Racing Exposure reader, Adam Pigott, was at the recent HSCC Meeting at Cadwell Park. This meeting was partly celebrating 60 years of Formula 3, and whilst modern F3 does not visit Cadwell Park any more, the track has hosted many F3 meetings in the past, and still sees fairly modern F3 derived cars race there when the Monoposto Racing Club visits.
Adam has sent in these photographs which capture the essence of an HSCC meeting at a glorious circuit. More can be seen on his Flickr page.
John
After a tough weekend at Donington Park a fortnight ago, the GoMobileUK.com with Tech-Speed team will hope to fight at the front of the field when the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship heads to Thruxton for the third round of the season this weekend (30 April-1 May).
Widnes-racer Paul O’Neill and Guernsey-based team-mate John George head into the weekend confident that the high-speed Hampshire circuit will be one that suits the GoMobileUK.com with Tech-Speed Chevrolet Cruzes, with the pair aiming to bring home a double points finish for the time this season.
Paul was one of the stars of the Thruxton meeting twelve months ago, as he took his ageing Honda Integra to a podium finish in the second race of the weekend. Now armed with the Chevrolet that carried Jason Plato to the 2010 championship crown, Paul heads into the weekend sitting eight in the championship standings – and fifth amongst the Independents – having scored points in five of the six races run so far this year.
Paul
After a difficult weekend at Donington Park, where he was forced off track in the second race of the weekend and had to battle through the field in the final race as a result, Paul heads to Thruxton in optimistic mood as he chases his second podium finish of the 2011 campaign.
“Donington was a tough weekend, but it’s forgotten now and I’m looking forward to Thruxton,” he said. “Despite the change in boost, the turbo cars will still be quick over a single lap in qualifying and we have to aim to get into the top six on the grid and go from there.
“At the minimum, we have to target a podium finish on race day and a win could possibly be on the cards; Thruxton is our best chance yet.
“Thruxton is mainly one long corner so there is going to be a lot of pressure on the front left tyre and it could cause problems for the turbo cars when they are on the power. I’ll be happy to pick them off and work my way to the front.”
Thruxton is the closest thing to a home race for team-mate John, who also found himself in the wars at Donington Park after being involved in an incident off the start in race one. Despite that, he fought back to finish just outside the points in the remaining two races as he continues to acclimatise to the Chevrolet after competing in an Integra in recent seasons.
Having scored a ninth place finish at Thruxton last season, John heads into the weekend looking to break into the points for the first time in 2011 and is optimistic that he will be able to challenge for a place in the top ten.
“The turbo cars have been turned down a bit and Thruxton is a circuit that should suit our car,” he said. “Donington was a difficult weekend for us, but I’ve always gone well at Thruxton and it’s the closest thing I have to a home circuit, so I’m looking forward to it.
“The circuit may be high speed, but it’s not a high torque track like Donington, which is where the turbo cars had a big advantage. We need to see what impact the turbo change has, but I’m confident we’ll be stronger this weekend.”
GoMobileUK.com with Tech-Speed head to Thruxton sitting seventh in the HiQ Teams’ Championship and fourth in the Independents’ Team Trophy and will seek to strengthen its position in both championships in rounds seven, eight and nine of the campaign.
“Paul and John have both gone well at Thruxton in the past and we’re looking forward to the weekend,” Tech-Speed chief Marvin Humphries said. “As ever, we go into the weekend aiming to do the best job possible and we are optimistic about our chances.
“We need to see what impact the change in boost has on the turbo cars but Thruxton is a circuit that should suit the Chevrolet. However, we have to wait and see what happens when we hit the track for first practice.”
Qualifying from Thruxton will be available to view on ITV.com on Saturday, with the session due to run from 15:10-15:40. Sunday’s three races, due to start at 11:30, 14:10 and 17:15 will then air live on ITV4, ITV4 HD and on ITV.com as part of an extensive broadcast airing from 11:00-18:00.
Pic: Jakob Ebrey
Hector Hurst proved his potential as a championship contender in the 2011 Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship with a strong debut weekend at Donington Park with Scorpio Motorsport. Hurst was a frontrunner throughout the weekend, taking a solid top five finish in his first ever car race, before showing superb speed when recovering from an early mistake in race two.
With no pre event testing before the weekend, Hector’s first track time on the circuit for over a month came in the two high pressure qualifying sessions. The 18 year old kept his teams nerves up throughout both, leaving it until his last lap in each before setting his quickest times.
The first session saw him set a 1m 08.041s to line up fifth for the first race, before going narrowly quicker in the second session, with a 1m 08.014s putting him fourth for race two.
Hector said: “Qualifying was actually quite good. It would have been nice to set a record and get a pole, but realistically a fifth and a fourth in my first ever qualifying in cars, in a very competitive field, is a great result.
“Being the top rookie by quite a long way is also quite nice, shows that we’re doing a good job. I’m not going to do anything stupid this weekend, just looking for some good points to start off the championship.”
When race day came around, Lymington-based Hector was feeling slightly nervous ahead of his first ever car race. As the race began, a slow getaway saw him drop a couple of places into seventh at the first corner, but he grew in confidence as he completed the first few laps and began going on the attack.
Consistent quick lap times saw him move onto the tail of the drivers ahead, quickly moving into sixth place before chasing down Archie Hamilton for fifth. As the race headed towards its conclusion, Hector knew he had to make a move and made a superb move at McLeans to take the place, before holding on to it till the finish to take a great haul of points from his opening race.
Commenting on his debut race, Hector said: “Race one was pretty good. It was my first ever race start and it didn’t go great, meaning I dropped back a couple of places. But then I managed to get back up to fifth which I held to the finish. I was pretty pleased with that for a first race as I got some good points.”
Just a couple of hours later race two was upon him and lining up on the second row, Hector hoped to push for a podium finish. However a mistake on the start line saw him go too early and jump the start, leading to a drive-through penalty which he took during a safety car period a few laps later. However when doing so, he went through a red light at the end of the pit lane, which saw him breach the rulebook and end up with a second drive through penalty of the afternoon.
After successfully completing this one, Hector began putting in some blistering lap times as he worked his way onto the back of the field. Picking off drivers throughout the remainder of the race, Hector finished up in a strong thirteenth place, less than thirty seconds behind the race winner, setting the third fastest lap of the race in the process.
Reflecting on race two, Hector commented: “I jumped the start, so got a drive through penalty for that, and then got another drive through penalty for doing my first one during a safety car period. Two drive through penalties is obviously terrible, but I still somehow managed to bring it home in thirteenth, so got a surprising amount of points for the second race. Obviously nowhere near what we wanted, but I still got points and just missed out on fastest lap, which was a shame as that could have been a couple more points.”
The whole weekend proved a real learning curve for the Hampshire driver, as he explains: “It’s good to get the whole format of the weekend out the way. Being quick in testing in one thing, but then doing it in qualifying and the races is another. I showed I’ve got a bit to learn on the start of the races, but it’s all good experience and I’ve learnt a lot I can apply in the future.”
Despite the disappointing end to the weekend, Hector and his team were happy with a really strong debut in the series, bringing the car home for two finishes with no damage and showing pace throughout the weekend that’s indicates they’ll will be a real threat for race wins and the championship title as the season continues.
Next up for Hector is Rounds three and four at Brands Hatch on 14/15 May. The teenager heads to Kent lying seventh in the championship standings, holding the position of top rookie, and is looking for some real success at Brands, concluding: “We’re now heading to Brands Hatch, where we should be very competitive and honestly I’d be disappointed if we didn’t get two wins.”
Louise
Grantham-based Richardson Racing will make the long trip South to Thruxton this weekend aiming to continue its run of podium finishes in the latest rounds of the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup.
Brother and sister pairing Andrew and Louise Richardson have secured two podiums apiece in the G50 class from the opening six races of the season and will hope to fight at the front once again at the quickest circuit on the calendar.
Andrew goes into the weekend keen to return to the kind of form he showed in the season opener at Brands Hatch, where he took two podium finishes – including a maiden G50 victory – and broke the lap record.
Despite running near the front at Donington Park last time out, Andrew was unable to add to his points tally after being caught up in on track incidents in the opening two races, before a mechanical issue forced him out in the final stages of race three.
