Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Points
Round 1- Mornington Park- 12/3/24
1st - Callan Thomas
2nd - John Batich
3rd - Mal O'May
1st - Callan Thomas
2nd - John Batich
3rd - Mal O'May
Racing Report - Round 1
It was to whoops of excitement & palpable anticipation that we turned up this week for the first round of the new series of Cartrix Grand Prix cars.
Even without the presence of the two most vocal supporters of this class (DB & Phil), those of us who were in attendance heard nothing but delighted comments coming from the likes of Rob Golley & Bruce Thomas as we prepared to start the first heat……..
Or maybe not.
In actual fact, there seemed to be an awful lot of pre-race complaining & excuse making from many of the drivers, the reasons for which are not entirely obvious to the writer. Bruce was even heard making up reasons why this class couldn’t be run at Gotham Park the following week!
The results of the racing tonight speak for themselves however, with most of the field covered by less than 10 laps difference. So - close racing – tick.
Callan was also one of the vocal critics of the series in pre-race banter, ironically once the racing started it was Callan who proceeded to drive the wheels off his double podded Lancia D50 and racked up a total of 109 laps to take out the first round by a clear 4 laps. In 2nd place on 105 laps, the smooth driving style of the wily JB propelled his Gordini up into the top 3 this week, 1 lap clear of a 2 way battle for 2nd. Both the writer & Adrian Gray finished on 104 laps over the 3 heats, but it was the BRM of Stirling Moss (aka – myself) who took the 3rd place on track position……even though there was some ribbing about the re-placement position of my car after heat 2!.
Adrians 104 laps locked him into 4th, a single lap clear of the Bruce Thomas & Rhys Filbee battle for 5th & 6th on 103 laps. Bruce took this one out on track position from Rhys in 6th.
Rob Golley, despite his derogatory comments on the series, still drove well enough to rack up 102 laps & finish a commendable 7th, which was in turn 3 laps clear of 8th placegetter Scott Wyman on 99 laps. Scott car also looks well balanced & should improve over the series.
Schoee was next in line inside the top 10 in 9th with his total of 94 laps, with Dave Gray rounding out the top 10 on 87 laps & Thomas Males in 11th on 82 laps.
So after round 1, there will be a short break from this series before round 2 comes around, which gives drivers a little time to take stock of the opening round performances & fettle anything that needs attending too.
It was to whoops of excitement & palpable anticipation that we turned up this week for the first round of the new series of Cartrix Grand Prix cars.
Even without the presence of the two most vocal supporters of this class (DB & Phil), those of us who were in attendance heard nothing but delighted comments coming from the likes of Rob Golley & Bruce Thomas as we prepared to start the first heat……..
Or maybe not.
In actual fact, there seemed to be an awful lot of pre-race complaining & excuse making from many of the drivers, the reasons for which are not entirely obvious to the writer. Bruce was even heard making up reasons why this class couldn’t be run at Gotham Park the following week!
The results of the racing tonight speak for themselves however, with most of the field covered by less than 10 laps difference. So - close racing – tick.
Callan was also one of the vocal critics of the series in pre-race banter, ironically once the racing started it was Callan who proceeded to drive the wheels off his double podded Lancia D50 and racked up a total of 109 laps to take out the first round by a clear 4 laps. In 2nd place on 105 laps, the smooth driving style of the wily JB propelled his Gordini up into the top 3 this week, 1 lap clear of a 2 way battle for 2nd. Both the writer & Adrian Gray finished on 104 laps over the 3 heats, but it was the BRM of Stirling Moss (aka – myself) who took the 3rd place on track position……even though there was some ribbing about the re-placement position of my car after heat 2!.
Adrians 104 laps locked him into 4th, a single lap clear of the Bruce Thomas & Rhys Filbee battle for 5th & 6th on 103 laps. Bruce took this one out on track position from Rhys in 6th.
Rob Golley, despite his derogatory comments on the series, still drove well enough to rack up 102 laps & finish a commendable 7th, which was in turn 3 laps clear of 8th placegetter Scott Wyman on 99 laps. Scott car also looks well balanced & should improve over the series.
Schoee was next in line inside the top 10 in 9th with his total of 94 laps, with Dave Gray rounding out the top 10 on 87 laps & Thomas Males in 11th on 82 laps.
So after round 1, there will be a short break from this series before round 2 comes around, which gives drivers a little time to take stock of the opening round performances & fettle anything that needs attending too.
