[woodcote]

Carrera Classic Nascar

   

After some demonstration races over the past 12 months, the big Carrera Nascars finally have their own official class at our Tin Top Saturdays. Ten cars lined up for the first race - nine models of early 1970s cars, plus one 50's interloper running to St Mary's Trophy rules. We had five Plymouths - two Roadrunners & three Superbirds - three Ford Torino Talladegas, a Dodge Charger and a Chevy Bel-Air...

   

Qualifying in two groups of five saw Alex take pole with his Richard Brickhouse Superbird...

   

Mike, Oliver and Dean also qualified for the 20-lap Feature Race automatically. The other six would need to grab one of two step-up places in the 10-lap B Final...

   

Simon and Andy cruised away from the rest of the field from the start - the yellow Superbird and red Bel-Air running in close formation. Terry tried to hang on, but was slowly gapped. Isaac, Rob and Ollie were a lap behind by half distance. The ten laps were over in a little less than two and a half minutes - Andy eventually taking the win, followed by Simon, Terry, Rob, Isaac and Ollie.

   

The 20-lap feature race was full of excitement, punctuated by a fuel stop for all but the '57 Chevy and with all six runners staying on the same lap for most of the race. Dean, Alex, Oliver and Mike battled for the lead early on - Dean's Torino first at half distance, followed by Mike and Alex. Then there was a gap to Simon and Oliver, who'd dropped back from the lead group. Andy was finding the narrow, tippy Chevy a bit of a handful and was fighting to stay on the lead lap.

The big cars looked superb going round the track in close formation. Ollie took this video footage of the race...



Alex looked like he could just make it to the end on fuel and he inherited the lead as Mike and Dean pitted for a splash of fuel. Oliver and Simon also came in - Simon losing ground taking more fuel than he needed. As the chequered flag loomed, Alex was forced to pit for fuel - he rejoined in third, with Mike edging Dean for the win. Andy's Chevy did make it to the end without refuelling - he jumped Oliver and Simon into fourth place and wasn't far behind Alex for a podium spot.

   

Here are the results from qualifying and the two races...

   

Next, there's more BTCC action...