SCRC Pardubice

EUROCUP GOTHA 2014

It's hard to say who caused we decided to go to the EC race in Gotha this year. It's far, they're talking in a foreign language, payments are in euro and everything is expensive, we do not know the track, we do not know the people... What a crazy idea.  However, after this weekend, when we returned from Gotha, nothing of this matters, and we are glad we did it. Who was in Gotha certainly was not unhappy. As I wrote about the EC in Vienna last year: perfect people, great fun, good bar, good racing, super environment and track, easy journey from Czech Republic. Only after the social party on Friday and Saturday people get a bit tired...

The question is how we will be remembered by the local organizers. In amateur the races were won by local, meaning German, racers. In PR24 it was Jörn Bursche and ESG12 Daniel Starke. However, even here a large group of Czech was not lost. Results of Roman Klapka, Rosta Volny and of course the fastest Czech women currently ZBBH (Zuzka Baštová - soon Hojerová) are impressive. And especially in ESG12 we have already enjoyed the traditional winning round of green Jäggermeister, but unfortunately we waited for nothing. Still, the second place is a great achievement, especially when such result is taken not on a home track. Daniel Starke celebrated not only his birthday on Friday, but also a racewin on Saturday. We must not forget the fourth place of Rosťa Volny, closely followed by small but clever Roman Klapka, who however disappeared after the race to a playground full of German "Jungen und Mädchen" and the trophy for him had to be taken by Kamil. We just believe that Kamil was able to find Roman on the playground after the race to take him safely back to the Czech Republic...

The situation in experts was even better for us. In ESG12 JMJ (Jiri Micek Junior) won and our famous AMA (Amater Tomas Marek) was "only" third because the second place among them was grabbed by UEP (Ulli Edgar Pietsch). The ES24 was won by Amater, the second JMS and the third was Martin Basta. All with very small gabs.  

And finally, talking about the social part of the race, it was very well and we think locals were certainly glad we finally went home on Sunday evening. Everything began by the unnamed member of the Pardubice club (whose identity we know of course, but for security reasons we can not publish), who after the arrival to the track, where we have not been before, had to go to the balcony to have a cigar. Unfortunately he did not notice that the door was secured by an alarm. Therefore his attempt was followed by 15 minutes of screaming of the alarm and fruitless search for someone to call the riot police GSG -9 not to go to the center since we have seized the culprit. After some time the alarm was successfully stopped by one of the local organizers with the right key in his hand and we had to say very many apologies in many world languages.

However, immediately after the departure of local guy helping us to stop the alarm Amater realized that due to the noise he actually forgot to take the cigarette. The balcony was secured by an alarm again, but there are not many things that Amater cannot dismantle. It did not take long and four screws were out as well as the outer plastic coating of the alarm and the path to the balcony was open again. It should be noted that due to this minor infringement of the safety devices installed in the building our room and adjoining balcony become a very popular stop for many competitors. Only local matador, whom we named "Little Heiko", was increasingly nervous about whether we manage to put the alarm back to its original position before our departure...

The undisputed positive surprises of the race were fresh grilled sausages on Sunday in front of Freizeitcentrum where the track is located. Bratwursts were not only very good but also very cheap to allow children playing in the center to have something to eat. Unfortunately for them, the Czech modellers spread information about wursts quickly and most portions intended primarily for young German children were eaten by slot car racers...

Another advantage of the Gotha race was the local supermarket. Soon it was discovered that on Sundays in Germany shops are really closed so it was necessary to get especially liquids on Saturday evening the latest. Several visits to the store meant that a substantial portion of the offered beer from the store moved a few hundred meters to the east, specifically to Freizeitcentrum.

It was in the back room where the majority of Czechs and international races met and bottles of liquor and beer from the balcony (as balcony served only to smoking, but also for cooling drinks) quickly disappeared. Long after midnight, some of us had to go few more rounds, the others were waiting for them in cars in front of the house and when Amater recognized that 4.4 is ESG12 good time, everyone could go to bed.

Because there was not Roman Kalhous, we all were drunk excluding the drivers, and the caravana was led by JMS Citroen, this time we got to the private without problems. Accommodation was nice, relatively cheap and the breakfast was great. Some small problems were perhaps a head shower cap falling on the head of anyone who was in the bathroom stepping into the shower and the toilet paper holder positioned about 3.5 meters from its own toilet.

Both mornings were also slightly odd. The first night we agreed to set the alarm on a cell phone to the exact time, however reduce volume meant that we arrived to the  breakfast definitely as the last. Also on Sunday morning some of us came late, this time the problem was not in technology but in drinks like Vodka-lemon, Cuba libre or especially Tatran-tea with 72 % of alcohol which was massively offered by Rosťa Volný.

Some German racers on Saturday evening at first definitely denied to touch anything like Tatran-tea. Then they started to love the drink so much that they asked for several dozens of bottles for the next race in Pilsen. And finally the second morning there was a prompt abolishment of the orders since a lot of fresh air was needed to get many racers back to top condition.

Otherwise, for those who might want to go to Gotha for the first time, several pieces of information:

- JMS chassis work very well, who wanted to win had to have the latest version in both classes

- the controller has to be plugged differently, so it is advisable before first ride to consult those who were in Gotha already or at least carefully follow the color coding called INTERNATIONAL. Otherwise there are self-driving cars in an increased speed and huge flames from controller

- to let the alarm screws in the back room out you just need a small screwdriver PH0x50x145mm, type 273, or any other similar model

- you need to have many metal 1 euro coins for Sunday barbecue since then you can jump ahead in the queue those who are waiting for a refund

- combination of vodka-lemon tea and Tatran-tea is highly not recommended

- to get a good lap on track is only possible if you have at least six beers or equivalent amount of other narcotic substances in your blood

Otherwise nothing to what we are not used in Czech races. It was really cool racing. Only friendly people arrived. The only problem was one choleric driver discussing with a race director about the maximum number of cars in one slot at the same time. No other problem occurred. Food and drink enough and in excellent quality, the track fast and technical as well. So everyone could have a great time and discuss many topics in many different languages. Moreover, the next morning noone remembered anything. And the last but not least advantage of the race was the presence of several beautiful women from more countries. Even Michi was finally able to soften her face and show us her nice smile.

It can thus be concluded that the race was a good result for everyone. We all were pleased on Sunday evening going home. As they say in Žamberk, during the last weekend Gotha was full of TROUBLEMAKERS....

The Doctor