RACING EXPOSURE :: Club level motorsport e-magazine

Spectacular GT cars will roar around Oulton Park this Saturday 2 July when the GT Trophy Endurance Series headlines MSVR’s Blast in the Park event.

A host of highly powerful Porsches, Ferraris and BMWs will be on show as they battle around the Cheshire circuit in a two part endurance race.

The GT Trophy Endurance Series will be joined by the Production BMW Championships, Project Eight Racing Saloons, MK2 Golf GTI Championship and single seaters from the Monoposto Championship.

The GT Trophy Endurance Series features two 1 hour races which are combined to contrive an overall result. Teams are required to make a 90 second pit stop in each race. The last round of the GT Trophy Endurance Series saw the Ferrari 458 GT3 of Leon Price and Rob Barff win the two hour race, adding to their triumph in the opening round of the season at Donington Park. There will be several drivers hoping to add their names to the winners list on Saturday.

Single seaters will be represented in the Monoposto Championship with a mixture of Formula Renaults, Dallaras and Van Diemens set for some thrilling on track action. The series is split into Mono 2000, 1800, 1600, 1400 and 1000 classes, depending on engine size.

Close tin top racing will be provided by the MK2 Golf GTI Championship, Production BMW Championship and the Project Eight Racing Saloon.

James Bark will hope to continue his impressive form after a double win at Cadwell Park, as he bids to reel in MK2 Golf GTI Championship leader Guy Stevens. Only three points separate the pair heading into the next instalment on Saturday.

Bumper grids will be expected in the Production BMW Championship and Project Eight Racing Saloons for their only visit to Oulton Park this season. Ben Winrow dominated the last round in tricky wet conditions at Brands Hatch, but Tim Wilson remains the series leader, as the championship heads towards the business end of the season.

Meanwhile a selection of BMW, Ford, Volvo and Renault saloons will populate the grid for round six of the season. Adam Sharpe is the man to beat after winning eight of the nine races so far, but he will face a stern challenge to continue his charge.

Stunning racing across all seven series in challenging weather conditions

Pic: Gary Hawkins

More than 300 competitors helped produce a weekend of exciting racing at the MSVR Brands Hatch GP Weekend on Saturday and Sunday (4/5 June).

The GT Cup Championship, Radical UK Cup, Radical Clubman’s Cup, MINI Challenge, Champion of Brands, Project Eight Racing Saloons and the Production BMW Championship all entertained on the 2.3-mile Grand Prix circuit in Kent. A huge entry of nearly 90 Radicals took to the famed track to make up the manufacturer’s largest ever group of entrants for a single race meeting.

A highlight of the event was a victory for former F1 driver Martin Brundle and his son Alex, as the pair guided a shared Radical SR8 through difficult wet conditions to the chequered flag in the Radical UK Cup on Sunday.

Pic: Roy Ng

The Brundles adapted well to the works Radical but a spin in the first UK Cup race saw them finish in 11th position, whilst Per Staaf went on to take the win. However, in difficult wet weather Martin and Alex triumphed from sixth on the grid to win the second SR8 race on Sunday. Pete Osborne and Alex Kapadia came from 16th on the grid to win race one in the SR3 category, whilst Junior Strous produced an impressive drive to win the second race. In the Radical Clubman’s Cup, Tony Wells and Richard Carver shared the victories on Saturday.

Martin Brundle said: “It was very good for me to get back behind the wheel, as I’m testing a Formula One car for BBC television this week. The guys in the series are very good and they know how to set these cars up.”

Pic: Roy Ng

The GT Cup Championship provided two entertaining races from a bumper field as the wet weather really tested the drivers’ skills. Danny Winstanley, in his TVR Sagaris, drove a mature race from third on the grid to win the first encounter. He was joined on the podium by Group 2 winner Benjamin Harvey and Group 3 victor Mark Radcliffe. Matt Seldon completed a lights-to-flag victory to win race two, finishing ahead of Gary Eastwood and Winstanley. Harvey completed a double win in Group 2, while Adam Hayes claimed the top honours in Group 3.