Round 2 - Schumacher Park- 14/3/24
1st - Callan Thomas
2nd - Adrian Gray
3rd - Phil Kalbfell
1st - Callan Thomas
2nd - Adrian Gray
3rd - Phil Kalbfell
Round 3 - Mornington Park- 21/5/24
1st - Adrian Gray
2nd - Callan Thomas
3rd - Phil Kalbfell
1st - Adrian Gray
2nd - Callan Thomas
3rd - Phil Kalbfell
Racing Report - Round 3
3 rounds into the Cartrix Historic Grand Prix series, and a marked change has come over the results in those 3 weeks.
The top 3 in round 1 was quite mixed and if you check out the photo of the top 3 from that week you’ll see a variety of cars & body types on display. However, since then, the top 3 over the last 2 weeks has taken on a very similar look & feel. The outrigger fuel pod body type has started to dominate the results, and one has to wonder if this is a sign of things to come over the rest of the series.
This week it was Adrian Grays turn in the Ferrari D50 who racked up 109 laps to take out the round by a clear 2 laps in his first win of thew series. The minor placings were fought over very tenaciously and in a tight result for 2nd it was previous 2 time winner Callan Thomas in the Lancia who prevailed over Phil Kalbfell in a similar Ferarri in 3rd. Both drivers finished on 107 laps, and it was the matter of a car length or two that split the placings.
Rog Golley switched cars this week & after being piloted by Nick in round 2, the Maserati 250f notched up 104 laps for 4th place, 1 lap ahead of the BRM of myself (104 laps) in 5th.
The Vanwall of Bruce Thomas was next in line & his total of 102 laps slotted him into 6th, just a lap ahead of Rhys in the striking blue Bugatti. Rhys ended up in 7th place this week with his total of 101 laps. Schoee (Gordini ?) & Dave Gray (Aston Martin) rounded out the results this week, with Schoee in 8th on 98 laps & Dave in 9th on 87.
A break for the Cartrix GP cars next week as Bruce hates them & refuses to have them run on his track.
Round 4 - Stratton Valley- 4/6/24
1st - John Batich
2nd - Callan Thomas
3rd - Phil Kalbfell
3 rounds into the Cartrix Historic Grand Prix series, and a marked change has come over the results in those 3 weeks.
The top 3 in round 1 was quite mixed and if you check out the photo of the top 3 from that week you’ll see a variety of cars & body types on display. However, since then, the top 3 over the last 2 weeks has taken on a very similar look & feel. The outrigger fuel pod body type has started to dominate the results, and one has to wonder if this is a sign of things to come over the rest of the series.
This week it was Adrian Grays turn in the Ferrari D50 who racked up 109 laps to take out the round by a clear 2 laps in his first win of thew series. The minor placings were fought over very tenaciously and in a tight result for 2nd it was previous 2 time winner Callan Thomas in the Lancia who prevailed over Phil Kalbfell in a similar Ferarri in 3rd. Both drivers finished on 107 laps, and it was the matter of a car length or two that split the placings.
Rog Golley switched cars this week & after being piloted by Nick in round 2, the Maserati 250f notched up 104 laps for 4th place, 1 lap ahead of the BRM of myself (104 laps) in 5th.
The Vanwall of Bruce Thomas was next in line & his total of 102 laps slotted him into 6th, just a lap ahead of Rhys in the striking blue Bugatti. Rhys ended up in 7th place this week with his total of 101 laps. Schoee (Gordini ?) & Dave Gray (Aston Martin) rounded out the results this week, with Schoee in 8th on 98 laps & Dave in 9th on 87.
A break for the Cartrix GP cars next week as Bruce hates them & refuses to have them run on his track.
Round 4 - Stratton Valley- 4/6/24
1st - John Batich
2nd - Callan Thomas
3rd - Phil Kalbfell
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Round 5 - Mornington Park - 11/6/24
1st - Phil Kalbfell
2nd - Adrian Gray
3rd - Callan Thomas
1st - Phil Kalbfell
2nd - Adrian Gray
3rd - Callan Thomas
Racing Report - Round 5
Things are getting to the business end of the Cartrix Grand Prix series, and after a weeks break the official responsible for the racing system seemed to have forgotten all of the basic requirements of the job. Firstly, the media used for saving all the results to was not brought to the race meeting.
Strike 1…
Secondly, when all else seemed to progressing nicely with the heats, John Batich piped up wondering when he was going to be racing…….as his name was not entered anywhere in the driver list!
Strike 2….
Luckily there was no further incident leading to a 3rd strike & abolishment of this persons position within the club.
Anyway, racing did continue after JBs enquiry with his heats to be run separately at the end of the heats. In the main event, Phil finally found form & took out his first win of the series with a total of 110 laps, to win by a clear 3 laps from a battle between Callan & Adrian for 2nd & 3rd. This week it was Adrian on the 2nd step of the podium with his 107 laps, ahead of series leader Callan in 3rd (his worst result so far).
