It's tight at the top after Blackwell's run-off wins
Event 17 at Blyton Park on 24/09/2023
Steve Miles reports
Overnight rain had left the track damp and very slippery and many runners chose to practice on wet tyres. It was interesting to note that the three runners on slicks all used series sponsor SBD’s traction control system and had faith in it!
By the time came for timed run 1, everyone was on slicks — again varying makes and sizes of wheels as everyone put the worst tyre combinations on to post a qualifying time and not over use the better ones. There were no incidents, despite the track being damp in places and everyone got through.
Nick Scott had a steady run, perhaps cautious of yesterday’s chain incident for 8th position. Carole Torkington was remonstrating with herself afterwards about ‘not enough throttle’ going in to the ‘Wiggler’ after being so close to Simon Wallis ahead in 6th. Wallis’s time, despite a few mistakes and nearly entering the field at ‘Bishops’ after taking the wrong line and selecting a few wrong gears. Steve Miles had a return of the clutch creep issues which slightly affected the start to take 4th.
John Loudon improved over his Q time but lacked confidence in the grip available going into ‘Wiggler’ and ‘Jochen’. Pete Goulding also reported “More grip there than I thought” and understeered over the finish bend.
The driver who had the right philosophy was the winner, Graham Blackwell. He said “I assumed the grip was there and went for it like a hot dry track”. An impressive win in tricky conditions.
Top 12 Run-off: Blyton Outer Rd 33
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 57.28 (+0.00)
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 58.76 (+1.48)
3. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 60.40 (+3.12)
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 61.15 (+3.87)
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 62.94 (+5.66)
6. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 66.36 (+9.08)
7. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 67.03 (+9.75)
8. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 70.91 (+13.63)
For Timed run 3 for qualifying the big drama was the championship leader Goulding, now under pressure from the charging Blackwell, he pushed too hard and didn’t make the finish after spinning on the final corner, this meant he wasn’t in the mix for points scoring in Timed run 4.
Scott in the Force TA had a stronger run to 7th after taking some rear wing off the car and was happy with his final run of the day. Torkington was pushing hard enough to have an oversteer moment in Lancaster. Wallis was very pleased after some technical points on the gear linkage were highlighted by the withdrawn Martin Pickles and a sterling effort driving the OMS resulted in a time 4 secs faster than the morning.
Equally happy was Harden, who went sub 60 for the first time and his highest finishing place in a run-off. Loudon was 3rd despite a nearly 2 second improvement compared to earlier in the day. Just ahead was Miles, his time initially being disallowed due to observer reporting ‘wheels off over the finishing line’, but after a frame-by-frame video review by Clerk of Course and Judge of Fact, this was overturned as the evidence was clear.
This just left Blackwell using all 400bhp of maximum boost and describing the car as “planted” for another run-off win, his 3rd of a successful weekend, leaving him only 2 points behind in the title race.
Top 12 Run-off: Blyton Outer Rd 34
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 56.48 (+0.00)
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 58.01 (+1.53)
3. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 58.63 (+2.15)
4. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 59.78 (+3.30)
5. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 61.60 (+5.12)
6. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 66.75 (+10.27)
7. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 68.04 (+11.56)
BSC Positions after Blyton Outer Rd 34 24-Sep
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 444 points
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 442 points
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 431 points
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 407 points
5. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 386 points
6. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 368 points
7. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 364 points
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 360 points
9. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 333 points
10. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 321 points
11. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 227 points
12. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 195 points
Graham Blackwell topped Sunday's run-offs to close the Championship gap to 2 points
Run-off success for Loudon at a busy Blyton
Event 16 at Blyton Park on 23/09/2023
Steve Miles reports
The Nottingham Sports Car Club Roger Carrington Memorial Sprint weekend always draws a regular full entry and a diverse mix of cars and championships. The ten BSC entries became nine as Martin Pickles had to withdraw his Jedi at last minute due to gear change issues the previous weekend. This left a small field, but still with intense competition from top to bottom as no championship positions are decided yet with the best 18 scores from 41 rounds to count and still 12 rounds remaining.
The start was dry, if chilly and this gradually warmed during the day with everyone staying on slicks. Qualifying in timed run 1 saw the usual suspects at the top, with the interloper of the 1,100cc John Loudon, his times putting him ahead of the 2 litres and the EcoBoosts in the classes above. The usual swap of tyres for each driver’s dwindling stocks of Pirelli or fresher Avon rubber took place and then the all important Timed run 2 for points for the Championship.
Although Nick Scott pipped Carole Torkington in qualifying, Carole found a few tenths to secure 7th, leaving local Nick in 8th. Simon Wallis was pleased to find two seconds over his qualifying time for 6th and had no issues just under a second behind another local, Grahame Harden in his Radical in 5th and pleased with a PB time. Steve Miles was hoping for a higher finishing position despite improving his time over qualifying due to choosing this weekend to deploy new Pirelli rear tyres purchased in the spring. When changing to the run-off rubber, it was noticed that a brake pad had delaminated and half the friction material was missing. This necessitated a quick swap of pads from front to rear, and all was (temporarily) well. Current championship leader, Pete Goulding had smoke coming from the dash as he crossed the line which turned out to be a burnt fuel sensor but no damage was done. John Loudon had a great run, especially after leaving Pembrey two weeks earlier with a blown up engine to fit a spare in time and this effort was rewarded with a fine 2nd place, and a bonus record breaking point, just 12 hundredths behind winner Graham Blackwell who closed the Championship gap to the leader by a point.
Top 12 Morning Run-off: Blyton E Rd 31
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 61.12 (+0.00)
2. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 61.24* (+0.12)
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 61.56 (+0.44)
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 62.81 (+1.69)
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 64.79 (+3.67)
6. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 65.61 (+4.49)
7. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 69.34 (+8.22)
8. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 69.62 (+8.50)
The only non qualifier (Timed run 3) for the run off was Nick Scott whose chain let go as he left the line and didn’t post a time. Thanks to sterling work from Colin Torkington, Loudon and a non competing visitor Mark Anson, he was out for a run to check all was well for tomorrow.
It was a surprise last place for the electrician Goulding as the car stopped after leaving the line, then started again to complete the lap. This turned out to be air pressure issues that were rectified from the cockpit to give the Essex driver gears again. Pete is now dropping 2nd place finishes, so only run-off wins will improve his score which is currently 5 points ahead of title challenger Blackwell. SBD employee Carole again tripped the circuit noise meters but posted a good time after leaving her braking what she initially thought was too late at the first corner and had a ‘moment’. The Cambridge-based software compiler Wallis was pushing hard despite a leaking head gasket and secured a solid 5th place just a few tenths behind Harden who locked up into Bishops — the fast corner at the end of the back straight. Miles posted his best time of the day on this run off but only good enough for 3rd with Blackwell 12 hundredths ‘up the road’. Blackwell also tripped the noise meter and had some technical issues that were not prepared to be declared to the event report writer when pushed further!
As John Loudon returned to the paddock, he was surprised to see everyone around his car in celebration mode as he wasn’t sure what he done especially after excessive down-changing in Curva Grande, but this was his first ever run-off win and was celebrated with a paddock photo.
Top 12 afternoon Run-off: Blyton E Rd 32
1. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 61.89 (+0.00)
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 62.04 (+0.15)
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 62.16 (+0.27)
4. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 66.64 (+4.75)
5. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 66.98 (+5.09)
6. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 72.36 (+10.47)
7. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 76.18 (+14.29)
The well-run meeting had a 5th timed run for the field and finished by 4pm and cars were fettled in preparation for the following day’s run on the conventional outer circuit.
Loudon scored a maiden run-off win in the 1.1 Force TA
Paddock celebration
Bainbridge revels in the conditions at a wet Pembrey
Event 15 at Pembrey on 10/09/2023
Martin Pickles reports:
In contrast to the sun of the previous 24hrs, Sunday was enveloped in grey cloud with glimpses of the blue sky of Saturday and the threat of rain to all quarters. BARC Wales swiftly progressed through the early practice ready for qualifying but the warm moisture however was not from the inside of the helmets but now a slow drizzle from the unavoidable grey. The choice between slicks and wets was marginal, the rain stopping to allow the warm track and breeze to disperse the majority of the damp before further rain dampened the surface. The circuit had now been switched to the new Clubman layout for Pembrey which dissects the Esses and instead introduces a short straight, left/right complex.
Of the early runners, Kingham misjudged the grip and spun out at Hatchets Hairpin, taking with her the starter motor. As a shared drive, this instantly removed Saturday's star, Broughton.
Due to attrition, the first run-off was depleted to just eight runners headed by Goulding who had opted for slicks but adapted to the conditions by turning the power down to 300hp(!) and increasing the traction control. In contrast, Blackwell had opted for wets to test the conditions and brought the Mygale home for an incident-free outing. Conditions now were heading into Bainbridge and Miles territory, both of whom excel in the wet.
Qualifying
1. Peter Goulding – 1.6t Mygale FF200: 122.80
2. Graham Blackwell – 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost: 126.11
3. Simon Bainbridge – 4.2t SBR Crono: 126.12
4. Stephen Miles – 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm: 139.02
5. Carole Torkington: 1.5 OMS CF08: 141.79
6. Simon Wallis – 1.1 OMS 3000M: 142.97
7. Martin Pickles – Jedi Mk1: 143.36
8. Nicholas Scott: Force TA 1.6: 150.95
Zoe Kingham – 1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004: DNF
Steve Broughton – 1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004: DNF
The run-off got underway with damp conditions remaining, but probably favouring slicks. Headcount was again to suffer as Bainbridge changed down into the new section past through the Esses for the differential to create a 3D jigsaw of a drive flange. Scott meanwhile gained enough confidence to carve a huge chunk from his qualifying time, only for the trio above him to do likewise. Wallis was still dealing with an intermittent dashboard and mental counting for gear position, but improved significantly on his qualifying time to return his highest place finish for the season. Of the leading trio in the Championship, Blackwell was the only runner to use wets, and although he reported good grip throughout the lap, he was perhaps losing some adhesion compared with the slick-shod cars. Goulding took an opposing view to rubber and opted for his primary Avon slicks to improve his time significantly and nudge ahead of Blackwell. Neither however could catch the storming Miles who revelled in the variable grip on slicks to take top spot.
British Sprint Championship Round 29 - Pembrey, Wales.
