2003 Marconi Foundation Proxy Races

Class C:  32 with traction magnets

The race

Kathryn Walwick's TSRF car won another one as her GB-Track bodied Porsche 917PA made more laps than all others in spite of being the heaviest car in the race. Consistency and good balance paid off as the car's best lap time was only the race's fourth fastest, but the car stuck to the track and motored to a 3-lap win. The "Works" rocketship prepared by TSRF honcho Philippe de Lespinay lost 5 laps in the pit lane when an errant staple on the track lodged itself between the gears, needing a body removal. The car took a deserved second place after setting a new track record for the Buena Park track at 3.954", even faster than all the super stuck-down cars of the wilder Class E. In third was the Porsche GT1-98 of French entry Alain Antoine, a fast car but a bit unpredictable, and surely this cost it the win as its best lap was faster than of the winning 917. Californian Jack Marteville used a big NASCAR Ford Taurus to finish fourth, nine laps down due to a loose window interfering with the proper operation of things, needing its removal during the race and time was lost. John Hotchkiss sent a Scalextric-bodied TSRF chassis from England and the car ran well but lacked a bit of speed probably due to its weight. Nevertheless, its best lap was nearly identical to that of the winning car, but it got off often. Last was the Concours-winning Porsche 956 entry of Alan Schwartz. The kit had been put together improperly and needed a near-complete rebuild by the staff, loosing many laps in the process.

The Concours d'Elegance

No one had to look underneath, since all the chassis were identical save for wheelbase adjustment. Alan Schwartz Porsche 956 was the nicest looking with Kathryn's Porsche 917PA in second, barely beating the Bentley of Philippe de Lespinay and the John Hotchkis Mercedes CLK . The other lighter vac-formed cars were not well finished and trailed in points.

Class C results

Final Placing

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