BRITISH SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT ARCHIVE

The sun sets on the 2024 Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship at Combe

Event 22 at Castle Combe on 12/10/2024
Steve Miles reports

There was a distinct end of term party feel to the last meeting of the season as all the places down to 9^th had been decided, but everyone was up for a good day out at the longest and fastest venue in the calendar in Wiltshire.

Steve Broughton was sporting a lovely new Öhlins damper set and was eager to try them out on a circuit he loves. This year’s champion Chris Jones had done nothing to the car since putting it in the trailer at Anglesey and admitted to still being amazed and trying to come to terms with his success. Steve Miles and John Loudon had tweaked the gearing to suit, and Lloyd Bettinson — chasing a permanent number, had stiffened the front springs on his new Jedi.

All week we had been promised a dry sunny day, but overnight rain left the track more than moist, then a 09:00 short shower saw a frantic tyre change before the practice run. Bristol Motor Club ran a slick event over the nearly three miles of 1¾ laps, but with multiple cars on track and slotting in between runners, plus a few crashes, oil spills and offs in the rain, it was into the afternoon before timed runs commenced.

A decision was issued to all that due to the time left, the two afternoon runs were to be scoring runs, not qualifying which made sense and maximised the scoring potential. With a drying track and everyone on slicks, times soon came down.

Outgoing champion Pete Goulding showed the rest how it was done and posted FTD to win the first run-off, despite not having got the message that it was a run-off, had gone out with old tyres on and lifted over the finish line as he was catching someone up! Steve Broughton, with old teammate and 2022 champion Matt Hillam as paddock pup, couldn’t repeat his stunning wet form where in practice he was 15 seconds ahead of Goulding, but took a worthy 2^nd place. John Loudon, in his Laser Tools sponsored Force lived up to his 2024 finishing position with a 3^rd, but confessed that the puddles on the entry to Camp had put him off slightly and he drove the wrong line to avoid them. Chris Jones had his worse finishing position of the season in 4^th, as he elected to drive through the puddles, which resulted in spin at 100mph, but he kept going to post a still acceptable time.

Lloyd Bettison, with new stiffer suspension working well, was very pleased with a 5^th. Telsonic Ultrasonics supported Steve Miles was still suffering from clutch issues and posted an 8.8secs 64ft time after inadvertently triggering the beam and did a double attempted start; apart from that, he declared a good run and was initially at a loss to explain the slow time. Graham Porrett got a bit of a tank-slapper on the fast Quarry approach and nearly left the track but apart from losing time, all was OK. The ex-Bill Gouldthorpe OMS bequeathed to Carole Torkington was getting quicker each run to put her in 8^th.

Ben Bonfield had ‘upgraded’ his Challenge Cup entry status to the ‘full championship’ and wanted to get some run-off points this weekend and posted a great 9^th place on his first attempt, despite an intensive and tiring season. Nick Scott hadn’t driven the venue before, but had cycled it in the opposite direction 20 years ago and each run bought the times down. Newly sponsored by Fix Autos, Ant Brown brought up the last position in his ‘Rowdy Audi’!

Top 12 Run-off: Castle Combe Rd 43
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 118.94 (+0.00)
2. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 120.06 (+1.12)
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 123.34 (+4.40)
4. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 126.68 (+7.74)
5. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 Jedi Mk4) 128.65 (+9.71)
6. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 129.50 (+10.56)
7. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 134.39 (+15.45)
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 137.07 (+18.13)
9. Ben Bonfield (1.0 OMS 2000M) 137.28 (+18.34)
10. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 150.42 (+31.48)
11. Anthony Brown (1.8t Audi TT) 177.32 (+58.38)

As the sun began to get low on the horizon, everyone gathered for the final run-off of the season, best tyres deployed, but in the queue, most of the drivers were informed that due to the time and 18:00 curfew, this was not to be the run-off, but a qualifying run.

The biggest qualifying incident was when Goulding’s Mygale shed its engine cover up Avon Rise on the first lap and in doing so, ripped off a union on the high pressure fuel system. Strangely, this didn’t slow him down when the engine was running but he was red flagged and as he came back into the pits, a significant fuel spray was now occurring, luckily without any resulting incidents! The engine cover didn’t fare so well however as was hit full on by the next competitor!

Back in the paddock, not everyone took the run-off as final positions couldn’t be changed, the sun was close to the horizon and at the high speed venue, drivers were happy to put the car away in one piece.  Broughton however was eager for more track tuning time, and Jones wanted to finish the season on a high, which he certainly did! Bonfield made the most of his two-year-old Avons that no longer have wear markers in them to come an excellent 3^rd. Torkington improved further to post her best finish of the season and Nick slipped a few seconds due to driving one handed at one point to shield his eyes from the very low setting sun!

Top 12 Run-off: Castle Combe Rd 44

1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 119.32 (+0.00)

2.   Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 119.87 (+0.55)
3.   Ben Bonfield (1.0 OMS 2000M) 132.59 (+13.27)
4.   Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 138.25 (+18.93)
5.   Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 154.32 (+35.00)

The final positions moved around in the base of the table with Lloyd Bettinson who started the season registered for the Challenge Cup, upgraded to the BSC after the first Anglesey and then switched to a single seater in the summer took the last permanent number for use in 2025. Graham Blackwell only did the first half of the season after a crash at Mallory and dropped to 11^th. Carole’s reward for her performance at this event was to move up to 10^th. All the remaining places stayed unchanged.

In the last five years, there have been five different British Sprint Champions in a wide range of cars. Pete Goulding defended his 2023 title very well against a strong challenge from Graham Blackwell, but the incredible performances, stunning averages and records set by Jones in the 998cc car in the second half of the season have been exemplary. The CCC team — Chris and Christine Bennett — car owners, Chris Price — engineer and data and Chris Jones — driver have stunned all year and the collective paddock warmly congratulated the Droitwich based, graphic design/cutting company owner as the beers were dished out!

2024 Woodford Trailers HSA British Sprint Championship
1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 750 points
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 734 points
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 687 points
4. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 674 points
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 613 points
6. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 540 points
7. Anthony Brown (1.8t Audi TT) 493 points
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 461 points
9. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 457 points
10. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 415 points
11. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 384 points
12. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 Jedi Mk4) 347 points








 

Jones continues his domination, despite ‘mission complete’

Event 21 at Anglesey on 06/10/2024
John Loudon reports:

Day two of the Anglesey sprint weekend took to the longer International layout for the day. Chris Jones had already been confirmed as the 2024 Woodford Trailers British Sprint champion the previous day after a string of scintillating performances throughout the season, relegating long-term Championship leader and 2023 champion Peter Goulding to second overall. Third place was still up for grabs between John Loudon and Stephen Miles, and other placings were also still liable to change.

No overnight casualties meant that all the previous day’s runners were still in contention. Early morning rain showers had dampened the track, so most opted for wets or for intermediate tyres. Those with sixteen wheels nuts and ride height adjustments to make, opted for slicks. Practice was uneventful apart from Lloyd Bettinson having to resolve a fuel pump issue prior to being able to venture out.  Most reported a slippery track but little else of importance.

Qualifying run one had most, except for Robert Tonge and Bainbridge, back on to slicks, despite the track still not being fully dry. Pete Goulding had a near miss after almost failing to stop at the first corner. Steve Miles went one stage further and took to the grass at the first corner. Chris Jones did the same but one corner later. All survived and regained the track. Nick Scott made a sixteen second improvement by actually using the accelerator. Grahame Harden reported a smile per second, as he seemingly liked driving in the conditions.

Run-off one had Chris Jones showing his dominance once again, but this time just 0.02 seconds ahead of outgoing champion Pete Goulding. John Loudon again outplaced Steve Miles for third, who admitted his launch had been awful whilst trying to nurse his clutch issues from the previous day. Miles was initially fourth, but was later relegated to fifth by a rerun time for Grahame Harden which slotted in between Loudon and Miles. Robert Tonge confessed to needing slicks rather than wets but managed sixth, narrowly fending off the Jedi of Lloyd Bettinson who was happy with his time. Simon Bainbridge admitted that his run was terrible, that he had nearly lost it at the second corner and that his wets were now destroyed. Nick Scott improved by seven seconds and came ninth, ahead of Graham Porrett and Ant Brown who had a moment in sixth gear on the approach to Rocket which made him concentrate and clench somewhat.

Top 12 Run-off: Anglesey Int Rd 41
1.Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 79.62 (+0.00)
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 79.64 (+0.02)
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 82.87 (+3.25)
4. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 83.05 (+3.43)
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 83.83 (+4.21)
6. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 87.20 (+7.58)
7. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 Jedi Mk4) 87.68 (+8.06)
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 89.13 (+9.51)
9. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 94.81 (+15.19)
10. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 95.18 (+15.56)
11. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 110.91 (+31.29)

Run-off two was missing the SBR Crono of Simon Bainbridge who had broken a driveshaft during qualifying. Steve Miles was using amended launch control settings in his MBE ECU in a further attempt to improve his starts while safeguarding his clutch. Pete Goulding said his run felt perfect and reached 150mph on the back straight for the first time, but was disappointed with his time. Chris Jones reported the same but still beat Goulding in the process, continuing his domination. John Loudon again finished third, just 0.06 seconds ahead of Miles which — to his delight — was enough to secure third overall in the Championship. Robert Tonge bagged fifth place whilst hitting the rev limiter on the back straight. Grahame Harden was sixth, with no comment other than that he was happy. Lloyd Bettinson was seventh and extremely happy with another two second improvement to get into the 85 second bracket. Nick Scott was happy to have cracked the 90 second barrier and came eighth ahead of Graham Porrett in ninth who thought he was trying to go too quickly into corners which was costing him. Ant Brown came in tenth and was pleased with his best run of the day.

Top 12 Run-off: Anglesey Int Rd 42

1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 78.64 (+0.00)
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 78.75 (+0.11)
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 81.68 (+3.04)
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 81.74 (+3.10)
5. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 82.64 (+4.00)
6. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 83.82 (+5.18)
7. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 Jedi Mk4) 85.81 (+7.17)
8. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 89.95 (+11.31)
9. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 90.98 (+12.34)
10. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 106.87 (+28.23)
11. N/A
12. N/A

Championship standings after round 42
1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 747 points
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 732 points
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 685 points
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 674 points
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 613 points
6. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 536 points
7. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 491 points
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 461 points
9. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 420 points
10. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 384 points
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 375 points
12. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 324 points

FTD went to Peter Goulding (1.6t  Mygale FF 200) with a time of 78.25 seconds.

The final round of the Championship is at Castle Combe circuit on Saturday 12^th October.
 

Jones gets the job done

Event 20 at Anglesey on 05/10/2024
John Loudon reports:

The Saturday event of the penultimate weekend of the 2024 Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship took place at Anglesey’s National Circuit. With many Championship places still up for grabs, eleven competitors made the worthwhile journey to this fabulous venue to partake in the popular event put on by Longton and District Motor Club for rounds 39 and 40 of the 2024 season.

Joining the fray for a late season appearance was the popular Simon Bainbridge and team in his SBR Crono, complete with party bus, fresh from winning the Tin Top Challenge on the hills. Also making a limited appearance for the season was Robert Tonge in his Force TA. Season-long absent driver Mark Anson who is taking a break from driving whilst setting up his new business, joined us to spectate and rejoin the atmosphere.

Several places were up for grabs over the course of the weekend, in particular the battle for the top spot between Pete Goulding and the seemingly unstoppable force in the form of Chris Jones, and the fight for third overall between John Loudon and Steve Miles, along with several other placings that could still be traded.

Practice saw a few noticeable occurrences.  First car out Pete Goulding found the wrong line through Seamans at the bottom of the hill and had an ‘off’. Steve Miles, fresh from his previous day’s track day familiarisation, was having clutch issues due to suspected soft clutch cover plate fingers for the second time this year. Several drivers reported slippery conditions while others were just there for fun and weren’t taking it that seriously.

Qualifying for run-off one still had Pete Goulding struggling for front end grip and Steve Miles joined the understeer brigade. John Loudon was finding the opposite — a replacement front monoshock had returned the delightful handling on his Force TA and had him having to turn away from apexes such was the improvement. Unusually, Grahame Harden was experiencing an intermittent misfire which was suspected to be bad fuel.

Run-off one had the seemingly unstoppable Chris Jones show the way with a new 1100cc single seater class record to win the opening run-off, heaping pressure on Goulding who could only muster fourth and was still ruing lack of grip. John Loudon set a new PB for second, making it a Force TA one/two. Steve Miles was starting without launch control to give his clutch an easier time and managed third. Robert Tonge brought his Force TA home in fifth to make it three Force TAs in the top five positions. The fun seekers of Simon Bainbridge and Grahame Harden followed in sixth and seventh ahead of the hard pushing Lloyd Bettinson in his Jedi, now with newly equipped LSD. Nick Scott set a new PB in ninth and Graham Porrett and Ant brown rounded off the placings, the latter pleased with his first 64 foot time and having no dramas out on track.

Top 12 Run-off: Anglesey Nat Rd 39
 

1. Chris Jones (0 Force TA) 47.19 (+0.00)
2. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 48.59 (+1.40)
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 48.77 (+1.58)
4. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 49.02 (+1.83)
5. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 50.13 (+2.94)
6. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 50.52 (+3.33)
7. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 50.95 (+3.76)
8. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 Jedi Mk4) 53.30 (+6.11)
9. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 54.46 (+7.27)
10. Graham Porret (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 54.67 (+7.48)
11. Anthony Brown (1.8t Audi TT) 62.07 (+14.88)
12. N/A

Qualifying for run-off two had Pete Goulding don his best slicks to go within 0.3secs of his class record. Steve Miles was adjusting launch settings to match his newly-found rear end grip from the Friday test day, but his clutch was to complain later in the day and they were abandoned. John Loudon was continuing to tumble his times and set new another PB, but still short of the hard-charging Chris Jones in a similar car, although gradually getting closer. Graham Porrett forgot to engage his paddle shift air compressor and Lloyd Bettinson was still learning the track but making steady improvements. Grahame Harden’s intermittent misfire made a brief return but fortunately not enough to hamper proceedings too much.

Run-off two had Pete Goulding set off first, and was over the moon with his time which he hoped would be enough. John Loudon however bettered his own PB by over a second and relegated Golding to second. Later in the running order, championship contender Chris Jones beat both of them with yet another new 1100cc class record and again took the run-off win to jump ahead of the Championship table for the first time during the season, now uncatchable at the top of the score charts. Stephen Miles made a big improvement but to his dismay, ended up in fourth, the top four all extremely close, separated by a mere 0.45 of a second. The rest of the placings were identical to the first run-off, apart from Graham Porrett getting the better of Nick Scott and trading places despite deploying traction control, and Lloyd Bettinson now really getting to grips with the layout, smashing his PB and rounding off a good day.

Top 12 Run-off: Anglesey Nat Rd 40
 

1. Chris Jones (0 Force TA) 47.05 (+0.00)
2. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 47.22 (+0.17)
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 47.37 (+0.32)
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 47.50 (+0.45)
5. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 49.17 (+2.12)
6. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 49.76 (+2.71)
7. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 50.12 (+3.07)
8. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 Jedi Mk4) 51.46 (+4.41)
9. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 54.29 (+7.24)
10. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 54.69 (+7.64)
11. Anthony Brown (1.8t Audi TT) 61.36 (+14.31)
12. N/A

Championship standings after round 40

1. Chris Jones (0 Force TA) 742 points
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 728 points
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 680 points
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 672 points
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 604 points
6. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 532 points
7. Anthony Brown (1.8t Audi TT) 485 points
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 461 points
9. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 385 points
10. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 384 points
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 375 points
12. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 301 points

Congratulations to Chris Jones who ended the day as 2024 Woodford Trailers British Sprint Champion for his well-earned exploits throughout the season, with Pete Goulding safely in second and John Loudon still clinging on to third ahead of Steve Miles in fourth.

FTD went to Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) with a time of 47.05 seconds.
 

Jones turns up the championship heat

Event 19 at Pembrey on 15/09/2024
John Loudon reports:

Day two of the BARC Wales organised September visit to Pembrey of the Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship took to the Club circuit. Early casualties from the previous day meant no show for Steve Brown, Gary Buckingham and Mike Froggett.

Paddock consensus was that rain would start around lunchtime, so some good planning by the BARC organising team ensured at least three timed runs before lunch.

The main talking point of the morning was a visit by James Hutchings from Waltham Tyres with some MRF branded slicks for Pete Goulding to trial for the morning. With the current supply issues of the favoured Pirelli Ultrasoft tyres, the rest of the paddock gathered to bombard James about their desires and wishes like bees around a honey pot.
Steve Miles had managed to interrupt Steve Broughton’s holiday to obtain car setup modifications in a bid to improve on the previous day’s runs. Nick Scott was left struggling to start his Force TA as his starter motor wiring seemed to be defying logic and not working as expected.