1. Stephen Miles – 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm: 116.07
2. Peter Goulding – 1.6t Mygale FF200: 116.88
3. Graham Blackwell – 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost: 117.59
4. Simon Wallis – 1.1 OMS 3000M: 122.82
5. Martin Pickles – Jedi Mk1: 127.67
6. Carole Torkington: 1.5 OMS CF08: 129.03
7. Nicholas Scott: Force TA 1.6: 135.72
Simon Bainbridge – 4.2t SBR Chrono: DNF
The ever creative and resourceful Broughton had been busy and contacted a number of SBD suppliers in the area to source a starter motor. Simon Rogers from Raceshocks UK was the saviour and drove the 1hr to the circuit to pass the motor over the perimeter fence to a marshal, who in turn relayed it across the track during a slight pause to hand to the waiting Broughton — installed and operational inside 10mins. Also busy before the next qualification run were the Bainbridge camp, principally John Hansell who removed the differential, sifted through the bucket of spares and rebuilt and installed the unit ready for Bainbridge to qualify.
There were no further breakages, misdemeanours or catastrophes to report during qualifying although Blackwell was on a mission to put right earlier tyre misjudgement and promptly set the FTD for the meeting. It was also the last chance for a quick time as the rain became more persistent to the point of damp patches and rooster tails on the track.
Torkington half-spun at Hatchets Hairpin which had been the frustration of many throughout the weekend and in trying to recover the time lost. Scott completed a secure run to ensure the Force TA was put back in one piece and Pickles now the only competitor on slicks added to his jeopardy with a jammed throttle to add to the cockpit intensity. Kingham neatly redressed the balance from the morning excursion whilst Blackwell slipped to a lowly 6th, unable to repeat his dry weather form. Although cautious, Wallis’ run was good enough for 5th and the returning Broughton — just off the leading pack through being over-cautious and restricted by a 128mph top speed, netted 4th to close the gap on the Championship table to Loudon. Further SBD development is in the pipeline, which is a worry for the rest of the paddock!
As each competitor finished, the time to beat was gnawed away to tempt the brave that followed. Miles, with confidence-inspiring traction control was able to set the target to beat, despite overshooting the left after the Esses but ultimately was only good enough for 3rd. A points-laden weekend which closes the gap to Blackwell in 2nd. Goulding responded after a poor start and despite a scruffy second lap, was neat enough to open a sizeable gap to Miles and increase his Championship lead over Blackwell. Bainbridge had been returned to the start line for a re-run, so the smart money was now on the Crono. Followed home by the ubiquitous rooster tail of the rumbling V8, Bainbridge duly delivered a faultless performance to take the win by over 1.4secs.
Competitors may nod appreciation when mention of marshals is offered at events, but on behalf of the paddock we would like to submit a standing ovation for their steadfastness and a professionalism in the steaming heat and streaming rain; thank you.
British Sprint Championship Round 30 - Pembrey, Wales.
1. Simon Bainbridge – 4.2t SBR Crono: 115.96
2. Peter Goulding – 1.6t Mygale FF200: 117.41
3. Stephen Miles – 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm: 118.84
4. Steve Broughton – 1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004: 119.19
5. Simon Wallis – 1.1 OMS 3000M: 125.50
6. Graham Blackwell – 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost: 127.34
7. Zoe Kingham – 1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004: 135.93
8. Martin Pickles – Jedi Mk1: 147.42
9. Nicholas Scott: Force TA 1.6: 151.36
10. Carole Torkington: 1.5 OMS CF08: 153.78
BSC Positions after Pembrey
1. Peter Goulding – 1.6t Mygale FF200: 443
2. Graham Blackwell – 1.6t Mygale EcoNoost: 435
3. Stephen Miles – 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm: 429
4. John Loudon – 1.1 Force TA: 390
5. Steve Broughton – 1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004: 386
6. Simon Bainbridge – 4.2t SBR Crono 364
7. Grahame Harden – 1.6 Radical PR6 355
8. Simon Wallis – 1.1 OMS 3000M 352
9. Carole Torkington – 1.5 OMS CF08 319
10. Nicholas Scott – 1.6 Force TA 296
Despite smashing his diff earlier, Simon Bainbridge qualified and won the run off
Broughton leads the pack at Pembrey
Event 14 at Pembrey on 09/09/2023
Martin Pickles reports:
Formerly an RAF Supermarine Spitfire base, the 2.33km circuit of Pembrey has evolved from the runway layout to today's combination of sweeping bends and fast straights, favouring the BHP laden cars over the agility of smaller engines. The greats have all visited this south Welsh circuit including Senna who set the unofficial lap record in testing of 44.43secs.
Saturday was met with a glorious dawn, the rolling Welsh hills surrounding the circuit cloaked in mist and the sun rising to produce a sticky 20°C for breakfast. Noticeable absentees from the event were current champion Matt Hillam and recent round winner Chris Jones, creating the opportunity for those at the top and lower down the rankings to bag a few points.
Practice was duly completed, the only notable incident being that of a continuing oil leak for John Loudon in the Force TA. The chain had also snapped the side plates of a link, but close enough to the finish to be able to coast home. The situation became terminal during the qualifying run however, when the engine punched two holes through the block, resulting in a DNF for the weekend. Stephen Miles in the 2.0l Van Diemen RF96mm was suffering from the clutch issues that have been a badge for the season but the problem this time was quickly traced to the master cylinder contents in the cockpit and the cap in the side-pod. At least the wheels were all in the correct place!
Championship challenger Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) led the qualifying times, shod with Avon rubber that was providing confidence-inspiring handling. A further second back and managing brake fade was SBD boss Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk). The car was also shared by Zoe Kingham who normally pedals the SBD Westfield, but as Steve had broken that car’s differential at the Brighton Speed Trials the week before, was offered the opportunity. She posted a tidy introductory time without drama to round out the top ten. Current Championship leader Peter Goulding in the sister Mygale FF200 to Blackwell was third qualifier, believing that lack of practice accounted for the two secend gap to Blackwell. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) had a steady run to 4th with an operational clutch but a complaint voiced by many was of particular concern for Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) who reported suffering a persistent lack of rear end grip despite having made adjustments. Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) led home the remaining 1,100cc drivers, followed by a rusty Martin Pickles (Jedi Mk1) who was returning to the BSC after a three year break and who needed to resolve engine issues. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) had a 'safe and steady' run joined by Nicholas Scott (Force TA 1.6), rebuilding confidence after his unnerving Cadwell Park incident into the barriers.
Qualifying
- Graham Blackwell – 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost: 96.37
- Steve Broughton – 1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004: 97.38
- Peter Goulding – 1.6t Mygale FF200: 98.07
- Stephen Miles – 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm: 101.21
- Simon Bainbridge – 4.2t SBR Chrono: 103.77
- Simon Wallis – 1.1 OMS 3000M: 106.03
- Martin Pickles – Jedi Mk1: 107.82
- Carole Torkington: 1.5 OMS CF08: 111.39
- Nicholas Scott: Force TA 1.6: 116.00
- Zoe Kingham – 1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004 117.02
- John Loudon – 1.1 Force TA: DNF
The first points-scoring run-off of the day produced an adjustment to the qualifying order with a few surprises!
Kingham, building confidence in the SBD creation improved by a significant chunk, but not enough to catch Scott who had closed the gap to Torkington. In the 1,100cc battle, Wallis locked up into the hairpin and in his excitement missed a lower gear, bogging the exit and allowing Pickles to sneak ahead for his highest ever BSC finish. Bainbridge managed the rear end grip to thunder his way around, the ground and air reverberating to the rumble of that glorious V8 for 4th. Goulding gained a little more practice with a re-run, but slowed during the run due to a concerning engine knock, then decided to ignore it and continue to claim 3rd. His closest rival Blackwell spun at Hatchets Hairpin and took a trip across the grass. Play was stopped during the recovery process allowing those in the start line queue to poach a little further. Miles — now revelling in a working clutch claimed 2nd whilst the top spot was left to Broughton who was now 'flat through the complex' which comprises of all the bends from Hatchets Hairpin to Brooklands Hairpin, whilst still managing progressively deteriorating brake fade. It was a dramatic finish to round one of the day and thoroughly deserved, from the now broadly-grinning SBD guru.
British Sprint Championship Round 27 - Pembrey, Wales.
1. Steve Broughton – 1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004: 97.62
2. Stephen Miles – 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm: 98.07
3. Peter Goulding – 1.6t Mygale FF200: 99.01
4. Simon Bainbridge – 4.2t SBR Crono: 103.96
5. Martin Pickles – Jedi Mk1: 105.13
6. Simon Wallis – 1.1 OMS 3000M: 105.81
7. Carole Torkington: 1.5 OMS CF08: 109.03
8. Nicholas Scott: Force TA 1.6: 111.59
9. Zoe Kingham – 1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004: 112.71
John Loudon – 1.1 Force TA: DNF
Graham Blackwell – 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost: DNF
With the field reduced to only points scoring positions, the second round of qualifying was dispatched without further competitor loss, individuals using the opportunity to practice their lines and braking points.
The run-off focused attention, but Scott was unable to match his morning’s times with the increasing track temperature. Pickles, Torkington and Kingham all improved their times but finished in that order above Scott. Wallis, aided by a functioning dashboard and gear indicator (removing the need to count gears on fingers!) completed a clean lap, the real gain being on clean tyres through the latter stages of the complex from Dibeni to Brooklands. Bainbridge also improved with the rear now sticking a little better in the demanding bends. Goulding expressed 'disappointment' which was perhaps an understatement for his time, frustrated by the sweat dripping onto his steamed up glasses that made for a foggy view at 140mph. Miles improved his morning time but was nudged by 2 hundredths from 2nd by a recovering Blackwell; having adjusted his traction control settings, he was now able to push through the see-saw bends of the complex without traction loss. Top of the pile with an improvement of over 1.4secs over his morning time was Broughton. A change of brake pads had restored the stopping potential of the Firehawk and widened the grin of the already jubilant SBD boss.
British Sprint Championship Round 28 - Pembrey, Wales.
1. Steve Broughton – 1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004: 96.23
2. Graham Blackwell – 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost: 97.82
3. Stephen Miles – 2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm: 97.84
4. Peter Goulding – 1.6t Mygale FF200: 98.24
5. Simon Bainbridge – 4.2t SBR Crono: 102.13
6. Simon Wallis – 1.1 OMS 3000M: 103.15
7. Martin Pickles – Jedi Mk1: 104.38
8. Carole Torkington: 1.5 OMS CF08: 107.94
9. Zoe Kingham – 1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004: 111.89
10. Nicholas Scott: Force TA 1.6: 113.36
Broughton sends up sparks (Jane Loudon)
Steve Miles came out top dog in the morning run-off (BSC)
Zoe Kingham was dual-driving the DJ Firehawk (Jane Loudon)
Goulding regains form
Event 13 at Snetterton on 27/08/2023
With no casualties from the previous day, the same runners and riders were to do battle again on Sunday, albeit a little blurry due to the lack of sleep from a swarm of Citroen 2CVs racing through the night in a 24 hour race. The weather was a little unusually chilly and misty for an August bank holiday early on but soon cleared as the sun started to come out later on.
