Leek Slot Stox Club

14th August, 2003 - Our New Home
Leek Central Club	Leek Slot Stox Club's new home is now officially Leek Central Club, Market Street, Leek. Based on the first floor of this historical building LSSC plan to start a full race season on 7th October 2003. Prior to that, off season race meetings will be held on 26th August 2003 followed by the 9th and 23rd of September. Regulars and new racers alike are advised to get those tyre warmers on and the engines revved up as Leek Slot Stox Club get ready to SMASH, CRASH and TRASH into the new 2003 season !!
6th August, 2003 - Ready, Set, Go !!!! At long last, Leek Slot Stox Club is ready to start racing once again ! It takes a lot to keep a good club down you know ! Our new venue is Leek Central Club located right in the centre of the town on Market Street which is easy to find and has a car park right next door. Many thanks go out to Eddie for being so accommodating and making LSSC welcome in our new home - it wouldn't have been possible without his generous help. New Fixtures Now to the part you've been waiting for - the race dates. The first race meeting at Leek Central Club will be held on 26th August 2003 and this will be followed by additional meetings on the 9th and 23rd of September. All being well we will be in a position to start the 2003/2004 season on 7th October but this is to be confirmed - check back here for the latest news updates. 17th June, 2003 - New Venue Acquired !!!! After being severely let down, misled and mistreated by the negligent actions of the persons responsible for the management of Britannia Sports & Social Club, Leek Slot Stox Club has been forced to relocate to another venue. Thankfully, a new venue in Leek has now been identified and after a small amount of work will be ready for us to be able to start racing again. So all racers with itchy trigger fingers get ready and watch this space for further details, coming soon !!! Thanks Many thanks to the guys who helped in the relocation of the track equipment - in addition to Bros, Nij and Fiona organising the move, the club would like to say a big thank you for helping out to John, Fitch, Mark, Tom and last but not least, Muddy and his van. 18th March, 2003 - Latest Update/ Lancashire Open There's not much to report presently on the venue front which is apparently still under dust sheets and no completion date has been given. We appreciate the support and interest being shown by drivers as we wait, frustratedly, to get back on the track. In the meantime any of you eager drivers can get your fix at this years Lancashire Open which will be held on 30th March at RMSCC in Nelson. A few LSSC members have been to this fixture in the past and have been made very welcome. Interested parties can contact Nick on 07802 655262 for further details. 3rd February, 2003 - The Yellow Flags Are Out ! The season has abruptly and unexpectedly been put on temporary hold whilst our race venue is renovated. Every effort is being made to secure an alternative venue in the event the renovations are not completed by the next meeting (11th February). As soon as more information becomes available we will let you know. If you are aware of a possible temporary alternative location in which the next meeting can be held please call Nick asap on 07802 655262. Many thanks. 28th January, 2003 - Race Meeting 8 We have had to postpone this meeting due to the fact the location in which we race (Britannia Sports & Social Club) is currently being renovated. It is our intention to find an alternative venue for the next scheduled meeting on 11th February. Information regarding this will be passed to club members as soon as it is known. 14th January, 2003 - Race Meeting 7 and Qualifying Round 4 Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control it was not possible to hold this meeting as planned. It will be postponed to a later date. 12th January, 2003 - Pages Updated The Grades page has been updated with the new grades for Meetings 7 and 8. The League Table page has been updated. Meeting report added below for meeting 6.
17th December, 2002 - Race Meeting 6

Hard Boys
These boys drink shandy... neat.

Seen Better Days...
...and that's just the driver.

Disappointed
Earlier today Broster (aged 43) planned a mission to win races. Latest reports coming in reveal that the mission has been canceled.

After a recent visit to blue top status Adam found the going easier back down at the yellow line. This was reflected in his score in heat one which was the highest. In the second heat Bros was finding the going pretty easy to begin with. So much so on lap five of one race he decided he was doing so well he'd just push another car off on the way round for the fun of it. "Doh" was his regretful reflection as his car left the track after the unsuccessful attack, "why do I keep doing that" he added, looking for an unforthcoming sensible response from within.

