The 2019 season saw the Arena Slotstox Club have two regular venues: the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Waltham Abbey Community Centre ('WACC') and second, fourth and fifth Wednesday of each month at the new Hobbs Cross venue.

2 October - Arena points chart round 2 at 'WACC' – with these now running alongside Parmastox points rounds rather than as stand alone meeting there was only time for one heat - there was only time for one heat - 14 points chart points. 6 November - Arena points chart round 3 at 'WACC' - heat - 10 points chart points.  After the first 3 rounds I was 4th in the Arena Points Chart with 77 points.  Being defending Gold Stripes champion from when Slotstox were last run at Arena in 2016 my grade for the season would not change.

4 December - Arena points chart round 4 and Gold Stripes Final at 'WACC' - with my Slotstox struggling for grip - heats 25 points (heat 1 8, heat 2 17).  After the 4 rounds I finished 4th in the Arena Points Chart with 102 points.  Whilst the top six drivers in the points were due to qualify for the 2019 Gold Stripes final (so I would have qualified) - only six drivers were present at this round and so all those present qualified with 3 of my Slotstox being raced!  I had fourth pick of the six drivers in drawing starting lane in qualifying order. I started in the Green lane (lane 6) with drivers having two races in each lane over 8 laps all starting from the start/finish line. I finished 4th in both races in green lane plus the first race in blue lane.  I finished 3rd in the second race in blue lane and the first race in yellow lane before failing to finish the second race in yellow lane.  In each of red and white lanes I finished 4th in the first race and failed to finish the second race before finishing 3rd in my first race in black lane and 2nd in my second race in black lane. Overall I finished 3rd with 23 points and my finishing positions plus non-finishes meant I wasn't close to the top 2.  Losing my Gold Stripes and Silver Roof meant I would be red grade for the start of the 2020 season. I did make some changes to my Slotstox at the end of the meeting changing the inside rear wheel/tyre after which it did handle better during a few practice laps - unfortunately it was too late by then!

 

27 March - Arena points chart round 4 at 'Hobbs Cross'.  The intention was to race and continue to test my red Parmastox chassis with Chris Branch’s metal body work and shell – which I had agreed to borrow – only swapping his wing for my shale wing. This was following its performance at Wellgate when used by Chris to win the championship!  Practice confirmed that intention with this Parmastox set up more suited to the Hobbs Cross track than my blue Parmastox or my red Parmastox chassis with its usual metal body work and body shell. This proved a good decision for heat 1 (including winning the first two races!) - 1st of six drivers (41).  I was also going well in heat 2 but in the third last race my Parmastox shot off the track at the end of the home straight all on its own – subsequently diagnosed as two detached engine screws which meant there was no way of it slowing down!  For the last two races I used my blue Parmastox but in the first of these a big crash broke the metal body work and I had to nurse it to a finish in the final race of the heat – 2nd of six drivers (30 – the winner scored 34 so, without the issues, it may have been a different result but that’s racing!)  My heat win meant I qualified for the final and with my red Parmastox chassis still missing an engine screw and with my blue Parmastox metal body work damaged, I raced my blue Parmastox chassis with the metal body work and shell of Chris Branch – whilst not the quickest set up, consistent finishes provided decisive - 1st of six drivers (38 – only 1 win but finishing 11 of the 12 races) – first final win and maximum 13 (best heat 5 + final 8) points chart points of the season.

During the first 4 rounds points/grades cycle, I was the highest points scorer on 49 points with the highest average 12.3 points.  Being the Arena Silver Top Champion my grade for the season would not change.

17 April - Arena points chart round 5 at 'Hobbs Cross' postponed from 10 April.  I continued to use my now repaired red Parmastox chassis with Chris Branch’s metal body work and shell and my red Parmastox shale wing.  Heat 1 - 2nd of seven drivers (23 - 3rd scored 22), heat 2 - 1st of seven drivers (36 - second scored 35) and heat 3 - 1st of seven drivers (32).  All seven drivers raced in the final - 1st (45 - finishing all 12 races) – second final win and maximum 13 (best heat 5 + final 8) points chart points in a row. 24 April - Arena points chart round 6 at 'Hobbs Cross'.  I continued to race my red Parmastox chassis with Chris Branch’s metal body work and shell and my red Parmastox shale wing.  Heat - 1st of five drivers (46 - a heat that somehow ended up consisting of 14 races!)  This heat win was sufficient to qualify direct to the final - 2nd of six drivers (38 - finishing all 12 races) – 12 (best heat 5 + final 7) points chart points. I missed Arena points chart round 7 at 'WACC' due to one of my twin boys breaking his arm that evening.  8 May - Arena points chart round 8 and Gold Top Qualifying round 2 at 'Hobbs Cross'.  I continued to race my red Parmastox chassis with Chris Branch’s metal body work and shell and my red Parmastox shale wing.  Heat 1 - 1st of six drivers (35), heat 2 – 1st of six drivers (36) and heat 3 – 2nd of five drivers (35).  All remaining seven drivers raced in the final - 1st (38 - finishing 11 of the 12 races) – third final win and maximum 13 (best heat 5 + final 8) points chart points of the season plus Gold Top Qualifying points.

