Coronavirus
BSCRA will be restricting attendance to the Clubman and Team Race Nationals meeting on the weekend of 18th/19th to those who can provide evidence of being double vaccinated – exceptions will obviously be made for those who through age or medical reasons , are exempt.
We are concerned that despite the country’s best efforts, the number of new Covid cases continues to rise gradually – as do the number of new hospital admissions. Now that schools and universities are returning, and Autumn weather is approaching, we think it is appropriate for our association to pursue further Covid precautions. To that end, and until further notice, all BSCRA National events (starting with next weekend) will insist on proof of double vaccination. We will also continue to encourage individuals to take lateral flow tests on the morning of these events, and to support those wishing to wear face coverings, maintain social distancing and hand sanitise. BSCRA will also support any of their clubs wishing to adopt these practices at their club evenings or events.
We will be contacting everyone who has entered for the event, asking them to provide evidence in advance if possible, to clarify what forms of evidence are acceptable, and to discuss the situation with individuals who are not able to provide satisfactory evidence. Our aim is not to discourage people from entering, as we will be applying a pragmatic approach to those who are part way through the vaccination process. In fact, we are trying to encourage them that the environment will be as safe as possible. In this, we are trying to protect our membership, and also to support the county in it’s efforts to drive down the spread of infection
Mark Witham
BSCRA Chairman
9 September 2021
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Although the Prime Minister has said that all Covid restrictions are likely to cease
on 19th, I think we need to balance our re-
The 1/24 Internats (23rd-
At the Spring Bank Holiday meeting, in fact everyone wore masks while racing and marshalling as well, and they caused no significant problems.
Mark Witham
BSCRA Chairman
7 July 2021
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Reopening Racing
BSCRA’s Reopening Grand Prix was successfully held at the National Centre on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.
The next planned event at the National Centre is the 1/24 International/Nationals on 24/25 July. All meetings are of course subject to government Covid restrictions
Chris Frost
BSCRA Secretry
3 May 2021
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BSCRA Race meeting -
The BSCRA Council met yesterday and confirmed that in line with the latest government lockdown easing, the Spring Bank Holiday meeting will go ahead. The NSCC will be open from about 3pm on Saturday until about 8pm, and on Sunday from about 8am until the meeting finishes (we’re aiming for no later than 5pm).
Covid precautions will be as follows :
Entry log to record those present with a contact number.
Hand sanitiser to be available at entry to the Rockingham room, at the toilet, and by the track.
Entry door and workshop roller doors will be left open to maximise ventilation flow.
Racers to occupy alternate pit spaces.
Sensible distancing to be observed on both days.
Face coverings to be worn at all times except when sat at own pit space, driving on the rostrum, or marshalling.
Racers to provide own refreshments, which are to be consumed only at own pit space or outside.
Marshalls are encouraged to use hand sanitiser after marshalling.
Racers are encouraged to take a Lateral Flow Test prior to arriving. There We will rely on members' good sense in the event of a positive result.
We aim to start racing at about 10am on Sunday with 1/32nd Production (Super, Falcon or Intro 32). This will be followed by 1/24th Production, and if time allows, 1/32nd F2. The intention is to run 8x3min races (win from any), with seeding for the first event being BSCRA Driver ranking, and subsequent races based on finishing order from the first. Entry fee will be £20 for the event.
There will be no official race controller, so everyone will be expected to take a turn, and there will be no formal scruitineering (just a basic check on the start line).
We look forward to welcoming as many racers as are able to attend, and hope everyone will have an enjoyable day, getting back to the sport we all love.
Mark Witham
BSCRA Chairman
17 May 2021
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Nationals Events
The BSCRA Council have agreed that unfortunately it is impractical to hold a ‘2020’ 1/32nd Nationals. Although the Government lockdown easing rules make it clear that we could hold an organised sporting event over the Spring Bank Holiday, there will still be a significant number of people who will feel that they are unable to attend from a Covid safety point of view.
The events we are still planning to hold (unless circumstances conspire against us) are :
1/24th Internats 24th-
1/32nd Nationals 28th-
Clubman’s Nationals and Team Race 18th-
Whilst it will be unfair to hold a Championship event on the SBH weekend, we think it is too good an opportunity to miss, and plan to put an event of some sort on. More details and a poll for members to show preferences, has been posted on the BSCRA Members FB group.