Practice was pretty uneventful for those who made it, but Pete Goulding was trying out the aforementioned MRF test tyres. Unsure how hard he could push immediately, they stayed adjourned for qualifying run one to have a second go, whereafter James from Waltham Tyres was to feed back to the factory for further development. In the meantime, Nick Scott’s car had decided to play and, duly started, he made the qualifying run. Lloyd Bettinson entered the tight left just past paddock crossing a little too aggressively and nearly joined the rallycross circuit.

Run-off one had Chris Jones’s Force TA behaving itself again after unplugging and re-connecting the electric water pump, which enabled him to take his third run-off win of the weekend ahead of Pete Goulding who was now back on Pirelli slicks. Steve Miles took third by just 0.1secs from John Loudon, who had to settle for fourth — much to his annoyance! Grahame Harden again came in fifth; on now bald Pirellis and unable to make any apexes, he was still ahead of the tight battle for sixth between Lloyd Bettinson and Carole Torkington, with Torkington coming out on top by just 0.15secs. Bettinson had made some front damper setting changes to prevent his spins at the tight left hander just past paddock crossing and was gradually chipping away at reducing his times and PBs. Ant Brown rounded off the field in eighth. To his dismay, Nick Scott’s starting gremlins had returned whilst he was in the queue to the line; he was unable to take his run and called it a day.

Top 12 Run-off: Pembrey Club Round 37

1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 104.98 (+0.00)
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 106.95 (+1.97)
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 107.35 (+2.37)
4. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 107.45 (+2.47)
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 114.74 (+9.76)
6. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 119.21 (+14.23)
7. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 Jedi Mk4) 119.36 (+14.38)
8. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 147.35 (+42.37)
9. N/A
10. N/A
11. N/A
12. N/A

Qualifying for the second run off of the day was squeezed in before lunch, ahead of the threatened rain. A few water droplets landed during the proceedings, but they were just toying with us and the rain shower passed by just north of the circuit. Chris Jones’s Force TA seemed to have caught the electrical gremlin bug and its electric water pump had a hissy fit, quite literally, and is coolant temperature rose way beyond acceptable limits causing concern and had to be limped round. The entire field were bragging that they had ‘beat Chris Jones’ as a result. Carole Torkington’s launch control has joined the electrical gremlin club but she managed to do without. Lloyd Bettinson was now pushing harder and had found a new limit and span at the first hairpin on the flying lap. The consensus was that the grip was not there from the previous day, probably due to slightly lesser air temperature and a light breeze. Steve Miles almost completed a full weekend without adult supervision but let himself down by revering at speed into a fellow competitor’s trailer when returning to the paddock and crumpled his silencer. The trailer was thankfully undamaged.

Lunch was a tense affair with almost all having their wet tyres to hand and an eye on the weather. The old adage of ‘if you make the effort to get them out you wont need them’ proved to be correct again.

Immediately after lunch, the second run off got under way. Chris Jones completed his clean sweep of four run off wins for the weekend and closed the gap on championship leader Goulding who came in second place once again. John Loudon had a point to prove and again traded his first run off fourth place with Steve Miles for a third place in the second run off for the second time of the weekend, leaving them each with two third places and two fourth places. Grahame Harden wrestled his now Hoosier shod Radical home to another firth place and declared that the tyres may now have started to work. Lloyd Bettinson got the better of Carole Torkington for sixth this time around and Ant Brown brought the Audi TT home in eight place.

Top 12 Run-off: Pembrey Club Round 38

1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 104.86 (+0.00)
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 105.61 (+0.75)
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 107.88 (+3.02)
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 108.39 (+3.53)
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 116.11 (+11.25)
6. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 Jedi Mk4) 119.94 (+15.08)
7. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 121.74 (+16.88)
8. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 146.13 (+41.27)
9. N/A
10. N/A
11. N/A
12. N/A

Jones has now elevated himself to second in the championship standings, with rounds in hand over Goulding. Loudon slips to third overall as a result with Miles catching in fourth. Ant Brown moved up a place to seventh overall with some steady points scoring over the weekend. Close battles for first and second and third and fourth overall will ensure in the final rounds at Anglesey on October 5^th and 6^th and Castle Combe on 12^th October.

BSC Positions after Pembrey Club Round 38

1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 727 points
2. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 691 points
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 672 points
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 667 points
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 579 points
6. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 526 points
7. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 476 points
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 461 points
9. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 384 points
10. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 375 points
11. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 352 points
12. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 301 points

FTD went to Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) with a time of 104.98 seconds.

 

 

 

 

Jones starts to make his move

Event 18 at Pembrey on 14/09/2024
The Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship visited Pembrey circuit for the second time this year, close on the heels of last weekend’s long trip to Knockhill. Several keen and eager contenders made the trip for the now well-organised BARC Wales event, despite the quick succession of long distance travelling on successive weekends. Several placings were still under threat as dropped scores are starting to come into play and change things dramatically.

Notwithstanding the minimal preparation time, some competitors had managed to fettle their cars in between. Steve Miles had stripped and adjusted his locking brake bias bar and tweaked a few suspension settings on his Van Diemen and John Loudon had had faulty injectors diagnosed and replaced all four on his Force TA. Steve Brown had fitted new front brake discs and pads to his Empire and Carole Torkington had had her crank sensor replaced since their last outings at Snetterton. Mike Froggett and Gary Buckingham were driving their newly-acquired OMS CF04 for the first time, having dropped in at Llandow en route for their first ever flirt with the car. A few electrical gremlins related to fuel pump relays and batteries shortened that experience though, and a trip to Halfords en route to Pembrey had procured an assortment of suitable spare items. A late night was spent resolving several issues before play the following day.

Practice had Pete Goulding and Grahame Harden both trying their luck on Hoosier slicks with both alternating between Pirellis and Hoosiers throughout the day. John Loudon’s new injectors had reinvigorated his engine’s performance; he set off from the start line to the first corner like a scalded cat and was unable to brake in time for the looming hairpin and visited the outer apron. The OMS of Froggett and Buckingham managed to shed its front chain drive sprocket due to a loose securing nut. A replacement sprocket and refitted nut had them out for the next run but alas, high engine temperatures called a halt to their weekend early on. Chris Jones was struggling for gears on his Force TA and only completed one lap. The old trick of ‘turning it off and back on again’ came to fruition.
Qualifying for run-off one produced a few dramas. Most were braking related. Steve Brown was bedding in new brakes, but a rear calliper was binding and he returned to the paddock with ‘Eau de friction’ oozing from his left rear wheel. Several were locking up or braking too soon for the first hairpin on either the first, flying or both laps. Lloyd Bettison took it a stage further and was spinning at the said hairpin on each lap in his recently-acquired Jedi. Some fettling time is still needed by the new owner to get it right. Steve Brown aborted his run in his Empire Evo2 as the engine started making horrendous noises, later identified as being a fracture exhaust header. Unable to repair with the engine in situ, his weekend was abandoned too.

Run-off one had Chris Jones come out on top despite a scrappy run and confessing to nearly falling victim of the first hairpin like several others earlier and just fell short of his class record. Pete Goulding came 2^nd and reported a good run and pushed as hard as he could on his deteriorating Pirellis. He was more pleased that an irritating persistent engine oil leak that had plagued him all season seemed now to be resolved. Steve Miles braked deep into the first hairpin but took third, ahead of John Loudon who was on the rev limiter in his Force TA at the end of the pitlane straight and lacking speed. Grahame Harden piloted his Radical around to 5^th and Nick Scott fended off Lloyd Bettinson, Carole Torkington and Ant Brown for 6^th. Torkington had a ‘grassy’ moment at Brooklands Harpin and needed a compost bin when returning to the paddock. Bettinson had set a new PB and was happy. Brown mistakenly thought he had run out of fuel but hadn’t.

Top 12 Run-off: Pembrey National Round 35.

1. Chris Jones (0 Force TA) 93.50 (+0.00)
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF200) 94.34 (+0.84)
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 97.49 (+99)
4. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 99.62 (+6.12)
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 104.38 (+10.88)
6. Nichola Scott (1.6 Force TA) 107.67 (+14.17)
7. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 Jedi Mk4) 108.43 (+14.93)
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 129.04 (+35.54)
9. Anthony Brown (1.8t Audi TT) 135.49 (+41.99)

Run-off two again saw Jones grab the honours despite again struggling at the first corner and had the back end of his Force TA hanging out — with some expletives uttered from inside his helmet! Successive run-off wins have him climbing the table with rounds in hand. Goulding again followed in second despite a good start confessed to making a few silly mistakes which cost him. A happy John Loudon traded his previous fourth place for third, now with trustworthy front brakes and a functioning clutch pedal which had gone floppy in qualifying.  He finished ahead of Miles, who was now also happy with his brake setup, but their efficiency was leaving him short of corner entry speed. Grahame Harden was pleased to be close to his PB on distinctly less-than-ideal tyres for fifth. Lloyd Bettinson improved again in his Jedi and grabbed sixth place ahead of Nick Scott who had gone slower than qualifying. Carole Torkington had a grass-free run and was getting her confidence back for eighth while Ant Brown rounded off the field and was happy to get the points to get closer to seventh overall.

Top 12 Run-off: Pembrey National Round 36.

1. Chris Jones (0 Force TA) 94.35 (+0.00)
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF200) 95.77 (+1.42)
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 96.91 (+2.56)
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 97.18 (+2.83)
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 103.86 (+9.51)
6. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 Jedi Mk4) 107.67 (+13.32)
7. Nichola Scott (1.6 Force TA) 109.30 (+14.95)
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 117.47 (+23.12)
9. Anthony Brown (1.8t Audi TT) 136.04 (+41.69)

BSC Positions after Pembrey National Round 36

1. Peter Goulding (6t Mygale FF200) 721 points
2. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 663 points
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 653 points
4. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 641 points
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 537 points
6. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF200) 526 points
7. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 461 points
8. Anthony Brown (1.8t Audi TT) 459 points
9. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 384 points
10. Nichola Scott (1.6 Force TA) 339 points
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 336 points
12. Steve Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 301 points

FTD went to Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) in a time of 93.50 seconds.
 

Goulding tops the tables but Jones sets the record at clockwise Knockhill

Event 17 at Knockhill on 08/09/2024
Steve Miles reports:

A great feature of a Knockhill weekend is that fact that the Sunday, the circuit is run in the opposite direction, giving new challenges and a fresh start. The fog was even thicker next morning, and the start was delayed until 11:30 as marshal post to marshal post visibility needed to be established. This meant practice and two run-offs only for the sprinters, and several races were shortened.

The Hoosiers were bolted back onto Pete Goulding’s EcoBoost after getting them rebalanced at the circuit; they gave a little understeer but “felt good”. Miles had made a number of modifications to bump settings, roll stiffness and brake balance and generally was running OK, just not near previous PBs.  In fact this was a common situation since everyone is running 2-3 year old Pirelli tyres. Loudon had taken the pads out to clean them, but was still not achieving previous braking potential as all the surface area was not being used for some reason.

The first run-off saw Pete top the tables by half a second over Chris. Miles was benefiting from the SBD consultant support and took third place, quite close to record pace. Loudon was having a big misfire issue and finished a surprising 6^th, allowing Stephen Mallet to take a well-deserved 4^th place in the big bike engine, immaculate-looking Radical. Porrett put his time improvement down to having more bottle over the unsighted leap of faith that is Chicane to take 5^th. Richard found a further 4-5 secs and was pleased to get closer to his son.

This left Ant Brown in 8^th, but he was very pleased to have secured the Foundation Cup for newcomers to the British Sprint Championship and is now fighting to secure a permanent number for next year.

Run-off:  Knockhill Clockwise Round 33

1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF200) 94.08
2. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 94.66
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 96.21
4. Stephen Mallet (1.4 Radical PR6) 101.49
5. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale) 103.99
6. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 107.80
7. Richard Mallet (1.4 Radical PR6) 114.23
8. Anthony Brown (1.8t Audi TT) 137.85

For the final run-off of the weekend, almost everyone improved their times and the positions didn’t change, apart from John who traced his misfire issues to poorly-performing injectors after stopping off at Daytuner in Harrogate on the way home.

A really close battle at the top, with Pete’s experience counting for the win at the front, although equal on points as Chris set a new record for the 1100 class — an excellent performance considering the new venue and limited running.

Run-off:  Knockhill Clockwise Round 34

1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF200) 93.64
2. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 94.14 (record)
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 94.49
4. Stephen Mallet (1.4 Radical PR6) 99.93 (record)
5. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale) 105.71
6. Richard Mallet (1.4 Radical PR6) 110.75
7. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 115.29
8. Anthony Brown (1.8t Audi TT) 132.88

Stewart Robb, hitting close to 180mph over the start finish straight, now on Pirelli tyres for the first time was looking good for a stunning run based on the first lap split and who knows, it could have been an outright record but he suffered a low fuel pressure issue on the second lap and backed off. This was subsequently diagnosed as an insufficient volume of fuel in the tank!

This leaves the fight for the number one spot this year hotting up nicely, as Chris intends to compete at all remaining rounds. Only a few days’ time until the battle recommences at Pembrey.

Jones and Goulding fight for the top spot at Knockhill

Event 16 at Knockhill on 07/09/2024
Steve Miles reports:

Saturday was forecast to get warm and stay dry all weekend, but thick fog greeted the eight runners who had made the journey north of the border to this fantastic track. Nick Scott caught Covid and was unable to make it, but maybe the £375 entry fee on top of a long trip had put others off. The only way the BSC could afford to run at a venue as good as Knockhill was to share the costs with the many other competitors who were racing there all weekend. Influencing the overall cost of entry is the high price that circuits command compared to hills. But those who were there certainly all got to enjoy a fantastic weekend and agreed that it was worth the drive. The Westfield Speed Series made this a round and this allowed five cars to run, all fitting in the famous pitlane garages used by the BTCC.

A delayed start until 10:30 due to thick mist changed the timetable to one practice and one qualifying, and two run-off runs, all in the anticlockwise direction. Current champion Pete Goulding kicked off proceedings shod on experimental Hoosier tyres, but backed off mid run due to extreme vibrations. He subsequently had them rebalanced at the circuit and ran them in practice on the Sunday with “comparable grip” to old Pirelli ultrasoft compound tyres. Steve Miles, now down in third place after missing Snetterton in favour of performing at CarFest, had fitted a new master cylinder to sort out his front/rear brake balance and was also seen adjusting the clutch stop at some point. John Loudon, now up to second overall, was bedding in new front brake pads and found practice launch settings too low. Chris Jones, currently moving up the table to 5^th, was a Knockhill virgin and after studying a few videos and walking the track, posted a very impressive 2nd fastest time in practice behind Miles who had been coming here on and off for 15 years! Chris was amazed and wide-eyed when he returned about how the last 90seconds had been a relentless mix of bends, camber variations and massive elevation changes and could see why everyone loves the circuit. Graham Porrett had travelled the furthest with ‘Taylor’ his Swift-based motorhome and apart from not seeing where he going in the fog, was happy with the car and some SBD upgrades. Another newcomer to Knockhill was Ant Brown in the Audi, aiming to lock out the Foundation Cup this weekend and was equally in awe of the circuit. Finally, locals Richard Mallet and Stephen in their immaculate Radical had entered the BSC and as the first time out since Blyton Park a few years ago. A new engine had been installed and the classic father/son battle could recommence.

Practice saw Pete switching to old Pirellis which were fine, but an issue with the ECU saw all the memory settings lost and not able to give full boost. Knockhill circuit had installed some very aggressive red sausage kerbs at Chicane, Duffas Dip and Clarke. The only major incident in practice was Graham Porrett spinning 180°, turning around before continuing. When asked why his practice time was slow, he confessed sheepishly to ‘rubbing the sausage’ at the downhill Chicane!

Hauling round 1200kgs of Audi, Ant Brown was never going to be in touch with the racing cars, but managed 8^th. Richard Mallet was shaking the rust off in the Radical for 7^th and Graham Porrett put in a tidy run to split the Radical pairing, just a few seconds behind Stephen Mallet. With partially bedded in brakes, John Loudon brought the Laser Tools supported Force home in 4^th, but was not happy and felt the car was lacking ‘oomph’.

The top three were covered by ¾ of a second in an over 92+ second run. Steve Miles set a British Championship historical first by scoring points running on C50 sustainable bio fuel made from agricultural waste products, given to him by Sustain Fuels at CarFest. Pete Goulding was just 0.17secs behind the win, despite 147mph max speed on full boost, leaving newcomer Chris Jones — only maxing at 132mph — to take a record and the first win on only his 3^rd run of the circuit!