As a result, he now heads into his first ever race weekend at Thruxton keen to get his championship challenge back on track.
Andrew
“I’ve not had the chance to test at Thruxton and I’ve not raced there before either,” he said. “The closest I’ve got is watching some onboard action from Louise as you can’t find Thruxton on many computer games!
“However, I don’t think a lack of experience will be hamper me during the weekend. I just need to keep my eyes and ears open and make sure that I listen to any advice I am given and watch what people are doing on track. Hopefully it won’t take long to get up to speed and I’ll be fighting near the front.
“After Donington Park, I need to climb back up the standings and make sure that the others don’t get too far ahead in the championship.”
Younger sister Louise suffered a torrid start to her season at Brands Hatch, with a fourth place in race one being her only finish of the weekend.
However, she battled back well in the second meeting of the season at Donington a fortnight ago to secure a brace of podium finishes, which has lifted her to fifth in the G50 class standings.
Unlike Andrew, Louise has competed at Thruxton in the past and took a pair of fourth place finishes last year while competing in the Ginetta Junior Championship.
“After two weekends, we’ve now got a better understanding of the car and of the set-up,” she said. “We need to see how we get on, but if we can use what we have learned to get the set-up right at Thruxton, then hopefully we’ll be towards the front. The key thing will be to carry speed through the high-speed corners around the back of the circuit. If you don’t get it right through Noble, Goodwood or Church then you risk losing a lot of time.
“Scoring two podium finishes at Donington Park and moving up to fifth in the standings was a huge boost and hopefully I can keep closing the gap to the leaders this weekend.”
The opening Ginetta GT Supercup race of the weekend will run over eleven laps and is due to start at 15:50 on Saturday (30 April). Two further 16 lap races will then take place on Sunday (1 May) at 10:45 and 15:45 (schedule changes permitting),
Pictures: Jakob Ebrey
Pic: Tim Auger
Century Motorsport’s Jake Rattenbury got his 2011 British GT Championship off to the perfect start having secured a class win during the second race of the day at Oulton Park in Cheshire, backing up the fourth place he secured during the opening race of the season.
Qualifying saw Jake go out for the first part of qualifying, with his pace increasing during the 15 minute session. By the end of the session, Jake was fourth in the GT4 Class and 22nd fastest overall. His qualifying time of 1:46.423s came on his last flying lap.
“In practice this morning, we were five seconds off due to problems with the brakes and rear suspension braking,” said Jake, before adding: “So to come back to fourth place, I’m over the moon. Hopefully we will do better in the races and get a podium.”
Pic: Matt Auger
Jake almost secured a podium during the first race of the day, having run third in class for most of the race before handing the car over to his team-mate during the mandatory drive change pit stop. Both drivers were running solidly ahead of the #49 Lotus Evora, but it was the second KTM X-Bow which would displace them from a podium position.
The podium result came in the second race of the weekend, where Jake’s team-mate started fifth in class and 24th overall. At the end of the first lap, the team were ahead of the #48 Lotus Evora.
Lap eleven saw Jake get into the car under the Safety Car – which had been called due to an incident involved a GT4 rival and a G55. He came out leading the GT4 class and had a solid gap to the second placed car in Class.
Problems hit Jake within 10 minutes of his stint. He lost all gears apart from third and fourth and was passed for the lead by the #49 Lotus Evora, but was still on for a podium finish as long as he stayed on track.
Jake took the flag second in class and 14th overall, but was then promoted to the class victor after the class winners were penalised for overtaking under yellow flags.
This meant that in only his second race in the 2011 British GT Championship, he had claimed his first podium and first victory – and with it, the GT4 Championship lead.
“We had a really good weekend overall,” said a delighted Jake. “To finish it with a win especially after the gearbox problems, I’m over the moon. 10 Minutes into my stint I lost all gears apart from 3rd and 4th.
“Amazing weekend! Coming away with a win and the Championship lead is the best possible result to the weekend. Thanks to all the team and sponsors and I’m looking forward to Snetterton now.”
As a result of Jake’s win in the second race at Oulton Park, his pitstop in the opening race at Snetterton will now be a 72 second stop, as the winners of each class get an extra 15 seconds added to their time.
Round two of the 2011 British GT Championship takes place at the Snetterton 300 circuit on the 14/15 May, where Jake heads with a nine point Championship lead.
Triple Eight Race Engineering with Collins Contractors will this weekend arrive at Thruxton in Hampshire, venue for the 7th, 8th and 9th rounds of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, as leaders of 3 of the 4 Championship awards we are entered in.
James Nash driver of our ♯14 Vauxhall Vectra turbo leads the drivers’ overall Championship as well as the Independent driver’s award while the team leads the Independent team’s award and is 2nd only to the works-backed Honda outfit in the overall Championship.
Unfortunately, this early success has a price attached to it. In Practice sessions through qualifying and to at least the end of race one on Sunday Nash as Championship leader will be carrying maximum ‘success’ ballast (45kg), more than any other competitor.
The weight issue is also compounded by a late change to the regulations by series organisers TOCA. From this weekend all of the turbocharged engine cars have had their boost reduced and it is not clear if all the turbo cars have been reduced by the same amount or not. The regulation change is in reaction to complaint by drivers of normally aspirated-engined cars that parity between the two types of engine had been lost and they were being disadvantaged.
Thruxton is the fastest circuit on the calendar and Nash will be racing at the Hampshire venue for the first time in the BTCC. His last visit was back in his Formula Ford days.
Tony Gilham driver of our ♯34 Vauxhall Vectra turbo is also racing at Thruxton for the first time in a touring car. He does though have recent experience of its fast sweeps having raced here for the past three seasons in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.
James Nash ♯14: “I’ve not been to Thruxton in a saloon car before. Mind you Triple Eight have always gone well with the Vauxhall and I’m driving with some confidence so yes, I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Its great too to be leading the Championship but, it’s still early days and I’m not getting carried away with it all just yet. There’s a long way to go and some very good drivers to try and beat.”
Tony Gilham ♯34: “I always look forward to racing at Thruxton. Our race pace is good, but after Donington when I got involved in a final race crash I want to record some points finishes this weekend. Additionally, after a few sponsorship worries before the last meeting it’ll be nice to get out racing again.”
Ian Harrison, Chairman Triple Eight: “ We’ve had some very good days at Thruxton before so hopefully it’ll be more of the same.”
“However, as always at Thruxton with its abrasive track surface and fast right handers tyres are going to be the key. Tyres, particularly the left front will be even more of a concern this year with the heavier turbo engine and our drivers are really going to have to manage them. Patience is the thing. If you feel the car going away from you just back-off and bag the points instead of going for the ultimate honour and risk a puncture or worse a non-finish.
Pictures: Keith Hubbleday
Snetterton is preparing to host its first major race meeting since undergoing a multi-million pound circuit redevelopment, when the new 300 track configuration hosts the upcoming round of the British F3 & GT Championships on 14/15 May.
Several club level motorsport events have taken place on the new 2.99-mile 300 circuit since it opened in mid-February, and the transformed layout has met with widespread praise throughout the motorsport community. However, the British F3 & GT Championships’ double headline meeting will mark the first time a national series has raced on the new circuit.
Lining up on the 2011 Avon Tyres British GT Championship grid will be a mouth-watering array of cars, including the Mercedes SLS ‘gullwing’, Ferrari 458, Audi R8, Porsche 911 and Aston Martin DBRS9. Norfolk based manufacturer Lotus will also be entering their Evora GT4 car into the championship’s two-hour endurance race at Snetterton, which will feature mandatory pit stops and driver swaps.
In addition, Snetterton will host three races from the Cooper Tires British F3 Championship – the series that launched the careers of F1 stars such as Jenson Button and Ayrton Senna. 2011 is the diamond anniversary of both Snetterton circuit and British F3, and among the young talents hoping to sparkle in Norfolk will Carlin’s Rupert Svendsen-Cook from Ipswich. Svendsen-Cook is currently the leading British driver in the F3 standings, lying fifth after taking victory at the season opener in Monza, Italy and a further five top ten finishes this season to date.
