[Kevan]

Race report and results - 6th August 2026 - 

• Italian Cars - Grande Corse #1
  
• Italian Cars - Grande Corse #2
  
• SRF F1 Sidecars
  

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Italian Cars - Grande Corse -

   
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We saw twelve different Italian cars on track tonight, Paul & Mike opted to race one car twice, the rest of us chose two different cars.

• Chris opted to race an out of the box Scalextric Pagani (with NSR red tyres), lights ablaze, and was promised an extra lap if he did three clean runs… (* which he managed).  This was the only Standard Class car.
  
• Brian raced the only Small Class car.
  
• Kev raced the only Modified Class car.
  
• Two Open Class cars raced by Andy & Geoff.
  
• The rest were Prostock Class cars.
  

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It was a fun mix of cars right across the full spectrum of what we race from basic ready-to-run Scalextric, right through to scratch built racing specials.  The important thing is everyone enjoys driving the car they choose for these events.
…and we did this twice as we saw a change of Italian machines in the second round of racing

   
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SRF F1 SIDECARS - (we race these every week)

   
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During practice, George was getting some good lap times in.  Like others have found, the passenger needs securely gluing in place… more on this later in the race report!
Six SRF Sidecars tonight with more to come! (and a sneak peek of future SRF releases)
 In order of appearance on the track we saw:

• Andy, Geoff, Paul, Brian, Kev, Mike
  

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Kev’s fluoro green outfit was the most consistent tonight, with three 23 lappers, the 69 lap barrier has been breached.
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Andy was back and his outfit was also flying round the track but a few ‘off’s’ in his favourite Yellow lane cost him two laps and also possibly that 69 lap barrier.
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Mike’s Gulf coloured outfit is now definitely ‘on the pace’ a quick Sidecar that had a brilliant race with Brian’s outfit in Heat #2, both crossing the finish line together.  Mike in Blue lane, Brian in Red lane…
…that turned out to be the best of the three runs for Brian who’s now trying to find the performance it had on its maiden outing a few weeks ago.
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Paul seemingly had a problem before racing started as one rear tyre wasn’t touching the track, this turned out to be the lead ballast stuck underneath the chassis.  His Sidecar has the v.2 chassis for plastic track and is a nice smooth runner with a best result in Yellow lane.
…* Please make sure any ballast is inside the Sidecar *
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Geoff’s Sidecar is a smooth racing outfit and had an interesting race as Heat #3 saw him alongside Mike & Brian.  The race being yellow flagged half way through as a screw was found on the track, shortly followed by a crash involving a near fatal accident as an unsecured passenger was slung down the track and two outfits ended up in the same lane… the race ending a few laps later with all three Sidecars on the same lap.

   
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Here’s a reminder of the setups that seem to work well:

• Gearing - 3:1 or thereabouts, i.e. 11/34, 12/34 or 12/36.  This gives plenty of acceleration and brakes and more than enough top speed.
  
• 10mm wide tyres gives a great selection of tyre choices, tried and tested compounds in this size on BallaYorkley are NSR Alan Mann Untragrips, Thunderslot 002 or 004’s…(or NSR Zero graining tyres if you have the patience to true them as they take ages!)
  
• A good chunk of ballast (inside the Sidecar) down the centre of the chassis seems to work well.
  
• A small diameter front tyre so it doesn’t foul the chassis or touch the bodywork.
  
• How tight the bodyshell fixing screws are seems to have a big effect on handling, trial & error here.
  
• N.B. control in corners, trying to keep both rear tyres either side of the slot/braid to prevent tyre degradation on the drivers side wheel.
  

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A ‘gentleman's agreement’ formulated after a discussion with the SRF design team to keep the racing close for everyone:

• Slotcarmann Harrier 26k handout motors
  
• 10mm wide tyres
  
• No tyre treatment once Sidecar racing starts
  
• Ballast inside the outfit only
  

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Three videos this week…enjoy!

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Next week at the Manx Scalextric & Slot Car Club…

• Sports, Small Sports, Group 5 Sports
  
• TV & Film cars
  
• SRF F1 Sidecars
  

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