Another 3 laps back it was the writer on his own in 4th on 104 laps, for the time being. As we shall read about, this situation changed by the end of the night.
It happened like this; as the result of being missed out of the driver list initially, JB had to run his 3 brackets separately from the main round, and it was decided that, to be fair, there would be two other drivers with him to replicate the pressure & racing incidents that are part of the usual 3 driver heat setup.
One of these drivers (who shall remain nameless) is well known for elbows out driving, so it would be no walk in the park for JB in his solitary 3 stints. Interestingly, the aforementioned driver shadowed JB around the track like a shepherd protecting his sheep, and was the absolute epitome of gentlemanly driving.
So, with 3 nicely clear & incident free heats. JB totalled 104 laps…….and finished in 4th spot on track position, pushing the writer down to 5th. No hard feelings here JB….but Adrian was heard to request that could he please be left out of the driving list next week, so he could run his heats separately as well 😊
Anyway, Bruce was next, 1 lap back & tied with Rob on 103 laps, but bruce gained 6th on track position from Rob in 7th.
Rhys slotted into 8th with his 101 lap total, just 1 lap to the good of a very solid drive by Dave Gray in 9th on 100 laps for the night.
Rounding out the top 10, on 97 laps was Schoee, from 11th place Tom Males on 79 laps.
Things are getting to the business end of the Cartrix Grand Prix series, and after a weeks break the official responsible for the racing system seemed to have forgotten all of the basic requirements of the job. Firstly, the media used for saving all the results to was not brought to the race meeting.
Strike 1…
Secondly, when all else seemed to progressing nicely with the heats, John Batich piped up wondering when he was going to be racing…….as his name was not entered anywhere in the driver list!
Strike 2….
Luckily there was no further incident leading to a 3rd strike & abolishment of this persons position within the club.
Anyway, racing did continue after JBs enquiry with his heats to be run separately at the end of the heats. In the main event, Phil finally found form & took out his first win of the series with a total of 110 laps, to win by a clear 3 laps from a battle between Callan & Adrian for 2nd & 3rd. This week it was Adrian on the 2nd step of the podium with his 107 laps, ahead of series leader Callan in 3rd (his worst result so far).
Another 3 laps back it was the writer on his own in 4th on 104 laps, for the time being. As we shall read about, this situation changed by the end of the night.
It happened like this; as the result of being missed out of the driver list initially, JB had to run his 3 brackets separately from the main round, and it was decided that, to be fair, there would be two other drivers with him to replicate the pressure & racing incidents that are part of the usual 3 driver heat setup.
One of these drivers (who shall remain nameless) is well known for elbows out driving, so it would be no walk in the park for JB in his solitary 3 stints. Interestingly, the aforementioned driver shadowed JB around the track like a shepherd protecting his sheep, and was the absolute epitome of gentlemanly driving.
So, with 3 nicely clear & incident free heats. JB totalled 104 laps…….and finished in 4th spot on track position, pushing the writer down to 5th. No hard feelings here JB….but Adrian was heard to request that could he please be left out of the driving list next week, so he could run his heats separately as well 😊
Anyway, Bruce was next, 1 lap back & tied with Rob on 103 laps, but bruce gained 6th on track position from Rob in 7th.
Rhys slotted into 8th with his 101 lap total, just 1 lap to the good of a very solid drive by Dave Gray in 9th on 100 laps for the night.
Rounding out the top 10, on 97 laps was Schoee, from 11th place Tom Males on 79 laps.
Round 6 - Stratton Valley- 2/7/24
1st - Phil Kalbfell
2nd - John Batich
3rd - Callan Thomas
1st - Phil Kalbfell
2nd - John Batich
3rd - Callan Thomas
Racing Report - Round 6
Due to unforeseen circumstances, racing reports have been less than forthcoming since last weeks racing. I offer no excuses, but I think this one photo below says everything that needs to be said about this round of Cartrix racing…….hey Schoee ?
Due to unforeseen circumstances, racing reports have been less than forthcoming since last weeks racing. I offer no excuses, but I think this one photo below says everything that needs to be said about this round of Cartrix racing…….hey Schoee ?
Round 7 - Mornington Park - 10/6/24
1st - Phil Kalbfell
2nd - Callan Thomas
3rd - Adrian Gray
1st - Phil Kalbfell
2nd - Callan Thomas
3rd - Adrian Gray
Race Report - Round 7 & Series Summary
Going into the final round of the Cartrix Grand Prix series, there were, mathematically, 3 drivers in the running for the title, with Callan having a 2 point lead (121) from Phil on 119 & Adrian in 3rd on 116. However, given dropped point rounds were already in play & barring disaster it realistically was only a battle in 2 between Callan & Phil. Callan had to rely on either beating, or finishing 1 spot behind Phil to claim the series. Adrian could act as the foil though, with his car the only one fast enough to perhaps spoil Callans result.
