Tablers driven round the bend

A long awaited return to Pinewood Raceway was the delight of this social event. The giant Scalectrix track hosted a series of races and a grand endurance race final exclusively for Sandhurst & Yateley Round 
Table.

Starting off in traditional F1 style, a 30 minute free practice session allowed members to turn up in their usual 7.30 means 8.00 style, giving the early birds more practice time.

To kick off with, a series of 3 races with single car qualifying sessions began with just 60 seconds to set the fastest lap.  John (Austin) managed to set the fastest lap time of the six entrants, giving him first choice of session and lane.

The first session was 3 minutes (felt like longer) with assistance from marshals 
for those occasions when the car would inexplicably leave the track.  This was followed by an unmarshalled session, leaving the drivers to run around the track to put their own car back in the slot. This showed the fit tablers from the not so fit.

Paul (Emmerson) proved that race cars can pull caravans by showing that speed wasn't necessary in racing, while Michael (Michael Shuey) proved to everyone that driving the yellow car guaranteed it would take every opportunity of leaving the track (even on the straight). On the other hand Mike (Smudge) fell foul of a slow red car.

Things were getting close in the last sprint race before the final, with Graham (Hill) and John (Austin) tied at  the top. Matt (Sterling) was let down gently by the race organizers when they said in no uncertain terms that he hadn't got a hope in hell of winning the pole position for the final". But that didn't stop him 
winning the session.

Going into the 25 lap grand final John H was in pole position and chose to stick with his success with the green car. Control and consistency was always going to be key to winning this event and John (Austin) was the first to complete the 25 laps (going on to complete almost 37 laps by the time Paul (Emmerson) had fulfilled his 25). See Photo Gallery for more pictures

Sadly no champagne to spray, but a visit to the Golden Retriever pub for a celebratory drink and something to eat finished off the evening in fine style.