Chris Knox was the class of the field in the MINI Challenge as he completed a perfect weekend by claiming pole position and victory in all three races. The MINI Spares UK driver was untouchable in the wet conditions and has surged up the championship standings. Reigning champion Lee Allen, Luke Caudle and Chris Smith all visited the podium during the weekend.

Australian Formula Ford racer Jordan Skinner became the first two-time winner of the Champion of Brands after producing a lights-to-flag victory on Saturday. Skinner‘s lead was rarely threatened during the race after making a strong getaway from pole position.

Ben Winrow continues to be the man to beat in the Production BMW Championship after showing his class in wet weather to record a double win. The trip to the famous Grand Prix circuit attracted huge grid of nearly 40 cars for both races.

BMW driver Adam Sharpe continued his run of victories in the Project Eight Racing Saloons with two more visits to the top step of the podium. Once again, he was pushed hard by Colin Tester in both races, which saw 44 cars tackle the Kent circuit with action throughout the field.

With much of the Toyo Tires Racing Saloons series now done and dusted, the stage was set for two of the greatest tracks on the motor racing calendar – Cadwell Park and Oulton Park.

With Cadwell resembling the infamous Nurburgring circuit in Germany, racing drivers are always eager to grace this UK-based ‘Nordschleife’, and this year was no exception.

Colin Tester was a force to be reckoned with, after stealing pole position and a double victory, to enhance his championship charge in fine style. As Tester crossed the line for honours in the opening adventure, it was Leigh Franklin and Stephen Primett who followed him onto the podium. Meanwhile, Lawrie Dunster continued his strong showing, backing the top three up in fourth.

The second race was a similar story, as Tester again proved he was the man to fear. Edging out a slight advantage, Franklin, Primett and Dunster again rounded out the top four, narrowly ahead of Mark Smith and Mike Collins.

After a strong showing at Cadwell, Colin Tester retained his crown when the series made its way to Cheshire for their 2010 Oulton Park excursion. With qualifying setting the early pace of the weekend, Tester was well on his way to proving his dominance yet again, with pole position for the first of two races. Ken Savage lined his Lotus Elise S1 machine up alongside Tester on the front row, with Tim Sweet and reigning champion Tony Ellis completing the second row of the grid.

As the first race got underway, it was Ellis who controlled the pace, with his fourth place start transferring into an immediate lead, as the field roared away from the grid. As 27 cars thundered around Old Hall (turn one) and made their way down the Avenue towards the renowned Cascades bend, chaos struck as Darren Stamp and Joseph Adam found themselves immediately running out of track.

The incident caused the instant release of the safety car, whilst their stricken vehicles were recovered safely. As the race restarted shortly afterwards, Tester, in second place, was hot on the heels of leader Ellis, as the field bunched up behind.

Before too long the view at the head of the field changed, when a determined Tester found his way passed an unsuspecting Ellis. From here the Ford Sierra Cosworth pilot never looked back, as he edged away into the distance.

As the seventh and final lap came to an end, Tester swept passed the chequered flag, as Ellis narrowed the margin between them on the final tour in second. Simon Phillips changed his fifth place start into a third place finish, while Tim Sweet, Lawrie Dunster and Roger Kneebone completed the top six.

The second outing was a different story at the front, with Kneebone taking advantage of a failing Tester to score honours.

A race one victory handed Tester a pole position start for race two, however as the race unfolded he soon returned to the pits with a problem that ended his race.

As the lights went out it was excitement up at the front, as Sweet, Kneebone and Dunster sandwiched one another into Old Hall Corner, whilst Tester expanded his initial advantage out in front. Once the Sierra peddler was forced into retirement it was Kneebone who took control of the outing, fending off a forceful charge from Sweet for the duration.

Behind the leading duo, Dunster soon met his match in the form of Leigh Franklin, as the latter latched onto the back of Dunster’s BMW M3 E36, before sneaking passed for third.