During rounds 5 to 8 and despite missing 1 round, I was third highest points scorer on 38 points with the highest average of 12.7 points.  Being the Arena Silver Top champion my grade for the season would not change. I was joint top of the Arena Points Chart with one other driver with 87 points and the highest average of 12.4 points. I was joint top with the same driver in the Gold Top Qualifying points after round 2 with 25 points.

 

15 May - Arena points chart round 9 at 'WACC' racing my blue Parmastox - heat 1 - 4th of six drivers (29 - same points as 3rd but they had 5 race wins whereas I had 1 whilst 2nd scored 31), heat 2 – 1st of six drivers (41) and heat 3 – 1st of six drivers (41 again including 9 2nd place finishes!)  All remaining six drivers raced in the final - 3rd (30 - 1st scored 36 and 2nd 34 but it all came down to the last 2 races and a couple of incidents here and there but luck probably balanced itself out over the evening!) – 11 (best heat 5 + final 6) points chart points.  5 June - a late change of fixture meant that Slotstox Arena points chart round 2 was replaced by Parmastox Arena points chart round 10 at 'WACC' and racing my blue Parmastox - heat 1 - 1st of six drivers (36) and heat 2 – 1st of six drivers (37).  Winning both heats despite handcontroller issues subsequently identified as being due to a loose wire. All remaining six drivers raced in the final - 4th (30 - 3rd also scored 30 and both of us had 2 race wins but they had 2 2nd place finishes to my 1 whilst 2nd scored 36 and it all came down to the last race and unfortunately I was on the outside... perhaps it wasn't so good that my handcontroller issues were fixed!) – 10 (best heat 5 + final 5) points chart points.

7 June – I attended the Aaron Talbot Tribute meeting at 3 Counties Slotstox Club but chose not to take my Parmastox and race (arriving after the start of the meeting) due to the likely finish time.  I did manage to win an Ice Age 4 DVD in the raffle however!

12 June - Arena points chart round 11 at 'Hobbs Cross'.  I continued to race my red Parmastox chassis with Chris Branch’s metal body work and shell and my red Parmastox shale wing.  Originally planned as four five car heats but with a driver leaving after the first two, heats 3 and 4 were redrawn as three six car heats.  Heat 1 - 3rd of five drivers (31 – 2nd scored 33), heat 2 – 1st of six drivers (35) and heat 3 – 2nd of six drivers (31 – 1st scored 33 as my Parmastox began to suffer from pinion issues). My heat win ensured I qualified for the final - 2nd of six drivers (28 – all very close with 3rd to 6th scoring 26, 25, 23 and 20… thankfully my pinion held out as best it could during the final!) – 12 (best heat 5 + final 7) points chart points. 19 June – at ‘WACC’ and although this date was meant to be the Midsummer Madness / Alternative formulae round 1, I had undertaken some maintenance work on both my blue Parmastox and also the red Parmastox chassis with Chris Branch’s metal body work and shell.  It was a good decision as a late change of fixture meant this meeting was switched with the following week and became Arena points chart round 12.  A mixture of circumstances meant a depleted number of drivers - heat 1 racing my blue Parmastox – 1st of four drivers (42) and heat 2 giving my red Parmastox chassis with Chris Branch’s metal body work and shell plus existing shale wing a try at WACC – 2nd of four drivers (40 – 1st scored 42).  All four drivers qualified for the final and I decided to stick with my my red Parmastox chassis with Chris Branch’s metal body work and shale wing as I felt this had performed better despite suffering from pinion issues - 2nd (35 – all very close as 1st scored 39, 3rd 32 and 4th 31 – 12 (best heat 5 + final 7) points chart points.  With an early finish post meeting I made tested a change to my blue Parmastox and this showed some improvement I was hoping for.

During rounds 9 to 12, I was the highest points scorer on 45 points with the highest average of 11.3 points.  Being the Arena Silver Top champion my grade for the season would not change. I was top of the Arena Points Chart with 132 points and the highest average of 12.0 points.