Practice saw no dramas except for Steve Miles who was still suffering from clutch issues despite several attempts to resolve it overnight and John Loudon was frustratingly again suffering from oil breathing issues which were marginally improved from the day before. More attention during the period between practice and timed run discovered the root cause of his season long issue thanks to Pete Goulding’s future son-in-law who happened to spot the elusive leak whilst the engine was revved.
Qualifying went better for Simon Wallis had taken to a sprocket change between runs to increase gearing which reduced his times by a margin but at least he wasn’t bouncing off the rev limiter for the length of the straight. Carole Torkington was gradually regaining confidence after the previous days spin and reducing her times with each run. Graham Blackwell was now taking Hamiltons in 5th gear and pulling a reported 96mph. Simon Bainbridge promoted himself above the clutchless stricken Miles and was edging closer towards his class record. John Loudon was now smoke free for the first time all weekend with a freshly sealed timing chain tensioner which was the cause of his long standing oil loss issue to the congratulations of the frequently visiting scrutineer to his paddock spot. Graham Blackwell was still leading the field and faster overall qualifier.
Run off one saw Pete Goulding (16.t Mygale EcoBoost) finally regain his form to record his fastest time of the weekend and win the opening runoff and in the process break his class record to also score a bonus point. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA), now with the weight off his mind of his persistent oil issue, was flying and ran to within 0.04 of Pete Goulding for second place and break the 1100 racing car class record in the process to score a bonus point. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) despite posting his best time of the weekend came in 3rd and despite also beating his class record, unfortunately for him losing out on taking a bonus point to the victorious Goulding. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) managed to wrestle round for 4th, just ahead of the still improving Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) who was progressing ever closer to his class record. Grahame Harden was out to enjoy himself as usual and brought his Radical PR6 home in 6th. Simon Wallis (1.1OMS 3000M) took advantage of his newly improved finish line speed to finish 7th and Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) was still improving as she regained confidence from the previous days spin to come home in 8th. Nick Scott (1.6 Force TA) was overjoyed to dip below 90 seconds for the first time over the weekend in 9th whilst Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) had a major ‘moment’ at Palmers to come home in 10th.
- Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 78.88* (+0.00)
- John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 78.92* (+0.04)
- Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 79.10 (+0.22
- Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 81.04 (+2.16
- Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 82.65 (+3.77)
- Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 84.98 (+10)
- Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 802 (+8.14)
- Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 89.45 (+10.57)
- Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 874 (+10.86)
- Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 94.29 (+15.41)
The third and final run of the day was to be both the qualifying and run off in one. However, the weather put paid to that as the storm clouds arrived five minutes before the start and gave everyone a soaking. A quick change to wets for those that had them, saw the contenders line up at the start in pouring rain. Graham Blackwell went first but found the conditions too tricky and left the circuit at Hamiltons and failed to finish. Steve Miles was next and did exactly the same thing, then went on to spin for a second time after Oggies. Thankfully no damage to either. Pete Goulding also failed to complete the full course but got to within spitting distance of the finish line before doing a full 360 degree spin as he attempted a power squirt towards the finish line. Despite remaining on track, unfortunately for him the car stalled and his battery refused to restart his engine, not to the joy of the marshals who had to venture into the now monsoon like conditions to rescue him. In the intervening delay, the clerk of the course decided to abandon the proceedings which were now considered too dangerous due to the track conditions, much to the relief of most but to the disappointment of Simon Bainbridge who rather enjoys the wet in his mighty SBR Crono which works rather well in such conditions. As a result, no scores were recorded for the second runoff.
As a result of the abandonment, the number of scoring rounds for the overall championship has been reduced from to 18 from 41 possible rounds instead of 20 from 42.
FTD went to Pete Goulding in his 1.6t Mygale EcoBoost with his run off 1 winning time of 78.88.
BSC Positions after Snetterton Rd 25 27-Aug
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 441 points
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 434 points
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 422 points
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 390 points
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 355 points
6. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 339 points
7. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 331 points
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 293 points
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 283 points
10. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 227 points
11. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 226 points
12. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 195 points
Carole Torkington's OMS CF08 on the start line (Peter Scherer - Scherer Race & Rally News)
Grahame Harden - Radical PR6 (Peter Scherer - Scherer Race & Rally News)
Nick Houston chilling out between runs (Peter Scherer - Scherer Race & Rally News)
Pete Goulding pushing hard (Peter Scherer - Scherer Race & Rally News)
Blackwell bags a double to keep title hopes alive
Event 12 at Snetterton on 26/08/2023
August bank holiday weekend saw the British Sprint Championship travel east for two days’ sprinting at Snetterton, organised by BARC Midlands. There were a few unexpected absentees due to other interests on a bank holiday weekend and an unfortunate illness.
The paddock was extremely busy with the main circuit being used for a Citroen 2CV 24-hour race BARC Club Car Championship race events. Paddock space was at a premium, but British Sprint contenders found a suitable berth amongst the interlopers.
During practice, Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) found himself with an engine that didn’t run, but after switching traction control off it settled down and TC was later reintroduced successfully with support from Steve Broughton of title sponsor SBD. However, his clutch slave bearing wouldn’t deploy sufficiently all weekend, making starts somewhat problematic. Championship leader Pete Goulding (1.6T Mygale EcoBoost) reported suffering from understeer. Graham Blackwell (1.6T Mygale EcoBoost) was using brand new Avon tyres and found grip levels less than ideal on the green as yet, un rubbered up track. Several others also reported the same conclusion. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) was again suffering from an oil leak which has plagued him for much of the season, despite having made several plumbing modifications in an attempt to find a remedy.
Run off one saw Graham Blackwell take the win from Pete Goulding (both 1.6t Mygale EcoBoosts). Blackwell’s new tyres played dividends for him whilst the rest of the field had to make do with the best of what they could muster. Both Blackwell and Goulding were inside the 1600T racing car class record but the runoff winner took the bonus point. John Loudon came in 3rd and in the process also set a new 1100cc racing car class record in his Force TA to score a bonus point to cheer him up for still not having found the solution to his oil loss issues. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) was still suffering with launch issues but now complicated further by having a malfunctioning clutch despite having spent much of the previous week replacing his slave cylinder. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) and Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) came in 5th and 6th and both victims of not having the best of rubber but still both enjoying themselves. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) came in 8th and complaining of having made the wrong choice of gearing as he was spending much of the finish straight on the rev limiter. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) finished 8th and not far behind and improving with each run. Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) came home in 9th, narrowly ahead of Nick Scott (1.6 Force TA) who was on his first visit to the venue.
- Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 79.50
- Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 79.83 (+0.33)
- John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 80.90* (+1.40)
- Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 81.30 (+1.80)
- Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 84.82 (+5.32)
- Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 85.04 (+5.54)
- Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 830 (+7.80)
- Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 805 (+8.55)
- Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 92.49 (+12.99)
- Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 92.62 (+13.12)
- Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 79.66
- Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 80.25s (+0.59)
- John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 81.18s (+1.52)
- Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 82.02s (+2.36)
- Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 83.94s (+4.28)
- Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 85.22s (+5.56)
- Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 88.52s (+8.86)
- Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 90.97s (+11.31)
- Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 92.08s (+12.42)
Pete Goulding’s lead at the top of the championship was now down to 5 points ahead of the closing Graham Blackwell. FTD for the day was taken by Graham Blackwell in his 1.6T Mygale EcoBoost with at time of 79.19 seconds.
John Loudon on the start line (Peter Scherer - Scherer Race & Rally News)
Nick Scott's Force TA exits the hairpin (Peter Scherer - Scherer Race & Rally News)
Simon Bainbridge's SBR Crono entering Palmers (Peter Scherer - Scherer Race & Rally News)
Graham Blackwell with the FTD trophy (Peter Scherer - Scherer Race & Rally News)
Challenging conditions and a party atmosphere on day 2 of the Kirkistown weekend
Event 11 at Kirkistown on 06/08/2023
Steve Miles reports:
After the full entry and dry meeting on the Saturday, a much smaller field started the Sunday event at midday, to observe the noise requirements of this County Down circuit. This fast turnaround meant that engines were often still at 80°C when called for the next run. The paddock was alive with leaf blowers!
A dry practice was without major incident for most; John Loudon chose not to run to avoid risking any incidents but Simon Bainbridge saw a wastegate signal failure which meant the boost jumped from 1.3 to 2 bar on one side of the engine, instantly delivering well over 1,000 bhp. “I’ve never felt such ridiculous acceleration” said Simon excitedly describing the incident, and now wondering if this could be something he could call on in the future if needed, as nothing in the transmission blew up!
Slicks were still the order of the day for qualifying and no issues for anyone after Loudon found a way to eliminate the hub bearing movement issues with fabricated spacer washers over the drive pegs, courtesy of the ‘Two Petes Repair Service’ – Goulding and Championship coordinator Howgate!
A huge deluge just before the run-off forced a quick change to wets, then the blazing sun came out, heating the Tarmac and rapidly burning the puddles off. The paddock was transformed into an ethereal mist as the cars went to the line.
Graham Blackwell was first away on Avon wets. A steady run, the only reported difficulty was seeing the apexes amongst the rising steam off the track posting a time good enough to finish 3rd.
The EcoBoost of Pete Goulding was running wets, but on dry settings in the launch and traction menu as well as mechanical. This didn’t seem to slow him down as he posted the fastest time to take maximum points in the run-off! In a ‘do or die’ effort, Steve Miles carried too much speed into the chicane after Fishermans and with all four wheels off, didn’t get a time.
The 4.2l Audi Crono, now restricted to 750bhp had a trouble free run. The weight of the car and the Avon wets helped Simon to a 2nd place, just 2.33 secs behind Goulding.
Grahame Harden in the radical had his best ever run-off finishing position with 4th and reported a well balanced car!
The first time visitor to Kirkistown, Nick Scott also scored a best run off position of 5th despite running on slicks and spinning at the last chicane, but vowed to be back. The final placing was taken by Loudon, who with a few mechanical, gear changing and niggling oil issues had to take it easy to get round.