As the final lap arrived the chequered flag awaited a three-way fight for honours, with Kneebone grasping it millimetres ahead of Sweet and Franklin. Dunster crossed the line a somewhat distant fourth, whilst Stephen Primett and Mark Capewell completed the top six.

There are now just two rounds remaining, with Silverstone and the additional Meldrew Trophy date left awaiting the TTRS fraternity, and what a showdown it’s set to be.

The Toyo Tires Racing Saloons enjoyed an extra outing at Oulton Park last Saturday (24th July), with a one-off event added to the calendar.

With a grid of 18 cars filling the tarmac in qualifying, it was Colin Tester who stole pole position. Being the only Class A car in appearance Tester had a somewhat substantial advantage, with the nearest car 3.5 seconds adrift.

Photo: Nic Simons – Project Photography

Stephen Primett in his Class D Ford Escort secured the second fastest time to line up alongside Tester, with James Colbourne third. A number of VW cars made their mark on the series, doubling up on their on track exploits after also contesting the Golf GTi Championship. Another newcomer, in the form of Performance BMW editor Louise Woodhams, made her TTRS debut in a BMW 318 Coupe.

As the sole TTRS race began, Tester shot off into the distance, whilst the action piled up behind him. A noticeable progression through the field came from Charles Godfrey in his VW Golf GTi, as the opening tour saw him move up from tenth to fourth place. Determined to place himself in the thick of the action, Godfrey hung onto those around him as he strived to make up more ground.

The second lap saw an intense scrap develop between Godfrey, fellow Golf pilot Guy Stevens and Production BMW regular Tim Wilson, as the trio fought over fourth, fifth and sixth places. After eight laps Wilson got the better of his VW rivals, edging them out for a fourth place finish.

Nigel Dixon was a man on the move, when having started second to last on the grid and sixth in Class F, a charge through the field moved him up the order. Lap by lap the PBMW contestant pedalled his BMW 320i around the 2.6 mile circuit quicker than the last. As the chequered flag fell he swept through in an impressive 12th overall and third in class.

In terms of incidents during the race, as ever Cascades was a hive of activity, with a number of drivers getting caught out at the infamous left-hander. Stephen Murphy set the ball rolling when he ran wide on the exit of Cascades, while Ian Shepherd dropped back from seventh place to 11th after experiencing problems at the same corner. Prior to his minor off, Shepherd had lapped within a second of the newly set Class F TTRS lap record.

With a 19 second lead by the time he reached the chequered flag, Tester not only took another victory but also set a new Class A lap record. Meanwhile, in keeping with the theme of lap records, Primett demolished the previous Class D record, while Wilson secured a new Class F lap record.

Behind Tester, Primett took a solitary second with Colbourne third. With Wilson fourth, Godfrey won the battle for fifth, leaving Stevens to pick up sixth. The run of Golf’s was completed with Andy Holley crossing the line seventh, Dawn Boyd eighth and Marcus McKenzie ninth, while the BMW 318i of Shepherd rounded out the top ten.

Woodhams fought to a sixteenth place finish on behalf of the Performance BMW magazine on her inaugural performance, “I was in contention for third/fourth in my class then had a massive spin, and the car didn’t start for about 10 seconds,” she said. “Annoyingly by the last lap I was a corner away from my original position and recorded my best lap with a flat rear left tyre,” added Woodhams.

The TTRS regulars will be out in force again this coming weekend (31st July/1st August), as the usual MSVR series’ reunite at Castle Combe.

Race Report by Leanne Fahy (leannefahy@hotmail.com)

Snetterton Rounds 9&10 2010 Race Report

Tester takes two wins at Snetterton

With much of the season already completed, the weekend of 19/20th June saw the next instalment of the Toyo Tires Racing Saloons series take place. Snetterton was the venue in question, with a packed grid of 29 cars and two races ahead of them.

Morning practice and qualifying kicked started the action, with a wet track in practice waking everyone up. Colin Tester powered his Ford Sierra Cosworth to pole position for race one, with Rob Sadler keeping him honest alongside. The two shared the quickest time throughout the session, with Tester just gaining the advantage.