3 July – Arena points chart round 13 at ‘WACC’.  Having both been away for maintenance I practiced both my blue Parmastox and my red Parmastox chassis with Chris Branch’s metal body work but wasn’t really happy with either of them.  My blue Parmastox had too much rear chassis movement causing too much bouncing whilst my red Parmastox chassis wasn’t on the pace.  A quick fix with blue tac to my blue Parmastox and it was much better – heat 1 racing my blue Parmastox – 1st of six drivers (38); heat 2 racing my red Parmastox chassis with Chris Branch’s metal body work and existing shale wing to try and identify the problem – 6th of six drivers (14 – but I did identify the problem – new rear tyres required!) and heat 3 racing my blue Parmastox – 2nd of six drivers (35).  All remaining six drivers raced in the final and racing my blue Parmastox – 5th (18 – as things didn’t quite go my way!) – 9 (best heat 5 + final 4) points chart points and the first time since 2 September 2015 that I finished lower than 4th in an Arena Metal Slotstox final and didn’t score double figures!  For the record - 63 consecutive double figures scores: 2015 after 2 September - 5 meetings, 3 attended – 1 x 13 / 2 x 12; 2016 – 18 meetings, 16 attended – 11 x 13 / 3 x 12 / 1 x 11 / 1 x 10; 2017 – 15 meetings, 13 attended – 6 x 13 / 4 x 12 / 3 x 11; 2018 to date – 20 meetings, 19 attended – 5 x 13 / 3 x 12 / 6 x 11 / 5 x 10; 2019 – 12 meetings, 11 attended – 3 x 13 / 6 x 12 / 1 x 11 / 1 x 10.  Both Parmastox have gone away for further maintenance!  10 July – Arena points chart round 14 at ‘Hobbs Cross’ - maintenance had only been done on my blue Parmastox and this was running well but I didn't want to risk this at Hobbs Cross and so raced my red Parmastox chassis with Chris Branch’s metal body work and existing shale wing.  It still needed new rear tyres and wasn't running as well as I would have liked but ultimately proved sufficient.  Heat – 2nd of seven drivers (38 - winner scored 40 with a non-finish in the final race due to hitting a de-slotted Parmastox preventing the win).  For various reasons it was then decided to go straight to the final with all seven drivers - 1st (26 - 2nd scored 25) – 12 (best heat 4 + final 8) points chart points.  17 July – Arena points chart round 15 at ‘WACC’ racing my blue Parmastox - heat 1 - 2nd of six drivers (36); heat 2 - 2nd of six drivers (36) and heat 3 - 1st of five drivers (39). All remaining five drivers raced in the final - 2nd (35) – 12 (best heat 5 + final 7) points chart points.  7 August – Arena points chart round 16 at ‘WACC’ racing my blue Parmastox - heat 1 – 1st of five drivers (35 – 2nd scored 34 with the heat win helped by another driving accidentally pulling out 2nd’s handcontroller in a race whilst they were leading and I had already crashed resulting in a re-run of that race!) and heat 2 - 2nd of five drivers (32). All five drivers raced in the final - 2nd (40) – 12 (best heat 5 + final 7) points chart points.

During rounds 13 to 16, I was the highest points scorer on 45 points with the highest average of 11.3 points.  Being the Arena Silver Top champion my grade for the season would not change. I was top of the Arena Points Chart with 177 points and the highest average of 11.8 points.

14 August – Arena points chart round 17 and Gold Top Qualifying round 4 at ‘Hobbs Cross’. I debuted a new red Parmastox metal work and body with existing shale wing in heat 1 which whilst fast was still a work in progress to set up right on the chassis - 4th of seven drivers (23 - 3rd scored 25). I switched back to borrowing Chris Branch’s metal body work for heat 2 – 4th of seven drivers (28 - 3rd also scored 28 but they had two race wins to my one whilst 2nd scored 29 and 1st 32 so it was all very close). I continued to borrow Chris Branch’s metal body work for the final with all seven drivers which proved a good decision - 1st (40 - finishing 11 of the 12 races – 10 (best heat 2 + final 8) points chart and Gold Top Qualifying points. I was top of the Gold Top Qualifying points with 44 points and guaranteed a top six qualifying spot for the Gold Top final on 20 November.