Run-off 21 Sunday Kirkistown 2023
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 126.43 (+0.00)
2. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 128.76 (+2.33)
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 133.60 (+7.17)
4. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 150.31 (+23.88)
5. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 158.46 (+32.03)
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 162.47 (+36.04)
Ten minutes later, the field were out again putting steady qualifying runs in in, still on wets. Nick Scott decided to call it a day after some electrical issues caused signal and misfire concerns.
Loudon’s issues continued, now with flat shifter not working and revs severely restricted, finished 6th. Harden had no issues and was pleased with the Radical’s performance for 5th place. Miles took 4th , perhaps cautious after the previous run off DNF.
The 2nd and 3rd spots were occupied by the two EcoBoost drivers. In 3rd by less than a tenth of a second was Goulding who had turned the boost down to 300bhp and now ran with damp settings. “In hindsight, leaving it 330 would have been better”. Blackwell posted 2nd fastest, despite a cloth gradually emerging from under the dash, then moving to the steering wheel, and before it potentially covered the visor, Blackwell grabbed and tucked it away as he entered the famous Debtors!
But six seconds ahead of these two, Simon Bainbridge took his 3rd win of the season. No lock ups were reported and smooth application of power in the bends. Maximum power however on the straights could be deployed and the sight of the magnificent Crono at 138 mph, throwing up plumes of water was a sight to see.
A leisurely pack up due to finishing at 15:30 meant the party atmosphere continued on the 19:30 ferry out of Belfast. Most elected to stop over a short drive from Cairnryan, but winner Bainbridge drove though the night — ready to take delivery of 1,000 piglets at 08:00 Monday morning at his farm.
Run-off 22 Sunday Kirkistown 2023
1. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 123.14 (+0.00)
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 129.78 (+6.64)
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 129.84 (+6.70)
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 133.49 (+10.35)
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 157.32 (+34.18)
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 164.23 (+41.09)
2023 British Sprint Championship Positions after Rnd 22
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 477 points
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 469 points
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 455 points
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 407 points
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 379 points
6. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 331 points
7. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 326 points
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 257 points
9. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 227 points
10. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 220 points
11. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 195 points
12. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 175 points
Simon Bainbridge's SBR Crono kicks up the spray (Jimmy Graham)
With a run-off win and a third place, Goulding retained his position at the head of the points table (Jimmy Graham)
Sophie Mullins took FTD in her Gould GR55b (Jimmy Graham)
Ben O'Brien in the wet with the Gould GR37 (Jimmy Graham)
Blackwell draws level
Event 10 at Kirkistown on 05/08/2023
Graham Blackwell reports:
Nick Scott made his first ever trip overseas with the Force, and he was hoping, after a quick holiday, to have a reset and restart his attack on the Championship. Blackwell and Bainbridge had both mistakenly booked the Belfast to Cairnryan crossing on Friday, Bainbridge realising his mistake the night before, so making the trip to catch the earlier and less busy 07:30 crossing to get over. However, Blackwell didn’t know until he presented his ticket at Cairnryan for the 11:30 crossing and had a very anxious wait while the Stena staff tried find him a place on the fully-booked crossing. It was his lucky day however — they squeezed him on at the very back of the ferry, so he was able to join the convoy to the circuit with the other competitors.
Saturday
Overall, it would turn out to be a surprisingly trouble free day for most of the seven drivers who crossed the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland for the weekend.
However, with the Met Office’s forecast that Storm Antoni would cause disruption, there was heavy overnight rain and yet more heavy rain forecast for Saturday, so some drivers initially opted for a full wet setup for first practice while others braved it on slicks.
On to the first practice, and the organisers had delayed the start of the meeting by 45 minutes to allow the track to continue to dry. With the surface still wet with lots of deep puddles — typically on the apexes and kerbs — the organisers had asked the first batch of saloons to try to disperse the water as best they could. Some drivers misheard the request and dispersed oil instead, which led to many long delays later in the afternoon, with several big offs, depleting the circuit owners’ stocks of bags of cement quite considerately.
On a damp track, some drivers opted for slicks whilst others went for wets. Afterwards, Goulding had no time as there were two cars carrying the number 5 as local Allan Cassells was sharing the same permanent number; this would be resolved during the day. And Blackwell’s run on full wets was red flagged with no reruns given, so he only managed one full lap.
On to the first qualifier of the day, and by now the circuit was dry, the sun was out, and everyone had changed to slicks; Stephen Miles said he was surprised how bumpy it was, and that his clutch was dragging again; meanwhile, Goulding had battery problems all day, and needed the auxiliary battery to start his engine. The power had gone off in his garage overnight, so nothing was charged.
Qualification: Kirkistown Rd 19
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 113.89s (+0.00)
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 116.00s (+2.11)
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 118.41s (+4.52)
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 120.84s (+6.95)
5. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 121.43s (+7.54)
6. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 130.53s (+16.64)
7. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 139.11s (+25.22)
Further delays for oil spills meant that the first run-off of the weekend, which was the third timed run, eventually took place at 13:45. In 7th place, Nicholas Scott said he was enjoying himself on his first ever visit. In 6th, Graham Harden has no issues and was pleased not to finish in last place. In 5th was John Loudon, a few seconds away from his PB. In 4th was Simon Bainbridge, with Pete Goulding in 3rd, finding a time penalty had been added because he’d hit a cone on one of the two chicanes. Stephen Miles was in 2nd, saying the car was very twitchy under power. And in first place, over two seconds ahead, was Graham Blackwell with a new PB of 112.22s, his win moving him in to equal first place in the Championship with Goulding. The time was set on Graham’s only set of Pirelli Ultrasofts, which were celebrating their first birthday this weekend.
Top 12 Run-off: Kirkistown Rd 19
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 112.22 (+0.00)
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 114.36 (+2.14)
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 115.33 (+3.11)
4. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 116.45 (+4.23)
5. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 117.49 (+5.27)
6. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 122.29 (+10.07)
7. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 133.83 (+21.61)
BSC Positions after Rd 19
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 435 points
1=. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 435 points
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 423 points
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 345 points
5. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 331 points
6. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 326 points
7. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 315 points
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 257 points
9. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 227 points
10. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 195 points
11. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 152 points
12. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 134 points
The second qualifier
With the sun still out, and further delays from the oil spills and offs, the track was really warming up nicely, and drivers improved where they could; it was an adventure discovering where the latest fresh trails of cement were, the final chicane receiving what looked like several bags, following a very big crash by one of the local single seater drivers, who thankfully was unharmed. For this run, Goulding bolted on a stickered up set of brand new Avon HC3s, and set a reasonable pace ready for the next and final run off.
Qualification: Kirkistown Rd 20
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 112.38s (+0.00)
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 113.91s (+1.53)
3. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 116.42s (+4.04)
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 117.19s (+4.81)
5. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 118.84s (+6.46)
6. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 130.63s (+18.25)
7. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 132.95s (+20.57)
Before the final run of the day, held at 17:45 and with a strong wind blowing across the track, arriving drivers discovered that the tyre warming area and start line were almost completely obliterated by cement dust, following a Ford Escort losing its oil filter and the contents of its sump before the run-off. Picking a line to avoid driving over the dust was quite tricky, and launching the cars also proved difficult on the oil-covered track.
On the run-off, finishing in an uncharacteristic 7th place was Simon Bainbridge, his car suffering a mysterious lack of power which when he returned to the garage, was traced to a loose boost pipe from one of his two turbos. In 6th was Nick Scott, 5th was Graham Harden, 4th was John Loudon, mysteriously getting slower on every run. The top three comprised again of Stephen Miles in third, in second place was the main title challenger Graham Blackwell with another strong 112.79 second run, and just seven tenths ahead were run off winner Pete Goulding exploiting the extra grip from his new tyres, with a time of 112.06s, which was just under a second slower than his 2022 class record of 111.08s.
Top 12 Run-off: Kirkistown Rd 20
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 112.06 (+0.00)
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 112.79 (+0.73)
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 115.35 (+3.29)
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 119.30 (+7.24)
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 122.94 (+10.88)
6. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 135.00 (+22.94)
7. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 169.84 (+57.78)
BSC positions after round 20
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 460 points
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 459 points
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 446 points
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 367 points
5. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 336 points
6. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 331 points
7. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 326 points
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 257 points
9. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 227 points
10. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 195 points
11. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 171 points
12. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 154 points
Graham Blackwell took the first run-off win to draw level in the Championship table (Jimmy Graham)
Pete Goulding had a successful weekend and leads the BSC table after 20 rounds
Rob Dwane took FTD in the OMS25 (Jimmy Graham)
Alan Cassells was in fine form with the ex Will Hall Force (Jimmy Graham)
Blackwell and Jones top the tables at a blustery Lydden
Event 9 at Lydden Hill on 15/07/2023
Blackwell and Jones top the tables at a blustery Lydden
British Sprint Championship – 15/7/23 Lydden Hill, Kent
Steve Miles reports:
Despite the Goodwood Festival of Speed just a few miles down the road being cancelled for the day due to high winds, Borough 19 Motor Club didn’t let the conditions phase them and a great day was had at this undulating Kent circuit.
John Loudon managed to arrive with three out of four wheels working on his trailer and a freshly rebuilt race engine and proceeded set a storming fastest time in a damp practice. Qualifying for the British runners was never going to be difficult as there were only ten in the class. Nick Houston had an accident driving to the circuit, there were some last-minute withdrawals and subsequent places that then became available the day before were too short notice for Simon Bainbridge and team to travel from north Yorkshire.
Graham Blackwell deployed all 375bhp from his 1.6 EcoBoost and qualified fastest on an Avon front/Pirelli 12” rear mix, before swapping to conventional 10” and 8” Pirellis for the run-off. Since Pembrey six weeks ago, he had repaired a damaged section of loom that caused the variable valve timing error and run-off shutdown, as well as hoped for improvements to launch control. This obviously worked as he won the first run-off with an impressive 66.85s that was to become the FTD time as well.
Chris Jones, in the 998cc Force, nearly didn’t make the run-off after a spin, but stayed on the track and did record a time. Not wanting to repeat this perhaps held him back a fraction come the run-off, but he posted a superb mid 67s time to come second.
The Laser Tools sponsored Loudon team had some significant oil clearing up after qualifying, but a re-plumbed system worked better and John was flying to take the last podium spot ahead of Steve Miles. The moleracing garage had seen another engine out strip down to replace a head gasket and leaking radiator after Pembrey. The car ran well all day this time, but Miles was strangely struggling to find the pace he had two months earlier at this event all day.
