Fifteen.

Full-sized Formula 1’s popularity and TV audience is, we’re told, increasing, supposedly because of the success of Netflix’s ‘Drive to Survive’ series, so maybe that’s why this week’s F1 race-in-miniature attracted fifteen drivers, the largest club-night grid seen at Molesey since your correspondent began taking note of such trivia. But then again, maybe not. Maybe it was simply that the drivers had glimpsed a chink in Julian’s armour and had arrived determined to end his six-week run of victories or, even simpler, they relished increasing race controller and results spreadsheet filler-inner Neil’s workload. Whatever the reason, fifteen drivers made for an excellent race.

Depending whose side you’re on, the race started promisingly or terribly. Lee took an early lead, Simon held second, David was third and Julian had car trouble necessitating a mid-heat car swap, the delay costing a stack of time and seeing him languishing in an uncharacteristic ninth place heading into Heat 2. And again depending whose side you’re on, Heats 2 and 3 went promisingly or terribly. Julian moved up four places to fifth, but other drivers’ problems were mounting.

The first problem was the one that’s as old as slot car racing itself; crashing. Lots of drivers did, Ed and the Tomster suffering motor pod breakages which ruined their evening. The second problem was a result of the first; getting taken out by someone else’s crash. Lots of drivers had that happen too. The third problem was a result of the first and second problems; car breakages. In addition to Ed and the Tomster’s broken pods, others suffered bodywork damage and broken wings, which combined with the first and second problems caused a fourth problem; David found himself leading the race at the end of Heat 3 and was so desperate to stay there that he abandoned your correspondent’s journalistic requirements and concentrated solely on his driving instead. Miracles don’t happen often and David was determined to milk this one for all it was worth.

So, who crashed when, where and how is anyone’s guess, but as Churchill famously said: “Never in the field of human competition has so much damage been caused to so many cars by so few drivers”, or something along those lines. Still, given the amount of laughter and general merriment in the clubroom, most drivers seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, although Julian’s demeanour suggested he wasn’t particularly enjoying how his race was progressing.

The second half of the race saw Lee regain the lead and end David’s dreams of glory, while Simon, Julian and Terry fought out the closest of finishes for the remaining podium spot, Simon winning that one, just 0.67 seconds ahead of Julian who was 0.36 in front of Terry.

Fifteen drivers. Wow. If Netflix is looking for its next smash hit, it should film the racing at Molesey. What a great night.