Model car club competitors have everything to play for (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Model car club competitors have everything to play for

WHEN Cotswold Model Car Club members competed in the Swindon Model Centre Championship final round at the Jetski lake on Saturday, there was everything to play for.

But on a slippery tarmac track, everyone knew that in order to finish first, first they had to finish.

A large Nitro entry was split into two groups with qualifying being a complete lottery as most drivers struggled to tune themselves and their cars to the track.

The Electric Modified class led away proceedings and John Ridding showed the way with fast consistent driving to gain top qualifier in that class.

Andrew Saunders was the quickest of the Nitro runners and Andrew Mottram got TQ in the Stock class.

With all the classes still to be decided in the championship, the competition was fun but furious.

The Modified class was first away for their final with Mitchell Saunders defending a two-point lead, but it was not to be.

Mitchell had an off on lap seven which put him out of the race.

And it was left John Ridding to come home in first place with 15 laps in 5m 11.26s, ahead of William Holloway 13 laps (5m 13.45s).

First and second placed positions were only one point apart, as were the third and fourth places.

The Nitro B Final was won by Matt Thompson (25 laps) 10m 15.88s from his dad Paul in 20 laps 7m20.78s.

Nitro A Final was won by Ricky Mottram (32 laps 10m 6.65s) from Mick Nash (31 laps 10m 2.59s).

But the battle for second in the championship was between Doug Tanner and Ady Garlick and, at the end, Doug had done enough to keep his championship place.

The Stock final was led from start to finish by Andrew Mottram (15 laps 16.87s) from Richard Johnson (13 laps 5m2.42s).

Final positions in the Swindon Model Centre Championship 2003 as follows:

Modified Class: John Ridding 86pts, Mitchell Saunders 85, Paul Leyfield 82; Nitro Class: Ricky Mottram 98, Doug Tanner 87, Ady Garlick 84; Stock Class: Andrew Mottram 95, James Mudge 83, Sam Tanner 79.

Cotswold Model Car Club thanks Swindon Model Centre for all their support.

For details on the club, contact Doug Tanner on 01285 651251 or visit the website www.cotswoldmcc.co.uk