Spectators will be able to enjoy superb viewing opportunities of the 300 circuit’s first major meeting, as a number of elevated viewing areas have been constructed at key vantage points overlooking the new layout.
As well as five headline races from the British F3 and GT Championships, the weekend will feature racing from Caterhams, the Volkswagen Racing Cup and British Formula Ford.
Discounted tickets for the British F3 & GT Championships at Snetterton on 14/15 May are now on sale from £17 for adults, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.snetterton.co.uk.
The Avon Tyres British GT Championship roared into life in the traditional season opener on Easter Weekend at Oulton Park with a bigger grid compared to last years, with new cars from Aston Martin, Lotus, Mercedes and Audi and Ferrari saw a more varied grid than previous years. New rules and regulations came into play also, with both races been on the Race Day this year.
Race 1, saw the Ferrari 458 on pole on its debut, with driver Michael Lyons at the wheel for the start of the race initially leading away from the rest of the field. The other 458 in the field, run by MTech, suffered gearbox trouble in qualifying and lined up at the back, alongside another car suffering problems throughout the weekend, #44 KTM X-Bow which brought an early halt to the mornings warm up.
Just behind the leading Ferrari at the start, the #1 Porsche of defending champion David Ashburn was slowly falling away with the Mercedes SLS driven by the 2009 Champions, the Jones’s brothers (moving away from the Ascari for this year) under pressue from Mike Guasch in the leading United Autosports Audi R8. With the #2 Trackspeed Porsche of Gregor Fisken catching them both, and the Aston Martin driven by Andrew Howard catching the Trackspeed car.
Phil Burton in the Predator CCTV Ferrari 430 was chasing down the Speedwords Corvette of Ron Johnson, eventually passing into Cascades for 11th spot. The Corvette later been passed by the recovering Duncan Cameron in the new MTech Ferrari 458.
Most teams choose to change within a few minutes of the pit window opening. After the pits, Richard Westbrook took the lead, with Matt Bell in the Audi chasing them down. The battle for 3rd hotted up, with the Mercedes holding up the #2 Porsche, with Jonathan Adam, now in the Aston Martin, closing them down.
The race settled down after the pit stops, but as the race drew to a close, and the minutes ticking down, the fight was still on, as Bell reels in the leader, Simonsen (taking over from Lester) in the #3 Ferrari gets past Bateman (taking over from Cameron) in the Ferrari 458. The #5 car dropping to 6th after its early lead. And Jonathon Adam (taking over from Howard) gets past Jones for the final podium spot. The Mercedes falling a further place as Simonsen makes more progress to take 4th.
More incidents for the Jones’s brothers, as a tangle with Tim Bridgman in the Trackspeed Porsche at Lodge left Bridgman with a puncture, leading to his retirement. The Mercedes surviving and finished in 5th.
Simonsen was still closing, but the chequered flag came just at the right moment for a couple of the teams. Westbrook and Ashburn took the top spot, just ahead of the Guash/Bell Audi.
“The Audi had the edge at the finish and it wasn’t pretty through the final laps,” Westbrook said. “We’ve got work to do but David did a great job in his stint and we’re delighted to start the year with a win and some good points”
With the Aston Martin, the engine let go in big plume of white smoke as it came across the line, leaving Adam to park up on the exit of Old Hall. With a new engine needed, the Aston wouldn’t be appearing in race 2.
“The car was getting slower in a straight line and the noise from the engine was getting worse,” he said. “Then as I crossed the line, it just let go in a cloud of smoke. That’s disappointing for us, but at the same time, it’s great to start the year on the podium as there are circuits coming up that will be better suited to the car.”
Race One Results:
1. David Ashburn/Richard Westbrook (Trackspeed Porsche 997), 36 laps
2. Mike Guasch/Matt Bell (United Autosports Audi R8), +1.528s
3.Andrew Howard/Jonathan Adam (Beechdean Motorsport Aston Martin DBRS9), +28.961s
4. Hector Lester/Allan Simonsen (Rosso Verde Ferrari 430), +29.362s
5. David Jones/Godfrey Jones (Preci Spark Mercedes AMG SLS), +41.753s
6. Michael Lyons/Charles Bateman (Scuderia Vittoria Ferrari 458), +43.353s
7. Duncan Cameron/Matt Griffin (Mtech Ferrari 458), +1m03.783s
8. Jim Geddie/Glynn Geddie (CRS Racing Ferrari 430), +1m06.043s
9. Iain Dockerill/Steven Kane (Chad Racing Ferrari 430), +1 lap
10. Phil Burton/Adam Wilcox (Predator CCTV Racing Ferrari 430), +1 lap
Race 2 was alot more lively, with 2 safety cars in the early stages, allowing the Race 1 pole sitter, Michael Lyons, to make progress through the field, after a qualifying infringement left the car at the back of the grid.
Westbrook held onto the lead into Old Hall at the start, but further back the KTM of Belshaw and Clutton spun causing a safety car without even a lap completed. The lengthy safety car period allowed Tom Bridgman who was caught up with the safety car and almost a lap down on the leaders, to catch up with the back of field after been let past by the safety car by the untraditional and somewhat controversial method cutting the circuit at the Foster’s circuit. This resulted in the team manager been summoned to Race Control, however, steering rack problems forced unscheduled stops for the #2 Porsche later on in the race. The car eventually finishing 5th but the race stewards demoted them to 10th as a result of his corner cutting.
The safety car was deployed a few short laps later when an accident claimed 2 Ginetta’s at Druids, with the Scuderia Vittoria Ginetta G50 and Andrew Jordan’s Team LNT Ginetta G55. Some teams utilised this safety car to make their driver changes, with some fairing better than others, especially with the new pit stop success penalties from race 1 finishing positions.
As the race resumed, the Rosso Verde Ferrari – now in the hands of Hector Lester – retained second position, ahead of the Trackspeed Porsches of David Ashburn and Gregor Fisken. David Jones’ Preci Spark Mercedes held fifth place.
In what became effectively a 30 minute sprint race, Bateman surged into the distance but a battle raged behind for the remaining podium positions.
The Mercedes was involved in further battles, this time with race 1 winner Ashburn for 2nd place, with Guasch in the Audi charging through the feld.
Ashburn passing David Jones for 4th, with Fisken the next target for the #1 Porsche. Fisken then effectively becoming a tail gunner for Ashburn from the mighty Mercedes. However, the #1 Porsche fell down the order after a 1 second stop/go penalty for not taking the right amount of success time at the pit stop. He rejoined in 6th, but worked his way forward to finish in 4th. Gaining places when Duncan Camerons charge came to a halt, literally, while running 5th on exiting the first chicane and after Tim Bridgman decided to take a trip across the grass.
In the closing minutes, the top 4 cars now spread out, with Michael Lyons and Charles Bateman closing in on their first ever British GT victory which they duly took after 36 laps, and after starting at the back of the grid.
“It’s great to get a win after we had just one day of testing before this weekend. Me and Charles are quite even on pace and we‚Äôve got to be among the favourites after this weekend.”
The Jones’ were very pleased with their result, despite finishing over 21 seconds behind the winning Ferrari.
“We didn’t think this would be the strongest circuit for the car,” David’s brother, Godfrey, said. “Oulton Park is a very tight and twisty circuit so to get a second and a fifth place finish is a good result. There are circuits that will suit the Mercedes more, so we’re very pleased”
The United Autosports Audi of Guasch and Bell, made their way back through the field after a late pit stop left them 14th, with Guasch performing a great job after taking over from Mike Bell, which earned him the Sunoco Driver of the Day award.
1. Michael Lyons/Charles Bateman (Scuderia Vittoria Ferrari 458), 36 laps
2. David Jones/Godfrey Jones (Preci Spark Mercedes AMG SLS), +21.633s
3. Mike Guasch/Matt Bell (United Autosports Audi R8), +30.411s
4. David Ashburn/Richard Westbrook (Trackspeed Porsche 997), +36.125s
5. Gregor Fisken/Tim Bridgman (Trackspeed Porsche 997), +45.222s
6. Jim Geddie/Glynn Geddie (CRS Racing Ferrari 430), +50.527s
7. Andrew Tate/Alex Mortimer (CRS Racing Ferrari 430), +1m06.906s
8. Hector Lester/Allan Simonsen (Rosso Verde Ferrari 430), +1m12.725s
9. Phil Burton/Adam Wilcox (Predator CCTV Racing Ferrari 430), +1m19.535s
10. Julian Draper/Freddie Hetherington (Century Motorsport Ginetta G50), +1m23.238s
Words: Nick Deeley
Photography: Surreal Illusions
Michael Lyons secured the first pole position of the new season with a time of 1:38.757. It was a close fight between the Ferrari and series defending champion David Ashburn in the Trackspeed Porsche.
