Derby H:O Racing Club (DHORC)

The Derby H:O Racing Club is one of the biggest slot car racing clubs in England and is the organiser of the international world-record breaking Le Mans 24 Hour Race. The club has been ACTIVE since 1992 when it was founded by Nick Sismey and currently holds 22 clubnight championship rounds in a year, excluding the Le Mans endurance race which concludes the season in November. The racing takes place at the Rolls-Royce Leisure facility in Sinfin, Derby, and is currently managed by Nick Sismey (Chairman) and Phil Rees (Vice Chairman)

The club runs H:O scale cars (3 inches in length approx) around 22 different circuits over the course of the year. All of the circuits emulate real circuits such as Suzuka, Bahrain, Shanghai and Monza. The cars reach top speeds in excess of 20mph and on oval layouts, they can average up to 18mph and cover 70ft in 3 seconds. DHORC uses two car types on club NiGHTS - a Group C enclosed wheel (Tomy SUPER G+) and an open wheeled Formula One (Tyco 440X2). The chassis cost less than £10 each, plus £5 for a painted body in your choice of colours.

It is not only the exciting high speed racing that makes DHORC so popular but also the laid back atmosphere and sense of humour that members enjoy on club nights. The club nights begin at 7:30pm and usually the last final finishes at around 10:15pm although it differs based on the number of entries on the night and also the race format.

The timetable for the night is that every driver is entered into a qualifying group, usually in their class of either adults, juniors or non-members. They then have four qualifying races, three minutes on each of the four lanes. Laps are totalled up to give the qualifying result. A set of finals is generated with 3 competitors in each final with the 'A' being the top flight final. The finals begin with the 'D' then 'C', 'B' and so on with the winner of each final climbing into the empty lane in next final thus making it possible to qualify last but finish first.

DHORC is also popular because of its cheap membership cost and low equipment prices. For an adult it membership for the entire season of 22 races currently costs just £20 and for Juniors only £10.

2007 Season

2007 Championship Review

The Wayne Lander Domination

2007 in the history of DHORC will be remembered for many things, however the unprecedented domination that came from Wayne Lander was something that will always stand out from the season. Wayne scored a record 16 race victories in a year, beating Lee Pateman's record of 14 set a few years ago, and also wrapping up the championship at one of the earliest points in the history of the club. Wayne's championship begun with an incredible seven consecutive race victories, allowing nobody else to even enter the race for the championship at that point in the season. He then won another nine races over the course of the next 15 events, wrapping the year up in style with victory at Le Mans after qualifying down in sixth place. Wayne's 2007 championship adds to his 2006 triumph, and in his 81 meetings attended, he has scored 31 victories, meaning that his ranking is currently at number one.

Veterans Guard Their Positions

Club organisers Nick Sismey and Phil Rees, as well as bringing record numbers of members into the club in 2007, also managed to score second and third places in the championship, with two race victories each. 1992, 1998 and 1999 Club Champion and Chairman Nick Sismey scored two victories, on the Shanghai and Thruxton track layouts. Phil Rees also broke his 8-year winless streak with two victories in 2007, scoring the most laps in the finals on the Jacarepagua and Monza layouts.

The Rise Of The Young Guns

One of the biggest stories of 2007 in DHORC was the rise of young guns in the adult class. 2003 and 2004 Junior Champion Jamie Sismey finally scored his first overall race victory at the age of 17 on the Oschersleben circuit en route to finishing in fourth place in the championship. Jamie also scored his first pole position on the Rio De Janeiro 10-lane layout. Reigning Junior Champion from 2006 Tom Measham had a solid debut season in the adults class, finishing in fifth place in the championship. His championship finished on a high when he scored his debut pole position at the final round at Le Mans, then finished second after a duel with Wayne Lander for the victory. Martin Allsopp also enjoyed a major improvement throughout the year, scoring his first podium finish at the penultimate round of the season and finishing in sixth place in the championship. His improved form contributed massively to his and Tom Measham's Team Championship victory.

Shloke Anand and Andy Fearn also had good seasons in 2007. In their first season, they both made massive progress with Shloke (finishing 10th in the standings), making it into numerous 'B' finals and scoring some good finishing positions. Andy also had a good season finishing in 11th place, scoring a fourth place finish on the Indianapolis Oval layout and also setting the most F1 race laps overall in the finale at Le Mans. No doubt in future, these young drivers will form a part of the winner's circle.

Good Results for Club Regulars & Alan Bullock's Return

Long-time member Nick Lambert enjoyed one of his best years in the club to date in 2007 finishing in seventh place in the championship with a best finish of second at the Rio oval event. Lee Pateman and Gary Weston both had a solid 2007, with former champion Lee Pateman being unable to complete the required 14 rounds, therefore missing out on a higher position, although he did record a victory in the Brands Hatch event in May. Lee finished eighth in the championship ahead of Gary Weston, who finished in 9th place. Club Treasurer Peter Barber finished in 13th place in the standings and continued to fill his trophy cabinet with wooden spoons although on many occasions Andy Dobbins tried very hard to de-thrown him, with Roy Masters continuing to race with his peculiar home-made controller, finishing 14th in the final standings.

One of the biggest stories for DHORC in 2007, however, was the huge welcome return of Alan Bullock, who after missing just three events while recovering in hospital from having a leg amputated, returned to the club and recorded a sensational 12th place in the championship standings.

Record Numbers Of New Members

In 2007 there was a record number of new members joining the club with 14 new faces this year. Nick Wright was the highest finishing adult new face, finishing in fifteenth place, ahead of another newcomer Andy Dobbins who was ahead of Nick Wright's brother in 17th. Other new faces in the adult category include Chris Wilkinson, Sam Siddons, Lyden Copely and Peter Zimmerman. There was also a large number of interest in the Juniors towards the end of the year as preparations begin for what looks to be a fiercly contested 2008 Junior Championship.

2007 Final Championship Standings

Adults

2007 Race-By-Race Winners

This table shows the 2007 DHORC Calendar and also shows the winners from each round. The Final type is either (F1) Formula One (Tyco Chassis) or (GC) Group C Super G (Tomy Chassis).

Roll Of Honour: Overall Champions