21 August – Arena points chart round 18 at ‘WACC’ racing my blue Parmastox and with blue lane not working all heats were 10 races (2 races per lane, 5 lanes) - heat 1 - 2nd of five drivers (33 - same as 3rd but I had 2 race wins to their none); heat 2 - 1st of five drivers (42) and heat 3 - 1st of five drivers (43). All five drivers raced in the final - 1st (39) and a first final win at 'WACC' / fourth maximum 13 (best heat 5 + final 8) points chart points this season.  11 September – Arena points chart round 19 at ‘Hobbs Cross’ racing my new red Parmastox with existing shale wing.  Heat 1 – 2nd of six drivers (34), heat 2 – 2nd of six drivers (29 – 1st scored 30) and heat 3 – 2nd of five drivers (37).  The remaining six drivers raced in the final - 1st (29 – only 3 more points than 2nd with a crucial race being when I had been stopped by a de-slotted Parmastox but I kept pushing this until another Parmastox clipped it and took out all those remaining including the driver who eventually finished 2nd!) – 12 (best heat 4 + final 8) points chart points.

18 September – Arena points chart round 20 and 5th and penultimate Gold Top Qualifying round at ‘WACC’.  I raced in 3 heats of six drivers and won all 3!  Heat 1 and 2 racing my blue Parmastox (39 and 37); and heat 3 – starting with my blue Parmastox but ending with my red Parmastox after my blue Parmastox stopped working after being involved in a crash (35).  All remaining seven drivers raced in the final – racing my blue Parmastox with the problem, a loose wire, identified and fixed – 4th (20 – 3rd scored 21 whilst 5th scored 19) – 10 (best heat 5 + final 5) points chart and Gold Top Qualifying points. I remained top of the Gold Top Qualifying points with 54 points. I had already guaranteed a top six qualifying spot after round 4 for the Gold Top final on 20 November

During rounds 17 to 20, I was the highest points scorer on 45 points with the highest average of 11.3 points.  Being the Arena Silver Top champion my grade for the season would not change. I was top of the Arena Points Chart with 222 points and the highest average of 11.7 points.

25 September – I missed Arena points chart round 21 at ‘Hobbs Cross’ due to a works conference.  Despite not being far from 'Hobbs Cross' I decided not to leave on the evening.  2 October - Arena points chart round 22 at ‘WACC’ racing my blue Parmastox. Heat 1 - 1st of seven drivers (45 - finishing all 12 races); heat 2 - 4th of seven drivers (27 - 3rd scored 29 whilst 5th scored 25); and heat 3 - 3rd of six drivers (30). All remaining six drivers raced in the final – 3rd (24 - 2nd also scored 24 but had 3 wins and 2 2nds whilst I had 3 wins and 0 2nds. It was all very close as 1st scored 25, 4th 23 and 5th 20 - low scoring and a little scrappy!) – 11 (best heat 5 + final 6) points chart points.  9 October – Arena points chart round 23 at ‘Hobbs Cross’.  Heat 1 – racing my new red Parmastox with Tarmac wing - 4th of six drivers (16 - only 5 finishes whilst 5th scored 15 and 3rd scored 18); and heat 2 – racing my blue Parmastox with my red Parmastox having struggled for grip - 3rd of six drivers (25 - same as 2nd but they had 4 race wins whilst I had none). My finishing positions were sufficient to qualify as the sixth and final qualifier for the final and I switched back to my red Parmastox with Tarmac wing as this appeared to now have more grip after a couple of laps practice beforehand - 2nd (34 – with 11 finishes, 10 of which were 3rd place!) – 10 (best heat 3 + final 7) points chart points despite not winning a race all meeting!

16 October – Arena points chart round 24 at ‘WACC’ racing my blue Parmastox.  I raced in 3 heats of six drivers - heat 1 (32) which guaranteed the 5 points I needed to win the Arena Points Championship for the fourth season in a row - the first person to do so! Buoyed by this I also won heat 2 (36) before heat 3 2nd (28). All remaining seven drivers raced in the final which featured some of the most consistently quick and close racing as I've been involved in for a long time – 2nd (36 – 1st scored 37 whilst 3rd scored 33 and 4th 31 - it was certainly high scoring!) – 12 (best heat 5 + final 7) points chart points.

During rounds 21 to 24, I was the highest points scorer on 36 points despite only racing at 3 of the 4 rounds with the second highest average of 11.0 points. Being the Arena Silver Top champion my grade for the season would not change. I was top of the Arena Points Chart with 255 points - 62 points ahead of 2nd with only a maximum 52 points available from the final 4 meetings - and the highest average of 11.6 points.