Report: Nick Deeley
Photography: Surreal Illusions
The Club MSV Team Trophy is enhancing the package for its inaugural event at Snetterton on Bank Holiday Monday (2 May), by offering competitors an additional 30 minute practice session free of charge.
The Team Trophy is a new series for 2011, offering both novices and more experienced competitors a cost-effective opportunity to go racing. The category is open to production and production-based saloons, hatchbacks and sports cars manufactured post 1994, and pre-1994 vehicles belonging to previous or current Trackday Trophy competitors are also eligible to compete.
The series will follow the same one-day format as the Trackday Trophy, with a 30 minute practice/qualifying session followed by a 45 minute race featuring mandatory pit stops and driver swaps.
Club MSV is also now offering competitors an additional 30 minute free practice session on Monday morning at no extra charge, to enable them to perfect their set-up around the new 2.99-mile 300 circuit.
Alex Baker, Club MSV Manager, said: “The Team Trophy is an exciting, informal and cost-effective new challenge for club racers, and we’re really pleased to be offering our competitors even greater value with more time behind the wheel at our inaugural Snetterton event.”
Entries for the inaugural round of the Club MSV Team Trophy at Snetterton on Monday 2 May are now open, at a cost of £325 including VAT per team. Solo entries and teams of two drivers are accepted.
Live television coverage returns to the Castle Combe Circuit after a 50 year gap, with the hosting of the Motors TV Live Race Day on Monday May 2.
The meeting will be beamed live to the TV screens of viewers in 39 countries and is the first time an entire event has been broadcast from the circuit. The last live broadcast was at a motorcycle meeting in May 1961, whilst in 1955 the BBC covered both the start and finish of a Formula 1 race there.
Spectators at the Wiltshire track have an added bonus for the event with giant TV screens at Camp and Quarry to help them keep track of even more of the action than usual.
As is traditional at Castle Combe, the accent is on non-stop action, with a packed programme of generally short races, where sprinting to the finish will be more important than pacing and preserving tyres.
Nevertheless, with two races for each of the circuit’s home grown championships for saloons, Sports & GT cars and Formula Fords, there will need to be a delicate balance in the first races between car preservation and ultimate pace. With the last meeting just seven days previous, some of the teams will already have been burning the candle at both ends to bring their machines back to full health, so expect to see a few tired looking mechanics in the paddock. With the season barely one meeting old, it is a little too early to comment on form, but inevitably the star names will be filtering through, especially with the added bonus of live TV exposure for their sponsors.
The quality of the entry for the Castle Combe Formula Ford 1600 race makes picking a winner a tricky business. Reigning champion Marcus Allen faces all the opposition he overcame last year and has the 2009 championship winning Spectrum to help him, run by the circuit based Wiltshire College.
One of his fiercest young opponents, Felix Fisher from Bridgwater, returns for one of his sporadic outings this year in his Van Diemen RF00, whilst former double champion, Ed Moore from Melksham, has his new Ray GR11. Also Ray mounted is local Castle Combe man Andrew Jones, his GRS07 most at home in damp conditions. The list of top names goes on, with 2010 Carnival winner, Rob Hall, back in the Swift, Bath’s Chris Acton the 2006 Class C title holder, in the Ray GRS08, Saltford’s Steven Jensen with the Spectrum 011C and in Class B, David Vivian from Bradford on Avon in the Wiltshire College Swift SC92.
The circuit’s Saloon Car Championship adds a couple of (BMW) Minis to the mix for the first time headed by reigning Sports and GT champion, Mark Funnell from Trowbridge. With his penchant for driving his race car to meetings, Mark is following in the footsteps of double Class C champion, Julian Howell from Radstock, whose BMC Mini was also road registered.
With a theoretical limit on the effective power two front wheels can deliver, the eyes are on the progress of the new rear wheel drive 3 litre BMW 130i of Ditcheat’s Kevin Bird. Relying on turbos for their oomph are the likes of double champion Tony Hutchings from Calne in his Audi TT and Southampton’s Adam Prebble in the Rover, whilst the normally aspirated runners such as Bristol’s Mark Wyatt, the reigning class B champion in the Astra and Bridgwater’s Tony Dolley in the Peugeot 206 rely on all round driveability.
Class B sees the Peugeot 106′s such as those from reigning champion, Nick Charles from Yate and David Kift from Bristol versus the Fiesta of Bath’s Guy Parr. Russell Poynter-Brown defends his Class D title in the immaculate Corsa 1.4. In the new mildly modified class, the Honda Integra of Melksham’s Simon Norris should be worth keeping an eye on.
The Sports and GTs will provide the fastest races of the day with the Radical sports racing cars likely to be out at the front. Simon Tilling in his Radical SR3 will be fending off those such as a busy Guy Parr in the Nemesis. In the highly modified class, the Darrian Wildcat of Chippenham’s Ian Hall is aptly named with its monster 5.3 litre V8 ready to pounce. He will have the Lotus Exige of Stuart Dixon from Bideford to contend with.
Always welcome are races for Minis. This time the Mighty and Super Mighty championships provide their version of ultra close BMC racing. Last year, Louise Inch clinched a poignant victory in the Mighty Minis at the scene of her grandfather Chris’s death at the circuit in 1980 from a heart attack in qualifying. Louise even beat her father Paul, who had qualified on pole. Scott Kendall and Neven Kirkpatrick shared the Super Mighty honours last year.
The Kumho BMW championship is open to any production BMW sold in the UK, its four classes offering a relatively low cost entry into motorsport, with the added bonus of rear wheel drive. Garrie Whittaker has won all the races so far this year in his E36 M3.
A combination of cars and drivers from the circuit’s own championships and the visitors will also feature in the various ‘open’ races, where more or less anything goes.
Monday’s action starts at 8.40 am with qualifying, racing getting under way from 1.00 pm.
Admission prices are again held at £15 for Adults, £7.50 for OAPs, £2.50 for Paddock Transfer, whilst accompanied children under 16 are admitted free.
Pic: Jakob Ebrey
Michael Lyons secured top spot for Scuderia Vittoria for round one of the new campaign after beating defending champion David Ashburn to pole position, but it was Ashburn’s team-mate Richard Westbrook who then came out on top in the second session to put Trackspeed’s Porsche on pole for race two.
In the first 15 minute session, Lyons was the first driver to lap quicker than 1m 40s at the wheel of the new Ferrari 458 Italia and the 20-year-old eventually posted a best time of 1m 38.757s, which saw him secure pole by 0.167s ahead of Ashburn’s Porsche 997 GT3 R.
“It was difficult with traffic and the lap was scrappy, but it was enough,” Lyons said afterwards. “It was tight with the Porsche and that is where the big fight is.”
Behind the top two, the new Preci-Spark Mercedes AMG SLS GT3 was third quickest in the hands of David Jones while Mike Guasch’s Audi and Andrew Howard’s Aston Martin ensured there are five different marques filling the top five places on the grid for the opening 60 minute encounter on Easter Monday. Jim Geddie’s CRS Ferrari 430 Scuderia rounded out the top six.
On the home weekend for the Speedworks Motorsport team, Ron Johnson put the new Corvette Z06 R into the top ten with the tenth quickest time, while Mtech’s new Ferrari 458 Italia turned its first laps in the opening session but will start from the back of the grid in the hands of Duncan Cameron.
The second session went the way of Trackspeed after a storming lap from Westbrook was good enough to put the #1 Porsche into pole position. Four laps was all that were needed for the 35-year-old to secure his spot at the front of the field with a lap of 1m 36.505s putting him well clear of the chasing pack.
