Super Lap Scotland, powered by Rockstar Energy Drink, 2016 Round 3 was the second day of the first double header of the 2016 season. With lots of show, drift and gymkana content alongside SLS there was plenty to keep spectators busy. Yet again another entry record was broken - every round sees more and more cars entering, with a whopping 67 entered for Round 3. Could this be the fastest growing series in the UK? As with Round 2 all 7 classes were well represented with some very different machinery competing against each other under the Power to Weight classification system. 700+bhp Toyota powered S2000 down to a Clio Williams, there seemed to be something for everyone. There were a lot of familiar faces from Scottish Motorsport, a few competitors traveling hundreds of miles, and plenty of new talent making their first steps into competitive motorsport. The amount of new drivers highlights the accessibility of the series as a grassroots/low cost motorsport. A big thank you also goes to the drivers making the long journey to compete with us. Wishart and Goudie from Shetland, Darley from York and Walton all the way from Milton Keynes.

What is SLS?

SLS is simple - man and machine against the track and clock. Competitors complete two warm up sessions to perfect their lines and tweak their set ups ahead of qualifying. The format for qualifying has changed for 2016. Gone are the batches of two flying laps, and in comes a 15 minute open pit session for small groups of cars. This seemed to go down well on the day, but we would welcome any feedback on the format. Please email club@superlapscotland.co.uk with any suggestions or issues. Qualifying is still scored, so it is important to set a fast lap time!
The final remains unchanged, and still poses a stern test for drivers. The pressure is high to set a winning laptime with cold tyres and only 1 lap! It can be all or nothing as some have found out in the past.

There are seven classes (Class F is new for 2016), all based on the power-to-weight ratio of each car; which allows even the most modest of road cars the opportunity to compete against the super-tuned monsters out on track; with points awarded for qualifying positions and overall finishing positions in each class. Meaning that, a class F competitor (least powerful) could easily take the overall Championship title from a Pro class competitor (most powerful) by scoring more points throughout the season, giving us an overall "King of Knockhill".

Warmup

Round 3 was held on the normal 'International' clockwise circuit. The warmup session traditionally sees competitors giving their cars a shake down, adjusting settings, scrubbing tyres or finding out more about the track conditions. No records are normally set in the first session of the day. Drivers were split into 4 groups to limit traffic on track and allow drivers more space. The track was dry, and conditions looked good for braking those lap records!

Note - In some results Hamish Gordon is placed in Class B. He was competing in PRO, and scored as such.

PRO - Ian Donaldson, SMRC regular, showed his pace and familiarity with the circuit by setting a blistering 52s lap on his 3rd hot lap of the day. Setting a marker for the rest of the class, and showing his intentions. Paul Rankin sat the session out, keeping his power dry.
A - John Stevenson seemed to be doing the sensible thing at this point in the day. Nothing spectacular, just setting the car up and getting ready for the important sessions. Sam Elassar showed solid improvements again to set a 57s lap in the McLaren.
B - Long and Kindness again! They have been in the same SLS Class for 4 years now and are very close with their laptimes. David came out on top with a more focused approach and valuable tyre info from Round 2. Fiona's splitter fell off... again, limiting her to 1 hot lap.
C - Blair McConachie seemed to put his troubles from Round 2 behind him and settled back into the 55s laps shown at Round 1. George Rigby was pushing him hard though.
D - Paul Tough is showing the same consistency he showed in 2015, always near the top of Class D times in every session. He finished the warm up a full 0.5s in front of the field. In Class D that is a long time.
E - Ali Mowat rolled onwards with his momentum from Round 2 and set a commanding 59.8s lap, finishing well ahead of Collins and Jamieson.
E - Scott Robson got off to a good start, showing his preference for the normal track layout. Paul Wilson and Robert Jobson were not far behind.

The top 3 times for each class in the warmup sessions were;

Practice

The drivers now started to push on, with some practicing laps on cool tyres to get knowledge for the final, or fine tuning changes to setup from the first session. Other drivers took a different approach and used the time to get maximum laps in to get a better feel for the car and further learn the track layout. This also now gives practice for the open pit qualifying session. Vital points need to be won in qualifying, and any hopeful 'King of The Hill' winner needs to score very well in both.

