Super Lap Scotland, powered by Rockstar Energy Drink, 2016 Round 5 was the second day of the second double header of the 2016 season. With lots of show cars, British Sprint Championship, MG Cup Racing drift and gymkana content alongside SLS there was plenty to keep spectators busy. Another great turn out, with of 60+ entries looking to do battle.

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 20 minute open pit session for small groups of cars. 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 5 was held on the traditional clockwise 'International' circuit. The warmup session normally 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 breaking lap records! Warmup saw several drivers opting to sit out and save the car/tyres for later. Two notable drivers that ran into problems during warmup were Steven Darley (PRO) and John Stevenson (A) after a slight mix up and coming together at Clarks. Both cars suffered damage.

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. Another notable incident was Lewis Skene and Euan Begbie having slight touch near Clarks. Minor damage again, but the end of the day for Begbie. Paul Tough also made his comeback after a long night repairing the damage from his off during round 4. A great effort all round to get the car ready again.

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

Class F qualifying saw Robson and Wishart picking where they left off after Round 4. This time Robson narrowly took the top spot from Wishart. Ian Pitman took 3rd and continued his good form, just 0.2s behind Wishart. 2nd to 6th separated by 1 second. 7th to 10th not far behind!

Class E

Ali Mowat took another top spot and full points in qualifying with a 1.5s gap to Collins in second. Kevin Kensett took his 106 into 3rd, just beating Fraser Jamieson by 0.047s. Very close times from 3rd to 11th, but the RWD showing an advantage in the dry again. Lewis Skene did well to patch up his car and get a 61s lap.

Class D

Keith Cowie carried forward his good early pace and took first in qualifying. Tough second in the repaired M3 and Jefferies a very close third in the EVO. Fred Walton in 4th was showing much better pace and should be challenging for podiums soon. Stuart Robertson shows that a Clio can mix it with the larger cars with a respectable sub 60s lap. David Rybowski was off his usual 58s pace with engine issues.

Class C

Blair McConachie took the upper hand in Round 5 in what has turned out to be an epic season long battle between him and George Rigby. The two drivers were just 0.4s apart but almost 2s clear up front. They are both pushing each other hard. Robbie Wyper did well to take third ahead of a resurgent Martyn Henry in the Astra VXR.

Class B

Fiona Kindness took full qualifying points again with a lap narrowly quicker then David Long's. Adam Kindness took 3rd despite having multiple car issues. The top three all setting low 55s laps. Andy Gordon came in 4th with a good 57s lap. His Lotus 211 is well down on the speed traps compared to the top 3 in Class B.

Class A

Archie Bain took top spot and full qualifying points with an excellent 55s lap. Sam Elasser took second and John Stevenson (in a borrowed Impreza... Adam Kindness') limped round to set 1 lap time and gain points.

PRO

Paul Rankin and Andrew Barbour both set 52s laps, setting the scene and building anticipation for the final. Rankin came out on top with a 0.5s margin. Holmes took third with a 54s lap, narrowly beating Darley in another borrowed Impreza (Fee Kindness' this time). Steven Hunter showed more improvement with a 57s lap.

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.

Class F

Scott Robson completed a good day with a win in the final, giving him full points for round 5 and the lead in the Class F Championship. Ian Pitman pushed him close and set a new PB, just 0.217 behind Robson. Wishart continues his good form and came home in third. 4th to 11th showing a very competitive midfield. Small changes and possibly tuition could propel any of these drivers into podium positions.

Class E

Ali Mowat dominated again, taking full points over the weekend. Matt Collins took second, more than 2s behind, but just 0.178 ahead of a very quick Fraser Jamieson. Lewis Skene showed more improvements to set a new PB and take 4th despite his earlier damage. 4th to 7th split by just 0.187. That is crazy! 3 drivers (Kensett, Buchan and Cameron) split by just 0.012s.

Class D

Keith Cowie took full points for the day and cemented his challenge for the Class D title. Paul Tough took a well deserved second after his troubles during round 4. Steven Jefferies coming in third.

Class C

Blair McConachie took full points and brought Rigby's Class Championship lead back to just 3 points - leaving it all to play for in the final round. Martyn Henry set a new PB and came home in third spot, rounding off a good weekend for him. Robbie Wyper recovered from his troubles on Saturday to se a good 57s lap.

Class B

Fee Kindness dominated the final again and took full points for round 5, and the whole weekend. Andy Gordon took a good second place from David Long during changeable weather conditions. Adam Kindness limped round for points again - this time with a loose boost hose stopping play.

Class A

John Stevenson took a surprise win in the borrowed Impreza (now with boost hose tight). Bain was set to take top spot but spun on his hot lap. He did enough to recover and clinch second ahead of Sam Elassar in the McLaren. This Class is very tight between all 3 drivers.

PRO

Paul Rankin took another win with another 52s lap. Consistent and smooth with light drizzle falling. Barbour took second despite having a slide off track at Clarks. Steven Darley took a good 3rd in his borrowed Impreza. Steven Hunter taking 4th, with Holmes loosing gears just before the hairpin, and falling just short of the line.

Full class honours are as follows:

	Pro Paul Rankin - Impreza (1st) Andrew Barbour - EVO (2nd) Steven Darley - Impreza (3rd) Class A John Stevenson - Impreza (1st) Archie Bain - Impreza (2nd) Sam Elassar - McLaren (3rd) Class B Fiona Kindness - Impreza (1st) Andy Gordon - 211 (2nd) David Long - Caterham (3rd) Class C Blair McConachie - Caterham (1st) George Rigby - Impreza (2nd) Martyn Henry - Astra VXR (3rd) Class D Keith Cowie - Supercopa (1st) Paul Tough - M3 (2nd) Steven Jefferies - EVO (3rd) Class E Ali Mowat - M3 (1st) Matt Collins - Cayman (2nd) Fraser Jamieson - Clio (3rd) Class E Scott Robson - Elise (1st) Ian Pitman - Impreza (2nd) Marshall Wishart - RX8 (3rd)

Fastest laps per session:

Speed Traps per session:

Warmup	Practice	Qualifying	Final
		Speed Trap PDF
Edinburgh Watch Company - Perfect Lap