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Post by David Lawson on Aug 8, 2014 12:49:32 GMT -5
A lot of people on this forum will know ace model-maker George Turner for his range of superb resin slot car bodyshells.
George is currently preparing the ex-Pinewood Raceway 6-lane routed wooden track in a room adjacent to his workshop and is planning to have a club up and running later this year. The track is more or less complete and he is currently finishing some wiring, race control and power supply, George intends to have an open day towards the end of October when people will be able to come along and try the track out. In time there will be regular club nights as well as some open meetings and I think this superb track and the friendly atmosphere will make it a very popular venue.
The track as it is today when I visited with Paul Elliott a fellow Southend Slot Racing Club member, to test a few cars and learn which way the corners go.
It is a great track with some very quick corners as well as some technical stuff and the lap has a lovely flow so we had great fun racing the cars for an hour or two.
Here is my balsa bodied scratchbuilt BABS on the fast banked curve extremely appropriate for this Brooklands Outer Circuit aero-engine monster.
I was shaking the car down for an open race meeting at Wolverhampton later this year so didn't push too hard but this big slot car did a best lap of 11.112secs and it felt really at home on George's track.
One of my Airfix-bodied Wolves Halftonners which unfortunately lost its pinion before I could set a time.
I took along a couple of my pre-war scratchbuilt Earlybirds cars. This Mercedes was pretty quick lapping with a best of 8.914secs
I also tried out my scratchbuilt Lotus 25 which turned a best of 9.084secs but would benefit from a change of motor.
Those were the cars of interest to this forum but as a comparison I tested a few Slot it sports cars, their best laps were Group C Porsche 956 8.355secs, Mazda Group C 8.203secs and Alfa Romeo T33 8.363secs.
Thank you to George for letting us try out the track and thank you for going to all the trouble and expense of setting up this facility.
David
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Post by f143 on Aug 8, 2014 19:58:49 GMT -5
Thanks for posting David, it's good to know and see what's going on in your part of the world. I'm sure there will be a lot of interest in the track and the club. Cheers Nigel
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Post by Mark Huber on Aug 9, 2014 20:12:40 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing the update David. It will be nice to have two club tracks so close. I must admit, I am a bit puzzled by the changing colors of the lane markers, but perhaps I shouldn't think that through too much. Track marshals must be much more skilled in England than here!
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Post by David Lawson on Aug 10, 2014 1:50:48 GMT -5
It is quite fitting that there are now two clubs in my local Southend area both with large routed wooden tracks, it takes me back to the 1960s when I could race at two excellent commercial tracks at Wonderland Raceway and The Drag Centre in Southend and Westcliff.
The lane identification colours are out of sync on one section because the last time the track was used at Pinewood it ran in a different configuration. I'm sure George will get his paint pots out and alter this before the opening day.
David
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Post by Andrew Rowland on Aug 10, 2014 2:43:28 GMT -5
Hi David I'm hoping the opening date will be advertised well in advance so I can try to come over!
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Post by David Lawson on Aug 19, 2014 18:36:14 GMT -5
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Post by Dave Wisdom on Aug 20, 2014 1:57:27 GMT -5
Looks like an excellent track. I imagine once George gets the racing side organised it'll be a very successful club. Just wish it (and South End Slot Car Club) wasn't so far away from Newcastle!
Dave
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Post by David Lawson on Sept 6, 2014 14:42:14 GMT -5
There was a test day at George's new track today just to check all is working ok in readiness for next Saturday's open day. George is a very good host and he kept the coffee and snacks coming all day.
Eight visitors tested a range of their cars for a few hours and this has resulted in good consistent grip on all six lanes. There was a glitch with the race control which needs to be sorted out although the lap counters were fine. George and his son have done some excellent spring cleaning to the room and the work benches are all in place.
Hopefully there will be a good turn out of visitors on the 13th September for the official open day.
David
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Post by Andrew Rowland on Sept 6, 2014 15:02:53 GMT -5
I'll be there baring any major family issues... What time should I be coming / going David? Andi
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Post by David Lawson on Sept 7, 2014 9:59:20 GMT -5
Next Saturday's open day starts at 11am.
The friendly atmosphere yesterday was excellent so next week should be a good day.
David
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Post by David Lawson on Sept 13, 2014 12:57:37 GMT -5
The open test day was fun with some great dices using five of George Turner's 1/24 scale Mini Coopers which I know are not for this forum but are brilliant to race!
We also tested quite a few of our cars including my Matra which is showing good speed but I will soften the torsion before trying it again.
Andi Rowland brought his Policar Lotus 72 test hack which performed superbly producing excellent lap times and these will obviously sell in good numbers when they are available. Andi also tested his Brabham BT43 which lapped very rapidly and will be a strong contender in his proxy series next year.
Slot Magazine were in attendance so maybe there will be something in print about this club track.
Some of my scratchbuilds.
Joel Thura's pit box which does include some vacform F1 cars although he isn't into scale racing as featured in this forum.
Some of Andi's cars
More of Andi's cars.
Yet more of Andi's cars.
Don't be surprised to see this track being used for rounds of certain F1 Proxy Series next year.
David
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Post by Andrew Rowland on Sept 14, 2014 1:09:53 GMT -5
It was a fabulous day to meet up with the group there, seeing David again and George for the first time. That track is without doubt the best I've ever run on - love it! Also had fun running some cars. At one point there were 5 1/24 minis and one 1/32 Lotus 72 on the track running against each other. What fun!
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Post by Mark Huber on Sept 14, 2014 8:49:21 GMT -5
David and Andi, I am sure you fellows had a great day. I heard there might have been doughnuts as well. David, thanks so much for posting the pictures. I wonder if I'll be able to build a proxy car fast enough for a track like that? Well, I suppose I might find out next year.
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Post by Vic Bettell on Jul 4, 2018 10:18:26 GMT -5
this club no longer exists , &; the track is now owned by a club in Newark.
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