Hamilton - Race Report
Round One 27/05/07

By Paul Charlton.

The 26th and 27th May 2007 saw the Slot.It Challenge series reach the 3rd round of the series at Hamilton Model Car Club in Scotland.

A good turn out of visitors turned up on the Saturday to learn the twists and turns of the 4 lane, 95ft Sandtex track. Series leader Shaun Mitchell (North Staffs) was setting some impressive times, along with Nick Hirst (Pendle), Neil Hirst (Pendle), Steve Rigg (Preston), James Hunt (Pinewood) and Steve Hills (Pinewood), which should see them in the mix with the home drivers come race day.

Race day saw a good turn out of 26 registered and 5 juniors, take to the track. Some very close racing in all the heats, during the day, showed just how close and competitive the Slot.It series is becoming. This is how the Pinewood drivers faired,
Steve Hills and myself, lined up in the first heat, along side Shaun Mitchell and Nick Hirst. After the four heats had been completed, Steve had managed to qualify his Nissan R390 in 9th, with my Porsche 956, I managed 11th in the seniors. Both of us having clean tidy heats.

Moss Hills lined up with his Kouros Mercedes in the second heat, along with Steve Rigg (Preston), Neil Hirst (Pendle) and John Bailey (North Staffs). When the tire smoke had cleared, Moss had qualified 19th on his first visit to Hamilton.
Mark Sanderson and Dave Cummings, both with Porsche 956’s, lined up in the third heat with Don Stanley (independent) and Mark Wain (North Staffs). Some very close, but fair racing saw Mark 14th and Dave 18th after the heats.
Dave Pepper and James Hunt (both Porsche 956’s), where in the 4th heat with, Richard Wain and Mark Brandwood. James qualified an impressive 6th overall and Dave a very good 24th.
With the Heats over it was onto the Finals.

Dave Pepper was up first in the I Final. He finished 2nd to move up one extra place to end the event in 23rd place.
Moss Hills was next up in the H Final. He won the final, to move up to the G Final. Also in the G Final was Dave Cummings. Moss finished 3rd, Dave 4th, to take 18th and 19th overall respectively.

Mark Sanderson was in the F Final. He took a light to flag win, to move up to the D Final, which I was also in. This was one of the best (well I thought so) races of the day, I managed to finish a close second (to John Bailey, North Staffs), with Mark only just behind me in 3rd, both having the lead of the race at different points. So I finished 11th and Mark 12th overall.
Steve Hills made the C final and finished an impressive 2nd place after jumping the live start. This meant he claimed 8th overall.

James Hunt was in the B final, in his first event at Hamilton. James finished 4th, to finish the event in 7th place overall.
Mark Sanderson, also won the best prepared car award, So not a bad result in the end for the Pinewood contingent.
Well done to the Winners, in the Seniors, Ross Mckie (Hamilton) and in the Juniors, Ian Cowan (Hamilton). Also well done to all the class winners.

We look forward to seeing you all again at Preston on the 7th and 8th July for round 4 of the Slot.It Challenge series.