Carole Torkington in the SBD OMS had her best result in the BSC with a 5th place, despite turning in early for Paddock Bend and almost exploring the gravel trap! 0.9 seconds down the road was the ‘for sale’ Radical of Grahame Harden who was pleased with his PB run.
Fresh from a recent FTD at Abingdon, there was early concern in the Wallis paddock when the car wouldn’t start at first, but Simon came in 0.8secs behind Harden for 7th. In an uncustomary position of 8th was Essex electrician and current leader Pete Goulding. Since the last outing, he had repaired and replaced the throttle pot and re-set the tracking so thought all was good, but a reoccurrence of the electrical issue that shut the car down at Pembrey meant that he was well off the pace. This wiring issue was detected with some remote diagnostics from Northampton Motorsport and a bypass wire was rigged which worked for the rest of the day.
Championship sponsor Steve Broughton had taken the calendar gap to rebuild the engine and repair the oil sump, but couldn’t enter the DJ Firestorm as the radiator was not back from the repairers in time, so arrived in the SBD Westfield, shared with daughter-in-law Zoe Kingham. A full 360° spin in qualifying added to the excitement, perhaps due to the additional 150bhp Broughton had given the EcoBoost since its last outing at this venue. He took 9th with Zoe the final placing.
Morning run-off
Pos Driver Time
1 Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 66.85
2 Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 67.54 (+0.69)
3 John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 68.28 (+1.43)
4 Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 68.93 (+2.08)
5 Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 70.84 (+3.99)
6 Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 71.71 (+4.86)
7 Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 72.46 (+5.61)
8 Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 3.54 (+6.69)
9 Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 78.53 (+11.68)
10 Zoe Kingham (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 84.94 (+18.09)
Any showers had long since gone and the only issues facing everyone were the gale force gusts that most drivers felt made the cars nervous, at times in an unpredictable way.
Qualification for the afternoon run-off was a relaxed affair and all got through apart from Torkington, who spectacularly lost a chain on the launch and the second chain at Devil’s Elbow. There didn’t appear to be any major damage done apart from a clutch actuator spindle, but it was a promising points-scoring opportunity lost.
Kingham wrestled the powerful Westfield around to record a PB, chopping three seconds off the previous run off time and Broughton also improved on the final run of the day into the 71s, after adding a new anti-lag upgrade.
Harden dropped a few 10ths — as did most of the drivers compared to the morning — blaming a few opposite lock moments at North Bend at the top of Hairy Hill. Wallis was very pleased with his 6th place and newly-purchased Avon front tyres — one of the last available HC1 soft compound, and this was his best time of the day.
Despite improving the handling by softening the rear antiroll bar to counteract oversteer, Miles knew exactly where he was losing time according to the datalogger and overlays but couldn’t overcome the ½ second loss at both Pilgrims and Devil’s Elbow. As these are repeated, that accounts for the two seconds he was down and took 5th place.
The 1,098cc methanol-powered Force driven by Loudon stormed to 4th place, 3/10th ahead of Miles, and as a bonus, his three-wheeled trailer made it all the way home as well!
The EcoBoost battle continued with Goulding’s 330bhp outperforming Blackwell’s more highly tuned version and just 0.08 separated them in the end. Blackwell thought this time loss was due to a big gust at Chesson’s Drift upsetting the rear end.
Star performance of the day was the winning run and new class record from Chris Jones in the Force TA. When quizzed, he modestly put it down to the best tyres delivering the grip he was looking for.
Afternoon run-off
Pos Driver Time
1 Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 67.05*
2 Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 67.56 (+0.51)
3 Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 67.64 (+0.59)
4 John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 68.49 (+1.44)
5 Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 68.85 (+1.80)
6 Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 71.09 (+4.04)
7 Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 71.97 (+4.92)
8 Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 77.32 (+10.27)
9 Zoe Kingham (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 81.31 (+14.26)
Still everything to play for in the BSC as there are now 18 rounds completed, with the best 20 scores to count from 42 rounds in total.
BSC Positions after Lydden Hill Rd 18 15 July 2023
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 412 points
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 410 points
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 399 points
4. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 331 points
5. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 326 points
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 324 points
7. Grahame Harden (1.6 Radical PR6) 295 points
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 257 points
9. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 227 points
10. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 195 points
11. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 130 points
12. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 115 points
Graham Blackwell took the morning's run-off win (Chris Bennett)
Chris Jones secured the afternoon run-off win in the Force TA (Chris Bennett)
John Loudon chases down Steve Miles (Chris Bennett)
Zoe Kingham and Steve Broughton shared the SBD Westfield (Chris Bennett)
Jones takes FTD and a Run Off at Pembrey
Event 8 at Pembrey on 04/06/2023
Day two of BARC Wales Pembrey Sprint week-end was held on the venue's Clubman layout which adds a tight and tricky left right after Dibeni.
Like the day before the weather was glorious and warm under a cloudless sky and the well organised BARC Wales team completed a practice run, followed by four timed runs by mid afternoon.
Practice was largely uneventful with the exception of John Loudon (Force TA) who coasted in after hearing some worrying noises coming from his engine. He was out for the day.
Chris Jones in the 998cc Force TA led the way early on and in qualifying for the first Run Off set a time of 105.24s, over a second ahead of Steve Broughton (DJ Firehawk) and Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost). This time was to remain unbeaten all day for the FTD.
In the first Run Off both Mygales of Blackwell and Pete Goulding were well up on the splits until Goulding somehow managed to knock the master switch off for a Fail. Blackwell completed his run with a 105.85s but was just pipped by Jones who had a strong second lap to to post a 105.71s. Broughton took third, still working on the handling of the Firehawk, ahead of Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF86) with the top four covered by 9 tenths. Then there was a gap to Grahame Harden, making the Radical PR6 work on the AVONs a few hundredths ahead of Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M). This left Carole Torkington (OMS FC08) and Nick Houston (OMS Hornet) to round out the finishing order with Houston trying to overcome the wrong gearing and old tyres!
Qualifying for Run Off two saw Jones ahead of Goulding, Blackwell (after a small problem getting the motor started), Miles and Broughton but times were slower as competitors were saving their tyres.
In the final Run Off of the week-end Miles put in a quick first lap and held on to take the win - the traction control upgrade and new clutch worked well and apart from some overheating issues had a largely trouble free week-end. Goulding took second from Jones (also managing overheating issues all day), Blackwell and Broughton. Again the top four were covered by less than a second. Wallis took sixth with a PB to complete a trouble free week-end.
Results:
Pembrey, Clubman Circuit June 4th 2023
BARC Wales
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 16 & 17
Run Off 1 (Round 16)1. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 105.71s
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 105.84s
3. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 106.02*s
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 106.61s
5. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 113.27s
6. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 113.32s
7. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 115.25s
8. Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 122.75s
9. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) FAIL
Run Off 2 (Round 17)
1. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 106.13s
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 106.31s
3. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 106.41s
4. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 107.07s
5. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 108.50s
6. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 111.49s
7. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 112.70s
8. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 113.99s
9. Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 122.66s
British Sprint Championship positions after round 17:
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 370 points
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 362 points
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 356 points
4. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 296 points
5. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 287 points
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 279 points
7. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 256 points
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 236 points
9. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 227 points
10. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 145 points
11. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 130 points
12. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 115 points
etc.
FTD and a Run Off win for Jones in the Force TA (Kim Broughton)
A Run Off win took Steve Miles to 3rd in the championship (Kim Broughton)
Grahame Harden took a fifth in the Radical (Kim Broughton)
Graham Blackwell, 2nd in the championship (Kim Broughton)
Goulding and Jones share the spoils at Pembrey
Event 7 at Pembrey on 03/06/2023
Goulding and Jones share the spoils at Pembrey. Graham Blackwell reports
For most, the journey across Wales on Friday was one to forget, the M4 throwing up many challenges. Aside, that is, from Stephen Miles, who having avoided the M4, followed his way along the A40, finding himself at one point surrounded by villagers celebrating an eisteddfod.
In the evening, current Championship leader, Pete Goulding made tracking and camber adjustments to the Mygale, realising he had overlooked the car’s geometry since an accident at Blyton the year before. Grahame Harden was running fresh 195 Avon HC3s, which were smaller than the 210s that the PR6 was setup for, so his concern was the lack front ride height and the potential impact on handling. Chris Jones had relocated the oil catch tank on the Force TA, moving it away from the oil cooler, so allowing better airflow and cooling.
Saturday morning greeted everyone with blue skies and bright sunshine; the forecast was the same for both days, with temperatures reaching 22°C. The event was using the National circuit layout, one which last year was run on the Sunday due to a mix-up in track permits. The organisation this year was noticeably better however, and many drivers commented on the smooth running of the event. They even allowed use of the new garages, with electric hook-ups, which were most welcome.
The ten British Sprint drivers were lined up at 9am, for the first practice, which passed with no dramas. Barely 70 minutes later, the drivers were called again to the line, for the first timed runs, where we’d have the chance to see the pecking order for the weekend. Fastest was Chris Jones, with Graham Blackwell in second, 3/10ths under the 1600T class record. After the run, Steve Miles was happy to report that the replacement clutch setup was working properly, following an incorrect installation over the winter. Pete Goulding complained that the car was too stiff, so had work to do to address that. Chris Jones was very pleased with his pace, pushing very hard, and reported that his hands were shaking after the run. Nick Houston said his gearing was too low, and he could do with a second engine to give him some more power.
Steve Broughton said his run was a bit hairy, the DJ was still smoking on tick over, keeping the local midge population at bay. Regular Matt Hillam was due to fly overseas for work on Friday, so had skipped the weekend. Unfortunately, the flight was postponed to the following Monday, so Matt was watching from home, probably wishing he could be at the venue.
Morning qualification
Pos Driver Time
1 Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 95.33s (+0.00)
2 Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 96.06s (+0.73)
3 Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 96.24s (+0.91)
4 John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 96.77s (+1.44)
5 Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 97.83s (+2.50)
6 Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 98.37s (+3.04)
7 Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 104.79s (+9.46)
8 Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 106.15s (+10.82)
9 Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 106.44s (+11.11)
10 Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 117.79s (+22.46)
For the first run-off, Goulding put in a strong run on his freshest rubber, finishing first with a 94.25s run. In second place, Chris Jones was just four tenths behind, followed by Broughton. The top three all setting new class records in the process. Closely followed by Loudon and Blackwell, the top five covered by less than a second. Blackwell said he was happy with knocking 4.2 seconds off his PB. Smiles said his confidence was growing, though he was still someway off his PB. Back in the paddock, a burning smell was traced to Carole’s OMS, and after rapidly removing the seat, the battery was found to have moved, the terminals shorting against the carbon bodywork. The problem was soon rectified for the third timed run.
