in 1/32nd Eurosport, his last race at this level.
Thanks George for all your efforts over the years. The area and BOC meetings
will just not be the same without you. George will still attend Falcon meetings
and possibly BSL from time to time.
John Gooding won our Novice title to uphold the family tradition.
All in all it was a great days racing and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the
meeting.
Roll on the Nationals,
Newcastle Area Round—9th March 2009
Graeme
Stephenson won two out of three at Newcastle yesterday to claim his first Area 3
Championship title. An excellent days racing with the biggest turn out of the
year saw Graeme win in Saloon and F1. This gave him an unassailable lead in the
championship. Graeme is the first person to beat George Kimber to the title in
over 20 years! John Gooding booked his place at the Nationals in May after winning Novice Saloon. The meeting
also marked George’s retirement from strap powered racing, although he does
intend to race Falcon powered machinery from time to time. Charlie Gooding
expressed the area’s thanks and his appreciation appears elsewhere in this
issue.
Saloon
Graeme set a cracking pace in the heats a lap and a half ahead of Charlie Gooding, Mike Harrison and Chris Cowan. The b finalists were led by George from Andy, Glyn, Pete and Colin. Chas, Mike, Paul, Graham and John comprised the C final.
The first final run was the C final and Graham Burke led after the first segment followed closely by Paul Bucknell. Graham was in the sit out during segment 2 and Paul increased the pace until lap 17 when he lost the pinion when leading by 2 laps. Graham then cruised to an untroubled win from Chas, Mike, John and Paul. This was enough to give John the Area Novice title.
The B final was won by George from Andy. Peter, Colin and Glyn. Georges time was enough for second overall with Andy just over a lap behind and pipped for third overall by just 7 feet by Charlie. Graeme won the A final by 2 laps from Charlie, Chris and Mike.
The
End of an Era.
When George Kimber announced he was retiring from BSCRA "Open"National
events it prompted me to write a few words in respect of his involvement and
contribution to slot racing. In fact it is almost 30 years since George actually
returned to slot racing after a very successful stint in the 1960'she wonfirst
ECRA title way back in 1966.
I have fond memories of travelling around Europe with George and
his son Mickey, almost as pioneers, in the early years of UES (ISRA) racing.
Firstly to Toulouse in 1987, Bordeaux in 1991, Ceska Lipa (Czech Republic) in
92, Holland in 94Brno (Czech Republic) in 95. In between these events George was
one of the main organisers for bringing a major championship to the UK with the
European Championshipsthe Gateshead Metro Centre. This event in itself set the
bench mark for future championships and helped to create ISRA. George went onto
compete in further international races both in Europe and the States and always
proved to be very competitive and an excellent builder of slot cars. He also
continued to win both Open and National events in the UK and will always be
remembered as one of the UK's top drivers.
On a more personal note I would thank George for the support he
gave me when Chairman of BSCRA and more recently in my capacity as ISRA
Chairman. Without his input many credible changes may not have taken place.
George also enjoyed a short stint as chairman of BSCRA early in the new
millennium.
I look forward to seeing George at Falcon/BSL races in the future
and wish him lots of luck.
Charlie
Gooding.
Area 2 News - March 2009
The last round of the Area 2 Championship took place at the new Fylde
clubroom with the best entry we have had for some years. Most noteably, although
always a regular club racer, this was Pete Clarkson's first appearance at an
area round for 16 years. This didn't seem to be a disadvantage as he finished
well up the order in all classes and only very narrowly missed out on the saloon
final.
Paul Shepherd won 3 classes to make it 11 wins out of 12 for the season while
Matthew Siddall took the win in Novice but this was not enough to stop the very
promising Chris Green taking the Novice title for the season with Katy Fawcett
2nd and Matthew 3rd.
The top 8 in the area on a Victor Ludorum basis are:-
Paul Shepherd 450, Martin Ellis 415, Steve Sargent 412, Steve Siddall 391,
Norman Fawcett 377, David Sargent 373, Ian Fitzpatrick 371 & Chris Green
337.
With the exception of Norman Fawcett who will not be able to attend, expect a
strong challenge at the Nationals from all these drivers in their respective
grades!
Steve Sargent