On 20th October, I raced at the Arena Slotstox Club hosted European Championship which doubled up as the BSA National Series round 4 at Hobbs Cross. All drivers competed in three heats of two races per lane (six lanes) over 8 laps with points scored based on their finishing positions in each - 1st 6, 2nd 5, 3rd 4, 4th 3, 5th 3 and 6th onwards 1 - the highest points scoring eleven drivers would automatically qualify to the semi-finals whilst the next six would compete in a consolation heat with the winner to also qualify. I raced my preferred Hobbs Cross red Parmastox with shale wing and started from my BSA averages grade of blue - the first time I raced from a grade other than Silver at Hobbs Cross. Heat 1 2nd (5 points) of six drivers (42), heat 2 5th (2) of six drivers (29 – this was a close heat with some great close racing and at times I used all of my defensive experience - 4th also scored 29 but they had 2 wins to my none whilst 2nd and 3rd each scored 31) and heat 3 1st (6) of six drivers (51). With a heat point score of 13 I qualified as the 8th highest points scorer. Semi-final - with the top three in each qualifying to the final – 3rd of six drivers (42 – 2nd scored 44) meaning that I qualified for a 7th Arena Open Championship final following 1st in 2016, runner-up in 2011, 3rd in each of 2013 and 2015, 5th in 2008 and 6th in 2005.  Final with all drivers racing from the white grade – 5th of six drivers 28 (3rd and 4th each scored 31). 6th in the final equated to an additional 7 National Series points totalling a score of 20 at this round and after round 4 of the National Series (although I had only attended two) I had an overall score of 27 points.  My red Parmastox chassis had now made two BSA round finals in 2019 having been used by Chris Branch to win the first round at Wellgate!  I didn’t race in the Grand Nationals at the end so with my 3 point score from Wellgate I was joint 29th in the BSA Grand National Series points with four other drivers.

23 October – Arena points chart round 25 and 6th and final Gold Top Qualifying round at ‘Hobbs Cross' racing my red Parmastox with shale wing.  I raced in 2 heats of six drivers and won them both (36 and 41).  These were sufficient to qualify 1st of 12 drivers for the final - 2nd of six drivers (32 - 1st also scored 32 but they had five wins to my one; whilst 3rd scored 29) – 12 (best heat 5 + final 7) points chart and Gold Top Qualifying points. Having already guaranteed a top six qualifying spot for the Gold Top final on 20 November after round 4 I finished top of the Gold Top Qualifying points with 66 points.  6 November – Arena points chart round 26 at ‘WACC' racing my blue Parmastox.  I raced in 2 heats of seven drivers and finished 2nd in both (34 in both!  In heat 1 the winner scored 37 and 3rd 32 whilst in heat the winner scored 36).  All seven drivers raced in the final - 1st (34 again! 2nd scored 33) – 12 (best heat 5 + final 7) points chart points. 13 November – 27th and penultimate Arena points chart round at ‘Hobbs Cross' racing my red Parmastox.  Heat 1 - 1st of eight drivers (27 - 2nd scored 25) and heat 2 - 6th of seven drivers (17 - 5th scored 18). My Parmastox hadn't been running as it had been during the heats and on checking a section of weight had come loose at the front.  I removed this and whilst it was better for the final it was still not quite right.  All remaining seven drivers raced in the final - 5th (22 - 6th scored 20) – 9 (best heat 5 + final 4) points chart points.

20th November – 28th and final Arena points round incorporating the Arena Gold Top Championship Final at WACC.  Having finished top of the Arena Parmastox Gold Top qualifying points I had first pick of the six drivers in drawing starting lane in qualifying order. Using my blue Parmastox (after some maintenance work over the previous weekend), I started in the green lane (lane 6) with drivers having two races in each lane over 8 laps all starting from the start/finish line. I finished 4th in my first race in green lane before no one finished the second. I failed to finish my first race in blue lane before winning the second race in blue lane and both races in yellow lane. At the half way stage I was 1st on 17 points whilst 4 drivers were tied 2nd all on 12. I finished 3rd in my first race in red lane and won the second race in red lane followed by 2nd and 3rd in white lane (even though scores are kept secret during the final I sensed I was in the lead and just needed solid points in black lane). I finished 2nd in my first race in black lane (which was the deciding result) and 3rd in my second race in black lane.  My total of 39 points proved enough to win the Arena Gold Top Championship for a second time following 2016!

In heat 2 I raced my Parmastox with Tarmac wing – 4th of six drivers (18 – 5th scored 16).  By winning the Gold Top I qualified direct to the final – 1st of six drivers (36 -2nd scored 34 and 3rd 33) – a 5th maximum 13 (best heat/consolation 5 + Final 8) points chart points of the season.

 

During the 24th to 28th rounds, I was the highest scorer with 46 points and the third highest average of 11.5 points. I had already won the Parmastox Arena Points Championship but finished the season with 301 points (161 at WACC and 140 at Hobbs Cross) and the highest season average of 11.6 points.  With winning the Gold Top I would hold the Gold Roof for the 2020 season. All rounds were raced on the 'WACC' track. Having raced at 26 (14 at WACC and 12 at Hobbs Cross) of the 28 rounds (15 at WACC and 13 at Hobbs Cross) I won nine finals – 3 at WACC and 6 at Hobbs Cross.  I also had the highest average points at each of WACC (11.5) and Hobbs Cross (11.7).