Morning run-off
Pos Driver Time
1 Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 94.25*s
2 Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 94.64*s
3 Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 94.73*s
4 John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 94.96s
5 Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 95.11s
6 Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 95.41s
7 Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 104.18s
8 Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 105.37s
9 Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 108.83s
During the lunch break, the announcement was made that there would be at least two more runs in the afternoon, and around 2pm, it was time for the third timed run. Blackwell launched his Mygale off the line, to find the ECU had gone into ‘limp mode’ at the start of the second lap, and despite power cycling the ECU, this occurred a second time, leading to a very slow qualification time. Simon Wallis improved by over a second, as he gradually approached a new PB. Chris Jones said his run felt slower, and Goulding was complaining about understeer in the hot conditions. Stephen Miles, having been baulked by Blackwell, was allowed a rerun, and he took the opportunity to make changes to the rear anti-roll bar, which he said proved beneficial, although the overheating jelly tyres didn’t help.
Afternoon qualification
Pos Driver Time
1 Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 96.49s (+0.00)
2 John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 96.91s (+0.42)
3 Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 98.24s (+1.75)
4 Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 98.38s (+1.89)
5 Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 98.95s (+2.46)
6 Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 104.15s (+7.66)
7 Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 107.65s (+11.16)
8 Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 118.91s (+22.42)
9 Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 127.29s (+30.80)
10 Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 145.45s (+48.96)
On to the second run-off, Blackwell — having made what he thought would be repairs to prevent a further limp mode — led the pack off the line. This time, his engine went into limp mode immediately as he launched the car, leading to the slowest lap of the day, and last place in the run-off. He clearly had work to do to ensure the car was fit for the following day’s competition. Next up was Nick Houston, who had been struggling with an under-geared car all day. Eighth place went to Torkington, with a new PB, reaching 137mph in the process. Simon Walls was in seventh, again with a new PB. Graham Harden put in his best run of the day, and another new PB. Pete Goulding was fifth, nearly three seconds slower than his first run-off, complaining about understeer having over-driven the car. Steve Broughton was in fourth. Inside the top three was John Loudon in the Force TA, well under the class record, however suffering from gear shift problems for most of the day. Stephen Miles in second was 4/10ths behind the winner, Chris Jones, who set an exemplary run of the National layout, showing the others how it should be done, with another new class record in his Force TA. Chris was ecstatic after the run, which is understood to be only the second time in BSC history that a 1,100cc has won a British Sprint run-off (the only other occasion being John Chacksfield at Three Sisters in 2004)
Afternoon run-off
Pos Driver Time
1 Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 94.99s
2 Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 95.42s
3 John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 95.70s
4 Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 96.54s
5 Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 97.04s
6 Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 102.81s
7 Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 103.00s
8 Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 104.62s
9 Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 117.34s
10 Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 160.03s
Chris Jones celebrates his run-off success (Steve Miles)
Another win for Championship leader, Pete Goulding (Kim Broughton)
Nick Houston made a welcome re-appearance in the OMS (Kim Broughton)
Simon Wallis in his OMS 3000M (Kim Broughton)
Blackwell and Miles trade the top spots at Lydden
Event 6 at Lydden Hill on 20/05/2023
The British Sprint Championship contenders trekked to the south east corner of Kent for rounds 11 and 12 of the 2023 Championship at the tight and twisty undulating Lydden Hill circuit on Saturday 20th May. Some notable faces were missing from the field having been casualties from the Blyton Park rounds only one week prior, notably Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) and Steve Brown (Empire Evo). Other regular competitors from previous years were also not yet out of the starting blocks for this year’s campaign but it was a welcome return for Chris Jones, driving a Force TA, having had a difficult few years curing reliability and development issues with the car’s new engine installation, and for Zoe Kingham, driving the immaculate highly-developed and powerful SBD works EcoBoost Westfield which was making a reappearance after a full two-year rebuild following an off-script scenery visit two years ago at Pembrey.
With such a short time between the previous event, competitors’ modifications were limited to minor adjustments which included a change of gearing, the replacement of a burnt out regulator pack and the procurement of additional wheel nuts for those who had lost some at Blyton.
A track walk on Friday evening revealed that the course was extremely dusty and the Lydden Hill ground staff were sweeping and jet washing areas of the track. Optimism for good grip from the off was diminished as a result. Practice on Saturday morning confirmed this, with no real dramas aside from Steve Miles who seemed to have inexplicably lost several litres of coolant and developed clutch issues.
Track conditions gradually improved and by the time that the morning run-off had materialised, there was enough grip for several notable performances, particularly Graham Blackwell (Mygale EcoBoost) who won the runoff with a new class record time, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96mm) who had overcome his car issues from practice to finish 2nd and Chris Jones (Force TA) who managed 3rd place, also successfully breaking his class record and making up the podium positions. Championship leader Pete Goulding (Mygale EcoBoost) claimed 4th despite a slipped rear anti-roll bar giving him understeer issues and Steve Broughton came home in 5th in the ever-evolving and changing DJ Firehawk just ahead of John Loudon (Force TA) and co-driver and current champion Matt Hillam in 6th and 7th respectively. Simon Wallis brought his OMS 3000 home in 8th place despite being unable to see his shift light in the bright sun, followed by Grahame Harden in 9th (Radical PR6) who was taking sizable bites from his times with each run and enjoying himself once more. Carole Torkington (OMS CF08) was happy enough in 10th having improved with each run and gaining more confidence with each outing, as was Nick Scott (Force TA) in 11th on his first visit to the venue. Zoe Kingham (Westfield SEiW EcoBoost) in her first outing for three years came home 12th, getting faster with each run.
- Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 66.13s
- Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 66.68s
- Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 67.13*s
- Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 67.39s
- Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 68.16s
- John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 68.54s
- Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 68.56s
- Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 70.73s
- Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 72.10s
- Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 72.63s
- Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 81.89s
- Zoe Kingham (1.6T Westfield EcoBoost) 83.41s
Now back on their favoured sets of tyres for the last run-off of the day, the majority of the field saw little or no improvement over their first run-off times. A shuffling of the finishing order saw Graham Blackwell (Mygale EcoBoost) down to 2nd with 2021 champion Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96mm) promoting himself to 1st for the run-off win with Matt Hillam (DJ Firehawk) gaining some time to promote himself to 3rd to round off the podium positions. Chris Jones (Force TA) slipped to 4th with a self-confessed ‘scrappy’ run ahead of Championship leader Pete Goulding (Mygale EcoBoost) in 5th who was ruing his fluffing of the hairpin at the top of Hairy Hill. Steve Broughton (DJ Firehawk) again managed to stay a place ahead of John Loudon (Force TA), the pair finishing 6th and 7th respectively. In 8th, Simon Wallis (OMS 3000) was celebrating his best time of the day followed by Grahame Harden (Radical PR6) whose smile had widened given that he had bettered his PB in coming home 9th. Not to be outdone, Carole Torkington (OMS CF08) had also bettered her PB and was rather happy too. Nick Scott (Force TA) has gone slightly slower than the first run off but managed to hold onto 11th place ahead of Zoe Kingham (Westfield EcoBoost) who was getting back into the swing of things and had made notable improvements in time with each run.
- Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 67.09s
- Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 67.24s
- Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 67.44s
- Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 67.51s
- Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 68.05s
- Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 68.48s
- John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 68.80s
- Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 70.70s
- Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 72.27s
- Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 72.80s
- Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 82.03s
- Zoe Kingham (1.6T Westfield EcoBoost) 82.36
Graham Blackwell took the first run-off with a new class record time (Kim Broughton)
Steve Miles secured the second run-off win aboard the Van Diemen RF96mm (Kim Broughton)
Chris Jones made a welcome return to the Championship, netting a 3rd place in the 998cc Force TA (Kim Broughton)
Zoe Kingham had her first outing for three years in the Westfield SEiW EcoBoost (Kim Broughton)
Hillam and Goulding share the honours on the second day of Blyton weekend
Event 5 at Blyton Park on 14/05/2023
Sunday 14th May saw the British Sprint rounds 9 and 10 on the longer outer circuit layout of the Lincolnshire Blyton Park organised by the ever-efficient Longton and District Motor Club. The day’s field was a little reduced due to casualties from the previous day’s proceedings which included Simon Bainbridge in his mighty SBR Chrono (bodywork damage), Steve Brown in his supercharged Empire (engine failure) and Nick Houston in his OMS (electrical issues).
Several competitors had made overnight tweaks including team SBD who had made some spring changes to their DJ Firehawk in an attempt to find a better balance, Steve Miles who had adjusted his ride height to suit the smoother outer circuit and John Loudon, who was the busiest, by changing gearing and his engine oil system breather layout on top of his previous days exploits with gear position sensor replacements.
Most of the competitors were trying to preserve their tyres given the current lack of supply of suitable slicks and many of those on display looked to have seen better days. With the season having barely begun, the remainder of the season could be quite challenging as a result.
The first of the day’s run-offs saw reigning British Sprint champion Matt Hillam in his shared DJ Firehawk bag himself an early run-off win by just holding off current Championship leader Pete Goulding (Mygale EcoBoost) in 2nd followed by Graham Blackwell (Mygale EcoBoost) to complete the podium positions. Steve Broughton (DJ Firehawk) managed to hold off John Loudon (Force TA) for 4th. The remaining places fell to Grahame Harden (Radical PR6), Simon Wallis (OMS 3000), Carole Torkington (OMS CF08) and Nick Scott (Force TA) all of whom were making steady improvements to their times. The only non-finisher was former champion Steve Miles who saw one of his front wheels disappear into the distance whilst he ground to a halt awaiting rescue. Returning former Championship runner John Munroe was sadly unable to take to the start line whilst side-lined with drive chain and starter motor issues on his OMS.
Morning run-off results
1. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 55.85*s
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 56.00s
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 56.96s
4. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 58.13s
5. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 58.58s
6. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 62.38s
7. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 63.66s
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 64.70s
9. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 68.65s
10. N/A
11. N/A
12. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) FAIL
With all four wheels now attached, Steve Miles was able to re-join the game for the next qualifying run and make the final run-off of the day, unlike the unfortunate John Munro who was still side-lined and unable to qualify.
