Season seven of the Jamrock Remote Control Car Club’s (JRRCCC) Island Nitro Series is slated to start on Sunday, September 11 at Sovereign Centre on the Boulevard, Washington Boulevard in St Andrew.

The series, which caters to gas-powered racing cars, is scheduled to start at midday. Admission is free for spectators.

“The series has been very good for the club as this season we’re seeing several retired drivers dusting off their old cars to come and participate,” Denise Burton-Clarke, JRRCCC president, told Auto.

The format for the races are two rounds of quality for each of the three classes, followed by a 25-minute final, which sees exciting pit stops.

“The cars can only go five minutes on a full tank of gas, so they have to stop,” she explained.

According to Burton-Clarke, pre-registration for the five-round series that ends in May 2016 has been strong. For club members, registration is $1,500 with $500 required for every class after that. Non-members pay $2,500 and $1,000, respectively. The Island Nitro Series hosts three classes, 1/8 scale Nitro GT, 1/8 scale four-wheel drive Open and 1/10 scale Sedan. Jason Givans, Franklyn Thomas and Burton-Clarke are the respective class champions.

For Thomas, he will be defending his hard-fought title in 1/8 scale 4WD Open with his Serpent 977 rc car.

“Some upgrades are out for the car, so I’ll be getting them because I’ll be up against several competitors bringing brand new cars,” he said.

While the upgrades to his car may level the playing in terms of speed and handling, Franklyn credits teamwork as the real key to victory.

“A lot of races are won and lost in the pits, so we’ll be fine-tuning things like when to come in and how to refuel faster.”

— Rory Daley