Run-off:  Knockhill Anti Clockwise Round 31

1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 92.28 (record)
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF200) 92.45
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 93.03
4. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 94.95
5. Stephen Mallet (1.4 Radical PR6) 101.25
6. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale) 105.28
7. Richard Mallet (1.4 Radical PR6) 115.31
8. Anthony Brown (1.8t Audi TT) 135.32

The final run of the day was designated the scoring run and so best tyres remained on for all. Conditions were now really hot and sunny, but strangely times were generally a fraction slower for most. Positions three to eight remained unchanged, despite Porrett having a panic with his battery going flat over lunch and not starting. Loudon declared a scrappy run, overshooting the Taylor’s hairpin and touching the kerb at the back of the circuit and got a small wiggle on. Miles’ brakes were better now, but the rears were still locking before the fronts. Jones’ championship charge took a minor setback at coming 2^nd and Goulding was pleased to get back to winning form — put down to a very late brake for Taylor’s hairpin after the launch.

Run-off:  Knockhill Anti Clockwise Round 32

1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF200) 91.06
2. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 92.79
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 93.84
4. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 95.50
5. Stephen Mallet (1.4 Radical PR6) 97.78 (record)
6. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale) 105.16
7. Richard Mallet (1.4 Radical PR6) 113.42
8. Anthony Brown (1.8t Audi TT) 139.98

Not registered for the Championship, Stewart Robb took his 5 litre V10 Pilbeam to FTD in a time of 89.41
 

Jones dominates Snetterton Sunday as Championship gathers pace

Event 15 at Snetterton on 25/08/2024
John Loudon reports:

Having gradually dried out overnight from the previous day’s atrocious weather, and accompanied by the drone of
Citroen 2CV engines competing in their 24-hour race on the outer circuit, the paddock emerged from its slumber and was finally buzzing and feeling optimistic for a good day’s sprinting at Snetterton for rounds 29 and 30 of the Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship. Still with dropped scores not coming into play until Knockhill in two weeks’ time, all is still to play for and several places are expected to change before the end of the season with a rapid rise from some who have fewer rounds under their belts, including Chris Jones who looks to be on a run of stunning form in his Force TA.

No overnight casualties from the previous day were reported, other than Chris Jones who was still having lazy gearshift issues. Steve Brown had tensioned his supercharger belt for reliable boost levels, but the main interest was in Pete Goulding sporting a set of trial Hoosier slicks — everyone was keen to see how he got on with them. Steve Miles was still absent, having been enticed away to Chris Evans’ CarFest elsewhere.

Practice had everyone changing from yesterday’s wets to slicks for the entire day. Initial feedback from Pete Goulding’s trial of Hoosiers was inconclusive as he couldn’t continue to use them due to severe wheel wobble due to their being out of balance — watch this space. Steve Broughton was complaining of understeer and locking up of front brakes on the DJ Firehawk. Simon Wallis’s OMS had a coolant pipe fail and was grateful to John Loudon for supplying a spare. Graham Porrett’s Mygale EcoBoost had traction events kicking in between 5^th and 6^th gear changes for reasons unknown. Ant Brown had full traction control on his Audi TT but no launch or anti lag due to the wires mysteriously becoming detached from their switch in the cockpit. Tony Beesley reported that his Jedi seemed loose on the back end and wing adjustments were underway. Justin Andrews’ Subaru Impreza was still misfiring despite a now fully charged battery, so thoughts of that being the cause were eliminated. Everyone else reported that it was a different world to the previous day’s experience, and some even had smiles on their faces!
Qualifying run one had Pete Goulding underestimating how much grip there was, despite having to return to using his well worn Pirellis, his trial of Hoosiers temporarily delayed. Steve Broughton was smiling despite reporting low speed understeer, so all was not as bad as he was making out in reality. When returning to the paddock, John Loudon saw a time displayed in the 79 second bracket which was close to his PB, only to have his bubble burst and find out that the clock had not reset from a previous competitor. Simon Wallis had his exhaust come apart at the collector for the second successive event. Nick Scott was happier and pleased with his first 64ft time, until I pointed out that it was 32ft instead. Graham Porrett was finally coming to the realisation that Pirelli super soft tyres are not as good as ultra soft, as cornering speed was requiring the reactions of a cat every run. Chris Jones’s gear change was having a resurgence and improving on its own. Grahame Harden was enjoying the smell of sun tan lotion for a change. Everyone one else was just getting back to business as usual.

Run-off one had Chris Jones’s good form continue —he took the win, broke the 1100cc single seater class record and proclaimed that there was some more in it as he had been cautious at Hamilton and Palmer.  Pete Goulding claimed second and said that everything was perfect, but his time was not quite as hoped for. Steve Broughton had adjusted front damper and anti-roll bar settings and said that the car felt good to finish third and break the 1100-1600 single seater class record, despite locking the fronts up a couple of times. Steve Brown was getting used to the circuit and improving on every run, bringing the supercharged Empire home in fourth ahead of a perplexed John Loudon who was struggling to match last year’s times in his Force TA. Grahame Harden was clearly enjoying himself and got a time in the area he was hoping for to take sixth place. Nick Scott was growing in confidence and claimed himself a new PB and seventh, just ahead of Simon Wallis who had a poor start and was sideways at Palmer but was enjoying himself. Carole Torkington was a close ninth and was a little dismayed to have been beaten by Nick Scott despite a clean run. Nick Houston came in tenth with a tidy run and growing in confidence with his sights on a sub-90 second run by the end of the day. Graham Porrett was getting faster but was having to turn traction off upon entering Palmer and on again on exit to finish ahead of Ant Brown’s Audi TT in eleventh and twelfth respectively.

Run-off one results (round 29)
1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 78.71 (+0.00)
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 79.09 (+0.38)
3. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 79.27* (+0.56)
4. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 80.18 (+1.47)
5. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 82.65 (+3.94)
6. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 85.33 (+6.62)
7. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 89.94 (+11.23)
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 90.33 (+11.62)
9. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 90.44 (+11.73)
10. Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 92.70 (+13.99)
11. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 95.17 (+16.46)
12. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 107.33 (+28.62) 

Run-off two again had Chris Jones come out on top and lowering the 1100cc single seater class record further and still complaining of slow gearshifts. Steve Broughton elevated the DJ Firehawk to second but was unable to better his previous run-off attempt which set him a new class record. Steve Brown continued to improve and finished a fine third on his first visit to Snetterton in his supercharged Empire. Pete Goulding claimed fourth by losing time as he went wide at the hairpin. Grahame Harden managed a fine fifth, ahead of John Loudon in his Force TA who locked up going into the harpin and overshot the turning point, having to take two wheels to the grass to make the corner. Simon Wallis was relatively pleased with seventh having struggled to start his engine with a suspected head gasket issue, narrowly beating Carole Torkington into eighth. Nick Scott came in ninth having gone slower for no apparent reason. Nick Houston couldn’t manage a sub-90 second run but netted himself a tenth place finish. Graham Porrett had changed traction control settings and had made things worse by having it now hamper all gears as opposed to just 5^th and 6^th. Ant Brown rounded off in twelfth with no issues and an improved time. Challenge Cup contender Tony Beesley was mystified as to his lack of pace in the normally quick Jedi. Justin Andrews had decided to retire the ailing Subaru and didn’t take the last run.

Run-off two results (round 30)

1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 78.27* (+0.00)
2. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 79.59 (+1.32)
3. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 79.75 (+1.48)
4. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 79.82 (+1.55)
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 86.05 (+7.78)
6. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 87.86 (+9.59)
7. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 91.69 (+13.42)
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 91.88 (+13.61)
9. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 91.95 (+13.68)
10. Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 92.63 (+14.36)
11. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 94.15 (+15.88)
12. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 107.34 (+29.07)
FTD went to Chris Jones in his 1.0 Force TA on 78.27 seconds.

Championship positions at the end of rounds 29 and 30

1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 654 points
2. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 580 points
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 516 points
4. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 495 points
5. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 492 points
6. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 468 points
7. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 461 points
8. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 384 points
9. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 353 points
10. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 300 points
10=. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 300 points

The next rounds are at Knockhill on September 7^th and 8^th when dropped scores start coming into play, whilst several competitors will still be gaining scores to add to a nail-biting end to the season for some.

Jones and Broughton share the wet spoils

Event 14 at Snetterton on 24/08/2024
 John Loudon reports from rounds 27 and 28 of the British Sprint Championship at Snetterton

The next four rounds of the Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship came via a weekend of sprinting at Snetterton which came around quickly on the heels of the previous rounds at Llandow just the weekend prior. Organised by BARC Midlands, and sharing the venue with a Citroen 2CV 24 hour race, over a hundred sprint competitors had joined the fray at the Norfolk motorsport mecca, including 14 BSC competitors. With dropped scores still not coming into play and some competitors having done fewer rounds than others, expect some placings to change and an exciting late surge for the overall championship to be on the cards.

The weather forecast for the weekend had changed from dry and sunny both days to a wet miserable Saturday followed by a dry Sunday. The majority of competitors donned their wet tyres in readiness the previous evening, in the luxury of dry weather. The non-related Browns in the form of Steve and Ant were new visitors to the circuit. A noticeable absentee was regular competitor Steve Miles, currently laying in 2^nd place overall in the Championship, who had opted to accept an invitation to participate in Chris Evans’s CarFest event instead.

With proceedings underway, the vast majority of competitors reported that practice had proved the track to be lethal with no grip, leading to lots of sideways action, full rotation spins and visits to the grass by almost everyone. Nick Houston’s mechanical paddle shift on his OMS was sticking, later traced to his dashboard fouling the mechanism. Ant Brown’s Audi TT’s ABS refused to work into Oggies and he had a ‘near miss’. Steve Broughton was sporting a set of new Avon super-soft wets and yet more suspension changes which strangely resulted in offering him the steering wheel at odd positions on the straights

Timed run 1 had reigning champion Pete Goulding make some adjustments to his setup and sensibly turn down the boost on his Mygale EcoBoost to suit the conditions. The Jones Force TA had developed a mystery lazy gear change issue which was traced to a leaky regulator or onboard pressure vessel outlet. A hurried trip to the nearest Machine Mart to procure a replacement regulator was in vain, and less-than-perfect gear shifts plagued him intermittently for the remainder of the day. Carole Torkington had bigger issues; her OMS refused to start immediately after retuning to the paddock and husband Colin took a soaking replacing the sprag clutch and crank sensor on the Hayabusa engine to remedy the issue just in time for the run-off. The remainder of the field were still complaining about a lack of grip, and some were enduring numerous re-runs due to being baulked by cars after inappropriate start line releases. Justin Andrews’ Subaru Impreza developed a mystery misfire which remained for the entire weekend, despite several attempts to unravel the fault.

Run-off 1 had Pete Goulding’s run baulked by John Loudon who was released from the start as the Mygale driver approached the hairpin for his flying lap. A re-run was given, but a 360° spin at Oggies did him no favours and he finished 5^th. Meanwhile, Steve Broughton in his DJ had posted the fastest time and won the run-off, albeit a bit ‘slidy’, followed by the brace of Force TA drivers Chris Jones and John Loudon just 0.06 seconds apart in 2^nd and 3^rd respectively. Steve Brown claimed 4^th in his supercharged Empire for a good point on his first visit to the circuit. Grahame Harden took his Radical around for 6^th whilst not bothering with the racing line to find some grip. Graham Porrett took it steady in his Mygale for 7^th ahead of Ant Brown in his Audi TT in his first visit and points at the venue. Nick Scott, Nick Houston and Simon Wallis made up the remaining places with a sigh of relief at surviving the slippery ordeal. Carole Torkington was a little meek as she returned to the paddock as she had span at the exit of Hamilton and failed to score, despite the best efforts of poor husband Colin to get her car running in time for the run-off. Tony Beesley performed a pirouette on the exit of Oggies but somehow remained on track. Justin Andrews was still fighting a misfire in his Subaru.

1. Steve Broughton (4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 101.87 (+0.00)
2. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 106.06 (+4.19)
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 106.12 (+4.25)
4. Steve Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 107.09 (+5.22)
5. Pete Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 109.29 (+7.42)
6. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 1141 (+14.54)
7. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF200) 120.01 (+18.14)
8. Anthony Brown (1.8t Audi TT) 129.93 (+206)
9. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 131.29 (+242
10. Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 134.55 (+32.68)
11. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 134.71 (+32.84)
12. N/A

Run-off 2 was headed by Chris Jones in his Force TA on an FTD clinching time of 99.26 seconds, trading places with Steve Broughton from the earlier run-off, both drivers benefiting from re-runs due to each being baulked yet again. Broughton’s new super soft Avon wets had endured so many re-runs during the day that they were showing signs of melting, despite the water on track to cool them. John Loudon again finished 3^rd in his Force TA to move up to 2^nd overall in the Championship ahead of the absent Steve Miles. Pete Goulding — who claimed he had no lockups, no spins, the right traction control setting, the right boost setting and no excuses — raised himself ahead of Steve Brown who was relegated to 5^th with a much slower time than his previous run-off attempt due to lack of boost, later identified to a slipping supercharger belt getting too wet. Grahame Harden repeated his previous feat of 6^th ahead of Carole Torkington who made amends for her first run-off misadventure to come in 7th. Graham Porrett held off Ant Brown for 8^th without any heroics and both playing it safe. Nick Houston was released as John Loudon rounded the hairpin in front of him on his flying lap and tried to follow his lines but couldn’t keep pace and soon lost sight of him. Despite this, he still managed 10^th. Simon Wallis and Nick Scott rounded off the placings, Wallis admitting that a new much stiffer front spring on his OMS was now causing understeer and Scott claiming to be another victim of water plumes from the rear of Loudon’s Force when he was released from the start and getting a face full of water. Tony Beesley acknowledged another 360° spin, but this time at Palmers. Andrews’ misfire was still not cured and was hampering progress and scoring possibilities in crucial rounds of other championships as well as the BSC Challenge Cup, much to his dismay.

1. Chris Jones (0 Force TA) 99.26 (+0.00)
2. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 100.64 (+1.38)
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 106.43 (+7.17)
4. Pete Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF200) 110.62 (+11.36)
5. Steve Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 1118 (+15.92)
6. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 115.63 (+127)
7. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 1154 (+18.28)
8. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF200) 126.69 (+27.43)
9. Anthony Brown (1.8t Audi TT) 127.32 (+28.06)
10. Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 132.02 (+32.76)
11. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 135.66 (+36.40)
12. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 138.23 (+38.97)

FTD went to Chris Jones in his Force TA on a time of 99.26 seconds.
Championship positions overnight

1. Pete Goulding (6t Mygale FF200) 608 points
2. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 539 points
3. Steve Miles 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 516 points
4. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 454 points
5. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 441 points
6. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF200) 438 points
7. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 424 points
8. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 384 points
9. Ant Brown (1.8t Audi TT) 325 points
10. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 265 points
11. Nick Scott (1.6 Force TA) 264 points
12. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 243 points

 

 

Jones dominates on Llandow return

Event 13 at Llandow on 17/08/2024

Steve Miles reports:

The British Sprint Championship had not held a round at the south Wales circuit of Llandow for well over ten years, and the excellently run event by the Bristol and Bristol Pegasus Motor Clubs squeezed everyone into the paddock and gave us a practice and three timed runs, which meant that the final run became a combined qualifying/scoring run, with the first two being traditional qualifying and then scoring.

John Loudon was pleased even to make the event after his trailer A frame severely cracked on the way home from Kirkistown and although the trailer was not supplied by them, the series sponsor Woodford Trailers effected some excellent repairs and all is well again. Also lucky to make it was Steve Miles who after his suspension failure in Northern Ireland, managed to collect the only Van Diemen RF96 suspension swivel pin in the country, conveniently en route home in Clitheroe, along with a new wheel rim inner from Bradford. Simon Wallis had sorted his front wings out and all looked good. Championship leader Pete Goulding had two new suspension brackets machined and delivered at the last minute, and along with a patched up floor, was now good to go. Ant Brown had a new turbo and antilag installed in the Audi and Lloyd Bettinson was debuting his new Jedi.

Running in the BSC Challenge Cup was Ben Bonfield — also in a Jedi while the OMS is being sorted, battling with Mike Froggett and Gary Buckingham in their immaculate and “for sale” 2-litre Reynard Formula Vauxhall.
The qualifying runs went to plan despite an under inflated tyre in the Buckingham/Froggett Reynard, overheating in the Bettinson Jedi and Steve Brown in the RLM Empire who was full of man flu and “Just wanted to go home”. Chris Jones made his intentions clear and set the qualifying pace with an impressive 68.08s, some two seconds inside the ‘up to 1100cc’ class record. Nick Scott however made the journey from Lincolnshire in vain as his starter motor failed and he was unable to run or qualify all day.

Chris Jones continued this form all day, taking both run-off wins, the bonus record point and FTD. New batteries on the Force, a charger and an SBD/MBE software upgrade had obviously done the trick, Oh and not forgetting the driver!