Paul was going well and earned his first qualification into the final for this season. He had problems balancing his new found performance nevertheless as he found himself making enemies of Dunc and Ben during one race by ploughing into, and taking them both out.

New racer Mike was very happy with his "steamin" performance tonight. Mike has been going from strength to strength since he started only 3 meetings ago, scoring higher and higher each time.

Some somewhat dodgy looking body repairs appeared to be causing problems in the last heat. Whilst lining up Jon tried in vain to blame the track tape after his car was seen going off the track rather prematurely. It was later seen smoking. However Dunc's performance was clearly enhanced with the strategic addition of a rubber band holding it all together.

Bros was determined to try and make a late surge to make it into the final, even though it looked highly unlikely. "I'm on a mission !" was his authoritative proclamation and it looked like even he believed he was going to succeed. Bros never even completed the race. "Mission cancelled" he murmured as he went to sit down. It's not very often you see a grown man cry into his bottle of bud.

In the final Jon got off to a good start with Paul also going well. Trying to make sure no-one was going to run away with the win after last meetings drubbing from Alec, Nick stepped in and some rather nifty evasive driving was called for from Jon. Nick found himself fighting a losing battle however, as both Jon and Alec were doing a good job of avoiding the traps and carnage around them as it became a two horse race. Once again Alec reigned supreme and took the final win.

Alec's reluctant run at white top comes to an end with the regrading and moves up to blue top and Adam also returns to blue. Current red tops are unchanged and Nij narrowly misses relegation to white, moving down to yellow top.

Jon's unbeaten run at the top of the league table continues for the fourth consecutive meeting whilst Nick's steady climb means he overtakes Chaz and acquires second place.

No Points
Mesh, just after seeing his heat score of only 4 points

No Parking
Somebody is going to have to paint some double yellow lines round this corner

No Comment
Alec gets all shy and tries to hide behind his finger

Novice racer Mike showed a marked improvement in his performance this evening as he started to get to grips with the car and even getting accused by some of the more experienced racers of showboating as he came cruising in with some high scoring races. Despite having a damaged chassis, Nick somehow managed to hold it together long enough to score the highest in the first heat.

In the second heat Mesh just couldn't seem to keep it on the straight and narrow and appeared to be skipping from one lane to the next in every race. Sadly for him that is not how the points are scored and he ended up with a lowly score 4 points for a whole heat. Bros too was struggling and correctly concluded his brain to hand co-ordination seemed to be somewhat non-existent.

Alec was doing his best to keep his verbal comments under wraps tonight as for some strange reason he was feeling self conscious about being quoted on the web site. "It's all made up anyway" he stated, rather accusingly. How foolish was he, everybody knows all items reported are entirely factual and never vary from the truth. He then added that his "Favourite pastimes are collecting stamps and train spotting" and he thinks he "Looks really good in pink undies". Silly boy.

The final saw some interesting racing with Jon going well, even managing to reverse into Dunc's car at one point, conveniently re-slotting his car for him, after all, what are friends for ? Unfortunately for him his friend Alec had evidently spotted his chance and started to eek out a substantial lead and had won the final before anyone even realized there was a potential win on the cards. Although accused of performing a 'stealth win' Alec was clearly proud of his performance on only his second visit to the club, although for some reason he declined to comment on the win.

With Adam back down from Blue to Yellow he seized his opportunity to take the lead from Carole in the Whites & Yellows.

Alec's high scoring moves him up four places to seventh in the league table whilst Nick closed on second placed Chaz but Jon is holding his own out in first place.

