Round 3 of the WLSC was held at the Mendip circuit in Weston-super-mare, the journey for most is very long but always seems well worth it. 9am Saturday the weather was absolutely glorious, with track temperatures rising as the day lengthened. It wasn’t long before the little 2 stroke engines sparkled into life and the smell of the oil was in the air. Amongst the early racers were Ian Oddie, a previous world champion, Adam Griffith and Trevor Kersey, many others preparing their cars in the pits. Dinnertime soon came, the track was open all day, giving drivers and pit crew a chance to gain good track time and tweak the cars for optimum performance. Mendip always draws good crowds and the 1/5 scale cars always seem to put on a good show with their true lifelike features. As the afternoon progressed most drivers were now on circuit. The lap times were now available from race control with most hunting to shave off valuable tenths of seconds, as the practice came to a close most seemed very happy and also very warm. For most racers a quick shower, meal and a gathering of thoughts ended the day.  
Race day soon arrived, the day started with a short practice session for those who couldn't attend on the Saturday, giving them chance to get a feel of the circuit, the circuit was open to all so many cars now doing their final tweaks and finalising tyre choices. Approximately 10am drivers briefing was held, the cars now all in the appropriate classes, heat listings were published and WLSC round 3 was underway. 
With three classes present it was decided to split the GTS class in half for the qualifying runs, this enabled more time between the heats hopefully better qualifying times. First heat on the circuit was the mixed class with only one electric car and one four wheel drive car present. Both drivers are relatively new, but most of all enjoying themselves and having fun. Roy Douch seemed to be the faster in the early rounds, Paul Jenkinson was hot on his heels, Roy managed to retain pole position for the final with second place awarded to Paul Jenkinson,
The first half of the GTS class were up next, with some very good up and coming drivers present all was to battle for. The rounds were very close with lots of action, Geoff Repton and Simon Rameswari were battling for the front in this half of the GTS cars, although there was still battles going on in the other half. Peter Rameswari and Tony Rudd topped this half of the class in the next set of heats. Very close action throughout all 3 rounds. When both heats was to become one for the final, qualifying order was Peter Rameswari, Tony Rudd and Gavin Wilkinson.
The saloons qualifying runs were very close, with the top 3 drivers having only half a second a lap difference between them, Each of these drivers Ian Oddie, Adam Griffith and Trevor Kersey all driving works cars for Contrast, Harm and Genius respectively. Very close racing at the highest level was to come from these drivers. Running order found Ian on pole Adam 2nd and Trevor on row 3.
A short break while the finals were created
The first of the finals was the mixed class with Roy Douch taking the early lead from Paul Jenkinson, just before the halfway stage, on lap 15, disaster struck Roy forcing an early retirement, leaving Paul Jenkinson to win the race
The GTS class was to be very exciting to watch with all ten cars on the circuit together for the first time all day. The cars went out for the initial two minutes warm up when pole sitter peter Rameswari called a 5 minute delay to repair his car. This meant the pole man to start from the rear of the grid. With Peter starting from the rear this left Tony Rudd Geoff Repton and Gavin Wilkinson to do battle, though there were some very good drivers lower down the field. the 3 cars were bumper to bumper for the first quarter of the race, lap 4 saw its first retirement of peter Rameswari, again on lap 13 when disaster struck Geoff Reptons car, the Mendip circuit swallowing up is front wishbone and new Honda body shell. this left Tony and Gavin doing battle, hot on Gavin was youngster Ryan Warriner, first time out with his new car coming from 8th on the grid, further down the field were also some good racing between Simon Rameswari, Stuart Riley, Kev Gosling, Steve Warriner and John Boucher. At the halfway stage we saw second place man Gavin Wilkinson retire. This left a good win for Tony Rudd, a very good effort from the second placed Ryan Warriner and 3rd to Simon Rameswari.
The saloon final was to be very fast and furious with all the top drivers now with optimum setup on there cars, many new tyres were fitted and the cars lined up for the 20 minute final. Into the first corner saw disaster for Trevor kersey forcing him to the rear of the field. Ian Oddie got a good clean start and was untroubled from start to finish, with Adam Griffith close behind. By lap 3 Trevor Kersey was making his way back through the field, then Rob Macvean clipped the pit bend curb, leaving himself, Andy Heslop and Trevor Kersey all fighting for the same piece of track. a coming together with all three cars, Trevor was now back to 3rd with Andy very close behind and rob very close to him, good action and very good racing, although some might think different. This gave Ian Oddie and Adam Griffith to gain a larger gap. on lap 22 Andy overtook Trevor and managed to hold it till the end of the race, finishing order Ian Oddie, Adam Griffith and Andy Heslop
A very good days racing was had by all and a presentation of medals in the sun rounded off an excellent weekend
Next round will be at the Cotswold circuit 26/27th June 
Everyone Welcome

Gary Preece

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