In second place in each run-off was the current leader, feeling some pressure from Jones who is rapidly rising up the table. Pete Goulding, with boost raised to circa 375bhp, was a second or so behind each run. He hadn’t been to the venue for 20 years and found the corners coming up a bit quickly compared to his memory from the Westfield days! A class record breaking bonus point by 8-hundredths was a nice bonus.

Steve Miles shook the car down the previous day to make sure the repair was all good, and benefited from an SBD software upgrade, and other than suffering from a rear brakes locking issue that was adjusted/fudged to get though the meeting, bagged the third spot each time and a PB.  In his similar spec Force to Jones (but running on methanol), John Loudon in his Laser Tools sponsored car took 4^th in the first run-off. On his final run however, he clattered the back chicane, and worried he had broken the front wing, backed off to finish 9^th. No damage was to be found back in the paddock however, although the wing had certainly oscillated at speed.

With a 5^th and a 4^th, Lloyd Bettinson was very pleased with the first outing in the Jedi and improved his times during the meeting, despite some starting and overheating niggles. Steve Brown did similar, each run finding three seconds to chop off, and he ended with a 6^th and a 5^th place, albeit with some engine automatic shut down issues.  Simon Wallis was seen with springs and heat gloves on, reassembling the exhaust manifold and system but again, finding a few seconds each run meant he was pleased to come away with a 7^th and 6^th place and PB.

Graham Porrett in the Mygale EcoBoost had sorted the over-centre locking of the front antiroll bar for 8^th and 7^th, some four seconds faster by the end of the day. 9^th and last in run-off 1 was the big Audi of Ant Brown, eight seconds faster than his first qualifying run as both the driver and the engine management control system for the new turbo self-learnt after repeated runs!

Chris Jones felt the final run was scrappy and slower, but the clocks don’t lie and he accepted his bottle of Prosecco at the FTD speech with grace!

Top 12 Run-off: Llandow Rd 25
1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 67.60 (+0.00)
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 69.37 (+1.77)
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 69.50 (+1.90)
4. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 70.88 (+3.28)
5. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 Jedi Mk4) 73.69 (+6.09)
6. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 76.64 (+9.04)
7. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 80.27 (+12.67)
8. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 84.56 (+16.96)
9. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 92.87 (+25.27)

Top 12 Run off: Llandow Rd 26
1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 67.35*s (+0.00)
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 68.61*s (+1.26)
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 70.29s (+2.94)
4. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 Jedi Mk4) 73.04s (+5.69)
5. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 73.38s (+6.03)
6. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 77.69s (+10.34)
7. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 82.37s (+15.02)
8. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 91.73s (+24.38)
9. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 92.91s (+25.56)

Approaching the dropped scores zone after next week’s Snetterton will see those who haven’t put a full set of 30 scores potentially changing position rapidly.  Quick calculations show that all positions are up for grabs and that the title fight could be between a Mygale, a pair of Force TAs and a Van Diemen!

2024 British Sprint Championship BSC Positions after Llandow Rd 26
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 565 points
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 516 points
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 493 points
4. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 412 points
5. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 401 points
6. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 394 points
7. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 392 points
8. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 384 points
9. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 290 points
10. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 241 points
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 233 points
11=. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 233 points

The BSC Challenge points were distributed to Ben Bonfield who swapped between old and newer Avons and took a PB and a few records. Gary Buckingham had the upper hand over Mike Froggett in the ‘for sale’ Vauxhall Lotus Reynard, and times show the car is clearly working well and a bargain at the price.

Challenge Cup results for Llandow Rd 26
1. Ben Bonfield (1.0 OMS 2000M) 387.84 points
2. Gary Buckingham (2.0 Reynard Formula Vauxhall) 380.99 points
3. Michael Froggett (2.0 Reynard Formula Vauxhall) 371.48 points




 

Loudon takes the top spot at Kirkistown

Event 12 at Kirkistown on 04/08/2024
Steve Miles reports:

To allow for the church services in Northern Ireland on a Sunday morning, the first cars are on track at 12:30, making a leisurely start to the day for all those staying in the paddock or local hotels. The first practice went without incident and the forecast rain for 14:00 was on schedule. Turnaround was fast as the Sunday was not a round of some of the championships that were there the previous day, and the field was about 35 cars. When the rain eventually came, everyone who had got a dry run in packed up — leaving only the remaining British Championship runners to qualify and score in the final wet runs — turnaround was fun and challenging!

1¾ laps of Kirkistown is a sprint of over 2½ miles, so you certainly get track time over the weekend. After his success on Saturday Pete Goulding (Mygale EcoBoost) used his worst set of tyres (with home made repairs to punctures) to take a gentle run. For qualifying however, and with drizzle in the air, the cut slicks were deployed as intermediates. He had no issues apart from a minor oil leak. John Loudon in his Laser Tools supported Force had a comfortable progression just a second behind Goulding, all previous oil overheating and other issues now sorted and the car running well all weekend.

Graham Porrett in another Mygale EcoBoost was running in 3^rd but this was not due to Stephen Miles being an efficient tyre warmer as he hardly troubled the tyres after being offered a shared drive following his suspension failure the previous day and very consciously brought the car home intact each run. Miles eventually got comfortable with the use of two cushions and thoroughly enjoyed his first ever drive in a turbo racing car, qualifying last — but 25 seconds faster than practice!

Qualifying 4^th was the freshly overnight-welded Hornet of Nick Houston, just a few seconds back. He was  followed by Grahame Harden’s Radical and then Nick Scott’s Force. Simon Wallis suffered a failure of the front wing left hand end plate, so removed it and all the front second elements, trimming the rear element to balance out the handling.

The first run-off was held in dry conditions and was a very close affair. Goulding - 1.6 turbo, came out on top just 13 hundredths ahead of Loudon - 998cc.  Next up was a very pleased Harden in the 1.6 Radical and just a few seconds back was the repaired 1.1 OMS of Wallis and then Force 1.6 of Scott — with a PB, then Houston and Porret. These four cars covered by around five seconds in more than two minutes of running! Miles brought up the rear and got the car safely home for a few points!

Top 12 Run-off: Kirkistown Rd 23
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 117.09 (+0.00)
2. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 117.22 (+0.13)
3. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 125.52 (+8.43)
4. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 128.69 (+11.60)
5. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 129.46 (+12.37)
6. Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 132.79 (+15.70)
7. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 133.07 (+15.98)
8. Stephen Miles (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 140.14 (+23.05

With no lunch break, the runs kept coming fast and the rain started. Goulding, now back on inters, put a steady run in but then found a major crack in a critical suspension bracket and decided to withdraw.  This was certainly a wise move as on the journey home, the bracket split in two inside the trailer and the car collapsed.

Full wets were now the order of the day for the final run of the weekend. Nick Scott brought up the rear, struggling with vision issues in the rain. The Chichester-based garage owner Graham Porrett was just a few seconds ahead of his shared driver to record his best result of the season with a 3^rd , and car sharer Steve Miles gained some useful points just behind in 4^th.

Grahame Harden managed to avoid serious damage as he left the circuit and spun onto the grass at Colonial. A crunch with the nose bent the towing eye and some fibreglass,  but the splitter survived as it poked underneath the Armco and he managed to drive back.

Having an even better result was the ‘wounded’ OMS of Simon Wallis who took second place — a best finish of the season. This would have made the long ferry journey from Belfast to Liverpool much more pleasant!

John Loudon put on a confident display in tough conditions, rounding Debtors on full throttle, throwing plumes of spray as high as the control tower and he took his first win of the season. Combined with no work on the car required or any issues, he had a great weekend.

Top 12 Run-off: Kirkistown Rd 24
1. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 144.97 (+0.00)
2. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 155.29 (+10.32)
3. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 157.07 (+12.10)
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 159.23 (+14.26)
5. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 202.20 (+57.23)

So, for the Championship, the weekend overall meant the top two places of Goulding and Miles didn’t change, but Loudon moved to 3^rd overall and Harden jumped two places to 4^th. Graham Blackwell, out of action after his Mallory crash dropped to 5^th and Porrett moved up a place as did Wallis. Nick Scott got himself into the 12^th position after his weekend runs. Chris Jones dropped from 5^th to 8^th and will be hoping to move up at Llandow when the BSC reconvenes in two weeks’ time.

BSC Positions after Kirkistown Rd 24 04-Aug
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 516 points
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 470 points
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 454 points
4. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 412 points
5. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 384 points
6. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 364 points
7. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 355 points
8. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 341 points
9. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 255 points
10. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 241 points
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 233 points
12. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 220 points

 

Goulding leads the pack at Kirkistown

Event 11 at Kirkistown on 03/08/2024
John Loudon reports from Northern Ireland from the British Sprint Championship's rounds 21 and 22

The long trip to Kirkistown circuit just south of Belfast saw several registered competitors compete in the 500 Motor Racing Club organised sprint weekend for rounds 21 and 22 of the Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship. Arrival times varied depending upon the choice of ferry route, but all were present when it mattered, and some were even scrutineered and signed on within an hour of arrival by the welcoming and helpful organising team.
Overnight Friday rain cleared up just in time for Saturday morning practice. With over one hundred competitors for the day, everyone needed to be on their toes to get as many runs as possible. After practice, the timekeepers moved the finish line to its usual position as several regular competitors had noticed that it had inadvertently been placed in the wrong position and that it was actually too close to the final hairpin, causing some drama under braking for those who were committed to full power from the last chicane to the finish line.

Nick Houston was visiting ‘home’ turf in his OMS Hornet and had actually looked at his car before the event this time around, having previously had it confined to his trailer for his house move, which was now complete. Nick Scott had new longer harness shoulder straps and a new helmet due to his previous ‘lid’ lower edge having been nibbled by his shoulder strap buckles, which had been noted by previous event scrutineers. Graham Porrett had a new onboard battery to ensure reliable starting when needed, and Steve Miles had recovered from his first bout of Covid just in time to be able to make the trip, albeit that he was feeling tired and needed lots of sleep. Simon Wallis was sporting new coolant hoses on his OMS 3000M to prevent a persistent leak and Grahame Harden confessed under interrogation to having replaced a brake master cylinder on his Radical PR6.

Qualifying had Miles believing he had driven a satisfactory lap but was disappointed with his time — the reason why he was struggling would be revealed on a later run. Pete Goulding was struggling with rear end grip and had tried a bit too hard at Colonial and had his Mygale attempting to nibble the grass, but just about got away with it. Wallis was not having a good day in his OMS3000M, having had his front wing end plate depart company from the main wing element — much as it had at Mallory Park in June. This time, he also had his dash display fall off its mount mid run, and was unable to determine which gear he was in. Houston was braking too early for the chicanes and described his run as ’messy’. John Loudon however was having a good day in his Force TA and qualified fastest. Every time he went to interview Graham Porrett, he reported that he must try harder and was what can only be described as comfort eating in a deck chair to compensate!

Run-off one had Pete Goulding come out on top, ahead of John Loudon. Grahame Harden was happy to have come third and was also pleased that the black cloud threatening rain had departed. Downforce-limited Simon Wallis had held off Graham Porrett for fourth. Steve Miles confessed to having left his ‘lucky pants’ at home by mistake and had a close shave with lady luck. As he entered the permanent chicane, his car’s rear end stepped out, sending his towards the barriers, but luckily he stopped with millimetres to spare. Having had the narrowest of misses, initial inspection looked as if the cause was a rear left puncture, but closer examination revealed that a broken lower suspension bolt had ground a groove in the inner face of his wheel rim, causing the tyre to deflate. Much activity followed as marshals and the recovery crew tried to get suitable recovery machinery from storage to extract his car, but lost keys and a flat vehicle battery ate up time, so the car was left abandoned on the circuit edge, out of harm’s way. The lengthy delay gave enough time for a quick rain shower to dampen the track for Nick Scott and Nick Houston’s reruns, who finished sixth and seventh respectfully, with Miles out of the positions, but at having at least claimed to have found a new pair of ‘lucky pants’ having missed the barriers.

Morning run-off (round 21) results

1. Pete Goulding (Mygale FF200 6T) 114.81
2. John Loudon (Force TA 1.0) 116.59
3. Grahame Harden (Radical PR6 1.6) 121.06
4. Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M 1.1) 129.72
5. Graham Porrett (Mygale FF200 1.6T) 130.25
6. Nick Scott (Force TA 1.6) 1511
7. Nick Houston (OMS Hornet 1.0) 170.02

With the track dry once again from the earlier short sharp shower, the second run-off was minus Miles as a contender. Pete Goulding again came out on top in his Mygale EcoBoost, having finally found some rear end grip, ahead of the hard pushing John Loudon in his 1.0 Force TA who was again close on his heels in second. Grahame Harden again came third in his Radical PR6 and was beaming at the news that he had achieved a PB for circuit. Graham Porrett traded places with Simon Wallis for a reversal of the earlier run-off positions, Simon confessing to still not braking late enough in several places and losing time. Nick Scott and Nick Houston finished in 6^th and 7^th with Houston having nursed his OMS hornet home having earlier discovered some deformed rear suspension mountings and not wanting to risk it. A luck would have it, he was staying with his brother nearby who implemented overnight welding repairs in time for Sunday.

So how did the local experts do? Well, there was one rising star in the form of Ethan Faulkner who was driving the ex-Simon Clemow Force PT Hayabusa. Had he been registered for the BSC, he would have scored two second places in the run-offs. One to think about there Ethan! However,  Alan Cassells in the now turbocharged Honda HRC ex-Will Hall Force and Rob Dwane in his turbocharged Hayabusa OMS 25 didn’t have such great days. Alan visited the grass, causing minor floor damage and then had his turbo work loose. Once repaired and ready to go, the heavens opened and a torrential downpour ensued, so no further meaningful play was to be had. The same downpour had Steve Miles dashing to cover his still trackside stricken car in order to prevent its cockpit becoming flooded. His recent bout of Covid meant that his lungs were nowhere back to full capacity, and he suffered. The Rob Dwane OMS broke a driveshaft on the start line and his spare was too short. Unable to source a suitable spare at the circuit, he made a mercy dash to fellow OMS driver Chris Houston’s workshop in Bangor to collect a potentially suitable part, only to discover that it was too long! Tim Woodside was also on the entry list in what was believed to be the ex-Coley brothers V6 Opel Gould GR55 but it failed to appear, apparently because the car was still away being remapped.

Afternoon run-off (Round 22) results

1. Pete Goulding (Mygale FF200 6T) 114.11
2. John Loudon (Force TA 1.0) 115.47
3. Grahame Harden (Radical PR6 1.6) 120.69
4. Graham Porrett (Mygale FF200 1.6T) 127.91
5. Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M 1.1) 128.22
6. Nick Scott (Force TA 1.6) 15133.34
7. Nick Houston (OMS Hornet 1.0) 1418

FTD went to Pete Goulding with a time of 114.11 seconds

Championship positions after round 22

1. Pete Goulding (Mygale FF200 6T) 478 points
2. Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96MM 0) 430 points
3. John Loudon (Force TA 1.0) 405 points
4. Graham Blackwell (Mygale EcoBoost 1.6T) 384 points
5. Grahame Harden (Radical PR6 1.6) 376 points
6. Chris Jones (Force TA 1.0) 341 points
7. Graham Porrett (Mygale FF200 1.6T) 322 points
8. Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M 1.1) 309 points
9. Ant Brown (Audi TT 1.8T) 255 points
10. Robert Tonge (Force TA 1.4) 241 points
11. Carole Torkington (OMS CF08 1.5) 233 points
12. Nick Scott (Force TA 1.6) 178 points

Force to the Fore at Lydden

Event 10 at Lydden Hill on 13/07/2024

Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship Rounds 19 & 20 - Lydden Hill Race Circuit

Steve Miles writes:

In the fortnight since Mallory, there had been a fair amount of tinkering and repairs. Current leader Pete Goulding fitted a pair of new brake discs and was sorting some traction control issues. Steve Miles fitted a new radiator as the old one bizarrely leaked when cold, but not when hot! John Loudon had fitted more oil cooling upgrades in preparation for the high frequency of long runs in Northern Ireland in a few weeks. As would be expected, Steve Broughton had changed a large number of things despite winning in Pembrey — stiffer springs, lowered front and increased roll stiffness amongst others! Simon Wallis had repaired the front wing, and we weren’t sure if a mismatch of front wing second elements was a cunning tune on the mainly right hand circuit! Chris Jones had some new software upgrades from MBE/SBD to improve drivability and Ant Brown had fitted a spring-loaded bonnet catch after the Pembrey incident. Graham Porrett was hoping his new lightweight HANS device was going to find four seconds and had also replaced a dodgy battery. Steve Brown got to the bottom of the failed Mallory run, which after changing pumps was found to have been caused by low fuel pressure due to a blocked filter!
Borough 19 always run a slick meeting and five runs for full entry grid were achieved before the rain came at 17:30. Eleven runners made the trip south to the Kent circuit, so qualifying was not really an issue if sensible, but the writing was on the wall when Chris Jones in the Force TA with a stock 998cc engine with lightly flowed head put in a 67 second run to go fastest.  However, the next three cars were covered by 0.09 seconds so it was going to be close! No significant issues were reported but Simon Wallis in his OMS had a heavy tank slapper on launch due to the dusty conditions. Ant Brown in his powerful but heavy Audi went four seconds quicker than practice, but he had never driven here before. The improvement might also have been to pushing the right Wi-Fi buttons to engage four-wheel drive for this run.
The first run-off came just before lunch and Jones posted a stunning class record and FTD time of 66.10secs to take another win. It was extremely close as the next four cars were covered by a smidge over half a second! Brown had the Empire Evo2 singing, and with an Avon / Pirelli mix was 1.08secs behind Jones. Broughton hustled the DJ Firehawk around and confessed to being in too high a gear at Chesson’s Drift and Hairy Hill. Another 2 tenths slower was the Laser Tools sponsored Loudon was also in too low a gear at Devil’s Elbow.  Current champion Goulding reported that there was not much grip and was in an unaccustomed 5^th place. Miles was flummoxed to be a couple of seconds off his PB in 6^th. Grahame Harden, who had done no tinkering to his Radical was pleased with 7^th and his time and getting four-tenths ahead of Carole Torkington. Taking 9^th was Simon Wallis with seven secs taken off his PB and equally pleased was Porret who found a second over his qualifying time. In the Rowdy Audi, Brown made 11^th position with a time the 100^th identical to his Q time!