Learning the Hard way
Ben demonstrates to new driver Mike how to burn out a motor

Suck Gas...
...and you could end up like this man. Remember kids, just say NO

Ben's night started with a bang, or to be more accurate a cough and a splutter as the motor in his car decided it had had enough abuse during its unfortunate existence and refused to start any more. No amount of motor lube or poking and prodding at the hands of dad, Nij, could coax the lifeless motor into action. Jon lent him a car he had just 'knocked together' and Ben went on to effortlessly win the first race and set his highest meeting score of the season so far.

Jon's bid for league supremacy was further strengthened as he continued to pile on the points. Scoring the highest out of both his heats he also helped strengthen Nij's chance of scoring during one race as he crashed into the back of him, actually knocking his car's bodyshell back on, just before it was about to slide off the rear completely. "Are you sure that bodyshell was supposed to be like that ?" enquired a bemused looking Bros, foolishly expecting some sort of sensible response from Nij. "Yes, I prefer it that way" was the entirely predictable rejoinder. Bros put in the highest score of heat 3, helping to move him up two places to third in the league challenge.

Following some controversy for Mesh's over his heat scores he found himself having to battle it out in the consolation but he successfully secured a place in the final during his first race participation of the season. Still going well he held an early lead in the final before being overtaken by Chaz and Nick who although both starting at the back of the field seemed to benefit by being clear of the 'thick of it' as the yellow and blue tops got busy with knocking each other off the track. Jon began to close the gap on the two leaders and Chaz, who was in a position to win with a third, crashed out early on lane six forcing another race. It was all or nothing in the last race - with Chaz and Nick starting from lanes 1 and 2 they would have to go early. It was all over before a lap was completed as Nick, who now needed a single point, crashed across the line at the start of his first lap with a tyre hanging off and scored the necessary point for the final win, his first of the season.

The Boy's On Fire
Unfortunately for Phil with a lowly total score of only 10 points the only thing on fire was his shirt.

Double Front Flip Twist
Adam and Ben try to score points for artistic impression.

At Long Last
After several years of waiting, Carole eventually goes and does it and wins a final.

The scrutineer, Phil, immediately came under fire in the first heat this evening, being accused of contravening car construction rules as his car scraped around the track. Accuser, Nij, made the challenge at the risk of losing £1.00 to club funds if not upheld and suddenly the shouts of "Nij must pay, Nij must pay" were heard resounding around the room. However, none of the aforementioned chanters were apparently available for comment as much to his disgust, Phil was forced to fit larger diameter tyres (to the car scrutineered by himself) and Nij's quid was safe. Meanwhile, Jon's car had apparently developed a somewhat banana shaped chassis but much to people's, and his own, amazement he put in the highest score of the heat.

Ben and Adam seemed to be getting themselves into more than their fair share of tangles in heat two as they were caught on camera performing some kind of formation crashing at the chicane. Nij thought he was up for a heat win but Dunc stepped in on the last race to make sure he didn't. "Its not fair - he pushed me" whined Nij as Dunc took the highest heat score.

Heat three saw further repercussions for Phil as the protests about his earlier "incorrect tyre choice" were patently not forgotten. Jon's car was still doing it's Banana Splits impression around the track, now evidently going round on three wheels, somehow with the outside rear wheel off the track - about time to get that one in the vice or if it was Nij, on the gas cooker. Aleks scored well putting in the highest heat total.

In the consolation Nick mistakenly lent Ben his tyre cleaning fluid and Ben repaid the compliment by beating him by one point to the last place to compete in the final.

Aleks thought she'd been hard done to early on in the final as she claimed raised track tape had caused her to crash. Further scrutiny however, and her inability to get the car to come off again in the same place (as hard as she tried) led the starter to uphold the result. Ben was going well, making liberal use of the tyre cleaning additives supplied by Nick, and found himself level points with Carole at the half way stage. Carole tried not to think about it too much as she was convinced the pressure would get to her, as has happened on previous occasions. Bros took over the lead position for a short time until the last race where Carole just needed three points to win. There were cars flying off the track all over the place as they tried to ensure she didn't get the required points but to no avail as Carole cruised in for her first final win ever !! Well done Carole, who said you couldn't do it, and that also puts her up into fourth place in the league.