So, it had all the eerily similar hallmarks of the final front engine battle of the 1:1 Grand Prix car era in 1958. Going into that seasons final round it was Mike Hawthorn (Callan) who had the advantage over Stirling Moss (Phil) . In an identical scenario to our slot car battle, Moss had to win the race & hope that Hawthorn finished 3rd or lower to take the title. The actual result of that season is well known, of course Moss won, but Hawthorn battled through (& was allowed to pass by teammate Phil Hill) to take 2nd and secure the championship.
How would our 1:32 battle pan out this evening…….
Absolutely identically as it turned out……
Callan kicked off his defence by starting in the first heat of the night in lane 3, he would then have to wait until the end of the night to race his final two heats. In the interim, Phil jumped on & set some very competitive totals & by the time he’d finished he’d racked up an impressive 109 laps for the night. It was enough to secure him the vital win. But how would Callan fare at the back end of the night ?
Callan did have the slight advantage of knowing what he had to do, but also had to deal the dangerous Adrian Gray in both of his final 2 heats with Adrian also hell bent on securing a round win himself.
As it all turned out, Callan managed to rack up a very consistent 108 laps over his heats to hold onto a solid 2nd spot this week from Adrian on 106 laps. Therefore also ensuring that his win in the championship (sorry…..series) was locked in. Very Hawthorn-esque.
In 4th this week was the first of the bit players in this drama, and it was the writer who managed log 105 laps himself to hold off both Rob Golley & John Batich in 5th & 6th respectively on 104 laps each. This ensured a 4th place finish for myself in the series as well.
In 7th, Rhys notched up a nice even 100 laps, some 7 laps clear of Dave Gray in 8th on 93. Thomas Males slotted into the top 10 this week on 84 laps for the night.
Another successful & competitive Cartrix series has been run & won, and I know all drivers can’t wait until this series is back on the schedule in 2 years time.
Going into the final round of the Cartrix Grand Prix series, there were, mathematically, 3 drivers in the running for the title, with Callan having a 2 point lead (121) from Phil on 119 & Adrian in 3rd on 116. However, given dropped point rounds were already in play & barring disaster it realistically was only a battle in 2 between Callan & Phil. Callan had to rely on either beating, or finishing 1 spot behind Phil to claim the series. Adrian could act as the foil though, with his car the only one fast enough to perhaps spoil Callans result.
So, it had all the eerily similar hallmarks of the final front engine battle of the 1:1 Grand Prix car era in 1958. Going into that seasons final round it was Mike Hawthorn (Callan) who had the advantage over Stirling Moss (Phil) . In an identical scenario to our slot car battle, Moss had to win the race & hope that Hawthorn finished 3rd or lower to take the title. The actual result of that season is well known, of course Moss won, but Hawthorn battled through (& was allowed to pass by teammate Phil Hill) to take 2nd and secure the championship.
How would our 1:32 battle pan out this evening…….
Absolutely identically as it turned out……
Callan kicked off his defence by starting in the first heat of the night in lane 3, he would then have to wait until the end of the night to race his final two heats. In the interim, Phil jumped on & set some very competitive totals & by the time he’d finished he’d racked up an impressive 109 laps for the night. It was enough to secure him the vital win. But how would Callan fare at the back end of the night ?
Callan did have the slight advantage of knowing what he had to do, but also had to deal the dangerous Adrian Gray in both of his final 2 heats with Adrian also hell bent on securing a round win himself.
As it all turned out, Callan managed to rack up a very consistent 108 laps over his heats to hold onto a solid 2nd spot this week from Adrian on 106 laps. Therefore also ensuring that his win in the championship (sorry…..series) was locked in. Very Hawthorn-esque.
In 4th this week was the first of the bit players in this drama, and it was the writer who managed log 105 laps himself to hold off both Rob Golley & John Batich in 5th & 6th respectively on 104 laps each. This ensured a 4th place finish for myself in the series as well.
In 7th, Rhys notched up a nice even 100 laps, some 7 laps clear of Dave Gray in 8th on 93. Thomas Males slotted into the top 10 this week on 84 laps for the night.
Another successful & competitive Cartrix series has been run & won, and I know all drivers can’t wait until this series is back on the schedule in 2 years time.
Final Series - Top 3
1st - Callan Thomas
2nd - Phil Kalbfell
3rd - Adrian Gray
1st - Callan Thomas
2nd - Phil Kalbfell
3rd - Adrian Gray