Allan Simonsen in the Rosso Verde Ferrari 430 Scuderia was Westbrook’s closest challenger, but his best time was some six-tenths of a second slower than the poleman.
“I really had to push,” Westbrook said. “David did a superb job to get second on the grid for race one and the car felt really good when I went out. The tyres came in on the second lap and I knew I had to push. I really hit the sweet spot with the tyres on my best lap and there was some luck in that respect, but you have to take any luck that comes your way. We’ve got to stay out of trouble and get a good points haul on Monday.”
Behind the top two, Charles Bateman was third quickest in the Scuderia Vittoria Ferrari ahead of Matt Bell’s United Autosports Audi and series debutant Jonathan Adam in the Beechdean Aston Martin. Sixth quickest was Matt Griffin in the Mtech Ferrari, despite the car having failed to run in either free practice session earlier in the day.
“I’ve got to say big congratulations to the team as this was the first time the car had run,” Griffin said. “To come out of the box and get sixth on the grid is a massive achievement. We’re not on pole but we’re happy with sixth as there is a lot more to come. We haven’t even taken the lid off the bottle yet.”
The lone GT3B car, Mtech’s Ferrari 430 GT3 will start the two races from 21st and 15th on the grid for the two races.
In GT4, pole for the opening race went the way of the KTM X Bow of Peter Belshaw who beat the Scuderia Vittoria Ginetta G50 of Dan Denis to class honours by three-tenths of a second in 16th overall. That result went some way to making up for the fact that the sister KTM was forced to miss the session with mechanical issues, although the team remains hopeful of two cars taking part in Monday’s races.
The Lotus Evoras of Freddy Nordstrom and Ollie Jackson were third and fifth quickest, sandwiching the Century Motorsport Ginetta of Jake Rattenbury.
“It’s a good result for the team,” Belshaw said. “I felt I could have gone quicker but its good to be at the front of the GT4 class. I struggled to get a clear lap but when there was some space, I had to push. With the traffic, it was a bit of a lottery.”
The second session saw the roles reversed as David McDonald put the Scuderia Vittoria Ginetta into top spot ahead of the KTM, now in the hands of Marcus Clutton. Leyton Clarke and Jack Drinkall then followed in the two Evoras with Jack Drinkall fifth in the Century Ginetta.
“I’m very pleased with that,” McDonald said. “I’ve not had a lot of time in the car and the first chance to test was only last week at Spa, so we weren’t sure where we would be. The car was fantastic and we’ve got good race pace so hopefully we can do a good job on Monday.”
The GTC Chevron GR8 impressed in both qualifying sessions, and will line up 14th and 16th for the two races having outpaced a number of the more powerful GT3 machines.
The British GT Championship is sponsored by UK tyre manufacturer Avon Tyres and is further supported by Sunoco Racing Fuels, Anglo American Oil Company and OAMPS.
Avon Tyres British GT Championship
Provisional results, Round 1 qualifying
Oulton Park 23/4/2011
GT3
1. Scuderia Vittoria Ferrari Michael Lyons 1m 38.757s
2. Trackspeed Porsche David Ashburn 1m 38.924s
3. Preci-Spark Mercedes David Jones 1m 39.088s
4. United Autosports Audi Mike Guasch (USA) 1m 39.883s
5. Beechdean Aston Martin Andrew Howard 1m 40.583s
6. CRS Racing Ferrari Jim Geddie 1m 40.853s
7. Trackspeed Porsche Gregor Fisken 1m 41.126s
8. Rosso Verde Ferrari Hector Lester 1m 41.132s
9. United Autosports Audi John Bintcliffe 1m 41.290s
10. Speedworks Motorsport Corvette Ron Johnson 1m 42.314s
GT3B
1. MTECH Ferrari John Dhillon 1m 46.217s
GT4
1. ABG Motorsport KTM Peter Belshaw 1m 44.995s
2. Scuderia Vittoria Ginetta Dan Denis 1m 45.224s
3. Lotus Sport UK Lotus Freddy Nordstrom 1m 45.916s
4. Century Motorsport Ginetta Jake Rattenbury 1m 46.423s
5. Lotus Sport UK Lotus Ollie Jackson 1m 46.512s
6. ABG Motorsport KTM Athanasios Ladas (GRE) No time
GT Cup
1. Chevron Racing Chevron Jordan Witt 1m 44.201s
Provisional results, Round 2 qualifying
GT3
1. Trackspeed Porsche Richard Westbrook 1m 36.505s
2. Rosso Verde Ferrari Allan Simonsen (DEN) 1m 37.156s
3. Scuderia Vittoria Ferrari Charles Bateman 1m 37.235s
4. United Autosports Audi Matt Bell 1m 37.562s
5. Beechdean Aston Martin Jonny Adam 1m 37.956s
6. MTECH Ferrari Matt Griffin (IRL) 1m 38.007s
7. CRS Racing Ferrari Glynn Geddie 1m 38.055s
8. Predator CCTV Ferrari Adam Wilcox 1m 38.342s
9. CRS Racing Ferrari Alex Mortimer 1m 38.670s
10. Chad Racing Ferrari Steven Kane 1m 38.697s
GT3B
1. MTECH Ferrari Aaron Scott 1m 40.820s
GT4
1. Scuderia Vittoria Ginetta David McDonald 1m 44.502s
2. ABG Motorsport KTM Marcus Clutton 1m 44.563s
3. Lotus Sport UK Lotus Leyton Clarke 1m 46.575s
4. Lotus Sport UK Lotus Jack Drinkall 1m 47.185s
5. Century Motorsport Ginetta Josh Wakefield 1m 47.329s
6. ABG Motorsport KTM Michael Mallock No time
GT Cup
1. Chevron Racing Chevron Anthony Reid 1m 42.390
Full TSL timesheets http://bit.ly/fwgptU
Pic: Jakob Ebrey
Declan Jones took a confidence lifting first-ever top-ten Ginetta Junior Championship finish at Donington Park last weekend, in rounds three and four of the series.
Declan, who has graduated to the Ginetta Junior Championship for 14-17 year-olds this season, following several successful seasons competing in the Lewis Hamilton and Bernie Ecclestone Formula One Management-backed Formula Kart Stars Series and in the British Super One Rotax Series, began the weekend solidly and he was 13th in qualifying in his Kevlin Jones Motorsport family-run car.
“I thought that was a pretty good effort,” said Declan, who had a hard debut weekend at Brands Hatch earlier this month. “13th wasn’t too bad – especially considering it was only my second qualifying session and I am obviously still getting use to the Ginetta G40J.”
Pic: Jakob Ebrey
The Chicago Soft-backed youngster then maintained that momentum in the two races, finishing 14th in the first race and scoring seven precious championship points, despite losing a lap early on when he had to pit when his front nose got damaged.
“I had a coming together on the second lap and that popped my bonnet,” explained the 15-year-old. “We had to come in and get that fixed.
“Then I went back out and my aim was just to finish and I did, even though I had another coming together with another kid, who just came across my nose and just cut me up.”
The highlight of the weekend though came in the second race and he put in a good run. Indeed he gained a number of places at the start and was running sixth, until a mistake dropped him back.
Despite that however, he still managed to bring his car home in eleventh, gaining a further position post-race when one of his rivals was disqualified for what officials described as overly ‘robust’ racing.
“The second race was a lot better,” Declan continued. “I was actually lying sixth at one point and just made a mistake and spun. That was a bit annoying. But other than that I thought it was a really great race.”
Declan thus finished the weekend with 18 points on the board and he was pleased to have opened his account and he is now looking forward to the next event in two weeks time when the MSA British Touring Car Championship-support series heads to Thruxton (April 29-May 1).
“It was a massive learning weekend,” added the Liverpool-based teenager. “But we still came out of it with a lot of points. I now feel a lot more comfortable – really comfortable with the car. I felt it was a really, really good weekend and the second race obviously pleased me most. I will be out to finish again at Thruxton and get some more points. That is what I need to do.”
Declan’s father and boss of Kelvin Jones Motorsport, Kelvin Jones meanwhile was delighted to see his son bounce back after a rather tough baptism at Brands Hatch.
“I think Dec drove really well. After what happened at Brands, with two DNFs, his confidence had taken a bit of a knock. So what we really wanted this weekend was two finishes and that is exactly what we got,” Kelvin continued.