LEAGUE: With Alec not competing and with good points scored in the heats Jon moves up two places, taking the lead in the league table, followed closely by Dunc.

WHITES & YELLOWS: With Adam's promotion out to Blue Top, Carole storms ahead.

Getting Used To It
Most people take a few meetings to get used to the track... not Alec...

Where's The Any Key ?
Phil has the computer worried... or is it the other way around...

Claiming A Minute
Rob tries to rebuild his chassis in 60 seconds

The long distance travelers were out in force tonight as Dunc and Jon were joined by fellow RMSCC racer Alec. Some may have been wondering what exactly must attract the RMSCC members to travel so far to join in the typically inane action but looking at their performances later on it looks like they could be plotting to take away all of the silverware this season. Alec highlighted the point as early as the first heat. Not only the first heat of the night but his first heat in his first visit to the club, Alec achieved the highest score. "Well the car just took itself around really", he said modestly, probably trying to avoid the attentions of the likes of Nij, who'd take pleasure in making sure his car didn't take itself around many more laps if he decided it wouldn't.

In the second heat Nick thought he was doing well when he eventually managed to do more than zero laps until he noticed Phil cruising past at a blistering pace to lap him. "There's plenty more of that to come when I really get used to this car" boasted Phil to a dejected looking Nick. There was some fast racing and plenty of bumper action to follow with Dunc firing people in, left right and center. He didn't seem to fire Jon in much though, who totaled the best score of the heat. Jon explained, "It were a fluke that" - another modestly stated account, sounding rather similar to something we'd heard earlier.

Dunc was suffering in the next heat citing "damage from a previous race" as the reason, hardly surprising considering the carnage he had been wreaking, leaving Chaz to score the highest.

As the cars were reslotted for one of the races Bros was asked what he was in. "A mess" came the honest reply as he just couldn't seem to get it right, having just tripped over Carole's car trying to lap her. Carole had been unstoppable scoring the most in the final heat.

Nick somehow managed to get his act together in the consolation in time to earn the remaining place in the final which was "like stepping into the back room at Nelson" as he approached the track, finding three RMSCC regulars and only two other Leek based drivers to race against. Some close racing ensued resulting in three drivers being in a position to take the win in the last race, with Alec, Dunc and Nick needing to cross the line first to claim victory. Chaz took a lunge at Alec, ensuring the newbie wasn't going to take it, whilst Nick took a last ditch attempt from behind at Dunc, cartwheeling unsuccessfully down the back straight, leaving Dunc to take a well earned final win.

LEAGUE: With high scoring in the heats followed by good results in the final both Alec and Dunc find themselves sitting pretty at the top of the league table in joint first place.

WHITES & YELLOWS: Adam is out in front, 33 points clear of Carole.

No Laughing Matter
Rob and Jon take the consolation race very seriously

All Over
Rob quickly ends the consolation race

The Power
Adam contemplates the power at his fingertips

Varying levels of pre-season preparation (or lack thereof) were clearly evident as the new 2002/03 season got under way. Dunc was sporting some new livery proudly advertising his Rab Unwin Memorial Trophy win last season and Rob was exhibiting a newly built car with a somewhat sturdy looking metal bodyshell - maybe this one will last a bit longer before he starts smashing bits off it.

Bros's latest offering was clearly up to his usual concourse standard of presentation, with his brightly coloured, metal constructed, 'Wynn's Special' bodyshell. It even had some cleverly constructed runner type shapes incorporated into the roof to make the car cunningly act as a sledge, once turned on it's roof. It didn't take long before we witnessed the 'sledge theory' first hand, as Bros's car was observed overtaking on the infield, sliding upside down past other cars to everyone's amazement.

Charlie's pre-season car preparations amounted to a quick wipe with his t-shirt, to remove excess oil and other substances.

White Top Adam got the season off to a flying start, notching up the highest score in heat one, whilst Dunc totted up the best total for the second heat.