Pete Goulding (Mygale EcoBoost) took the run-off win to make it a first and second placing for the day and improving his Championship lead. Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) made up for his earlier misadventure to bag himself a fine second place whilst Graham Blackwell (Mygale EcoBoost) again rounded of the podium placings in third. Matt Hillam (DJ Firehawk slipped to 4th after experiencing a mini spin on the one of the fastest bends of the circuit but still managing to hold it together. Steve Broughton (DJ Firehawk) again managed to stave off John Loudon (Force TA) by a small margin for 5th and 6th respectively. Grahame Harden (Radical PR6) was pleased with 7th and admitted to enjoying himself throughout the day, Simon Wallis (OMS 3000) managed to again stay ahead of the improving Carole Torkington (OMS CF08) for 8th despite Carole beating her previous PB by nearly a second. Nick Scott (Force TA) made up the final placing having inexplicably gone slower than his previous runs.
Afternoon run-off results
Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 55.91s
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 56.31s
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 56.48s
4. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 56.79s
5. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 58.24s
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 58.55s
7. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 60.77s
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 62.48s
9. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 63.26s
10. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 70.77s
The day was rounded off with a torrential downpour to give everyone a soaking whilst the remainder of the entry list were taking their final runs and others were packing away which seemed to be limited to within a five mile radius of the circuit.
John Munro was aiming to make a BSC comeback in his OMS but was sidelined with drive chain and starter motor issues (Anthony Mitchell)
Steve Miles - with all wheels attached! (Anthony Mitchell)
Matt Hillam was Sunday's run-off 1 winner (Anthony Mitchell)
Pete Goulding - Sunday's run-off 2 winner (Anthony Mitchell)
Blackwell and Goulding take the top spots as Bainbridge toils
Event 4 at Blyton Park on 13/05/2023
Blyton Park Eastern Circuit – British Sprint Championship report by Steve Miles
Saturday 13 May 2023
Excitement was clearly visible in the paddock on the Friday evening after a six-week gap since the last round. The ever-flexible Longton & District MC juggled the parking allocation to allow us to keep off the boggy grass and all worked well with no one left behind after the weekend!
14 drivers started the Saturday, the first retirement being Nick Houston who couldn’t manage any track time due to electrical issues. Another welcome return was John Munroe, back in the BSC after eight years following a spell of circuit racing. The OMS had a few shakedown events and was declared ‘good to go’! Nick Scott had his car back in one piece after the Cadwell crash while someone else having an expensive few weeks of preparation was Steve Brown with a complete new throttle body system and dyno time on his Empire EVO.
Qualifying saw the demise of Steve’s Empire, not sounding good and possibly running a bearing, and he was out for the weekend. Next not to make the cut was Simon Bainbridge, who blew a CV driveshaft joint. He did have a spare, but unfortunately forgot to load it into the bus. Championship coordinator Pete Howgate kindly loaned him his car to go back to the farm to fetch it!
Despite suffering from ‘ManFlu’ the run off was won by Graham Blackwell in his REIS-sponsored Mygale EcoBoost, who had designed and fitted a 3rd spring and was very pleased with the new found compliance in the car. Just 8-hundredths behind was the similar car of Pete Goulding, fresh from FTD at Goodwood, who put this time loss down to a lock up at the first corner. 3rd was Steve Miles in his 27-year-old heavily-modified Formula Ford.
The SBD DJ Firehawk had new developments of a rear antiroll bar now fitted — which was taking some fine tuning to find a sweet spot, but Steve Broughton managed 4th and Matt Hillam 6th. Splitting the pair was Munro in the OMS, which apart from high coolant temps was running well. Simon Wallis also locked up first corner but was a no drama run and the same applied for the rest of the placings further down, with Graham Harden, Nick Scott and Carole Torkington all running well and ‘dialling themselves in’. In uncharacteristic last place was Laser Tools sponsored John Loudon with gear related trouble again. “No Comment” was the reply when pushed further!
Top 12 Run-off: Blyton Park E Rd 7
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 62.55s
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 62.63s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 63.39s
4. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 64.17s
5. John Munro (1.4 OMS CF07) 64.72s
6. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 65.42s
7. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 69.73s
8. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 70.01s
9. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 73.82s
10. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 74.48s
11. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 82.11s
With the cloud cover starting to ease, the strong wind kept the temperatures down and everyone readied themselves for the final points scoring opportunity of the day.
Matt Hillam jumped up the field with a spring change and was just 3 hundredths behind Miles in top qualifying spot, joined for the afternoon by his sponsors from Roundworks IT. Blackwell qualified 3rd, a few seconds slower as he qualifies on Avons and then swaps to Pirellis for the run off, generally finding a second or two as a result.
Electrician Goulding dominated the run-off however with a 60.55 to take 25 points, and this despite nearly not qualifying after a turbo pipe came loose and also not starting and having to solder the throttle pot loom connection minutes before heading out!
Miles improved to second this time with Blackwell just 3 hundredths behind and then Hillam — still with no electrical charging on the DJ and running a total loss system — another 3 hundredths behind, but with a class record to add the bonus point.
The remaining up to 1600 racing car class saw 0.13 separating Broughton from Munroe after some dampener softening. Loudon was struggling with oil leaks and missing gears for a midfield placing.
Grahame Harden got the heavy circuit Radical around for 8th and Torkington was happy with improvements all day and finishing 10th.
The big drama was Bainbridge’s 850bhp 4.2 litre Crono. After the impressive rebuild and repair of the CV joint in rapid time, it made the start line and qualified 5th, but come the run off the team believe a rear engine cover fixing failed and it ripped off on the start straight —this in turn affecting the rear aerodynamics and at the highest speed point on the circuit the rear end broke loose and the Stokesley farmer went ploughing, causing extensive damage and withdrawal from St Gueno and other upcoming events.
Top 12 run-off Blyton Park Eastern Rd 8
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 60.55s
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 61.66s
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 61.69s
4. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 61.82s
5. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 62.98s
6. John Munro (1.4 OMS CF07) 63.11s
7. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 63.44s
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 66.93s
9. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 68.01s
10. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 71.85s
11. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 75.01s
12. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) FAIL
Graham Blackwell topped the first run-off of the Blyton weekend (Anthony Mitchell)
Steve Broughton in the DJ Firehawk secured fourth spot in run-off one (Anthony Mitchell)
Steve Miles send up sparks (Anthony Mitchell)
4 British Sprint Champions - Roger Kilty, John Graham, Steve Miles and Matt Hillam (Martin Pickles)
Goulding asserts his position after the second Anglesey round
Event 3 at Anglesey on 02/04/2023
British Sprint Championship, Anglesey International Circuit 2 April 2023. Steve Miles reports:
The weather improved further overnight and by the end of the day, there were many faces sporting an Anglesey tan!
The big retirement was Steve Brown in his Empire Evo. Repairs to the plenum chamber had worked, but some pressure issues caused the butterfly valves to bend and some serious sorting was required before it would run again. Early departure meant he was the only driver not to feature in the group photo.
Qualification with eleven runners took the pressure off, but everyone was pushing, with Steve Miles leading the way despite some clutch issues that were worked around before the run-off.
In timed run 2, which is when the scores for the run off are set, Pete Goulding improved by a few tenths on his best tyre set, despite two stalls on the line and a warning that ‘one more and you’re out’. The improvement he put down to using all the rumble strips on the exit of the first left hander and a ‘do or die’ attitude to late braking at both big stops. Sparks from the undertray certainly were flying. Next up was John Loudon in the methanol-powered 1100 Force, a rerun due to a timing error helped offset the delayed upchange and leaking coolant issues he had to post his best ever finish in a BSC run off with an over three second improvement. Miles went slower by a second after running deep at the tricky 1st left-hander for 3rd place and just three-hundredths behind was current Champion Matt Hillam — a crash test dummy engineer during the week, despite some downshift issues, that he felt could be almost overcome with a change of driving style. Graham Blackwell, also a software engineer, let loose his 375bhp of the Mygale to come 5th, a few tenths further back and clocking 147mph compared to 145.3 mph of the similar EcoBoost of the winner.
Robert Tonge, in his Force TA also got a rerun due to timing and found his brand new Michelins were working well for 6th. The used Pirellis on Steve Broughton’s similar engined DJ Firehawk, plus down change issues that didn’t suit his ‘brake first, downchange rapidly after’ style meant he was 0.15secs back in equal 7th with Dr Harden in his circuit car Radical matching times and posting a PB. Last place of the remaining runners was Simon Bainbridge hustling the nearly 1 tonne of Crono around. He did confess to a small moment when he put a wheel fully in the grass at 150mph coming into rocket!
Carole Torkington also had a scary moment at 130 braking into rocket but PB’d with an 85.07 for 10th. Leaving Simon Wallis with a freshly repaired puncture – thanks to Pete Goulding, but overall progress slowed with a return of the engine intermittently cutting out again as it did last at Cadwell.
Top 12 Run-off: Anglesey Int Rd 5
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 79.15s
2. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 80.07s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 80.55s
4. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 80.58s
5. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 80.90s
6. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 81.85s
7. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 82.00s
7=. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 82.00s
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 82.37s
10. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 85.07s
11. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 88.99s
The last run of the weekend saw improvements for most, apart from Miles who went backwards, but at least was getting multiple reminders all day to put fuel in the tank after yesterday! The big improver was FTD man Pete Goulding who took yet another run off win to make 3 from 4 from the weekend to lead the championship. A leaking tyre valve just before the start caused some paddock stress however!
The next 3 places were very tight. Blackwell led the way in second place although he had a scare going to the line when the engine refused to start 4 times! Matt Hillam was just 4 hundredths down the road, setting another record for a bonus point and Miles another 4 hundredths back. Loudon said his run felt OK, but yet it was his worst time of the day for 5th.
7 hundredths behind was the SBD boss Steve who is now planning on more work to fabricate a rear antiroll bar before Blyton on the new car. 1/3 second in arrears was the SBD powered 1.4 identical engine in Tonges Force, who couldn’t figure out why he was a second off his PB, but this was quite a common discussion point amongst the drivers. On a positive though everyone was pleased how just over 2 seconds covered the middle 6 drivers so everything is close and all to play for as they move into the season.
Harden had some sideways launch issues as his traction control (right foot and associated leg muscles) played up he declared! Torkington stayed ahead of Wallis again with a new PB despite Wallis putting his best time of the day.
No time recorded for Simon Bainbridge after he attempted to take Church flat in the big Crono and put in a double 360 degree spin on the outfield mud and grass. No points but great style marks from the judges. This incident damaged one side of the radiator and cooling intakes and will need some repairs over the coming break.
Another good Longton & DMC run event and the BSC and club will be reunited in 6 weeks time when they put on their Blyton Park sprint.