 

27 November - Arena Team Championship at Hobbs Cross with 3 teams of 3 drawn at random. This season I was drawn to team up with two experienced Arena drivers Ken Holmes and Cliff Bicknell (Team C). Each team would race against each other twice in qualifying heats with the best 2 teams racing in the final. Each heat consisted of 6 races with one driver from each team racing 3 consecutive races in each of either the two inside lanes, two middle lanes or two outside lanes. In all heats Ken raced in the two inside lanes, I raced the two middle lanes starting with my Red Parmastox with Tarmac wing (to try and disrupt the other team!) and Cliff the two outside lanes. We won our first heat v Team A (starting outside lanes first) - 22 to 19 - me 12, Ken 10 and Cliff 0; and our second heat v Team B (starting inside lanes first) - 38 to 17 - me 4, Ken 18 and Cliff 16. In our third heat against Team A (starting inside lanes first) we lost 23 to 36 – me 4, Ken 8 and Cliff 11; but bounced back to win our fourth heat against Team B (starting outside lanes first) 41 to 32 – me 8, Ken 17 and Cliff 16. My red Parmastox broke a wire during the fourth heat so I had to switch to my less robust blue Parmastox - less effective on the disruption I could cause! Our three wins were the best of the three teams and we also finished as top scorers (124 – me 28, Ken 53 and Cliff 43) to qualify for the final against Team B. Although Team B had less overall points than Team A (104 to 105) they had beaten them twice to have two wins compared to Team A’s one win against us. Being top qualifiers we had choice of inside or outside first for the final and chose outside first which backfired!  Although we had beaten Team B twice in the qualifying heats, our performance over the first half of the final cost us and at the half way stage we were losing 26-12 and although we improved over the second half we lost by 39 points to 27 - me 9, Ken 12 and Cliff 6. I finished as runner-up in an Arena Team Championship for a third time following the ‘Open’ Team Championship in 2015 teamed up with my wife Clare and Colin Woollaston and 2018 teamed up with Bradley Shirley and Barbara Skee.  2019 followed a similar tale to 2018 in that my team qualified first for the final (and were top points scorers in the heats) only to lose the final to the team we had beaten twice and who had been the lowest points scorers in the heats! 

 

4 December at WACC.  A fun five car, one race per lane (five lanes, not using the inside blue lane) heat with all drivers starting from the start/finish line but each race over 12 laps!  1st - 18 points.

 

 

Classic Hot Rods

 13 March - Arena points chart round 1 at 'Hobbs Cross' borrowing a Classic Hot Rod - heat - 2nd of four drivers (31) - 5 points chart points.  27 March - Arena points chart round 2 and Gold Top Qualifying round 1 at 'Hobbs Cross' borrowing a Classic Hot Rod - heat - 2nd of five drivers (40) - 5 points chart and Gold Top Qualifying points.  I was joint 3rd with one other driver in the Arena Gold Top Qualifying points.  17 April - Arena points chart round 3 postponed from 10 April at 'Hobbs Cross' borrowing a Classic Hot Rod - heat - 5th of seven drivers (22) - 2 points chart points.

During the first 3 rounds points/grades cycle, I was the 4th highest points scorer on 12 points with the joint 5th highest average (with two other drivers) of 4.0 points.  After this first grading period I was blue grade.

24 April - Arena points chart round 4 and Gold Top Qualifying round 2 at 'Hobbs Cross' borrowing a Classic Hot Rod - heat - 2nd of five drivers (37 - finishing 11 of the 12 races) - 5 points chart and Gold Top Qualifying points.  I was joint 2nd with one other driver in the Arena Gold Top Qualifying points with 10 points.  8 May - Arena points chart round 5 at 'Hobbs Cross' borrowing a Classic Hot Rod - heat reduced to 1 race per lane - 7th of seven drivers (2) - 1 points chart point. 

12 June - Arena points chart round 6 and Gold Top Qualifying round 3 at 'Hobbs Cross' borrowing a Classic Hot Rod - heat – 3rd of five drivers (31 - finishing all 12 races – 2nd scored 33) - 4 points chart and Gold Top Qualifying points.  I was joint 2nd with one other driver in the Arena Gold Top Qualifying points on 14 points. 

During rounds 4 to 6, I was joint third highest points scorer with one other driver with 10 points with the seventh highest average of 3.3 points and remained blue grade.  I was joint 4th of the Arena Points Chart with one other driver with 22 points and the joint 6th highest average (with one other driver) of 3.7 points.