Mark Witham
BSCRA Chairman
28 March 2021
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Nationals Events
Chris and I have been going through the latest Government Covid Roadmap documents,
and Step 3 (No earlier than 17th May) states that ‘Organised Indoor Sport’ can resume
and hotels can open. We went through in some detail last Autumn, why we felt that
BSCRA Slot Car Racing was included in this, and so that is the earliest date when
Clubs and the National Association could begin to think about re-
As far as our National events are concerned, the May Day Bank Holiday is clearly a non starter, though the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend is a possibility. Unfortunately we cannot be any more specific at this stage, as new information comes in almost every day. A 1/32nd Nationals has been suggested for the end of May, but there are 2 well reasoned arguments against that. Firstly that it is too early for our most prestigious event, bearing in mind that most people won’t have picked up a controller for over a year. Secondly, that a significant number of people will not have had a first (let alone a 2nd) vaccination, and will feel unable to attend.
Other suggested events are : 1/24th Internats (24th/25th July), 2021 1/32nd Nationals (August bank Holiday), Clubman Nats & Team Race (18th/19th Sept).
The BSCRA Council will be meeting at the end of March to look at these suggestions (and any others), and will be aiming to set a program for the rest of this Summer. Hopefully by then, the figures for New Cases, Hospital admissions and Vaccinations will give us the confidence to set out our own Roadmap to normal racing once more. Obviously BSCRA will have to review it's plans if the steps in the Government's roadmap are later than the "No earlier than" dates announced on 22 February.
Mark Witham
BSCRA Chairman
5 March 2021
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1/32 Nationals Postponed
The pandemic's second wave has got considerably worse since last autumn when the 2021 Nationals dates were drafted. At the BSCRA Council Meeting on 30 January 2021 it was agreed that the only realistic options was to cancel the Easter Nationals meeting and postpone the 2020 Nationals once again – at least until the Mayday bank holiday.
Chris Frost
BSCRA Secretary
2 February 2021
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1/32 Nationals Postponed
The most recent trends in Covid outbreaks, and government announcements and area restrictions, are all emphasising the importance of social distancing, and the avoidance of unnecessary travel. Your BSCRA Council have decided that as a responsible organisation, we must support the government intent, and postpone the 2020 Nationals once again – at least until next Easter.
We do this with regret, and apologise to all those who have made preparations to travel to and stay at Corby next month. However, I’m sure you will all agree that we have reached the stage where we cannot be promoting something which encourages a large number of people to travel significant distances, and congregate together.
Mark Witham
BSCRA Chairman
15 October 2020
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Slot Racing and Covid
More clarification posted on the BSCRA Members Facebook Group.
Mark Witham
BSCRA Chairman
1 October 2020
Slot Racing and the latest Government rules
There is uncertainty about how the "rule of six" applies to slot racing. BSCRA is seeking guidance direct from the appropriate Government department. Once BSCRA has clarification it will be posted on the BSCRA Members Facebook Group.
Chris Frost
24 September 2020
The latest information of frequently asked questions such as whether Slot Car Racing can continue in the current Covid guidelines, how many people can participate and what safety measures should be employed is available for members on the BSCRA Members Facebook Group.
Mark Witham
BSCRA Chairman
16 September 2020
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1/32nd Nationals 2020.
Thanks to all those who have shared their thoughts and opinions (either directly or through their area representative). From these, the preference is for a 3 day event beginning on Sat 21st November, running our normal 3 classes (1 on each day), and no Team Race. That then is what we will plan for, though please bear in mind that we will continue to be guided by government advice and local restrictions. It is thus feasible that we may still have to cancel the event (possibly at the last minute), so please take that into account when making a hotel booking that doesn't offer a full refund in the case of cancellation.
Mark Witham
BSCRA Chairman
6 September 2020
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A quick update, just to keep current information flowing.
So far, around 25 people have expressed an interest in running at some format of the Nationals later this year. I think it is therefore worthwhile considering some tentative options.
So far, no one has indicated a strong preference for a 2 weekend meeting, and several are strongly against – so I suggest we ‘knock that option on the head’ now.
Those who have expressed a timing option, have tended towards the end of November, and so I’d suggest either the weekend beginning 21st or 28th November.