“In the first race his nose came off after a coming together and it was rubbing on the wheel. He had to come in. But we got him out and at least he got to the end and got lots of precious miles under his belt.
“Then in the second race he had a good start and was up to sixth or seventh, before he made a mistake and fell back to twelfth. But then he made his way back up to tenth.
“Overall two finishes was good and I was really pleased with him. His confidence is back up. He just needs more time, more time in the car, and we will just keep working away now and working our way up the grid.
“For him to finish in his second-ever weekend and to finish in the top-ten was a very good result.
“We are now looking forward to Thruxton. Dec has never been to that track before. He will have to arrive and learn it. There is no pre-testing there. It is a very fast circuit. But I want him to show the same sort of form.
“I want him to use the Friday to learn the track, then qualify as best as he can and then try and collect some points until we go to our home race at Oulton Park on June 4-5.”
Pic: Jakob Ebrey
Patrick McClughan put in a determined performance and notched up more points at Donington Park last weekend, in rounds three and four of the 2011 Ginetta Junior Championship.
Paddy, who is taking in his second season in the Ginetta Junior Championship for 14-17 year-olds this year and who equalled his best result of 2010 at the season opener at Brands Hatch two weeks ago, was eleventh in practice in his Kelvin Jones Motorsport-run car.
He then proceeded to take an encouraging eighth place in qualifying, his best Q performance to date: “We didn’t get the maximum out of the car but we still qualified eighth,” said Paddy, who attends Campbell College in Belfast. “We know there is so much more to come.
“But it was still extremely positive to see that we have definitely made improvements and I have made improvements in terms of my driving. It was very good and we were very happy.”
The 15-year-old then came through to take ninth in the opening race at the Leicestershire-based venue, persevering despite a number of skirmishes that left his Ginetta G40J in less than pristine condition.
“It was another very action packed race. There was lots of carnage and battles going on. But unfortunately I got taken out quite a lot by a lot of different cars,” Paddy recalled. “The car was in a very bad state by the end. It was damage limitation basically. But we still finished in P9 and got some points and I was happy to be able to bring the car home.”
The second race was a similar tale, but once again another resolute performance netted the Cimpina Ltd-backed youngster a top-ten and his second ninth place of the weekend.
“We got a really good start, but then at the end of the first lap there was an accident and the safety car came out. At this point I was running seventh or eighth,” he continued.
“Then the safety car went in and at the chicane, at the end of lap 5, someone spun and to avoid it I had to go over a massive kerb. I think I actually bent the steering arm on the car [as a result]. The car was undriveable after that. It was unfortunate as I was right in the thick of the action and could have ended up with another good result. But again, like the first race, it was a case of damage limitation and I just wanted to get the car home.”
Despite all that though, Paddy was still happy with his weekend and was particularly encouraged by his form in qualifying: “Overall it was very good. We made even more steps than we did at Brands and did well in qualifying. That we were able to get so easily into the top ten and we knew we could have got more from the car was very positive,” he added.
“But it was just unfortunate about the races because we did have some good pace to show. However unfortunately we couldn’t maximise on that because of the damage. That is racing though. We will just have to go to the next round and hopefully have more luck.”
Paddy will head to Thruxton in two weeks time now with 38 points on the board and he is keen to try and get a top-five finish there, when once again the Ginetta Juniors will take their place on the support bill for the MSA British Touring Car Championship.
“I had my first race weekend at Thruxton last year,” Paddy recalled. “We started off quite well in both test sessions on the Friday. It was very positive considering I had so little experience. But unfortunately in free practice I made a tiny error. It was wet and I touched the kerb and the car speared off. Things like that happen though and I have no fears about going back – not at all in fact.
“I will go hard at it. A top-five finish would be nice, or possibly a podium. You never know we could go for a win too. But I have to be realistic. I think we can easily get a top-five, without a doubt.”
Team owner Kelvin Jones meanwhile believes Paddy has made definite progress in the two Ginetta Junior events so far this year.
“Paddy qualified well at Donington and but for a mistake, which I think cost him around four or five tenths, he probably could have been fifth or sixth on the grid,” Kelvin stated. “I comfortably feel that is where he is now. He has just got to start stringing laps and results together because, as I have said before, the speed is there.
“Looking to Thruxton, Paddy knows the track and while he had a big accident last year, I am still expecting him to qualify comfortably in the top ten and to be at least sixth or seventh on the grid.
“I think the more time I work with him, the better he seems to be getting. He is getting some very good results now compared to what he had last year and is moving up the grid.”
Saturday 16th April saw the opening round of the Time Attack series take place at a warm and sunny Oulton Park in Cheshire. A field of over 30 cars took to the track, competing against the clock as well as their fellow competitors. The biggest change for the 2011 series is a new control tyre – the Pirelli P Zero which is very much a high performance road tyre, compared to the semi slick Toyo 888’s used previously.
Duncan Graham - BC Racing Impreza at Oulton Park
The concept behind Time Attack is very simple – the fastest car around the track wins. There is no on-track racing between cars, it is purely a case of which driver can find space on the track and push their car the hardest record the absolute best lap time. In some ways it is very similar to the old style F1 qualifying sessions.
The cars compete in 3 main classes:
Club Challenge covers the majority of the competitors and is broadly for production cars with reasonable performance and safety modifications. Club Challenge is further split into categories for FWD, 4WD and RWD. Many of the cars are road legal and are driven to and from the event.
Jonny Fletcher - Astra GSi turbo
Club Pro caters for more highly tuned cars. These are fully stripped out cars, with a roll cage being mandatory. This class is dominated by Japanese 4WD machinery with 600+bhp being common place amongst the front runners.
Fiona Kindness - Nissan Skyline at Oulton Park
Pro Class is for the top end, extremely modified cars. These are very highly developed cars, with race level engineering, though a few are still being run on comparatively low budgets. Performance modifications are essentially unlimited, with nitrous oxide boosting some cars over the magical 1,000 bhp.
Paul Doyle - K Sport Impreza at Oulton Park
There are 20 minute sessions for warm-up and practice during the morning, before final qualification after lunch. The top competitors in each class then go on to the final shoot out later in the afternoon.
Warm up
Morning warm up was the first time that many competitors had been able to try out the new Pirelli P Zero control tyre in anger. With many cars still fresh from their winter rebuild, it was unsurprising that many were taking things easy during these early laps to debug any niggles. A couple of two or 3 lap sessions were the order of the day here, with only Mark Ward in his Subaru Impreza and Gerry Atkinson in the Seat Leon Supercopa completing more than 7 laps.
Mark Ward - Subaru Impreza at Oulton Park
The early benchmarks in Club challenge were set by the Imprezas of Lee Bullen (1:39.578) and Jon Mathers (1:39.946), both competing in Time Attack for the first time. Bo Nielsen in his Forge Motorsport backed Astra VXR returned for his second season complete with a BTCC aero package, and was immediately on the pace in the front wheel drive class with a best lap of 1:40.833, over 5 seconds ahead of Dave Thorpe in the TDI North Civic.
Lee Bullen - Impreza Spec C at Oulton park
In Club Pro, Warren Kelly in his stunning Escort Cosworth, showed his intentions early on by setting a blistering time of 1:35.820, over 3 seconds faster than his next nearest competitor, last year’s Club 4WD champion Fiona Kindness in her Track Scotland Nissan Skyline. Fiona in turn was more than 3 seconds faster than fellow competitors Dave Jackson (Spec-R Escort Cosworth) and Walter Morris (Nissan Skyline).
Warren Kelly - Escort Cosworth at Oulton Park
In Pro class, Gavin Renshaw topped the time sheets with a 1:33.454 in his NR Autosport EVO, bettering Marcus Webster’s wide body Skyline and Paul Doyle’s K-Sport backed Impreza by just over a second.
Gavin Renshaw - NR Autosport EVO at Oulton Park
Practice
The morning practice session is traditionally when the sandbagging stops, and cars start running at their full potential. In Club Challenge, Scotsman Andrew Barbour in his EVO set a blistering benchmark time of 1:36.790, just 3 hundredths ahead of fellow EVO driver Simon Nutter. Sadly the session was brought to an early halt, when Simon’s engine let go at 130mph, which closed the track for over 20 minutes whilst the car was recovered and the oil spill cleaned up.