Top 12 Run-off: Lydden Hill Rd 19
1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 66.10* (+0.00)
2. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 67.18 (+1.08)
3. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 67.44 (+1.34)
4. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 67.66 (+1.56)
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 67.70 (+1.60)
6. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 68.63 (+2.53)
7. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 72.08 (+5.98)
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 72.50 (+6.40)
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 76.72 (+10.62)
10. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 77.67 (+11.57)
11. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 88.81 (+22.71)

A lot of tyre swapping and cleaning and qualifying for run-off 2 generally went OK. Goulding sorted some wheel speed sensor issues,  Miles tried harder — and went slower.  Loudon got Chesson’s ‘in’ wrong, which compromised his exit. Broughton nearly didn’t make it as the main manifold blew a 50p-sized hole. This was successfully repaired with a coffee tin and a jubilee clip which was promised to be TIG welded in place after the event! Porret went faster and then tucked into a Red Bull and three cakes seeking speed in preparation for the run off! Harden had nothing to report other than he enjoyed the run immensely.
For the scoring run-off, round 20, Ant Brown’s Audi brought up the rear for 11th, slightly faster than the first one. Porrett was also in 10^th again — maybe it was the cakes as he declared he had run out of excuses! Wallis in 9^th had a massive coolant leak but this was after the finish so didn’t affect his time. A second slower than the first run off was Torkington in 8^th, but in 7^th Hardon went a few tenths quicker again with a PB. Miles dropped ½ second for 6^th with no obvious explanation for being nearly three secs off his PB . Just 1/10^th ahead was Loudon, equally lost for an explanation of pace compared to PBs. Brown dropped down to 4^th 1.3 secs slower this time out after trying a new line at Paddock Bend. Goulding moved up two places over the first run-off and found ½ second and a PB. This left the Firestorm of Broughton earning 2^nd and he declared himself ‘happy’.
Chris Jones however descended Hairy Hill at full throttle. The crowds on the banking took a collective breath of admiration and almost stepped backwards as he turned in at 120mph, still made the apex on full power, then tickled the gravel trap on the way out and disappeared into the distance to take his second run-off win of the day.
Top 12 Run-off: Lydden Hill Rd 20
           
1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 66.39 (+0.00)    
2. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 66.80 (+0.41)  
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 67.15 (+0.76)           
4. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 68.40 (+2.01)   
5. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 69.27 (+2.88) 
6. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 69.37 (+2.98) 
7. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 71.95 (+5.56) 
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 73.39 (+7.00)  
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 75.15 (+8.76)      
10. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 76.65 (+10.26)     
11. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 87.95 (+21.56)

These results changed the overall championship at just over the halfway stage, with Miles moving to 2^nd and Graham Blackwell dropping points here after his Mallory crash. Chris Jones was the big climber after an excellent day and moved to 5^th. And Steve brown started his climb up the score sheet.
The next outing is Kirkistown, Northern Ireland on the 3^rd and 4^th August.

Woodford Trailer British Sprint Championship after 20 rounds (best 30 to count, 20 rounds remaining)
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 428 points   
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 417 points      
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 384 points
4. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 357 points      
5. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 341 points        
6. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 330 points      
7. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 279 points  
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 266 points           
9. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 255 points
10. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 241 points   
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 233 points
12. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 159 points

A mid-summer Mallory melter

Event 9 at Mallory Park on 23/06/2024
John Loudon reports

Sunday 23^rd June saw the Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship visit Mallory Park for the second time in 2024, for an event organised by Sheffield and Hallamshire Motor Club. In stark contrast to the earlier event in March, the weather was positively tropical and the meeting had a much larger entry list at around 120 competitors.
For those who arrived on Saturday afternoon and slept overnight in the paddock, the tranquil Leicestershire atmosphere was only spoiled by the regular screeching of a local farmer’s pet peacock throughout the night, which if it had continued, would likely have been restrained for someone’s Christmas dinner at the end of the year.
Interviewing the contenders prior to practice about any changes made post Pembrey three weeks prior provided an array of interesting anecdotes, all worthy of a mention. Peter Goulding was sporting a pair of new driveshafts and a set of new split rim alloys, shod with better tyres than previously used after an extensive purchase of any used Pirellis at the end of last season. Graham Blackwell had a new ECU map for extra boost and was also performing some aero testing for an aerodynamics student with wool tufts attached to his car. Steve Miles had been on yet another holiday and despite walking 49 miles had gained weight, but otherwise had made no changes to his car as the Llandow event went well with new zero bump steer layout. John Loudon’s Force TA had a freshly-rebuilt engine thanks to a super quick turnaround curtesy of Daytuner Performance, after an oil pipe had come adrift at Pembrey, causing the previous incarnation’s rapid demise. Steve Broughton had changed just about everything including redesigned and machined hubs, discs, springs and damper settings and was bedding in the brakes in practice. Simon Wallis had fitted his OMS with a new front wishbone and performed surgery on its floor after a visit to the Welsh scenery. Nick Scott had had a suspension setup courtesy of fellow competitor Steve Miles in the scrutineering bay the previous day. Graham Porrett was happy as his best mate and long-time double driving partner Terry Holmes had turned up to paddock for him for the day. He was also sporting new ECU software courtesy of SBD. Steve Brown was feeling confident that his supercharged Empire EVO misfire issues were a thing of the past since the fitment of a new cam sensor. Nick Houston confessed to not having taken his car out of the trailer as his wife had filled the family garage with boxes due to an impending house move. Ant Brown had installed a new bonnet safety catch to his Audi TT to prevent a repetition of it flying up and over as per Pembrey, along with a new tubular front subframe, oil cooler and had also managed to close his turbo waste gate. Long distance traveling Cornishmen Michael Froggett and Gary Buckingham had fitted a new clutch master cylinder and oil pressure switch to their shared Reynard, along with a fifth gear ratio that might actually be of some use to them this time around. Finally, Tony Beesley had repaired, strengthened and braced his Jedi’s rear wing stay after some cracking had been observed.

Practice was trouble free for most, aside from Pete Goulding who was struggling with poor front brakes and Nick Scott’s Force TA which broke a drive chain on the start line, but with fellow competitors coming to his aid and with borrowed tools, he made a speedy recovery and still managed to get out. Simon Wallis had a front wing end plate come adrift and bounce under his car to cause yet more floor damage. A resourceful but compromised repair allowed him to continue. The Buckingham / Froggett Reynard’s non charging alternator had made a miraculous recovery and found a new lease of life. Ant Brown’s Audi TT had a plastic coolant pipe connector fracture, but a repair was implemented with an aluminium version of close enough proportions. Grahame Harden was enjoying his first visit to the circuit in his Radical PR6 and after one lap was professing how fabulous the circuit was and was definitely returning in the future for next year’s summer double header weekend. Tony Beesley echoed what Grahame had said and was also enjoying himself and gushing about how wonderful the circuit was. Steve Broughton was only part way through bedding in his new brake discs and had ‘taken it gently’.

Timed run one eventually began after the huge field of 120 competitors had all ventured around the track for their 1¾  laps which took around two hours. Pete Goulding was still struggling with front brake efficiency and admitted that his start could have been better. Graham Blackwell’s run was trouble free and was fastest overall. Steve Miles was pleased with his run and his Van Diemen Duratec was already inside his class record. John Loudon was pleased to have not only an oil free engine compartment on his Force TA, but also to be under his class record. Then the mayhem started. Steve Broughton was perhaps suffering from a busy rebuild and 05:00 start as whilst concentrating on lines and braking points, took his DJ Firehawk round for an extra lap, causing timing issues for several cars that followed. With Steve Broughton doing an extra lap, Graham Porrett avoided a close encounter on his release with a Steve’s car as it passed the pit lane exit. The Buckingham and Froggett pairing were unbelievably within 0.01secs of each other in their shared Reynard. Tony Beesley was rueing ‘what could have been’ if it wasn’t for his three-year-old tyres and not really knowing where he was going. Ant Brown was complaining of arm ache due to the lack of working power steering. With such a large entry and no time for re-runs, the resourceful BSC coordinator decided to use some practice times for qualifying times for those who didn’t have a time.

The hour lunch break came with timed run one not entirely complete, enhancing that the reality of more than two timed runs was not going to be possible in the available time. This therefore meant that the next timed run was going to be the only run-off for the day.

Pete Goulding set off first and posted what was to be the run-off winning time, albeit just outside his record set in March. Graham Blackwell couldn’t slow the car down enough for Edwina’s chicane, but instead of bailing out, tried to make the left hand apex which he did.  He couldn’t however make the second right hand apex and collected a cone or two, reducing steering and braking and caused his Mygale to plough to the outfield and eventually come to a heavy head-on halt in the tyre wall. Steve Miles was following at speed in his Van Diemen, was red flagged and brought his car to a stop, exited and rushed to help the stricken Blackwell who was clearly in pain and on his hands and knees by the car, in advance of the incoming marshals leaving their posts on foot with extinguishers. Although his front wing was wrecked, thankfully Graham was only heavily bruised/winded and was later able to limp around the paddock and tell the tale. Unable to drive, the Cornish lads loaded up the trailer and Ant Brown took the trailer back and with some shuttling back to the circuit, everyone got home OK.

Eventually with the meeting back underway, John Loudon managed to finish 3^rd and again beat his class record for a bonus. Steve Broughton executed the right number of laps and came in 2^nd, also with a new class record. Steve Miles slipped a little slower for 4^th place on his re-run with the confession that maybe he was a nervous, having seen first hand what had happened to Blackwell on his previous attempt. Grahame Harden finished 5^th and vowed to return. Nick Scott was very pleased with his best finish of the season in 6^th, remarking that his new suspension setup had given him confidence. Simon Wallis limped his sorry OMS home in 7^th. Nick Houston was happy with 8^th. Much to his despair, Steve Brown’s mystery misfire had returned, but he still managed to nurse his car around in 9^th and was pleased to discover later that this was just a failed fuel pump rather than engine related. Graham Porrett who was on a roll earlier in the day had a boost pipe come adrift in 10^th.  meaning the car limped around with minimal power and finally Ant Brown set a new PB and came 11^th in his now behaving Audi TT.

Championship round 17 results

1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 64.21 (+0.00)
2. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 66.04* (+1.83)
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 67.36* (+3.15)
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 68.40 (+4.19)
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 70.88* (+6.67)
6. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 73.30 (+9.09)
7. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 74.28 (+10.07)
8. Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 74.64 (+10.43)
9. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 78.32 (+14.11)
10. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 85.99 (+21.78)
11. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 90.77* (+26.56)

Championship positions after round 18

1=. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 384 points
1=. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 384 points
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 377 points
4. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 314 points
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 292 points
6. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 290 points
7. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 247 points
8. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 241 points
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 232 points
10. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 225 points
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 197 points
12. John Graham (2.8 Gould GR55b) 145 points

FTD went to Pete Goulding in a time of 64.21

The next round of the Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship is at Lydden Hill on Saturday 13^th July


 

Tight at the top at Pembrey Clubmans

Event 8 at Pembrey on 02/06/2024
Martin Pickles reports:

Sunday dawned with yet more bright sunshine and haze. It was going to be another warm day! There was a slight difference to the day in that due to such a high attrition rate on Saturday, qualification for the run off-would be automatic, providing you managed to complete the lap and a half. The track layout also differed from Saturday’s national layout and was now using the Clubman Circuit.

Practice and the first timed runs appeared in quick succession due to overall entry numbers depleted in much the same way as the British Sprint paddock. The layout had now switched to the Clubman's circuit which incorporates the recent loop in-field after the Dibeni corner, featuring a high speed approach tight left-hander leading to re-joining the main track at the entry to Senna.

In the Challenge Cup, Froggett and Buckingham were closely matched in their shared Ralt, with Buckingham edging his co-driver each time for the win.

Back in the BSC, Brown in the Audi TT was granted a rerun, but in the warm conditions this offered no advantage a point he promptly proved by producing a slower time. The irony was that he now qualified for the run-off.
Tonge had switched from his Michelin tyres to the Pirelli and described the difference as 'night and day'. Houston, Torkington and Harden posted competitive times but were full of smiles and praise for such a fantastic venue/weather combination. Porrett reported some ignition issues whilst Blackwell and Goulding provided swift progress in readiness for the run-off. After the excitement of Saturday, Broughton's only concerns were the finer details of set up for the 'new' car with springs being too soft and perhaps more importantly, the brake set up. Miles produced a PB without any apparent difficulty while  Jones mimicked the achievement in slightly grander style by setting a new class record.

In the first of the day's run-off, Buckingham once again pipped Froggett by 0.1secs in the Challenge Cup.
New to the run-off process, Brown had a trouble-free run and entered the Championship score board. Houston however found two oil patches and each time recovered from a spin, to just head Porrett who despite going seconds quicker, only secured 10^th. Harden and Torkington were comfortably ahead of the chasing pack and each other for 7^th and 8^th.

Goulding was now struggling for rear-end grip and slipped to 5^th just ahead of the improving Tonge. Miles’s gentle approach under braking provided no improvement and slotted into 4^th. Blackwell found the same oil that Houston encountered, but recovered a sideways moment to move ahead of Miles by 0.5sec. That left the 1.4DJ Firehawk of Broughton once again to provide continuous improvement to bag 2^nd just 0.25secs ahead. Sunday was turning out to be Groundhog Day for Jones as he once again topped the time sheets 0.5secs ahead of Broughton. The Jones grin reappeared in the paddock and with this continuing form, poses a real threat to the larger capacity cars for the overall Championship.

Top 12 Run-off: Pembrey Club Rd 15
1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 104.08 (+0.00)
2. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 105.49 (+1.41)
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 105.72 (+1.64)
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 106.48 (+2.40)
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 106.88 (+2.80)
6. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 106.97 (+2.89)
7. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 113.79 (+9.71)
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 116.87 (+12.79)
9. Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 120.75 (+16.67)
10. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 120.87 (+16.79)
11. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 145.63 (+41.55)

Qualification for the final run-off of the weekend produced no real issues for the drivers other than the heat, and without Saturday’s light breeze, the track was providing very little grip for the overheating tyres. The one point of note was that Broughton produced a time to qualify in 1^st. Miles conversely produced the slowest qualifying time some 40secs adrift after the engine shut down shortly after launch. Numerous restarts were required to complete the circuit and qualify for the run-off. An errant throttle pot sensor was swiftly diagnosed by Chris Price from MBE, was replaced and engine performance was restored. Broughton's driveshaft let go on the start line, requiring a push back to the paddock and a hasty team effort to replace the shaft and return in time to rejoin the queue.
To help with the conversation on the return journey back to the Cornwall, the Froggett and Buckingham pairing posted identical times and points for the Challenge Cup.

Brown had qualified for the run-off, but his time had slumped in line with his turbo which was now only producing 9psi compared to the normal 20psi. Houston had an incident-free run to 10^th, Torkington improved but remained 9^th. Porrett arrived at the start line after a verbal self-flagellation (which is unrepeatable for this publication) and promptly knocked 4secs off his Q time to shift up to the order to 8^th. Harden continued with a beaming smile despite a slower time on hot tyres to complete a weekend without mechanical issue. Miles was too enthusiastic into the Hatchetts Hairpin and locked up, making full use of the extended track to recover to 6^th. The benefactor of this error was Tonge who was one of few to demonstrate an improvement over their Q time to secure 5^th. Blackwell was another suffering with grip issues and slipped back to 4^th whilst Goulding moved into third after resolving his Wi-Fi gear change issue by unplugging and reconnecting every connector. Jones and Broughton then battled for the top spot with an initial target set by Jones of 104.90 on 'squidgy' tyres, a new class record. Broughton however managed to eclipse this time by 0.6secs to secure his first run-off win of 2024 in the 1.4 DJ Firehawk. Steve was naturally pleased and excited to have won after overcoming the trials and tribulations of the weekend, a truly outstanding performance in the garage and on the track.