PRO - Ian Donaldson went straight into P1 again on his 3rd hot lap, but this time Andrew Barbour had picked up his pace, presumably with some extra front end grip after Round 2's issues, and joined him in the 53s bracket. These times were suggesting a good 3 way battle in PRO. Rankin's pace is now known, but he sat out Practice keeping the car fresh.
A - John Stevenson led the way again, gaining (losing!) over 1s to take first with a 56.0s lap. Elassar narrowly took 2nd in front of Bain - just 0.66s splitting the two.
B - Fiona settled into some solid lap times after warmup, removing her splitter and dealing with the understeer introduced. David Long dropped his times to stay in contention.
C - George Rigby took top spot just 0.5s in front of McConachie. 3rd place Robbie Wyper doing well on his first weekend.
D - Paul Tough again, 57s again. Jefferies, Cowie and Rybowski all not far behind with 58s laps. Class D really could go any way, with 4 strong drivers at the front. Adrian Milne just needs to find 1s to join them, and challenge for the wins.
E - Mowatt from Collins, with Kensett setting a very good 60s lap in his 106. There are drivers in E that can challenge Mowatt and Collins, but consistency seems to be the issue for now.
E - Scott Robson took his turn to lead Class F. The times and Speed Trap data for this Class show just how equal these guys are. Pitman and Phillips not far behind.

The top 3 times for each class in the practice session were;

Qualifying

Qualifying is scored, so the pace will increase and the pressure to perform is higher. Drivers get 15 minutes to find space and set the fastest lap possible. Traditionally the fastest times of the day are set during qualifying. Track conditions were generally good. An added bonus in Qualifying was the Edinburgh Watch Company offering a trophy to the person who could set their fastest lap with a combinations of all their fastest sectors - a perfect lap. Tie breakers used difference to second quickest lap as a guide to consistency.

Class F

With 15 competitors challenging for honours in Class F it was always going to be interesting. Scott Robson took full qualifying points in the Elise, with Pitman and Phillips pushing hard in 2nd and 3rd. Marshal Wishart, Stevie McNab, Paul Wilson, Robert Jobson and Neil Methven all setting 62s laps, and placing them all in contention for a podium finish. Just 0.5s split 5 drivers from 4th to 8th.

Class E

Ali Mowat took advantage of Collins tyre troubles and took a clear victory and the full 15points. Collins was very lucky to take 2nd in front of Jamieson and Kensett. The time differences highlighting it could be something tiny like a slow gearchange the splits a podium position to 4th onwards. Just 0.028s split 2nd Collins (Cayman) and 3rd Jamieson (Clio).

Class D

Paul Tough continued his good form in Round 3 with another 57s lap to top the Class D timesheets, and take full points. Keith Cowie edged closer, with David Rybowski showing good consistency to do another series of 58s laps. Stephen Henderson wasn't far off, but his pace was generally slower than on his debut, suggesting he may well move into the podium places in the coming rounds. Jefferies rounded off the top 5. His time within 1s of Tough's lap.

Class C

Blair McConachie edged ahead in Qualifying ping-pong battle with Rigby. Robbie Wyper showed more improvements to take 3rd. He should be good for a 56s lap once his car is back to full health.

Class B

Fiona Kindness took the full points, just 0.305 ahead of Long in the Caterham. Hamish Gordon ran/scored in PRO due to MSA 1C tyres.

Class A

John Stevenson took full points with a 55.4s lap, showing more gains from the first two sessions. Same Elasser dipped down into the 56s laps to stay in front of Bain. Colin Dorward continued to have car issues and set an unrepresentative time.

PRO

Ian Donaldson took top for the 3rd session in a row, but Rankin and Barbour were not far behind on 53s laps. Eric Holmes set a PB in 4th. Clark Sutherland showed steady progress in the S2000, working the times down throughout the day. Setup changes being made all time to try and fine tune this drift car for the circuit. Never mind the fact of 700+bhp and rwd. Steven Darley finished with a 56s lap in his road going Impreza. Heavy weight and skinny tyres struggling to hold the power in check. Martyn Henry ran in PRO due to MSA 1C tyres, but did not score.