Race 1:

As the first race got underway, the wheel spinning duo on the front row both got an even start, as they ran side by side towards the first corner, with Tester holding the inside line. Eventually it was the Sierra Cosworth leading the way as the action began to hot up in his mirrors.

As Tester concentrated on edging away at the front, it was a battle of the red BMW’s behind, with Sadler soon coming under pressure from Roger Kneebone. After starting third on the grid Kneebone had rocketed away to latch onto the rear of Sadler’s comparable machine. As they weaved around the opening tour Kneebone saw his opportunity, demoting the BMW E36 M3 of Sadler back to third. This scrap continued for much of the 11 lap duration, with Sadler eventually stealing back his position.

As the top few battled for position, carnage struck many others in the field, with yellow flags urging everyone to slow down. Many drivers succumbed to the chaos, whilst others were lucky to avoid it.

Whilst the top three chased each other around the Norfolk-based track, Tim Sweet was hot on their tails, holding the fort in fourth place. Behind, Lawrie Dunster managed to fend off Leigh Franklin for fifth, whilst Wayne Howlett brought his BMW E36 M3 home seventh, behind Franklin.

Lawrence Ball managed a sturdy eighth place finish, whilst Tom Murphy exchanged a start from the back of the grid with a ten second penalty for a ninth place finish, much to his delight. James Hebditch rounded out the top ten, and first in Class D, in his first ever outing in the VW Scirocco. After spending time upgrading the car over the winter Hebditch enjoyed his first race of the season with his new car, and also his first race at Snetterton. Completing the ‘firsts’ theme, Adam Tindell also sampled the Snetterton tarmac for the inaugural time, finishing 25th in race one.

Race 2:

Confusion reigned as all drivers arrived in the assembly area for the start of race two, when they were told by officials where they would be starting. For reasons unknown, different positions were handed out, with Wayne Howlett being awarded pole position, whilst Tester lined up next to him in second.

More side by side action came as the lights went out, however this time Tester was sharing the tarmac with Howlett, as they thundered towards the first corner. Wet conditions made for an interesting outing, as everyone scrambled for position.

With Tester again taking the advantage ahead Howlett was left to defend from Sadler, as the BMW pilots exchanged positions. Eventually it was Howlett who held second, with Sadler third ahead of Kneebone. Sweet again had the pleasure of following Kneebone across the line in fifth, with Dunster sixth. A delighted Tester beamed: “Pole and two wins was a first for me so I’m over the moon.”

The next track encounter for the TTRS series is at Oulton Park on 24th July.

Race Report by Leanne Fahy
Image by Snappyracers.com

The latest rounds of the 2010 Toyo Tires Racing Saloons saw a full grid of 43 cars take to the sun drenched Kent track.

Qualifying saw the Class A Ford Sierra Cosworth of Colin Tester claim his first ever pole position in the TTRS ahead of the new to the series BMW E36 M3 of Peter Seldon. The other Class pole positions went the way of Andrew Busby (Class C), Stephen Primett (Class D), David Margalies (Class B), Ian Berry (Class F) and James Carpenter (Class E).

Race One:

Tester, the pole sitter made a good start and was able to hold the race lead until the last lap of the race – when his turbo failed forcing him to retire. This meant that the hired E36 M3 of Seldon took the Class A victory and outright race victory ahead of the Ford Sierra Cosworth of Craig Jamieson and the leading Class D driver, the Ford Escort of Stephen Primett.

The race was brought to a premature end due to the Renault 5 GT Turbo Coupe of Oliver Davies being near the tracks edge at Druids, having been caught up in Richard Ibrahim’s accident. Ibrahim had brake failure which caused him to go off. Davies and Ibrahim weren’t the only drivers who went off at Druids, Tim Sweet in the Class A BMW E36 M3 lost control on the exit of the hairpin and went into the tyre barriers.

At the start, the Class C pole sitter, Andrew Busby wasn’t able to select any gears on the grid so dropped right to the back of the 43 car field before fighting his way back up to fifteenth at the end of the race, while the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus of Leigh Franklin started plum last after a qualifying problem to end up an impressive sixteenth overall.