Simon Nutter suffers catastrophic engine failure at Oulton Park
The drama wasn’t over yet though, as when the session re-started, Mark Pollard in the ever popular Metro suffered an engine bay fire, and was forced off the track to extinguish the flames before returning to the pits with the tailgate open. Thankfully Mark and his 6R4.com team were able to fix before the start of the afternoon qualification session.
Mark Pollard - Metro 6R4 with fire damage
In Club Pro, it was status quo with Warren Kelly again setting the quickest time (1:37.282), followed closely by Fiona Kindness with a slightly improved time of 1:38.826, despite suffering a high boost misfire that was to hamper her progress for the rest of the day.
Gavin Renshaw continued his dominance in Pro class, improving to 1:32.944, but was now closely followed by Paul Doyle 1:33.476 despite suffering gear selection problems. Mike Mahoney gained confidence with every lap in the Wallace Performance EVO and improved to a 1:36.752, just bettering Russ Paton’s 1:36.861
Qualifying
With the earlier fire damage all cleaned up, Mark Pollard wasted little time in setting the fastest time of the session, with a 1:36.408in his shiny-once-more 6R4. Andrew Barbour narrowly failed to improve on his earlier practice time, but his best lap of 1:36.889 was to qualify him in 2nd place in club 4WD. Mark Ward had retired with suspected engine damage in his Subaru Impreza, but the camaraderie between competitors saw him strip the rear differential from his car to help out Pro class driver Duncan Graham, who had struggled all day with problems.
Mark Kemp - Mitsubishi EVO at Oulton Park
In the FWD category, Bo Nielsen continued his dominance with an impressive 1:38.995 beating many of the Japanese 4WD cars and comfortably ahead of Dave Thorpe (1:44.962) and Jonathon Fletcher (1:45.845). The Redbrick Racing ex-BTCC Honda Civics driven by Charlie Butler-Henderson and Steve Peel proved the benefit of their race engineered handling, setting times of 1:42.128 and 1:43.228 respectively, despite only have just more than 200bhp each.
Bo Nielsen - Forge Motorsport VXR at Oulton Park
In the RWD category, series newcomer Jimmy White in his lurid Green VX220 showed off the nimble handling of his sub 900Kg car, by qualifying first in class with a 1:42.190, ahead of Umar Masood in his FD3S RX7 who was one of a few competitors struggling with drive-by noise limits and running low boost.
Jimmy White - VX220 at Oulton Park
Disaster struck the leading Club Pro and Pro drivers during their qualifying session. After setting a blistering time of 1:31.220 on his 2nd lap (Click to watch in car video) , Gavin Renshaw’s EVO had a track rod end failure, forcing him off the circuit in spectacular style. This destroyed the front bumper and Renshaw had to wait until the end of the session for his car to be recovered and repair work attempted. Following his warm-up lap, Warren Kelly’s Escort Cosworth suffered a transmission failure, locking all 4 wheels and preventing the car from being moved. Warren carefully supervised his car being lifted onto a trailer by the excellent Oulton Park marshalls and recovery team, before announcing his retirement from the event.
Gavin Renshaw off track at Oulton Park
Warren Kelly Escort recovery at Oulton Park
In Club Pro, Fiona Kindness experienced severe handling problems during the session, with her car trying to swap ends under cornering and heavy braking and she could only manage a best lap time of 1:40.533. This allowed Walter Morris in his Skyline to qualify first with 1:37.585 ahead of the 1:39.129 by David Jackson in his Cosworth Escort.
David Jackson - Spec R Escort at Oulton Park
Russ Paton qualified 2nd in Pro class, despite his EVO sounding like it had terminal transmission problems. Russ’s time of 1:35.478 was just ahead of the improving Mike Mahoney (1:35.926) and the BC Racing Impreza of Duncan Graham (1:36.154) which was now running smoothly for the first time following a differential swap.
Mike Mahoney - Wallace Performance EVO at Oulton Park
Club Challenge Finals
FWD
Bo Nielsen continued his domination of the forced induction FWD class, with his time of 1:38.502 comfortably outpacing rivals David Thorpe and Antonio Giovinazzo. Charlie Butler-Henderson upped his pace to record a best time of 1:41.090 and beat rapidly improving Redbrick Racing teammate Steve Peel (1:42.923) in the Normally Aspirated class.
Steve Peel - Redbrick Racing Civic at Oulton Park
4WD
In the 4WD class, Mark Pollard set the early benchmark with a 1:36.987, ahead of Eric Holmes’ 1:37.731 set on the same lap. However these times didn’t prove quite enough to take the honours, as on the very last lap of the session, Scots driver Andrew Barbour in his first ever Time Attack event recorded a stunning lap time 1:36.186 in his Mitsubishi EVO. Andrew’s astounding lap time proved faster than many of the Club Pro entries.
Andrew Barbour - EVO 5 at Oulton Park
RWD
In the RWD category, the honours again went to a Time Attack first-timer. Jimmy White in his brightly coloured VX220 exploited the combination of light weight, fine handling and outright power to record a best lap of 1:41.769, ahead of Umar Massood in his flame throwing Mazda RX7 (1:45.646).
A special mention must be given to Ronnie Amis in the Airtech Cosworth Sierra, who suffered a bearing shell failure the night before the event, rebuilt the engine overnight only for the engine to fail again during the morning. Aware of the value of scoring points in each round, Ronnie nursed his car around in each other sessions, doing just enough to qualify and take the final podium position and earning himself valuable points in the process.
Ronnie Amis - Airtec Cosworth Sierra at Oulton Park
Pro and Club Pro Finals
After suffering ill-handling during qualifying, some last minute alignment changes provided the confidence and speed boost that Fiona Kindness needed. Despite a misfire preventing her running full boost, she set her fastest time of the day of 1:37.835 on her second lap and looked setfor her inaugural Club Pro victory. However, on the very last timed lap of the session, Fiona’s time was beaten by David Jackson , who suddenly found almost 2 seconds on his very last lap in the Spec-R Escort to record a class winning time 1:36.850.
Walter Morris - Nissan Skyline at Oulton Park
Amazingly, fellow Skyline competitor Walter Morris also recorded a very committed 1:37.750 on the same final lap, demoting Fiona to the final podium position. You can see Walter’s tail-out commitment on his final lap in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsnlX6xgSRk
Duncan Graham - victorious at Oulton Park
Many of the Pro cars suffered major problems during the final session, and it certainly was survival of the fittest. With his differential problems behind him, Duncan Graham took full advantage of the situation, and running on high boost for the first time he romped home for his first ever Pro class win in his BC Racing Impreza. Duncan’s winning time of 1:34.744 was his fastest of the day and gave him a comfortable winning margin of 1.39 seconds over Mike Mahoney driving “Daisy”, his stunningly prepared Wallace Performance EVO. Daisy encountered a wastegate problem earlier in the day which lifted the cylinder heads, forcing Mike to run on only actuator pressure for the final.
Paul Doyle wins SIDC trophy for fastest Impreza
Earning a well deserved podium place was Paul Doyle in his K Sport backed Impreza, despite serious gearbox problems meaning he only had 2 working gears (2nd and 5th) for the final session. This didn’t stop him from winning the SIDC trophy for fastest Impreza, with a trap speed of 133mph on the final straight. Both Marcus Webster and Russ Paton also suffered transmission woes during the final session, with Marcus narrowly surviving a harrowing brush with the Armco on the final straight that you can watch in this video: Youtube video
The full results from the Oulton Park round can be found by clicking here
The Time Attack series now moves north to Knockhill in Scotland on the 15th May, where Andrew Barbour, Fiona Kindness, Eric Holmes, Mike Mahoney and Russ Paton will be hoping to exploit their local knowledge and continue their first round successes.
