slotcarmann

Back in lockdown in the Isle of Man, since midnight Tuesday.... Over 100 active cases and rising, the worst its been. One known individual appears to have triggered the outbreak, but despite initially successful efforts to track and trace and keep the cases under control, untraceable community spread has become rife in the past few days, hence the 3rd lockdown. It's the "Kent" variant, so more easily transmissable and 1/3 of the current cases are of school age. I suspect the initial 3 week period will run on for rather longer than that....but we just have to go with the flow. There is some personal good news though, as my race shed project, long planned, is getting closer to fruition. I'm hoping the Croit Rhennee Raceway shed will be completed over the next few weeks. I can then install my 3 lane track, currently in storage in the dining room, plus my Glen Vine Forest rally stage, which needs a refurb. There is also a plan to create a new rally track, based loosely on the terrain in Cyprus. Cheers Dave Capelen

Well, the Isle of Man is coming out of the circuit breaker lockdown on Monday, as a result of no more community cases during the lockdown. This where being an island has its advantages. We did have 2 cases identified yesterday in returning individuals, who had already started their fortnight's mandatory isolation, so the system is working. So, all being well, there will be racing again at the Manx Slot Car Club on Thursday. Stay safe everyone and let's try and get through this together. Cheers Dave

Morning folks In my last post on 22 November last year I said:- "It potentially would be possible to stage several rounds in the Isle of Man next year, if the current situation of no community-transmitted COVID-19 continues. We are able to freely travel and mix within the Island and the Club runs weekly race sessions." Since then, after 6 months without any community transmitted cases in the Isle of Man, we have had an outbreak of over 40 cases in total from Christmas until mid-January. This now appears under control, after just over a fortnight in 2nd lockdown and, in the absence of any more cases in the meantime, the lockdown will be fully lifted on 1st February. Fingers crossed that we will be back on track next week. Our borders remain closed as they have been since the early days of last year's lockdown, with just essential medical travel and exemptions for essential workers in place. I'm due to have a shed built in the garden next week, all being well. For planning application purposes it was classed as a "Summerhouse". But, of course, in reality it is for housing a 3 lane slot track and some rally tracks. Cheers Dave

Hi guys It potentially would be possible to stage several rounds in the Isle of Man next year, if the current situation of no community-transmitted COVID-19 continues. We are able to freely travel and mix within the Island and the Club runs weekly race sessions. I cannot speak for the Manx Slot Car Club, as although I am a member, I am no longer an officer of the Club, but there are currently 7 routed wooden rally tracks in private houses here, plus one at the Club. I will be building another in the New Year. All these can be run in reverse too, to the best of my knowledge. I am sure there would be no problem in us finding the time to do our bit for a series, if that helps. Sadly, Barbs is now permanently in a care home, as a result of her dementia, but it does mean I am able to pursue this hobby more readily. Cheers Dave

We really do live in difficult times folks, don't we? Most countries have or have had some form of lockdown. In the Isle of Man we had a lockdown initially but we are now able to live our lives "normally" and mix freely. We have had our borders closed to all but essential inwards travel since late March. This has meant that we have only seen cases here in recent weeks in those that have been to the UK(which is now in lockdown again) and returned home here, or in their family or close contacts. There has been no other community spread of cases. We have been allowed to meet to race slot cars from mid-summer. It's very hard to organise a world-wide series with the ever-changing COVID-19 landscape, which I think most of us will acknowledge. However, I'd be in favour of trying to stage something, if it is deemed possible within prevailing restrictions, and would be happy to enter and do what I can to assist. Cheers Dave

HI guys I'm interested too. Cheers Dave

Hi guys Sorry the cars didn't make it down under....just to clarify, the IOM rounds will go ahead as scheduled. As several of us are retired, it gives us plenty of flexibility as to when in the week we hold the various stages, so don't panic...! Well done to all contestants in Round 1. Cheers Dave

Hi Mel Entry fees paid. No tyres required and will post the cars later this week. Any news on a potential schedule for the various rounds? Cheers Dave

Hi Mel, will pay tonight. The cars just need a gentle fettle and running in early this week and they'll be on their way. Cheers Dave

Hi guys Barbs' car has been lightly serviced and is running OK again since I've tightened the screws up a bit, from where they were when it arrived back. My car is running OK-ish but still too tippy, so I have a bit of work to do on that in the next week or two. Do we have a potential start date yet? My messages on this forum do not currently work for some reason, so e-mail is best at the moment. Cheers Dave

Hi guys The two Manx Audis arrived today....thanks for sending them back. Cheers Dave and Barbs

Thanks Mel. Good luck with the op tomorrow, just take it easy afterwards. Cheers Dave

Fingers crossed....have fun guys...!

Good news indeed...!

Thanks Alexis Good to see that there is still competitive rallying in Greece. I've enjoyed watching the progress of the various stages and there are some cars which clearly cope well with all types of stage. Well done to those guys on the set-up! I've learnt that we need to look again at sprung guides for next year...! I had tried one but had too many offs on flat tracks, so had canned that idea. Seems I might have been wrong - and the cars need some development in that area...! Must try and cut out the yo-yo-ing. So....how will everyone get on in the final rounds in sunny Australia...? Looking forward to the antipodean rounds...!