In Class E, the battle between the top two went all the way to the line – with the Hillman Avenger piloted by James Christie coming out on top ahead of the Toyota Corolla of James Carpenter. The other Class victors were Mark Capewell (Class C), David Margalies (Class B) and Ian Berry (Class F).

Race 2:

Having won the first race, this gave Peter Seldon pole position for the second race of the day. At the start, Seldon made a bad start which dropped him down the field to fifth, second place starter Craig Jamieson was able to capitalise and take the lead of the race – he wouldn’t lose the lead during the duration of the race. By the end of lap three, Seldon had recovered his way to second and set about catching Jamieson – leaving the rest of the chasing pack behind.

The early race leader in race one, Colin Tester had started back in 39th position and by the end of the opening lap was 16th! Tester continued to climb the field until the end, when he was fourth once the results were taken a lap back.

The podium was completed by the winner of Class C, Leigh Franklin and his Talbot Sunbeam Lotus – completing an incredible recovery for the driver, who had started race one right at the back.

As in race one, the race came to a premature end – this time caused by the VW Golf of Paul Cowland. He went through the gravel trap at Paddock Hill bend then across to the Armco barrier on the other side of the track, rolled and saw his car end up in pieces. Paul was ok after the incident.

The other class winners were Robert Sadler (Class D), David Margalies (Class B), James Carpenter (Class E) and Ian Berry (Class F).

Race Report by Matt Auger
Photography by Snappy Racers

Thruxton Rounds 5&6 2010 Race Report
Tester secures dominant Thruxton win

Colin Tester secured victory in the single Toyo Tyres Racing Saloons race at Thruxton Hampshire after starting third on the grid.

The weekend should have consisted of two races; a serious accident earlier in the day meant that the timetable was put back thus leaving the TTRS with a single, 12 minute race. Due to the uncertainty of whether the race would go ahead, a number of the drivers withdrew including the dominant pole position sitter Stephen Markey. Markey had been around 2.5s faster in qualifying compared to Tim Sweet.

Class Pole Positions:

• Class A: Stephen Markey – BMW M3
• Class B: Lawrence Bell – Jaguar XJS
• Class C: Leigh Franklin – Talbot Sunbeam Lotus
• Class D: Dave Hickton – Opel Ascona
• Class E: James Christie – Hillman Avenger
• Class F: Mike Tovey – BMW E30 320i

As the race got underway, Tim Sweet who started second on the grid dropped back and gave the lead to Tester and was passed also by the BMW M5 of Roger Kneebone – who had started fifth on the grid. Tester was flying during all eight laps of the race and was able to pull away from the chasing pack lap after lap – by lap five; Tester had built up a gap of over six seconds. Being quick through the Club Chicane helped Tester pull away.

During the early laps, Sweet was keeping the flying Kneebone busy with his pace through the corners. As well as Sweet keeping Kneebone busy, he was involved in an crowd pleasing battle with the Talbot Sunbeam Lotus of Leigh Franklin – Franklin being the only Class C competitor and receiving praise from Tester for the pace shown.

The other crowd pleasing battle came between Julian Newman (BMW M5), Brian Jordan (BMW M635Csi) and Lawrie Dunster (BMW E36 M3), once the three of them were together they couldn’t be separated – a five lap battle between them which saw the #70 car of Newman come out on top.

The Class F battle between leader Mike Tovey, Richard Thomas and PBMWC regular Ravi Ramyead came to a head on the sixth lap when there was contact out on the fast section of the flowing Hampshire track – The Toyota Corolla of James Carpenter and Mike Tovey came together, putting both cars into retirement, Tovey suffered damaged suspension and steering.

The giant killing performance of the race came from the Class D Toyota Celica of Eliot Dunmore. Having started in eighth place, he finished ahead of a number of faster class A competitors – and as part of a Class D train, with Hickton, Stephen Primett, Robert Sadler and Will McAteer ahead of him at the end. Sadler had a busy race as part of the Class D train. Having started forth in class and twelfth overall, he spent a few laps battling with the Class A Ford Cosworth Sierra of Tom Murphy.