26 June - Arena points chart round 7 at 'Hobbs Cross' borrowing a Classic Hot Rod - heat – 2nd of seven drivers (29 - 1st scored 30) - 5 points chart points.  10 July - Arena points chart round 8 and Gold Top Qualifying round 4 at 'Hobbs Cross' borrowing a Classic Hot Rod - heat – 1st of seven drivers (39) - 6 points chart and Gold Top Qualifying points.  I was joint top with one other driver in the Arena Gold Top Qualifying points on 20 points.  14 August - Arena points chart round 9 at 'Hobbs Cross' borrowing a Classic Hot Rod - heat – 2nd of six drivers (22 - 1st scored 24) - 5 points chart points. 

During rounds 7 to 9, I was the highest points scorer with 16 points and the highest average of 5.3 points and was up to red grade.  I was Top of the Arena Points Chart with 38 points and the fifth highest average of 4.7 points.

Arena points round 10 at 'Hobbs Cross' on 11 September was postponed with a few drivers delayed en route due to problems on the M25.

 

25 September – I missed Arena points chart round 10 and 5th and penultimate Gold Top Qualifying round at ‘Hobbs Cross’ due to a works conference.  Despite not being far from 'Hobbs Cross' I decided not to leave on the evening.  I was down to joint 3rd in the Arena Gold Top Qualifying points on 20 points but was now guaranteed a top six qualifying spot for the Gold Top final on 27 November.  9 October - Arena points chart round 11 at 'Hobbs Cross' racing my mums 'George Polley replica slot-rod' which had received some maintenance updates from another driver and was quick in a straight line but lacked weight so the bends had to be negotiated with care - 4th of four drivers (24) - 3 points chart points. I finished 3rd in the Arena Gold Top Qualifying points on 23 points having already guaranteed a top six qualifying spot after round 5 for the Gold Top final on 27 November.  23 October – 12th and penultimate Arena points chart round at 'Hobbs Cross' continuing to race my mums 'George Polley replica slot-rod' - 4th of five drivers (16 - 5th scored14) - 3 points chart points. 

During rounds 10 to 12 having missed one round, I was the 8th highest points scorer with 6 points and the joint 9th highest average (with one other driver) of 3.0 points and was down to blue grade only being able to drop one grade.  I was down to 4th in the Arena Points Chart with 44 points (but it was all very close with one round remaining as the top 5 scores were 50, 49, 45, 44 and 43) and the sixth highest average of 4.0 points.

13 November – 13th and final Arena points chart round at 'Hobbs Cross' again racing my mums 'George Polley replica slot-rod' - 3rd of four drivers (21) - 4 points chart points. 

Having raced in 12 of the 13 rounds, I finished 4th in the 2019 Arena Classic Hot Rods Points Championship with 48 points (it remained all very close as the top 5 scores were 52, 50, 50, 48 and 47) and the joint joint 6th ,with one other driver, season average of 4.0 points.

27th November – Arena Gold Top Championship Final at Hobbs Cross.  Although I finished 3rd in the Arena Classic Hot Rod qualifying points, the top qualifier was absent so I had second pick of the six drivers in drawing starting lane in qualifying order. Racing my mum's 'George Polley replica slot-rod', I started in the white lane (lane 4) with drivers having two races in each lane over 8 laps all starting from the blue grade line. I finished 4th in my first race in white lane and 5th in the second. I finished 3rd in my first race in purple lane but failed to finish the second as well as both races in green lane. At the half way stage I was well off the pace in 5th with 6 points - 1st at this stage having won 5 of the 6 races!  I finished 2nd in my first race in blue lane but failed to finish the second race. 4th in the first race in yellow lane was followed by a non-finish in the second as well as the first race in red lane. I finished with a 3rd in the second race in red lane for a total of 15 points and I finished 5th in the Arena Gold Top Championship.

 

Alternative formulae

On 26th June at 'WACC' I raced in the Arena Alternative formulae points round 1 which doubled up as the Arena Midsummer Madness Championship deferred from the previous week. Total points from all races counted towards the Midsummer Madness Championship: 1/24 scale Nascar provided by the club with a set Nascar in each lane (2 races per lane – four lanes, two to five - over 8 laps) – 16, joint 3rd highest points scorer with one other driver and 3 points behind 1st; followed by two heats of Go Karts provided by the club (2 races per lane – four lanes, one to four – over 4 laps) – 13 points and 30 points, 2nd highest Go Karts points scorer and finished 4th in the Arena Midsummer Madness Championship with 59 points (10 points behind 1st whilst 2nd and 3rd scored 62 and 61 points respectively.