Scots trio of Mike Mahoney, Eric Holmes and Fiona Kindness at Oulton Park
Words: John Stewart
Images: Flat Out Photography
The points standings after the first round are as follows:
Time Attack Round 1 Points Table
Sean and Michael McInerney took GT, and overall victory in their new Ferrari 430 GT completing 100 laps of Rockingham, with the last 30-odd of them closely fought with team MJC in a very exciting race. Kevin Clarke and Wayne Gibson won Production in their BMW M3 by two laps over the Phillips / Storey Lotus Elise in the combined 2 ½ hour race on a very warm spring day on Saturday. 
Victory didn’t come easily for the returning McInerney’s, who undertook only a handful of Britcar races last year in their Mosler. Changing to a Ferrari for economical reasons for this season, they didn’t take part in the first round at Silverstone three weeks ago. Indeed, it seemed as if their participation at Rockingham was in doubt, after having to start from the pitlane due to starter motor troubles flooding the engine.
Before we got to the start of the race, we had already lost some entrants. The Saxon Motorsport BMW had engine problems during testing on Friday, and was unable to take any further part in proceedings. During qualifying the Bullrun Ferrari had a cam belt failure, dropping oil everywhere and causing a red flag to bring the session to a halt, and ensuring the team were heading off home early.
Qualifying ended with Javier Morcillo & Manuel Cintrano on pole in the Neil Garner / Ateca Motorsport Mosler, seven tenths ahead of another Mosler – the Paul White / Calum Lockie Strata 21 entry. Taking the class two pole was the only Dodge Viper in the field, 1.5 seconds off the pole time lining up just ahead of the Flat 6 Rapier.
Row three consisted of the Backdraft Racing Lamborghini and the McInerney’s in their Ferrari. Starting in 7th was Team MJC in another Ferrari 430, Keith Robinson not concerned by their position on the grid: “We started down in 7th for the 24hour and that worked out fine. Should be ok, fingers crossed!”
Taking the Production pole, and 12th overall was the recently reclassified (down from GT class 3) Topcats Racing Ginetta G50, three tenths but two places ahead of fellow Production class one entries Kevin Clarke and Wayne Gibson in their BMW, who didn’t make Silverstone and are unsure of how much of the Britcar season they will be able to take part in given a loss of a sponsor over the winter.
Sandwiched in the middle was the #46 Lotus Elise of Chris Headlam and Jamie Stanley, who found their bad luck had continued. An upright bolt broke, sending the upright itself straight through the oil filter during qualifying. The damage was fixed in time for the race but while going out to the grid the ball joint broke, and with the speed of the banking it wasn’t worth the risk in sending the car out. “We started the first race last year with a road car, and so we expected some issues last year, but were hoping we would have fewer problems this year.” Jamie said.
Another Ginetta started 16th overall – this one being the Reflex Racing G50, just two places ahead of Silverstone Production winners Mark & Peter Cunningham in their Seat Leon Supercopa, who were just two tenths behind. Due to an error in registration the Cunninghams, who had deliberately added weight and de-tuned their car over the winter to drop down into class 2, found themselves listed as being class 1, and so the extra ballast was taken back out again, and the engine tuned back up and they will run in Production class 1 for the rest of the season. Hoping for a podium place, and planning on running a one stop race Mark found himself causing a safety car on lap 20 when a suspension arm broke and completely sheared the wheel rim off. After spending a long time in the pits they did manage to get back out again and went on to complete 69 laps.
Not lasting even that long was the Honda Jazz of Synchro motorsport. Having had an engine change during the morning, Dave Allan made the start of the race but didn’t even manage a lap, pulling off at turn one.
At the race start Manuel Cintrano took the first stint, for the first time, and he had dropped down to 7th by the end of lap one. This put Calum Lockie, taking the first stint in the Strata 21 Mosler up to first, Aaron Scott in GT3’s Dodge Viper up into second and Michael Millard up to third in the Rapier.
Making an excellent start was Andy Schulz in the Horsepower Racing Ferrari 360, moving up from ninth place up to fourth, Witt Gamski in the MJC Ferrari made up two places, leading the Backdraft Lambourghini who was sixth at the end of lap one.
In the Production race, it was all change also. Reflex Racing led production, ahead of the Topcats Ginetta, who were ahead of Wayne Gibson in the BMW, all three separated by less than a second after lap 1. Crossing the line last at the end of the first lap was Owen O’Neill in the Topcats Racing Class 3 Marcos Mantis, who had started in 20th place, but suffered a spin on the infield section. O’Neill and Jon Harrison would go on to finish in 22nd place.
By lap five Mike Millard had dispatched Aaron Scott in the Viper and was studying the rear of Calum Lockie’s Mosler intently – the first three separated by less than a second at the end of lap six. On lap seven Millard took the lead and by lap ten, had pulled out a ten second lead over Lockie.
By this time Witt Gamski had dropped to tenth place, just 1.5 seconds ahead of Wayne Gibson who was had taken a lead in Production that, barring pit stops, they would keep until the checkered flag. Michael McInerney was making slow progress through the field, up to only 23rd position at this time.
Lap 20 signified the start of the pitstop window, with three cars stopping – Aaron Scott from third in the Viper and Manual Cintrano in the Azteca Mosler from sixth place both re-emerged with no problems. Andy Schulz stopped from fourth in the Horsepower Ferrari 360 at this point as well, and again three laps later with problems, which would cause them to complete only 63 laps.
On lap 35 the safety car was out for a second time, this time for the MacG Racing Ultima, who had started down in 17th place due to throttle problems in qualifying. Having made up a load of places in the first 20 minutes Wilcox was forced to pull over on the outside of turn one with electrical problems and retired immediately. During this second stop Gamski pitted twice refuelling both times as Britcar rules allow only a 25 litre fill under safety car conditions. The second stop included a driver change, Keith Robinson taking over, coming out in 15th place and staying in the car until the end of the race.
Mike Millard, who would later retire with a blown engine, pitted on lap 40, handing the lead of the race to Calum Lockie, who still hadn’t pitted and would stay out until lap 52. Over the next 10 laps, as various pitstop strategies played out, we had a couple of different leaders including the Jones family Porsche who looked like they may have been able to spring a surprise. Running a 62 lap first stint and only needing to stop once more, it looked like they could have had a shock result. The pace of the final stints of others meant that they finished seventh overall and won class three, just ahead of fellow class three Porsche from Hawthorns Motorsport. The Lotus Exige of Noris-Jones / Mussi rounded out the class three podium.
Scything through the field, and taking advantage of others stopping, Sean McInerney and Keith Robinson, who were quite often less than a second behind – even through traffic, found themselves in the top 5, and by lap 68 they were running second and third, behind Javier Morcillo in the Azteca Mosler, who was putting in very respectable laptimes of low 1:24’s. The question remained over fuel levels. The thirsty Mosler would have to stop again, of that there was no doubt, but would just fifty extra litres be enough for the two Ferrari’s?
In the end, both Ferrari’s made it to the finish without stopping, but with some incredibly close racing between the two of them. Sean McInerney hitting the wall at one point, but managing to hold on to the lead until the checkered flag for their first victory in their Ferrari. Sean McInerney: “We had a great race! Keith and I were at it hammer and tongs for the best part of 50 mins once I caught up with him. It didn’t help with me hitting the wall with 20 mins to go either! Last on the first lap, first on the last lap. Happy days!”
Rounding out both the overall and the GT class 1 podium were Javier Morcillo and Manual Cintrano in the Azteca Mosler, with the Strata 21 Mosler in fourth. All four on the same lap and within 50 seconds of each other – very close considering it was a 2 ½ hour race!
Taking GT class 2 honours was the Dodge Viper of Scott & Wilkins, who had a lap on the class runners up Backdraft Motorsport Lamborghini. Head & Tilley took third in class 2 in the Topcats Racing Marcos Mantis, finishing 12th overall.
It appeared as though Kevin Clarke & Wayne Gibson had a fairly straightforward race to take Production victory a lap ahead of Norris-Jones & Mussi in the Lotus Exige, with Ticehurst / Mildenhall having the last step on the podium in their Mazda MX5.
Ian Lawson & Anthony Wilds won Production class 2 in their BMW 320i, two laps ahead of Osborne & May in their Seat Leon and were the only two Production class 2 runners to be classified.
The next round is at Donnington on the weekend of 6th-8th May.
Words: Alex Ings / Images: Alex Ings
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