Murphy was involved in the Class D battle at the start, having defended from the Escort of Primett at Allard. A couple of corners later saw him drop back after being hit from behind and thus losing time and positions. A lack of grip then meant that he fell further back, and was passed at Club by Sadler, before the same move was pulled off by Dunmore in his Toyota. Murphy finished just behind the Class D battle.

The final couple of laps saw the dominant race leader Tester back off to claim victory from Kneebone and Sweet, while class victories went the way of Frankin (Class C), Hickton (Class D), Matt Knight (Class E), Lawrence Bell (Class B) and Ramyead (Class F).

Race Report by Matt Auger
Photography: Snappyracers.com

Silverstone (Grand Prix) Rounds 3&4 2010 Race Report

After contesting the Brands Hatch circuit for the opening rounds of the Toyo Tires Racing Saloons, round two saw the drivers and teams of the TTRS series head to Silverstone, where the grand prix circuit was eagerly awaiting them.

With qualifying done and dusted it was Tim Sweet who soared to pole position, with Roger Kneebone starting alongside him in second. Colin Tester recorded the third fastest time, with Peter Seldon beside him in fourth.

Race 1:

As the lights went out it was Roger Kneebone who got the jump on his rivals to take the lead from the off. Colin Tester initially settled into second, while Tim Sweet was demoted to third.

Photo: www.snappyracers.com

After the first lap of the race everyone began to find their rhythm, as they started to realise where they were strong and what their limits were. This made for a very close fight at the front, with Tester, Sweet and the pursuing Leigh Franklin all fighting for the same piece of track. Tester held second position for the majority of the race, despite Sweet trying his upmost to steal the position away from him.

By the third lap Kneebone maintained the upper hand, by extending his lead at the front. Behind, it was still a free for all, as Sweet, Tester and Franklin piled on the pressure to each other, each determined to control the pace.

Further back, Peter Seldon led the way for the next gaggle of cars in fifth, while his followers kept him honest, determined to find a way through. Towards the back of this group, Lawrence Ball and Jason Christie enjoyed a spectacular sideways moment in synchronisation on lap five, as the duo exited the first corner alongside one another. With the perfectly placed grandstand on the inside of Copse corner overlooking this action, it was a great spectacle for the many fans watching.

While all the action was taking place behind him, Kneebone soon extended his lead to two and a half seconds, but was still pushing to make sure he kept his advantage. Before long Tester, still heading the battle for second, stepped up the chase once again, trying his best to cut the gap to the BMW M5 pilot. Determined not to lose sight of the top two, Sweet was reeling them in, now riding right with them.

As the opening race came to a close in sight of the chequered flag, it was Kneebone who held onto the prominent position, sweeping passed the flag in first. After carrying off a late lunge on the final tour it was Sweet who crossed the line in second, stealing the position from Tester right at the end. Tester was left to take third, while Franklin finished a lonely fourth.

Seldon managed to hold onto his fifth position, just ahead of Mark Capewell, while Stephen Primett, Julian Newman, Matt Knight and Ken Lark completed the top ten.

Race 2:

Race two saw a 45 strong grid take the start, with everyone fired up for another blast around the infamous circuit. With the race one result forming the grid it was Kneebone who took pole, ahead of Sweet on the front row.

After another seven lap dash, this time it was Tester who raced to the top step of the podium, while Kneebone was forced to relinquish his number one spot to finish second. Sweet completed the podium in third, while Franklin again finished in a strong fourth place.

As ever we weren’t disappointed with the TTRS turn-out and races. Next stop is Thruxton on 8th May, where we expect yet another storming outing.

Race Report by Leanne Fahy (leannefahy@hotmail.com)

Brands Hatch (Indy) Rounds 1&2 2010 Race Report

The weekend of 27th and 28th March saw the 2010 Toyo Tires Racing Saloons season kick off in top style, with the MSVR fraternity making their way to Brands Hatch for races one and two of the championship.