Final

One final flying lap to decide the points, all or nothing. 25 points are available for 1st, down to 1 for 15th. Cars went out in order of qualification (within their 4 allocated groups). Slowest out first, building up to the fastest car. There was rain for some of Class F's finals, but dry for the rest.

Class F

Scott Robson took full points for the day, and his first SLS win. Ian Pitman went very close using his 4wd advantage in the changeable conditions to get within 0.035s of Robson. Paul Wilson took a good third, holding his nerve to set a decent lap in tricky conditions. A number of front runners in F span out on their 'Super Lap', and lost vital points.

Class E

Ali Mowat took another commanding win, and full points for round 3. Stuart Buchan took second in his Clio, pushing Matt Collins back into 3rd. Fraser Jamieson was unlucky and finished just 0.25 off the podium. 4th to 6th (Jamieson, Kensett and Dillon) all less then 1sec off a podium.

Class D

Keith Cowie stepped up and did his best lap of the day when it counted. Paul Tough took 2nd (57s lap again!) but must be thinking 'what if' after dominating the whole day. Stephen Henderson also improved and took 3rd. David Rybowski settling for 4th. The majority of Class D seems to run 59-61s, so not far at all off the pace. Some setup changes or better tyre management may well place them higher up the order in the coming rounds. Jack Strathdee (Strathdiesel) did well to improve his laps in the series' first diesel car. He was suffering tyre issues after an earlier puncture.

Class C

Blair McConachie took the win and full points whilst narrowly beating Rigby in their battle for the top of Class C. Momentum is with McConachie but Rigby still leads the championship after 3 rounds. Steven Eyre took 3rd and Robbie Wyper unlucky on his final lap, finishing 4th.

Class B

A very close finish between Kindness and Long as seems to be the case in every round. Fiona Kindness took 1st, David Long took second. Hamish ran and scored in PRO - finishing 3rd in PRO. Fiona's lap was good enough for 3rd overall on the day.

Class A

John Stevenson took full points on the day for the second round in a row. He finished almost 2s clear of his nearest rival in Archie Bain. Sam Elassar took 3rd struggling with 1 lap pace on his tyres.

PRO

Paul Rankin (still with no clutch) pulled it of the bag and set his PB lap in the 1 lap final. Ian Donaldson threw his lap away coming in too hot for the hairpin and running wide on the exit. This 53s lap would have taken second but was struck off for track limits (all 4 off the track on corner exit). Andrew Barbour took full advantage of this to come in second with a decent 54s lap. Hamish Gordon took 3rd in the Ultima, and Steven Darley showing consistent pace... and drifting.. took 4th.

Full class honours are as follows:

	Pro Paul Rankin - Impreza (1st) Andrew Barbour- EVO (2nd) Steven Darley - EVO (3rd) Class A John Stevenson - Impreza (1st) Archie Bain - Impreza (2nd) Sam Elassar - McLaren (3rd) Class B Fiona Kindness - Impreza (1st) David Long - Caterham (2nd) Class C Blair McConachie - Caterham (1st) George Rigby - Impreza (2nd) Steven Eyre - Impreza (3rd) Class D Keith Cowie - Supercopa (1st) Paul Tough - M3 (2nd) Stephen Henderson - Riot (3rd) Class E Ali Mowat - M3 (1st) Stuart Buchan - Clio (2nd) Matt Collins - Cayman (3rd) Class E Scott Robson - Elise (1st) Ian Pitman - Impreza (2nd) Paul Wilson - Clio (3rd)

Fastest laps per session:

Speed Traps per session:

Warmup	Practice	Qualifying	Final
		Speed Trap PDF

Results: to follow after event

Full Results

Full championship standings can be found here - http://www.superlapscotland.co.uk/championship.htm

Thanks also, once again, to all those officials, marshals and medical teams who devote so much time to ensuring we can enjoy motorsport events like today.


See you all at the next rounds on the 30/31 July 2016.

For more Round 1 Pictures please visit - Power-Images or Flat Out Photography