Top 12 Run-off: Pembrey Club Rd 16
1. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 104.32* (+0.00)
2. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 104.90 (+0.58)
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 105.58 (+1.26)
4. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 106.55 (+2.23)
5. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 107.05 (+2.73)
6. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 108.15 (+3.83)
7. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 115.72 (+11.40)
8. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 116.24 (+11.92)
9. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 117.30 (+12.98)
10. Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 119.70 (+15.38)
11. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 146.15 (+41.83)

As the Championship approaches its half way point (best 33 scores from 44 potential rounds) Graham Blackwell moved back into the lead.

Championship top-12 after round 16
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 371 points
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 359 points
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 354 points
4. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 290 points
4=. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 290 points
6. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 270 points
7. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 241 points
8. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 231 points
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 213 points
10. Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 209 points
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 197 points
12. John Graham (2.8 Gould GR55b) 145 points
 

It’s Jones’s day at Pembrey

Event 7 at Pembrey on 01/06/2024
Martin Pickles reports:

The forecast for south Wales was warm and sunny for the entire June weekend of sprinting, quite a novelty for anywhere in the UK in 2024. The garages and surrounding paddock area were packed for a weekend of twists and turns of which there were to be plenty.

A bumper turnout for the Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship meant that qualification was going to be pressurised for those at the limit or who were experiencing difficulties.

The drivers’ briefing commenced with a moment to remember Clive Wooster, the effervescent and likeable character whose presence in the paddock will be truly missed.

Practice followed around 1½ laps of the National layout, which provides a challenge of fast and high G force bends, long straights into heavy braking zones, left/right sequence of bends — it’s everything a driver could wish for and a definite personal favourite.

What was a blissfully quiet setting was soon transformed with Chris Jones in the 1.0 Force TA who on old tyres, set the pace with an unofficial class record. John Loudon in the same class and chassis was experiencing high oil temperatures and with air temperature set to soar in the next few hours, this was not encouraging. In contrast, front-runner Graham Blackwell in the 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost had repositioned the air intake for the turbo into the side-pod and immediately found improved air intake temperatures.  Meanwhile, Pete Goulding in the similar 1.6t Mygale FF 200 was finding the faded painted apexes difficult to locate in the early morning haze.

The Mygale trio was completed by Graham Porrett in the sister car to Goulding’s who was running a new set of Pirelli SuperSoft, although ‘unused’ might be a more accurate description as they were five years old, but were still performing better than anything else currently available.

Ant Brown gave a frustrated response for the reason behind his slow run as engine temperatures had soared when held on the start line and on launch, the 1.8 Audi TT immediately adopted limp mode. There was a smile though to confirm he was able to take every corner flat, including the two hairpins.

At the sharp end of the current points table, Steve Miles had opted for a radical set up change and opted for toe-out at the front on the 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm. Although this provided a more responsive car, there was recurring power oversteer that now needed to be overcome and very sensitive steering.

SBD consultant, Steve Broughton, was sporting a new engine, suspension, chassis and brakes on the 1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004, with only the pilot remaining constant. A minor exhaust issue developed in practice but was swiftly resolved. Similarly, although it interrupted his practice, the failed front wing on Simon Wallis’s 1.1 OMS 3000M was quickly restored.

Timed Run 1, the qualifying run for run-off one arrived swiftly due to the reduced overall entry to the event and thanks to the smooth and seamless organisation from BARC Wales in the paddock and at the start line.
Chris Jones serenely took every corner from one hairpin to the next at full throttle and in doing so reset the 1,100cc record. John Loudon was literally in hot pursuit with the Force struggling with climbing oil temperatures, but still qualified 3rd.

Carole Torkington in the 1.5 OMS CF08 improved on her practice time to qualify, as did Lloyd Bettinson in the 1.0 STM Phoenix. At the other end of the spectrum however was Brown, whose bonnet blew open, covering the screen shortly after the start line launch. Exhibiting determination, Ant negotiated the hairpin before conceding that his run was over. I won't mention that the bonnet pins had not been engaged! In the same vein of unwanted mechanical failure was Simon Wallis, whose repaired front wing shed the second elements — both of them! Sufficient downforce remained, however, for him to qualify 7^th. Graham Porrett moved the evolving Mygale ahead of Lloyd despite a roll bar disconnecting mid-run. Joining in the party and not to be outdone, Steve Broughton managed a spectacular 'rapid unscheduled disassembly', commencing with the brake disc exploding under heavy braking, a section of which punctured the wheel rim with inevitable tyre deflation, spin and grassy termination. At least the new 6-pot callipers worked!

Some competitors were experiencing drama-free qualification, the relaxed Nick Houston in the diminutive 1.0 OMS Hornet, Grahame Harden enjoying life and eschewing positivity for his hard-worked Avons, taking a very credible 7^th in the 1.6 Radical PR6. 

Rob Tonge, although in learn mode for Pembrey, ensured sufficient progress from practice to qualify the 1.4 Force TA 6^th. Towards the pointy end of the grid was Steve Miles, now in 5^th place despite an exuberant entry to Honda (a fabulous corner to test driving talent) and subsequent save on the brakes. 2023 Championship rivals Pete Goulding and Graham Blackwell were still rivals in 2024 but were unequally matched in this instance when Goulding suffered a rear puncture early in the run.

Competing in the Challenge Cup of the BSC were Mike Froggett and Gary Buckingham in the Reynard Formula Vauxhall. Having travelled ten hours to get to the circuit, they provided themselves with some subject matter for the return journey by producing comparable times in the shared Ralt.

Qualification: Pembrey Nat Rd 13
1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 93.29s (+0.00)
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 96.04s (+2.75)
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 96.59s (+3.30)
4. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 96.62s (+3.33)
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 99.03s (+5.74)
6. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 101.64s (+8.35)
7. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 103.68s (+10.39)
8. Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 107.36s (+14.07)
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 107.46s (+14.17)
10. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 109.80s (+16.51)
11. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 STM Phoenix) 111.13s (+17.84)
12. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 111.80s (+18.51)

Those repairing and tweaking were under some pressure in the rising heat (23°C at 11:30) to meet the start line schedule for the run-off.

Wallis however created an increased 'jobs to do' list when he exited the Tarmac before the Brooklands hairpin, destroying the floor and bending the left front suspension to terminate his weekend’s participation.

To set the standard, Torkington extracted three seconds from her qualifying time to set a new PB and a contented 9^th place finish. Bettinson's time went in the other direction, losing two seconds  to a scruffy lap and ultimately 11^th. Porrett had failed to cure the self-detaching roll bar link and also went slower than his Q time. Harden was given a re-run which prevented any meaningful improvement on hot tyres and swapped places with Houston who set a timely PB. Tonge continued his improvement to land 6^th and Miles improved his time, despite using the generous Tarmac beyond the Brooklands Hairpin for 5^th. Loudon marginally improved his time in an issue-free run and narrowly missed out on 3^rd to the Mygale of Goulding, now suffering from understeer but equally close to the second place Mygale of Blackwell, having taken two seconds off his Q time through a tyre swap from Avon to Pirelli, also setting a new 1600T class record. Jones remained peerless and stayed over a second ahead of Blackwell to grab the run-off. A beaming grin in the paddock was testament to his dynamic performance.

Top 12 Run-off: Pembrey Nat Rd 13
1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 93.02* (+0.00)
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 94.17* (+1.15)
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 94.34 (+1.32)
4. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 96.42 (+3.40)
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 97.12 (+4.10)
6. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 101.28 (+8.26)
7. Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 106.44 (+13.42)
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 107.94 (+14.92)
9. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 109.64 (+16.62)
10. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 110.07 (+17.05)
11. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 STM Phoenix) 113.82 (+20.80)

Due to attrition, the number of competitors eligible for the run-off  was now reduced to 13. John Loudon unfortunately joined that group when an oil pipe blew off the oil cooler and swiftly emptied the engine. Although the engine would restart after a top up, the precautionary decision to withdraw and inspect the engine was understandable.
The track now had a light trail of oil which took nearly an hour to address. However, with qualification now guaranteed, many of the remaining BSC runners took a cautious approach to qualification.

Miles had ditched his previous trial set up and had now returned the car to toe-in at the front. Despite the alternator detaching mid run, a similar time to Q1 was achieved for 4^th. Broughton had replaced the brake disc and wheel that had caused his early spin and promptly took P3, headed by Goulding and Jones. Blackwell had resumed to the tyre-saving policy of Avon qualifying/Pirelli run-off and consequently was further down the order with Harden, also on Avons.

Now the important second run-off for points. Local Bettinson recorded a PB following damper adjustments, 0.24secs ahead of Porrett who continued with his Mygale familiarisation. Bettinson however had returned to the paddock with an unsatisfactory engine note and decided to withdraw from the Sunday event. Houston was clearly frustrated with his run which he declared had been strewn with minor errors. Torkington was similarly discontent despite having improved by two seconds, in contrast to Harden who remained cheery with an overall enjoyable, trouble-free day. Tonge continued to improve and netted 5^th place. Miles slowed by a tenth from qualifying as the afternoon track temperatures climbed, the cars now starting to crab through corners. Goulding had commenced the run-off but a drive shaft on the Mygale let go during the launch from the line and he failed to post a time. Broughton maintained his third spot with a marginal improvement, whilst Blackwell snatched second by a couple of tenths.  Although slower than his morning time, Jones was nearly two seconds ahead of Blackwell, that grin in the paddock just got a bit wider.

Top 12 Run-off: Pembrey Nat Rd 14
1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 94.36 (+0.00)
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 96.06 (+1.70)
3. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 96.29 (+1.93)
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 97.79 (+3.43)
5. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 101.38 (+7.02)
6. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 103.96 (+9.60)
7. Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 108.30 (+13.94)
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 110.13 (+15.77)
9. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 STM Phoenix) 110.60 (+16.24)
10. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 110.84 (+16.48)
 

Goulding boosts ahead

Event 6 at Blyton Park on 19/05/2024
John Loudon reports

Sunday’s event of the two-day Longton and District Motor Club run event at Blyton Park had competitors taking to the Outer Circuit.

Having enjoyed glorious weather the previous day, Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship competitors were again to enjoy similar optimal conditions around the Lincolnshire Ginetta test track.

The Saturday night track walk was interesting to say the least, as the land-owning farmer had decided to host an impromptu shooting party on the infield of the circuit, which kept the track walkers on their toes, some with their hands in the air! Firing into the bank at Bishops was mostly halted as walkers went through, but others had live rounds whistling overhead!

Pete Goulding and Steve Brown were the only two casualties from the previous day, both now with fixes applied overnight that the hoped would sustain them through the day. Steve Brown had suffered from random engine cut outs on Saturday and had implemented an improved temporary wiring solution with the help of Audi TT driver Ant Brown, whilst Pete Goulding took advantage of a visiting friend and fellow Westfield Sports Car Club member Dave Cleaver, to make him a new turbo blow off valve piston overnight on his lathe to replace the one which was now presumably trying to grow in one of the circuit’s surrounding fields. The task was made rather more difficult by the lack of access to any accurate measuring equipment. Ant Brown was feeling determined; having lost his 64ft time ice cream challenge to Graham Blackwell the previous day, he was hoping to get one back.

The old adage of ‘practice is for practice’ is all that I could muster from my interviewees after practice. The only points to note were that with full boost restored, Pete Goulding exclaimed that his car felt like a different animal from the previous day and that Steve Brown was rather excitable after having made a full lap of the circuit without the issues from the previous day. John Graham was also pleased to be getting more seat time in his Gould GR55b after having had a few years off since his Championship win. Lloyd Bettinson was enjoying the new challenge of a circuit he had not been to before, after making the seven-and-a-half hour journey from deepest Wales to join the fun. Quote of the day came from OMS driver Nick Houston who asked ‘Have they moved that chicane?’ having nearly turned in on the wrong entry for the Wiggler. Nick Scott had a loose fuel pump union and therefore no fuel pressure and rather less fuel than he would have liked. A speedy remedy by Carole Torkington’s husband Colin soon had him back in action. Simon Wallis was lacking functioning shift lights from the previous day but now had fully tightened suspension bolts.

Timed Run one saw Goulding taking full advantage of his restored boost to post a time just 0.5 seconds outside of his class record. Graham Blackwell improved by three seconds, having swapped from his practice tyres. Miles also sorted his cooling issues with a system that was correctly purged of air. Others were also making steady progress, saving their talent for when it mattered in the run-off. Simon Bainbridge was still in one piece and saving himself, and more importantly the car, for his forthcoming trip to the St Goueno Hillclimb in France in just two weeks. Steve Brown’s overnight fix had sadly not cured his cutting out issues and he took no further part in the day. Graham Porrett had a turbo boost pipe blow off, resulting in a loss of power. Lloyd Bettinson was improving as he learned the track. Chris Jones had a good ‘steady’ run on old tyres, but still lowered the 1,100cc racing car class record with ease, as did John Loudon in his similar Force TA but by a smaller margin. Robert Tonge had an exciting braking lock up on the entry to the Wiggler. Ant Brown was happy to be leading his informal 64ft duel with Graham Blackwell.
Run-off one, round 11 of the Championship, saw Pete Goulding break his class record to top the tables. The quote from the supportive Mrs Goulding was ‘Hallelujah!’, such was the relief that Pete’s repairs were holding up. Graham Blackwell set a new PB and was in the same 55 second bracket as Pete, but dropped one too many gears for the Wiggler chicane. Chris Jones had had a superb drive and placed himself between the aforementioned pair of EcoBoost drivers for second place and a new 1,100cc class record, and again relegating Graham Blackwell to third. In fourth and benefiting from some fresh SBD traction and launch software upgrades emailed overnight was Steve Miles who admitted that he was too comfortable in a few places, but just managed to fend off 1,100cc driver John Loudon by 0.12, with Loudon also breaking the 1100 class record but having to give way to Chris Jones. In 6^th came John Graham who had had a rerun, along with a few others, but admitted that it had done him no favours as the red mist had intervened. Robert Tonge came 7^th despite the distraction of a momentary fuel pressure warning light. In 8^th was Grahame Harden who was a little slower than his qualifying time due to paying respect to the intimidating Wiggler chicane. Simon Wallis took some brave pills and came in 9^th on a 61 second run which had him perplexed as to how he ever did a 59 second run a few years ago. Nick Scott secured 10^th despite braking way too soon for the Bishops left-hander but held off Carole Torkington who said her OMS was washing out at the fastest part of the circuit and found it somewhat challenging. Simon Bainbridge out-braked himself into the Wiggler chicane, despite the fitment of ABS over the winter, and had to bail out and he notched a failed run as a result.

Run-off 1 (round 11) results
1 Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 55.16
2 Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 55.76
3 Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 55.93
4 Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 56.54
5 John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 56.66
6 John Graham (2.8 Gould GR55b) 58.61
7 Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 59.04
8 Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 61.07
9 Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 61.24
10 Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 62.96
11 Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 64.33
12 Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBD Chrono) NTR

Timed Run three had some drama as Pete Goulding suffered a clutch switch issue as he was about to set off from his paddock position. Some frantic investigations as he was about to strap in had him having to start the engine in first gear. It didn’t phase him though, and he still qualified fastest. The only other drama from interviewed competitors was the trauma of a half-eaten pastie as the timed run had come around too quickly for full consumption by Tonge, who had had a rerun for the previous run-off and hence shortened time between outings. Ant Brown was still winning his 64ft bet with Graham Blackwell; Lloyd Bettinson was improving each run and was only 0.5 seconds away from qualifying his STM Phoenix. Chris Jones and John Loudon had again gone inside the old 1,100cc racing car class record with Chris getting the coming out ahead.

The second run-off again had Pete Goulding breaking his class record and taking overall honours and now leads the championship, with Chris Jones separating the EcoBoost pairing of Goulding and Blackwell in his 1.0 Force TA to take 2^nd with yet another class record. Loudon turned the tables on Miles to move ahead this time around into 4^th, on a time that was also inside the old 1,100cc racing car class record, relegating the moleracing machine to 5^th. Bainbridge obeyed instructions and brought his SBR Chrono home in one piece ahead of his French foray. Harden had used his tyre strategy well and finished 7^th to edge Tonge and John Graham in 8^th and 9^th. Wallis, Scott and Torkington rounding off the field in 10^th, 11^th and 12^th. Brown left disappointed as Blackwell pulled one out of the bag to pip him in their private 64ft challenge and robbed him of an ice cream.