Contesting the Indy circuit was always going to be a fine spectacle for both the drivers and the fans, and the duet of races around the Kent venue didn’t disappoint.

After around 15 minutes of qualifying, it was Leigh Franklin who roared to pole position, just ahead of Andrew Busby and Peter Seldon.

Race 1:

The opening race of the season got underway in fine fashion, with Mark Capewell launching from fourth on the grid to immediately snatch second. Having started from pole, Franklin made the most of a good start and held station at the front for the 11 lap duration, also steering his Talbot Sunbeam Lotus to first in Class C. A bit of drifting through Paddock Hill Bend lap after lap made his race that bit more exciting, and gave the spectators something to really see.

Behind, the action really began to hot up. First of all it was Lawrie Dunster who suffered throttle cable problems, causing him to drop a few laps behind. As the race progressed, Jason Jenner had a moment at the top of Paddock Hill Bend; as a result his distinctive green Vauxhall Astra was sent off the circuit and out of the race, causing the safety car t be deployed whilst the wreckage was cleared up.

Next up to fall foul of trouble at Paddock was Richard Thomas, with the BMW 318i pilot enduring a spin. Fellow BMW driver, Graham Ewings had a spin in avoidance of Thomas’ pirouetting machine, as did a number of other drivers, all doing well to avoid contact.

Towards the front of the pack, Ian Clark, Stephen Primett and Matt Knight enjoyed a very close battle throughout the race; however, this resulted in Clark leaving the circuit at Druids with damage to his Ford Capri GXL.

As the chequered flag swept downwards for the first time this season, it was Franklin who was there to receive it first, followed by Roger Kneebone, who also took victory in Class A, and Andrew Busby third overall.

Race 2:

The second race of the day didn’t start off as smoothly as the first, with the weather playing a large part in how it played out. The pace on the green flag lap was very slow due the wet track surface, with cars practically coming to a stop on the back straight. Richard Ibrahim stalled his Alfa Romeo 33, which delayed the start whilst the marshals recovered his stricken car.

As the race got into gear Franklin again claimed the lead from the off, leaving everyone else to follow suit behind. With the top few settling into a rhythm, chaos ensued further adrift.

As the field rounded Clearways, two Class F machines, thought to be Joe Adam and Ewings, both suffering offs. Luckily both were able to rejoin the race, however later finished down towards the rear of the pack.

With the majority of the action happening at Paddock Hill Bend in the first race, as ever, more drama developed at the infamous corner in this second race. Oliver Davies and Mike Collins, both Class D entrants had a collision whilst heading down Paddock. As with the above incident, both were able to continue, finishing 14th and 15th overall.

The turmoil didn’t stop there. Charles Moseley was next up when he spun on the pit straight, hitting the pit wall and causing front end damage to his Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth. He was able to get back to the pits, slowly, despite their being a bit of a traffic jam as the field rounded Druids.

After 16 laps it was Franklin who again rose to the challenge and crossed the finish line first. Busby followed him in second, making his second visit of the day to the prestigious podium. Behind, Kneebone narrowly lost out on third, when he was passed by Ken Lark, leaving the former fourth, but again first in Class A. Colin Tester missed out on fifth at the end, when a wrong line into Paddock allowed the pursuing Seldon and Rob Sadler to squeeze through.

Commenting on his duo on strong finishes, Busby said: “All in all a great weekend and thoroughly enjoyable start to the 2010 campaign.”

Looking back to his mistake in the second race and the weekend as a whole, Tester commented: “Realising what a plonker I had been I tried to get back on the pace but it was too late. Still I had an excellent race; excellent driving by you guys. Can’t wait for next race.”

Report: Leanne Fahy
Photo: www.snappyracers.com

Steve Shurey has also provided these photos from the Lotus Elise Trophy and the GAZ Shocks Performance BMW Championship races at Silverstone.   More on his website.   Report will follow from the BMW championship and possibly the others if they would be kind enough to send stuff in!