For the Arena Alternative formula points chart: Nascar – joint 3rd of seven drivers (4), Go Karts heat 1 – 4th of four drivers (3); and Go Karts heat 2 – 2nd of four drivers (5 having scored 30 – 1st scored 32) - a total of 12 points. I was 4th in the Arena Alternative formulae points chart with 12 points and the 4th highest heat score average of 4 points.

 

On 31st July at 'Hobbs Cross' I raced in the Arena Alternative formulae points round 1 which doubled up as Arena Big Banger Bash Championship deferred from the previous week. Total points from all races counted towards the Big Banger Bash Championship: Bangers – 21, 2nd highest points scorer 13 points behind 1st; Small Van Bangers – 25 points, joint highest points scorer and still 2nd overall but now 7 points behind 1st; finally Big Van Bangers – 27, 3rd highest points scorer and finished 2nd overall with 73 points only 3 points behind 1st.  The decisive race was probably the third last when I was leading comfortably late in the race, from one other driver, only for them to crash on their own across my lane causing me to non-finish and miss out on 5 points for the race win.

For the Arena Alternative formula points chart: Bangers – 2nd of seven drivers (5), Small Van Bangers – 1st of seven drivers (6 having scored 25 the same as 2nd but I had 2 race wins to their 1 whilst 3rd scored 23); and Big Van Bangers – 3rd of seven drivers (5 having scored 27 – 2nd scored 28) - a total of 15 points and the highest Alternative Formulae points scorer. I was top of in the Arena Alternative Formulae points chart after round 2 with 27 points and the 3rd highest heat score average of 4.5 points.

I missed Arena Alternative formulae points round 3 on 28 August (brought forward from 4 September) due to a family holiday and slipped down to joint 3rd with one other driver in the Arena Alternative Formulae points chart maintaining the 3rd highest heat score average.  I missed Arena Alternative formulae points round 4 which doubled up as the Halloween Havoc on 30 October due to a family holiday and slipped down to joint 5th with two other drivers in the Arena Alternative Formulae points chart with the joint 3rd, with one other driver, highest heat score average.

 

 

Arena Winter Series

The 2019 season started with a mixed formula six round Winter Series with points from all races counting.  The aim of the Series being to give new drivers a chance to race formulas they hadn't raced before and all drivers to race formulas at the new Hobbs Cross (HC) venue prior to the AGM and setting the 2019 fixture list.  Round 1 on 16 January was due to feature two heats for Parmastox and two heats for Slotstox but due to a delayed start and availability (I lent out two), the Slotstox ended up being a single 'test' heat for those that hadn't raced or hadn't regularly raced Slotstox and so didn't count to the points.  In the Parmastox for heat 1 I raced my blue Parmastox and scored 51 points and for heat 2 I raced my red Parmastox and scored 23 points - each heat consisting of four drivers.  With 74 points I was top of the Arena Winter Series after round 1 by a 1 point. I missed rounds 2 and 3 at HC on 23 January and 30 January respectively due to illness plus round 4 at WACC as I was on a work training seminar in France.  Round 5 on 13 February at HC featured Classic Hot Rods and Plastic Slotstox plus a bonus heat of Parma-Saloons.  In the Classic Hot Rods heat I borrowed a Classic Hot Rod and scored 28 points; in the Plastic Slotstox I scored 17 points and in the Parma-Saloons I scored 11 points.  A total at this round of 56 points meant an overall total of 130 points and I was down to 9th in the Arena Winter Series points.  I missed the 6th and final round on 20 February at WACC due to holiday and finished 9th in the Arena Winter Series points with 130 points.

 

PARMASTOX ARENA OPEN/EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP: 5TH

PARMASTOX ARENA POINTS CHAMPION: 301 POINTS

 PARMASTOX ARENA 'WACC TRACK CHAMPION: 161 POINTS

PARMASTOX ARENA 'HOBBS CROSS' TRACK CHAMPION: 140 POINTS

PARMASTOX ARENA GOLD TOP CHAMPION

PARMASTOX ARENA TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: RUNNER-UP (with Ken Holmes and Cliff Bicknell)

PARMASTOX ARENA STATISTICS: 9 final wins – 3 'WACC' and 6 'Hobbs Cross'

 

 

ARENA CLASSIC HOT RODS POINTS CHAMPIONSHIP: 4TH - 48 POINTS

ARENA CLASSIC HOT RODS GOLD TOP CHAMPIONSHIP: 5TH

ARENA WINTER SERIES: 9TH - 130 POINTS

 

 

Slot-Racing

 

2019