Then the decision narrows down to a 2 day or 3 day meeting. So far we have a very slight preference for a 3 day event, though there are a couple of ‘strongly against’. No one has made a strong reference to include the Team Race or not.
We'll be asking our Cordinators to contact the members in their areas, in order to 'firm up' on some of the options, and will continue feedback to the membership.
Mark Witham
BSCRA Chairman
29 July 2020
After consulting the membership, the BSCRA Council has decided the Club Team Championship (team race) will not be held in September.
Chris Frost
BSCRA Chairman
29 July 2020
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After carefully considering the COVID 19 situation and it’s current trend, BSCRA Council have regretfully decided that we cannot organise any National races in the near future.
We are therefore, announcing that the 1/24th Internats will not take place in 2020, nor will the Production Challenge for Super Production or F2.
We are still hopeful that we may be able to hold the 1/32nd Nats and the Club Team Championship (team race) toward the end of the year, and we will be consulting the membership for their views on that, over the weekend via the Members only Facebook group.
Mark Witham
BSCRA Chairman
17 July 2020
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I can now confirm that the 1/32nd Nationals cannot take place before the August Bank Holiday weekend, and unless there are miraculous advances in vaccines and testing, October / November is the earliest we can realistically hope for.
Mark Witham
BSCRA Chairman
20 May 2020
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The BSCRA Council are now confirming its earlier statement, that the 1/32 Nationals due to be held in May will be postponed.
Even if government restrictions on the social distancing are relaxed (which itself seems unlikely) there are a number of our members who cannot risk the infection, and so we have decided that we cannot go ahead with the event on the original May dates.
As we previously stated, the 1/32nd Nationals is our premier event of the year, and it will be our priority to fit this in before the end of 2020 if at all possible.
In the meantime, please follow the governments advice in regard to social distancing wherever possible, and help us control and overcome this pandemic. Our thoughts remain with those who have family and friends affected by the virus, so please stay safe and we look forward to meeting up again soon.
Mark Witham
BSCRA Chairman
8 April 2020
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Now that we’re already into April, it’s looking as though the chances of holding
the 1/32nd Nats on 8th-
The 1/32nd Nats are the most important event in BSCRA’s calendar, with a legacy stretching
back 55 years, so we will do everything we can to re-
I know that a number of our friends have either had or are affected by the Coronavirus, and I know that they are in our thoughts, and we wish them all a speedy recovery.
In the meantime, keep working on those projects sat on the ‘back burner’, and if any of those with technical knowledge and expertise fancy writing an article for us, this is a great time to do it. I’m currently talking with Kev and Chris F to get a Members Only website up and running, and new articles from you would be a great way to get it started.
Meantime, stay safe, and I hope to see you all again, when it is once more safe to travel and meet.
Mark Witham
BSCRA Chairman
2 April 2020
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Most of you will have seen yesterday’s government announcement about the coronavirus crisis.
This weekend’s BOC meeting needed the most urgent action, and the cancellation/postponement of the Leicester meeting was announced earlier today.
It seems inevitable there will have to be further postponements / cancellations for as long as the current level of government restrictions are in force. Obviously we don't know how long restrictions might be in place. The BSCRA Council is discussing contingency plans for various different lengths of shut down. If we cannot run the 1/32 Nats on the scheduled May date, running it at a later date in 2020 is BSCRA's top priority even if that means it replaces another scheduled meeting.
Mark Witham, BSCRA Chairman
Chris Frost, BSCRA Secretary,
17 March 2020
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Like everyone, the BSCRA council has been busily gathering as much information as
possible about the impact of the coronavirus (COVID -
Most of you will have seen yesterday's government announcement about coronavirus. The latest measures do not restrict slot racing meetings, or indeed much larger sporting events. However it is uncertain what measures the government will deem necessary in the future or over what period they will be in place.
At present the meetings on our calendar are going ahead and you should continue to enter for the 1/32 nationals as normal. The BSCRA council is monitoring the situation and will post updates as necessary. I'm sure everybody is hoping for the minimum of disruption, but if changes are needed our preference is to postpone rather than cancel major meetings. In the meantime it's suggested we all follow official advice, such as the NHS web site .
Mark Witham, BSCRA Chairman
Chris Frost, BSCRA Secretary,
13 March 2020
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Minutes of Meetings and Decisions