Run-off 2 (round 12) results
1 Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 55.09*
2 Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 55.63*
3 Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 55.82
4 John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 56.44
5 Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 56.83
6 Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 58.81
7 Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 59.50
8 Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 59.87
9 John Graham (2.8 Gould GR55b) 59.92
10 Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 61.19
11 Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 64.03
12 Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 65.12
FTD went to Pete Goulding on a 55.09 seconds.

Pete Goulding now leads the Championship ahead of Graham Blackwell with Steve Miles in hot pursuit. 33 rounds to count from 44 possible.

Championship positions after round 12
1 Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 279 points
2 Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 277 points
3 Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 269 points
4 John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 255 points
5 Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 200 points
6 Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 195 points
7 Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 189 points
8 Anthony Brown (1.8 Audi TT) 166 points
9 Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 165 points
10 Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 159 points
11 John Graham (2.8 Gould GR55b) 145 points
12 Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 126 points

The next round of the Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship is at Pembrey on June 1^st and 2^nd 2024
 

Blackwell tops the tables at Blyton Eastern

Event 5 at Blyton Park on 18/05/2024
Steve Miles reports

A full five weeks since the Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship circus departed the storm-lashed Anglesey weekend and they arrived again in the sunny Lincolnshire circuit of Blyton Park. Longton and District MC organised both days’ meetings which were fully booked as their reputation precedes them!

17 runners were vying for the top twelve scoring places for the all-important run-off, taking place within Timed Runs 2 and 4, with Timed Runs 1 and 3 being the qualifying rounds.

Qualifying for run-off 1 saw the OMS of Carole Torkington taking the final 12th spot with the usual runners and riders above her. The wrong side of the cut was Steve Brown who after a late Thursday night engine installation with help from the builders RLM, unfortunately had some electrical gremlins which meant he failed to qualify, along with Nick Scott who took out the timing beam with an ‘enthusiastic’ final corner. The slick-shod Sports Libre cars of Ant Brown and Lloyd Bettinson also didn’t make the cut in the dry conditions.

Come the points scoring runs, Torkington stayed in the same position, while Graham Porrett in his EcoBoost – now with updated SBD traction control and with the air temperature sensors in the correct place meaning he could use full engine RPM for the first time — could only manage 11^th on his five-year-old Pirellis.

2019 British Champion John Graham in his 2.8l V8 Gould has also had very little seat time over the last few years and despite relatively new Avons tyres came 9^th, but declared himself happy to be getting back into competition. Grahame Harden had a trouble-free day for 9^th. After a series of recent high speed spins, Simon Wallis in his 1100 OMS was benefiting from a full geometry set up on Friday offered by Steve Miles. With his best tyres on and a stable chassis giving the driver confidence, he went two seconds faster than qualifying to take 8^th.

The Middlesborough farmer, Simon Bainbridge was having his first event of the year after being delayed by heat treatment on new transmission parts and having installed a new ABS system for this season. Low boost on the 4.2l Audi was the order of the day to keep the car intact ready for St Goueno in a few weeks’ time and he took 7^th. Michelin-shod Robert Tonge in the Force hadn’t been to this layout for a few years and was pleased to get close to a PB in 6^th. Steve Miles had practiced this layout only six days previously on a Javelin Sprint, and was disappointed not to capitalise on this and took 5^th place; two wheels in the gravel at Wiggler after Curva Grande probably knocked off the time that could have made the difference…

Then at the sharp end, only 0.53secs covered the top four cars, two one litre Forces and two 1.6 turbo EcoBoosts. Chris Jones was in 4^th on exactly the same time that he qualified one; two tenths faster was John Loudon in his methanol-fuelled Laser Tools sponsored Force and he also broke the class record for a bonus point.
Two tenths up the road — that must be a fraction of a car length — was reigning champion Pete Goulding who had some clutch switch problems and a slight boost issue, but he still placed second. And taking the win and FTD by just 0.13 seconds was Graham Blackwell in his EcoBoost. He had made some errors in a map used for qualifying which resulted in lower boost and horsepower, but this was corrected for the important run and he had full beans when it counted!

Top 12 Run-off: Blyton Eastern Circuit Rd 9
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 60.15 (+0.00)
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 60.28 (+0.13)
3. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 60.45* (+0.30)
4. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 60.68 (+0.53)
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 61.79 (+1.64)
6. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 62.58 (+2.43)
7. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 64.32 (+4.17)
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 64.56 (+4.41)
9. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 64.94 (+4.79)
10. John Graham (2.8 Gould GR55b) 65.14 (+4.99)
11. Graham Porrett (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 68.31 (+8.16)
12. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 71.94 (+11.79)

The day continued to hot up as tyres were swapped back and forth. Brown managed a run without the electrics cutting out and qualified for the second run-off, but that was as far as his luck went as his car cut out shortly after launching and he was unable to finish. Scott continued improving throughout the day, putting his early accident behind him for 11^th, just a fraction off his PB. Harden reported a few sideways moments, but finished happy with time and position. Wallis was suffering from front wing delamination and a mismatch in tyres, but sneaked ahead of Harden’s Radical. John Graham reported no problems, just that he “needed more seat time to shake the dust off”. Bainbridge was having a drama-free day and getting used to the feel of the ABS and with new Avons on the rear and old fronts, he had plenty of traction and was only two-tenths off the record, which bodes well as he was still on low boost.

Tonge benefited from a rerun as Porrett went off going into Curva Grande and posted a PB for 6^th.  Miles, still with some cooling issues, finished 5^th. The Goulding pit was in frantic but well-managed ‘repair and bodge’ mode, after the turbo dump valve came apart on track during qualifying. Various attempts were tried to effect a repair including fabricating plates/pistons from aluminium sheet, a penny washer and a M5 nut. Something was jammed in and Goulding managed his run just nine-tenths off the winning pace for 4^th.

The two 1,000cc lightweight specials were having a great day and Loudon came out on top of Jones by just over a tenth, both drivers demonstrating exceptional performance. And emerging victorious at a track he enjoys was Graham Blackwell, taking his 6^th FTD here. The only mechanical issue he fixed all day was a broken bulb on the trailer!

Top 12 Run-off: Blyton Eastern Circuit Rd 10
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 60.76 (+0.00)
2. John Loudon (1.0 Force TA) 61.06 (+0.30)
3. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 61.19 (+0.43)
4. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 61.64 (+0.88)
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 61.83 (+1.07)
6. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 62.12 (+1.36)
7. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 62.52 (+1.76)
8. John Graham (2.8 Gould GR55b) 64.14 (+3.38)
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 65.13 (+4.37)
10. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 65.66 (+4.90)
11. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 67.14 (+6.38)
 

Miles tops the tables at a sodden Anglesey

Event 4 at Anglesey on 07/04/2024
Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship Rounds 7 and 8 -  John Loudon reports:

Rounds 7 and 8 of the @ Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship around the Anglesey International course saw Storm Kathleen continue to lash the circuit overnight with horrendous winds and torrential bursts of rain. Whist the gale force winds continued during the whole day, the rain subsided for at least for the start of play on Sunday morning. All runners from the previous day were present and ready for battle around the International Circuit layout, aside from the unfortunate Steve Brown who was forced to retire his supercharged Hayabusa-powered Empire due to an engine issue that had materialised early on Saturday. Newcomer Lloyd Bettinson also joined the proceedings in his Yamaha R1-engined STM Phoenix kit car and looked to enjoy himself with some fine drives.
Despite running perfectly the day before, Steve Miles’s Van Diemen RF96mm inexplicably had a throttle body linkage bolt work loose but this was quickly fixed after some early attention. Simon Wallis had also adjusted ride heights in an attempt to find better handling. Other competitors were undecided on whether the track was dry enough for slicks or if it was still too damp and needed wets with several making a choice for each. When asked for a comment, Radical PR6 driver Grahame Harden reported that he saw ducks on his track walk. Others saw a large section on the back straight that was covered in sea foam being blown across the track from the waves that were crashing nearby.
Practice underway, the only casualty was Chris Jones, who found no braking cohesion at the entry to the banked hairpin, which resulted in a visit to the scenery. A following competitor under red flag reported that he was ‘well into the grass area’. Plenty of buckets of water and a sponge removed most of the evidence. Other competitors reported the cold damp track to be like a skating rink and had no confidence to give the usual amounts of right foot. John Loudon’s Force TA was inexplicably off his usual pace which continued to get steadily worse during the day. The cause of this issue — a problem with the throttle cable’s attachment to the throttle pedal, which was not allowing full throttle, was alas the only discovered when packing up for the weekend.
Qualifying run one was a steady affair with the only casualties being Simon Wallis in his OMS3000M who was driving on the side of caution due to locking rear brakes and Ant Brown in his Audi TT who was being outgunned on a track he was not particularly familiar with. Later investigations to Simon’s OMS found some brake calliper bolts which had worked loose and the problem was easily remedied. Steve Miles suffered a bird strike and had to remove the gruesome remains from his side pod on the Van Diemen; it didn’t seem to phase him however as he qualified fastest. Chris Jones was braking earlier everywhere to just to make sure no further trips to the scenery were experienced. Robert Tonge mentioned strange aero behaviour due to the high winds.
A lengthy time to complete the first timed runs saw lunch being called earlier than normal and the subsequent run-off one was to be immediately after lunch. The first three cars unknowingly had no time recorded. With the fourth car sat on the line, there was a delay which the issue was rectified. When proceedings resumed, the fourth car off the line was the only car to get a time before it started to rain, which soon became torrential causing some pantomime in the subsequent proceedings as the remaining cars had queued up on unsuitable tyres and the first three cars were due a re-run. Due to these circumstances, over lunch the Championship coordinator and the Longton DMC team agreed to give the BSC class an ‘even conditions’ run-off 1 again before T3. This was relayed to the drivers as they queued for what they thought was qualifying run two!
The subsequent run-off saw the 2021 Champion Steve Miles take the honours in his 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm ahead of 2023 Champion Pete Goulding in his 1.6T Mygale EcoBoost. Chris Jones in his 1.0 Force TA who rounded off the top-three positions. Lloyd Bettinson (1.0 STM Phoenix) scored his first BSC points by finishing a credible 8^th place. Graham Blackwell (1.6T Mygale EcoBoost), Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6), Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) and John Graham (2.8 Gould GR55B) all had an incredibly close battle to come 4th, 5^th, 6th and 7^th respectively with times in the 99 second bracket. Carole Torkington (1.6 OMS CF08) outperformed John Loudon in his stricken 1.0 Force TA, with Graham Porrett (1.6T Mygale EcoBoost) and Nick Scott (1.6 Force TA) rounding off the top 12 placings.
Run off 1 results
1^st Stephen Miles (K 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 91.11 (+0.00)
2^nd Peter Goulding (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 93.95 (+2.84)
3^rd Chris Jones (I 1.0 Force TA) 95.62 (+4.51)
4^th Graham Blackwell (L1 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 99.00 (+7.89)
5^th Grahame Harden (F1 1.6 Radical PR6) 99.26 (+8.15)
6^th Robert Tonge (J 1.4 Force TA) 99.32 (+8.21)
7^th John Graham (L 2.8 Gould GR55b) 99.96 (+8.85)
8^th Lloyd Bettinson (D 1.0 STM Phoenix) 103.92 (+12.81)
9^th Carole Torkington (J 1.5 OMS CF08) 107.48 (+16.37)
10^th John Loudon (I 1 Force TA) 112.43 (+21.32)
11^th Graham Porrett (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 113.55 (+22.44)
12^th Nicholas Scott (J 1.6 Force TA) 158.29 (+67.18)


As a result of the earlier torrential rain, several competitors from the rest of the entry list had given up on the day, meaning that subsequent runs came thick and fast, with consequences of rushed paddock duties for those wishing to change wheels, make appropriate adjustments and for engines to cool sufficiently. This and the still marginal conditions saw several competitors remaining on wets for qualifying run two. Ant Brown again didn’t make the run off in his Audi TT mod prod, but gained more experience of the track for future visits, and still occupies 6^th place overall in the Championship.
The quickly turned-around final run-off again saw everyone on wets apart from Miles and Porrett. Goulding went away first, and his eagerness to get on to the power onto the final Peel Straight had him briefly onto the grass causing red flags, so no time for him. As he continued out to get out of harm’s way, the red flags remained out which Miles caught a glimpse of, and duly acknowledged by slowing.  This earned him a re-run and ultimately the run-off win. By just over a second, Jones was runner up, followed by Tonge some four seconds behind. Blackwell, on now rather worn wets, unusually missing out on a podium place, came 4^th. Harden also scored well again in 5^th place in his Radical, just ahead of former champion Graham who was gradually getting back into the swing of things on his now five-year-old tyre shod Gould GR55 in 6^th place. Bettinson again impressing with an improved 7^th place this time around. And Torkington just getting on with things and securing 8^th, ahead of Wallis in whilst throttle limited Loudon came 10^th just ahead of Porrett still sorting issues after the engine cut out when on half revs in 11^th and Scott rounding off the placings with an overly cautious run.



Run off 2 results
1^st Stephen Miles (K 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 81.06 (+0.00)
2^nd Chris Jones (I 1.0 Force TA) 82.25 (+1.19)
3^rd Robert Tonge (J 1.4 Force TA) 86.35 (+5.29)
4^th Graham Blackwell (L1 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 87.27 (+6.21)
5^th Grahame Harden (F1 1.6 Radical PR6) 89.89 (+8.83)
6^th John Graham (L 2.8 Gould GR55b) 91.68 (+10.62)
7^th Lloyd Bettinson (D 1.0 STM Phoenix) 92.17 (+11.11)

8^th Carole Torkington (J 1.5 OMS CF08) 92.91 (+11.85)

9^th Simon Wallis (I 1.1 OMS 3000M) 93.61 (+12.55)

10^th John Loudon (I 1 Force TA) 96.21 (+15.15)
11^th Graham Porrett (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 96.40 (+15.34)
12^th Peter Goulding (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 103.24 (+22.18)
FTD went to Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) on a time of 81.06 seconds.
As a result of two fine run-off wins for the day, Steve Miles elevated himself to lead the Championship as we departed Anglesey. Many competitors were glad to have survived the weather experience and return home safely.
Championship standings post Anglesey rounds 7 and 8
1^st Stephen Miles (K 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 184 points
2^nd Peter Goulding (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 182 points
3^rd Graham Blackwell (L1 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 181 points
4^th John Loudon (I 1 Force TA) 164 points
5^th Simon Wallis (I 1.1 OMS 3000M) 132 points
6^th Anthony Brown (C 1.8 Audi TT) 126 points
7^th Grahame Harden (F1 1.6 Radical PR6) 125 points
8^th Graham Porrett (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 113 points
9^th Chris Jones (I 1.0 Force TA) 95 points
10^th Robert Tonge (J 1.4 Force TA) 82 points
11^th John Graham (L 2.8 Gould GR55b) 74 points
12^th Steven Brown (K 1.3s Empire Evo2) 73 points

The next rounds of the championship are at Blyton Park on May 18^th and 19^th.
 