Having recently returned to Blue Top following a spell at Yellow, Rob was apparently struggling and found himself in the head-to-head consolation with Jon, who also at Blue, had been sporting a Red Roof for most of the last season. Rob's strategy was to comprise of some kamikaze style lunges down the back straight which ultimately paved the way for Jon to take the remaining place in the final.

Struggling to get off the mark in the final was Nick, who now starting way back on the Superstars line was finding it difficult to get the necessary fast start, clattering into the back of the hapless Bros, who on more than one occasion found himself punted off the track before he'd even rounded the first bend. Dunc and Adam were going well but ultimately it was down to a two horse race between Jon and Chaz. Unluckily for Jon he found himself on an outer lane to Chaz in the last race and resigned himself to a second as Chaz stormed in for the first final win of the season.

LEAGUE: With that final win Chaz is also levitated to first place in the league, followed by Adam and Dunc sharing joint second.

WHITES & YELLOWS: Adam takes up the lead in the Whites & Yellows Trophy

2nd October, 2002 - Latest News

IMPORTANT NOTICE - NEW 2002/2003 SEASON REMINDERS
Would all racers please note the following important information:-

Commencement of 2002/2003 Season is 8th October 2002

In order to make sure we are able to cater for the increasing number of racers and to ensure racing finishes at a reasonable hour it is important that all racers read and understand the new club handbook for the 2002/2003 season.

Draft copy handbooks have already been handed out to regular members and some of the important points are detailed below. Please read them.

Practice Time
Practice time is from 8.10pm* to 8.30pm. This means you have 20 minutes to prepare your car(s) for racing and to practice. Please have your car scrutineered as soon as it is ready.

*Wherever possible it is intended that the track will be setup and ready by 8.15pm

Latest Entry Time
Please note the latest entry time is 8.30pm. If you are not going to be at the track by 8.30pm you must inform another member of your intention to race. If you have not registered by 8.30pm you will not be included in the nights racing. This is because racers names have to be entered on the computer and the heats drawn up and racers notified of which heats they are in.

Heat running order and times
These will be announced once all the drivers names are in and have been entered on the computer. Please make sure you know where and when you are racing. Drivers will be called two minutes before each heat and there will be a timer countdown on the big screen.

Driver Availability
If any driver is not ready for the start of any race then the race will start without them and they will score zero points for that race. This is in accordance with Race Rules and the Race Steward's decision will be final in all matters.

24th September, 2002 - Last Off-Season Meeting Before New Season
The last meeting before the new season starts turned out to be a busy one with many racers turning out to get their last minute preparations and practice in. Things were evidently going well with Chaz's setup as he went on, following in the footsteps of Nij, to claim his 3rd final win in a row.

15th September, 2002 - Links Page Updated
Some changed links have been updated on the links page and a new link for another site now linking to us has been added.

14th September, 2002 - Fixtures List Updated
The fixtures list page has been updated with the fixtures for the 2002/2003 season.

10th September, 2002 - Penultimate Meeting Before New Season
After this meeting is the last chance for racers to get that last minute practice and development time in before the start of the new season. Looks as though competition is going to be fierce as the tempo of the racing appears to be getting faster and faster with the no holds barred bumper action racing of the last few meetings giving way to some serious points winning racing and fast finishes.

The final tonight may be an indicator of things to come as three racers all reached final winning positions at the same time. With close racing and fast finishes throughout, Chaz, Nick and Nij all found themselves needing a win on the last race. Maybe the pressure got to Nij as he spun out early leaving Chaz and Nick to battle it out to the end with Chaz ultimately claiming the victory.

July - September, 2002 - Off Season Racing
Every two weeks during the off season the 'die hard' racers have been meeting up and getting the practice in. Nij has been pretty much cleaning up on the finals stakes winning several in a row - the question is will he be able to continue the momentum through into the new 2002/03 season or will be pressure be too much ?