[Gareth]

A Final

   

It was a delight to see John (yellow) back in the A Final.  John was known as the Doctor of WHO for many years as he became our first multiple time champion.  He’s had a few years away from the medal positions so to see him here was awesome.  John would be doing battle with pole man Oliver (blue), Terry (red) and Andy in white.  

   

I’ve spoken many times about Terry’s appalling luck and disasters, one of which has always been his body clashes with opponents, the very thing that cost him a win in Mod last time out.  This time, Terry had been running his stock red Monte Carlo throughout the heats but was persuaded to switch to his light green stock Monte Carlo for the final by Oliver who was also running a stock red Monte Carlo.  


Why these guys don’t get a unique paint job done is absolutely beyond me.  It is so staggeringly simple.  

1. You use a sharp knife to cut the body plastic holding the windows in place under the bonnet and roof.  
   
2. Remove the windows and pop the body in methylated spirits or isopropyl alcohol for 24 hours.  
   
3. Scrub the body using water and a scourer to remove the paint, using a tooth pick or dental pick to remove the paint in the panel lines. 
   
4. Use Google to find your favourite colour or numbered Nascar or favourite sponsor.
   
5. Go to pattosplace.com to find the car you chose, I practically guarantee he will have those decals for you. 
   
6. Email Patto stating the decals you want (in 1/64th scale peel and stick), pay his invoice and await your parcel.
   
7. Buy spray paint and primer.  I recommend Tamiya TS spray paint for hard bodies. Sussex Model Centre has it in stock or you can use any paint from Halfords. 
   
8. Prime your body with grey or white primer and lightly sand to smooth it. 
   
9. Apply your spray paint with light, even coats allowing it to dry between coats.  You can use a clear coat on top to really finish and protect the paint.
   
10. Cut out and stick your decals to the body.
    
11. Refit your glass using a little glue to hold it in place.
    
12. Admire your beautiful and unique car safe in the knowledge that your car will be easy to spot in a race. 
    

Paint rant over, let’s get back to the racing.  Terry had an absolute disaster.  Big and lengthy crashes on laps 1, 3, 4 and 5 ended any hopes he had of challenging for the win.  Several more crashes sealed his fate and he came away for a second month looking visibly disappointed and frustrated.  Sending a hug your way Terry, if you want some support with the paint thing, let’s talk!  

   

Andy had a troubled start to his race too which meant he was in a race long battle with John.  A lengthy crash for John on lap 9 saw Andy into 2nd place but with John then stringing together a 9 lap run of sub 5 second laps and reeling him in, it was Andy’s turn to have a trio of crash laps allowing John back into p2.  A late crash for John on lap 20 left them neck and neck before Andy found a few more tenths in the final laps to claim a brilliant 2nd on the road.

   

You’ll notice I haven’t mentioned Oliver or 1st place yet and that’s because he delivered an absolute masterclass in blue lane.  One minor off on lap 21 was the only thing to blot his copybook as he dominated the race.  Smashing in a 4.199 fastest lap on the way, just to show he could do it, the rest of the race was just fast and consistent driving to a well deserved win.  You could go as far as to say an expected win because I think Oliver was just in a class of one all night.  

   

So an excellent evening of racing (even with the bizarre mechanical failures) ended with Oliver taking the win, Ash the Gen6 win and Isaac the junior medal by default it has to be said!  We need more juniors!  Congratulations to you guys, thank you to the set up and strike down crews.  Big shout out to Andy who had to zoom home to grab a cable to get the laptiming working; hero!  

   

See you for F1!