Competitors battle Storm Kathleen at Anglesey

Event 3 at Anglesey on 06/04/2024
@ Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship Rounds 7 and 8 - Steve Miles reports:

A mere two weeks after the ‘full on’ opening weekend of Cadwell Park and Mallory Park, 16 drivers joined the Longton and District-run event at Anglesey, where the national layout is run on the Saturday and the longer International on the Sunday. Whilst the drivers may have fancied a weekend of steady conditions, Storm Kathleen thought it would be a good idea to liven things up a bit! Storm force gusts, recorded at 56mph only three miles away, certainly gave many drivers some interesting handling issues.
Practice saw a mix of tyres being deployed, from slicks to inters to wets, from Avon to Pirelli and Michelin. The only notable incident was Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS) who somehow arrived backwards into Rocket, swiping the 200 board on the grass. He was pleased to discover the large polystyrene content of the marker board as he made contact! Unfortunately, Steve Brown in the awesome RLM Empire EVO2 had to retire due to some engine issues.
For the T1 run, in which the top 12 to qualify for points is set, Nick Scott in the 1.6 Force TA didn’t make it and also spun at Rocket.  This would have big personal consequences later for the run-off, as he then set a time that could have made the top 3. Competing in the British Challenge Cup was Justin Andrews, who, had he been in the main British Sprint Championship, would have qualified 10^th fastest in a saloon in the dry. Another new driver to the British Challenge Cup was Lloyd Bettinson who was driving a Phoenix and putting in some very quick times. He registered overnight so that he can score points in the main Championship for the Blyton event!
Chris Jones — also in a Force TA and with only a 1-litre engine — qualified fastest on his comeback event after not driving for many months and was understandably in a buoyant mood!
In the Timed run 2 where the top 12 points were scored, the class was called to the holding paddock in number order, with current British Sprint Champion Pete Goulding (1.6 EcoBoost) first away, hedging his bets on the weather by running  intermediate tyres. Everyone else lined up on slicks and thought Pete had pulled a blinder as a short shower doused the front runners. Steve Miles in the SBD 2-litre Duratec emerged fastest of the early runners though and was looking good for the win, however, the strong winds, warm temperature and timing/rerun delays meant that at the final reckoning he only ended 5th, with Graham Blackwell’s 1.6 EcoBoost in 6th ahead of Goulding and Robert Tonge whop was making his comeback event in the 1.4 Force . Tonge described his run as “overly cautious”. Ant Brown in the slick-shod 1.8 Audi TT put in a cracking 9th place ahead of 2019 British Sprint Champion John Graham who was making a local event and did admit to being “a little rusty” in his big 2.8 Gould and still struggling with a recently-reattached severed thumb. Wallis took 11th while Graham Porrett suffered a spin and stall in the 1.6 Mygale to finish 12th. So, back to the sharp end and who could make the most of the conditions? John Loudon, in the Laser Tools backed Force was ‘sort of happy’ with 4^th, to match his 2023 BSC finishing position, but felt the increase in wing was having a detrimental effect.
Less than a tenth ahead was an overjoyed Carole Torkington (1.5 SBD OMS) taking a best ever 3^rd place. Graham Harden was also ecstatic with his best finish of 2^nd in his heavy 1.6 Radical PR6. This just left Chris Jones, who deserved this top spot after qualifying fastest in the dry and improving the time further when it counted. Considering Chris hadn’t driven for almost a year, it was a very impressive performance.
Top 12 Run-off: Anglesey Nat Rd 5
1. Chris Jones (I 1.0 Force TA) 49.40 (+0.00)
2. Grahame Harden (F1 1.6 Radical PR6) 53.23 (+3.83)
3. Carole Torkington (J 1.5 OMS CF08) 57.06 (+7.66)
4. John Loudon (I 1 Force TA) 57.13 (+7.73)
5. Stephen Miles (K 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 57.24 (+7.84)
6. Graham Blackwell (L1 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 59.02 (+9.62)
7. Peter Goulding (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 59.54 (+10.14)
8. Robert Tonge (J 1.4 Force TA) 62.21 (+12.81)
9. Anthony Brown (C 1.8 Audi TT) 64.35 (+14.95)
10. John Graham (L 2.8 Gould GR55b) 65.69 (+16.29)
11. Simon Wallis (I 1.1 OMS 3000M) 66.48 (+17.08)
12. Graham Porrett (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 83.86 (+34.46)

The day stayed very windy but dry for the next qualification and run-off. For qualifying, Miles stated his intentions and moved to current FTD and fastest spot ahead of Goulding and Jones. But when it counted, many positions changed. In 12^th was Brown in the Audi, just behind Porrett who was having full throttle issues due to wheel speed sensors telling the ECU strange things. Wallis had an ‘almost PB’ run to 11^th but was pipped by Torkington with a PB run a few tenths faster in 10^th despite a heavy clattering of the exit kerbs at the finish — or was it a PB run because of that commitment?
Nick Scott set a PB and was very pleased to have cured some battery and launch issues to be two seconds up the road and take 9^th. Harden was another three seconds faster, and then easing into the 2024 season was Graham in 7^th. Loudon had his best run of the day but was disappointed with 6^th. A very pleased Robert Tonge (1.4 Force) was happy with 5^th, but despite his best time of day and 140mph into the final hairpin, Blackwell was a little disappointed with 4^th. Jones found six-tenths over his run-off win time earlier for 3^rd and just two tenths faster, Miles was pleased to take his best finish of the year so far for 2^nd. This left current BSC champion Pete Goulding to top off the time sheets, six tenths up the road and with FTD
There followed much fettling and sorting as everyone packed away in the garage and got ready for whatever the weather could throw at them tomorrow!
Top 12 Run-off: Anglesey Nat Rd 6
1. Peter Goulding (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 48.02 (+0.00)
2. Stephen Miles (K 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 48.64 (+0.62)
3. Chris Jones (I 1.0 Force TA) 48.81 (+0.79)
4. Graham Blackwell (L1 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 49.01 (+0.99)
5. Robert Tonge (J 1.4 Force TA) 50.69 (+2.67)
6. John Loudon (I 1 Force TA) 51.22 (+3.20)
7. John Graham (L 2.8 Gould GR55b) 51.78 (+3.76)
8. Grahame Harden (F1 1.6 Radical PR6) 51.95 (+3.93)
9. Nicholas Scott (J 1.6 Force TA) 54.72 (+6.70)
10. Simon Wallis (I 1.1 OMS 3000M) 55.05 (+7.03)
11. Carole Torkington (J 1.5 OMS CF08) 56.43 (+8.41)
12. Graham Porrett (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 58.99 (+10.97)
 

A new venue for the new season at Mallory

Event 2 at Mallory Park on 24/03/2024
Steve Miles reports from the Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship at Mallory Park on 24th March 2024

Overnight rain cleared to a bright, promising day of competition at this Leicestershire venue which had not used for sprinting for well over a decade. Sheffield and Hallamshire Motor Club ran a friendly, efficient meeting and fitted a practice and three timed runs on 1.5 laps of the course, which included the Edwina’s Chicane at the end of the back straight. It was a fast and challenging course (with reported speeds up to 155mph) that was well received and left everyone looking forward to returning to the track in June, when Sheffield and Hallamshire organise another meeting.

Practice went smoothly, with the two EcoBoost-powered cars of Peter Goulding and Graham Blackwell significantly ahead of the other BSC runners. Steve Brown in his RLM Empire Evo had a faulty ignition switch that kept shutting the engine down and Steve Miles in the 28-year-old, heavily-modified Formula Ford would have been quicker had he not decided to do a chicane that wasn’t part of the designated track!

Qualifying runs saw the same pattern — Goulding and Blackwell leading within a tenth of each other in the 65s, then three drivers all in the 72 second bracket, covered by just four-hundredths — these were Steve Miles (now driving the correct course and having sorted some low-speed running issues with the help of SBD dial in support), Laser Tools sponsored John Loudon — 1.0 Force TA and Steve Brown in his new for ‘24 1.3T RLM Empire Evo2. Making the long journey from Cornwall and share driving a 2 litre Vauxhall Reynard were Mike Froggett and Gary Buckingham. This dynamic duo were also in the 72s, but competing in the new British Sprint Challenge Cup, so not scoring in the run-offs but just on selected events; it was going to be close. Then, a few seconds back, a tight trio of bike engine cars of Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS), Nick Scott (1.6 Force TA) and Marcus Lindsay (1 litre Jedi mk4) who was competing in the BSC for the first time and back driving after a nine-month break. Having his rear wing drop 90° wasn’t an ideal start, but it was repaired and ran OK for the rest of the day. Graham Porrett in the new EcoBoost was getting his eye in a bit further back and wrestling with a strange car issue: whenever he turned left, the car upchanged two gears. This was traced to a crimp on the wiring loom and the steering column! Last qualifier was another newcomer to the ‘fold’, Ant Brown in the Pirelli slick-shod 1.8 Audi TT.

For the all-important first opportunity to score BSC points from Timed Run 2, Goulding was first away on his best Pirelli slicks and chopped well over a second off his qualifying time. In a very close chase, Blackwell had found a better balance by removing the front wing second element gurney flaps, but stopped the clocks 0.06secs slower than Goulding for 2^nd place. Miles was running in the paddock after a fashion, but on track the engine was fine and came in four seconds further back for 3^rd. The tight battle between Loudon and Brown was settled after the Ricardo director overshot the chicane with excessive entry speed, leaving Loudon to come in 4^th place a further second or so behind Miles. This allowed Scott to take a good finish of 6^th on his first run-off of the year.

Just over 1.5 secs behind was Lindsay, pleased to score his first BSC points and take 7^th. A DNF was Wallis, who also ‘did a Brown’ and drove passed the chicane, as he got his post-finish route mixed up and applied it on lap one! Porrett must have been having a few issues still as the laptop was out, but he managed 8^th in the EcoBoost.  Last scorer was Ant Brown who had a no drama run, four secs slower than Porrett, but impressive considering he was in a saloon!

Top 12 Run-off: Mallory Park Rd 3
 

1. Peter Goulding (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200)                          63.95 (+0.00)
2. Graham Blackwell (L1 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost)                64.01 (+0.06)
3. Stephen Miles (K 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm)                 68.08 (+4.13)
4. John Loudon (I 1 Force TA)                                                69.30 (+5.35)
5. Nicholas Scott (J 1.6 Force TA)                                          74.56 (+10.61)
6. Marcus Lindsay (I 1.0 Jedi Mk4)                                        76.50 (+12.55)
7. Graham Porrett (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200)                        86.71 (+22.76)
8. Anthony Brown (C 1.8 Audi TT)                                        90.91 (+26.96)

The 89 runners in the field were taking about 2.5 hours to clear and there were four hours available after the lunch curfew and the 6pm finish, so it was clear that the next run was going to be the scoring run as there was not enough time to fit in two runs.

The Audi of Brown managed a steady run for 8^th again, but Porrett — despite charging and using another battery to get to the line — couldn’t start when it counted and had to be pushed back. Scott posted his fastest time of the day for 7^th and one-and-a-bit seconds faster was Wallis who got the course correct, had no issues and was pleased with a 6^th. Squeezing him out by 13 hundredths was Lindsay, thoroughly enjoying his day at BSC level throwing the 295kg Jedi around. A close battle between Loudon and Miles saw Miles on top by just 8 hundredths, leaving car no 4 John in 4^th and car number 3 Miles taking another 3^rd.

This left the big power cars at the front. Pete Goulding’s additional oomph from extra injectors and Newman race cams is clearly working, but this time he was relegated to 2^nd place by 0.26secs by Graham Blackwell, despite Blackwell locking up at Edwina’s and down-changing two gears into Gerrards on the second lap.

Top 12 Run-off: Mallory Park Rd 4
 

1. Graham Blackwell (L1 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 64.77 (+0.00)
2. Peter Goulding (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 65.03 (+0.26)
3. Stephen Miles (K 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 68.28 (+3.51)
4. John Loudon (I 1 Force TA) 68.36 (+3.59)
5. Marcus Lindsay (I 1.0 Jedi Mk4) 72.62 (+7.85)
6. Simon Wallis (I 1.1 OMS 3000M) 72.75 (+7.98)
7. Nicholas Scott (J 1.6 Force TA) 74.06 (+9.29)
8. Anthony Brown (C 1.8 Audi TT) 93.77 (+29.00)

All in all, a brave gamble to put on a meeting at Mallory from Sheffield and Hallamshire Motor Club that paid off and everyone went home happy. There is good video on YouTube if you search for Pescara Productions. Lots of checking and tweaks before Anglesey on the 6^th  and 7^th April.

Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship top-12 after round 4
 

1. Peter Goulding (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 99 points
2. Graham Blackwell (L1 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 95 points
3. John Loudon (I 1 Force TA) 89 points
4. Stephen Miles (K 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 88 points
5. Simon Wallis (I 1.1 OMS 3000M) 71 points
6. Anthony Brown (C 1.8 Audi TT) 70 points
7. Steven Brown (K 1.3s Empire Evo2) 60 points
8. Graham Porrett (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 55 points
9. Marcus Lindsay (I 1.0 Jedi Mk4) 41 points
10. Nicholas Scott (J 1.6 Force TA) 40 points

10. Grahame Harden (F1 1.6 Radical PR6) 40 points





 

Goulding leads the pack at Cadwell

Event 1 at Cadwell Park on 23/03/2024
Goulding leads the pack at Cadwell

Steve Miles reports from the opening rounds of the Woodford Trailers British Sprint Championship at Cadwell Park on 23 March 2024

All the WhatsApp chat of the long off-season was coming to an end as competitors gathered for the first sprint of the season and first round of the British Sprint Championship, supported by new sponsors Woodford Trailers.

The paddock gossip included: could Pete Goulding defend his title, would the EcoBoost of Graham Blackwell or Graham Porrett be any match for the upgraded Goulding EcoBoost engine? Did Steve Miles have more power from the new SBD 2-litre? Had John Loudon’s new Daytuner L7 1,000cc, or the new RLM 1.3 turbo engine in Steve Brown’s Empire have enough to overtake them all?  There were many other tweaks and upgrades throughout the field and a lot of excitement also.

BARC Midlands organised another good event that was well run and everyone got a practice and four timed runs. There were only nine runners after Simon Bainbridge had been inable to get parts for the drivetrain in time and had to withdraw. First car away at 09:00 was ‘unofficial circuit grouse cleaner’ Steve Miles. He had been running in a new engine earlier in the week and all had gone well for over 50 laps, but when returning to the paddock after this practice run, he found some low-speed drivability issues that were worked on all day by remote SBD support. No issues were reported in practice apart from Simon Wallis in the newly-shod Avon 1.1 OMS, who had a full on-the-grass ‘off’ at Gooseneck, but what was particularly impressive was Pete Goulding’s straight out of the box run, some three seconds faster than anyone, despite having a chest infection and an oil leak — not related!

The qualifying Timed run 1 was OK for all, and Blackwell found four seconds by swapping to old Pirelli from used Avons. The meeting progressed between light showers and strong winds and the first scoring run of the season came around quickly. Pete Goulding laid down the 2024 gauntlet and posted the fastest time of the meeting so far, and won the run-off. He came back though with oil over the engine block, the source of which couldn’t be found, as well as a leaking EGR pipe. Three seconds further back was Graham Blackwell, fresh from a Mallory Park test a few days earlier. Just four-tenths behind was the potent RLM Empire Evo2 of Steve Brown, putting out over 300bhp and yet only weighing 350kg. He was running a Pirelli rear, Avon front mix for 3rd. Six-tenths in arrears was Laser Tools sponsored John Loudon who was not sure where to find time as he said he was nearly flat everywhere, but declared himself happy with a 4^th.

Miles was somewhat off the pace during the day in 5^th, sorting out drivability issues perhaps, but Graham Harden in the Radical was pleased with his first visit to his local venue, despite trying to avoid the splitter-damaging pothole and tapping the bodywork on the tight gate entrance to the circuit. Simon Wallis kept it on the track and his new Avons minimised the ‘tank slapper’ through Hall Bends! Graham Porret in the 3^rd EcoBoost was experimenting with boost levels and didn’t think he had it quite right but took 8^th place. New to the BSC this year is Ant Brown driving a Mod Prod class Audi TT and took the final position.

Top 12 Run-off: Cadwell Park Rd 1
 

1. Peter Goulding (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 79.46 (+0.00)
2. Graham Blackwell (L1 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 82.55 (+3.09)
3. Steven Brown (K 1.3s Empire Evo2) 82.92 (+3.46)
4. John Loudon (I 1 Force TA) 83.59 (+4.13)
5. Stephen Miles (K 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 86.12 (+6.66)
6. Grahame Harden (F1 1.6 Radical PR6) 87.30 (+7.84)
7. Simon Wallis (I 1.1 OMS 3000M) 94.42 (+14.96)
8. Graham Porrett (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 99.54 (+20.08)
9. Anthony Brown (C 1.8 Audi TT) 111.09 (+31.63)

Again, no drama in Timed Run 3 and everyone qualified. The weather remained windy and the odd shower passed quickly over, but not enough to think about a change to wets at any time.

The final run of the day and the next points opportunity went very similar with a few changes. Ant Brown notched up 9^th with a slight improvement in time. Porrett went slightly slower and Wallis, despite some issues with his new helmet lifting, found four seconds for a strong 7^th. An almost identical time for Harden kept 6^th place, as did Miles in 5^th. The 4^th place was the big change as Blackwell slipped, some two seconds slower than his first run-off. This allowed Loudon to claim  3^rd, but the impressive performance was Steve Brown who jumped to second place and found over two seconds on his final run, but out in front was the smiling (but still coughing) Pete Goulding who took the win again for a good start to his 2024 campaign.

Top 12 Run-off: Cadwell Park Rd 2
 

1. Peter Goulding (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 80.06 (+0.00)
2. Steven Brown (K 1.3s Empire Evo2) 80.84 (+0.78)
3. John Loudon (I 1 Force TA) 83.28 (+3.22)
4. Graham Blackwell (L1 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 84.38 (+4.32)
5. Stephen Miles (K 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 87.40 (+7.34)
6. Grahame Harden (F1 1.6 Radical PR6) 87.52 (+7.46)
7. Simon Wallis (I 1.1 OMS 3000M) 91.58 (+11.52)
8. Graham Porrett (L1 1.6t Mygale FF 200) 102.72 (+22.66)
9. Anthony Brown (C 1.8 Audi TT) 110.00 (+294)

After the awards, the convoy formed and departed to Mallory Park for the next day's competition.  Well, all apart from Miles who was replacing throttle pots into the twilight hours!