Tournaments: Big Poppy Racing

by Ali Kidder-Mostrom

Event six was a long one for the 2020 Diecast Games, so it was almost surprising to move on to Event Seven. This event, “The Slolam”, was a breath of unique, fresh air and a great event to followup the mayhem of the Fat Track Free For All (FTFFA).

The Slalom is just what it sounds like: a slightly downhill track of curves and straights, nine 90 degree turns in total. Each of the competing cars went down this course solo and were ranked based on their time, that is assuming they could finish.

Like the FTFFA which preceded it, this event was a good one for Ferrari F40s. Unlike previous events, longer cars generally had a hard time handling the turns and typically fell short.

Fast V had a deceptively fast car off the start; deceptive in that though it started fast, it wasn’t able to finish.

Just when it was feeling like most cars weren’t going to get to the finish line (only 3 of the first 14 were able to find their way to the end), Po’ Boy showed up with a Shadowjet that just never slowed down (finishing with a time of 11.527). Both of Po’ Boy’s cars finished and the overall field seemed to improve from there.

Big Poppy, Crazy Fresh Entertainment and Jim L both had two cars make it to the end. Jim L’s Honda Sprocket even zoomed into first place, though it was quickly unseated by Lady of Speed’s Way 2 Fast (which would take the overall win, when all the cards were counted).

DECEPTIVELY DIFFICULT – The nine curves along the Slalom’s gently sloping track made life hard for many rookies and veteran racers alike.

Though the field was looking up overall, it was Red Pill, with a Datsun and Camaro both finishing in under 12 minutes, that truly impressed. Your Nightmare Racing, Tune Trax, Hot Wheels Calgary and League of Speed also saw two cars finish the challenging track.

The Rogue Racer brought a classic Rodger Dodger, which was a joy to see and a quick competitor – finishing at 11.989. Other fun laps included Your Nightmare Racing having one car stall in the last turn, but come back to finish in attempt two and League of Speed pulling off the seemingly impossible – getting the Astin Martin through to the end.

Peter Bee Vids also did something unexpected – he sent a School Bus down The Slalom course. That is a race you’ll want to see.

Gen-X Vintage Racing’s luck took a turn in this event – he had two cars finish and, for a change, neither was bumped from the top 32. Which is, of course, important as each of the top 32 cars added points to their overall team score.

Dirty Deeb’s BWM Roadster didn’t make it to the top 32, but when he ended exactly on the finish line (with a time of 22.333) it was like a middle-aged Ninja Warrior contestant - you were just so excited to see him finish! Dirty Deeb’s other car finished in 32nd, bringing home points.

Nick Deavers only had one car make it to the end of The Slalom course, but considering that one car landed in 2nd place he shouldn’t have too much to complain about. On the other end of the list, Silverback Racing ended the event with a disappointing run from two long cars. As mentioned above, this course was a tough one for just that kind of car.