Top 12 Run-off: Anglesey Int Rd 6
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 78.00s
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 79.46s
3. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 79.50*s
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 79.54s
5. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 81.16s
6. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 81.23s
7. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 81.59s
8. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 83.29s
9. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 84.38s
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 85.91s
BSC Positions after Anglesey Int Rd 6
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 145 points
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 135 points
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 132 points
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 120 points
5. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 117 points
6. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 100 points
7. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 94 points
8. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 81 points
9. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 78 points
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 70 points
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 64 points
12. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 61 points
Pete Goulding left Anglesey leading the Championship (Kim Broughton)
John Loudon finished 2nd in the round 5 run-off
Paddock shot (Neil Lambert)
Goulding and Miles share the spoils on April Fool's Day
Event 2 at Anglesey on 01/04/2023
British Sprint Anglesey National Circuit 1 April 2023. Steve Miles reports:
After the soggy Cadwell the previous weekend, the threatened deluge that had been forecast to last all day gradually diminished during the week, and everyone was changing their wets first thing Saturday on the cold but dry day that greeted the twelve runners at the wonderful Welsh circuit on April Fool’s day.
First practice was a good awakener for several drivers, including Robert Tonge, Carole Torkington and current British Sprint Champion Matt Hillam who had all not driven a racing car since last season. Steve Miles laid down his intentions with a fastest time in practice, but everyone was very close. Come qualifying, Steve Brown posted his reply with an impressive 48.26s to lead the field, and the first four were covered by a mere 0.8 secs.
Steve Broughton and Hillam were debuting their new car, a 1,440cc engine, normally-aspirated DJ Firehawk and both were getting to grips and dialling the chassis in following midweek testing for Steve. The Championship sponsor was, how shall we say it, “tired” after the testing, sorting multiple rally cars out as well as significant mods to his own car following the test and driving up from Surbiton.
When the points were handed out in the run-off run, Miles’ early intentions were to come to nothing after he admitted to forgetting to put fuel in the car and coasted round to save the engine after a low pressure alert to post 12th. Next up was Simon Wallis, who had his first clean run of the year without the engine cutting out on track (it did after the finish but that doesn’t count!) six-tenths quicker was Torkington who despite feeling rusty was pleased with the time. Graham Harden, the scientist from Lincolnshire wrestled the heavy 1.3 Radical around Anglesey’s National circuit bends for 9th position. The gear selection upshift issue John Loudon experienced at Cadwell was solved after an intermediate mounting bracket for the potentiometer was changed. Now he could work on improving the speed.
With times for the last seven cars now under 50 seconds, Broughton was pleased to finish and keep the development going, but the gearbox ratios were all wrong after 3rd and will need changing. Simon Bainbridge came to the event on a borrowed tow car and trailer after the bus engine went into terminal demise on the Cadwell journey home, and he was pleased with his 950kg car being a couple of tenths ahead of the Broughton/Hillam 350kg DJ Firehawk. Tonge was pleased with a clean run to leave him 5th, until he came across the mud on track after the finish line left by Steve Brown who managed a full double 360° spin, after posting a 48.68 to secure 4th.
A debut run for Hillam saw the 3rd spot on the podium taken by 12 hundredths ahead of Brown and he was pleased with the car saying it had potential. The 1.6l turbo power for Graham Blackwell set a new PB to take runner up spot, after a traction control tweak, leaving the winner Pete Goulding driving a similar Ecoboost taking his first win of the season by less by than 4 tenths.
Top 12 Run-off: Anglesey Nat Rd 3
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 47.81s
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 48.20s
3. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 48.56s
4. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 48.68s
5. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 49.10s
6. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 49.16s
7. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 49.34s
8. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 50.25s
9. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 50.46s
10. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 52.52s
11. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 53.14s
12. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 76.95
No incidents in the timed run 3, which meant everyone qualified for the run off scoring point in T4. The meeting was extremely well run by Longton and District MC and eventually gave nine timed runs!
Miles, enjoying his new retirement status made up for his errors in the first run off and with a new PB took the 25 points and FTD with a 46.53 even if the exit kerb after the finish gave the floor of the car a good beating! Matt Hillam demonstrated the ongoing potential being just 0.04 secs for second place and a new record with a bonus point. Goulding took the EcoBoost battle over Blackwell again, just 0.6secs in it. Tonge split the DJ drivers of Hillam and Broughton in the Up to 1,600cc class with a new PB on his Pirelli tyres, and was putting a new set of Michelin rubber on for Sunday, watch this space!
Behind Broughton in 7th was the Laser Tools sponsored John Loudon who was making good progress now he could select gears. After setting an interim FTD at one point Brown was disappointed with 8th but a cracked plenum chamber was diagnosed which resulted in loss of boost pressure. Overnight repairs with epoxy were made.
Bainbridge went 3 tenths slower than first run off for 9th and Harden was pleased to break the 50 second barrier posting 10th. Torkington kept her nose ahead of Wallis again with a 51.66 in 11th, leaving the software engineer from Cambridge in 12th, perhaps hindered by a rear puncture in qualifying and having to run on four front tyres as he had no spare rears available.
Top 12 Run-off: Anglesey Nat Rd 4
1. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 46.53s
2. Matthew Hillam (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 46.57s
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 47.20s
4. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 47.83s
5. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 48.47s
6. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk CT004) 48.54s
7. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 48.61s
8. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 49.32s
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 49.57s
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 49.88s
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 51.66s
12. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 54.37
Steve Miles secured a close win in the Round 4 run-off (Neil Lambert)
Simon Bainbridge had a successful Saturday but his weekend was cut short by a spin on the Sunday (Neil Lambert)
Bainbridge masters the conditions to dominate the opening weekend
Event 1 at Cadwell Park on 25/03/2023
Steve Miles Reports from a wet first day in the British Sprint Championship
Cadwell Park 25.3.23 Rounds 1 & 2
The cackling crows in the trees above Cadwell Park, were rudely awakened with the full 750bhp of Simon Bainbridge’s 4.2 litre Crono, as he stormed to two run-off wins to lead the British Championship after the first two rounds.
BARC Midlands organised the opening sprint of the season and were tested and responded excellently with multiple driver ‘offs’ and even a paddock medical emergency. This inevitably caused track delays, but they managed to get a practice and three timed runs in despite the ‘inclement’ conditions.
Competitors were greeted with heavy showers before the practice run, and all the BSC field were on either Pirelli or Avon wets, and these stayed on all day. After the withdrawal of Grahame Harden in the Radical, which was surprising after he had run well in testing at Blyton Park the week earlier, there were only eight runners, so as long as everyone posted a qualifying time, there were points to be had. The current British Champion Matt Hillam was still putting a new bike-engined car together with Championship sponsor Steve Broughton of SBD and they hope to be out for Anglesey next weekend
The tight opening section through Hall bends, The Hairpin and Barn were all extremely slippery in the rain and being under the trees, were slow to dry. The Force TA of Nick Scott was to fall victim to this on the final run-off; the rear end broke loose and he went off backwards at some speed into the Recticel barriers. Luckily, all was OK after a medical check over, but the car will need some attention and he is unlikely to be out in six days’ time for Anglesey.
Practice saw partial runs due to red flags for Steve Brown, who declared pre-event that the newly-loomed Empire Evo2 had too much power for the conditions! Both EcoBoosts of Pete Goulding and Graham Blackwell also got caught up in this red flag and due to delays all round, were not given reruns. Despite having successfully completed testing, Steve Miles encountered problems with the new clutch that had been fitted for 2023; it had ‘settled’ meaning that he found on the start line that it didn’t work and the car crawled forward. Advice from the SBD support line back in the paddock saw this adjusted out for the rest of the day to run OK.
When it came to qualification, Bainbridge showed his intent for the day posting a 94sec run, with the Mygale of Goulding 2.6 seconds back. Due to the conditions, Pete had detuned the engine to just 300bhp. Miles was a further two-tenths behind in his 27-year-old space-framed chassis that was once a 1996 Formula Ford, but after 20 years of development, only a few original elements remain. Graham Blackwell, also in an EcoBoost, hadn’t been to the track for twelve years and the new traction control system was working well. He kept a clean sheet all day and got progressively faster. Steve Brown headed the bike-engine racing cars twelve seconds behind Bainbridge, after which there was an even bigger gap to John Loudon who was having gearchange issues. Next up was local Lincoln property developer Nick Scott in his relatively new Force TA, followed by Simon Wallis who nearly didn’t make it as the 1,100cc engine in his OMS kept cutting our and needed restarting or bump-starting on track several times. The source could not be found all day, but high on the suspect list were some winter modifications to the intake.
More rain bursts, and then came the Timed run 2 from which the Championship scores are counted. Whilst most of the field went slower by several seconds, amazingly, the North Yorkshire pig farmer in the SBR Crono went four seconds faster to take the full 25 points. There is some great YouTube coverage of the top 4 cars doing circa 140mph in the wet if you search for “CF Photos, British Sprint Championship Round 1 Cadwell Park”
Miles seemed chuffed to come 2nd, albeit ten seconds behind, having now got the clutch working and able to hold position on the start line. Goulding was a further 2.3 seconds back, although lucky to have an undamaged car after he went off after the finish and took to the grass, luckily without contacting anything solid! Blackwell, 2.2 behind Goulding was happy with 4th and no drama, was clearly pleased with his traction control modifications made over the winter.
The last four places were taken by the bike-engined cars. The excessive power and no traction control — yet, watch this space we are told! — was a handful for Steven Brown who finished 1.4 seconds back. Then came Nicholas Scott, also running an RLM engine but 1.6l as opposed to Brown’s 1.4l supercharged, who finished some eight seconds further back. Simon Wallis was still having engine cut-out issues and came in 7th another eight seconds down. And finally came John Loudon in his 1.1 Force Tam propelled by a new engine after last season’s seizure. He was still suffering gear change issues and therefore wasn’t able to rely on any gear above 3rd, but that was the least of his worries as he made a full 360 degree spin to post a time of 234 seconds — might this go down in BSC history as the longest ever point-scoring run?
With many other offs, time was short but BARC managed to squeeze in another timed run, which for BSC purposes was declared beforehand the points-scoring run, with no qualification needed. In case proceedings needed livening up, the heavens promptly opened with another heavy downpour, although the strong winds partially dried the Lincolnshire Wolds undulations and times were quicker.
Working from the tail end upwards, we had two non finishers. Nick Scott’s accident has already been mentioned; the car was manhandled back into the trailer at the end of the day but I am pleased to report that the driver is fine. Next was Steve Brown “I braked 2m too late for Mansfield (the final downhill left hander) and decided to go up the escape road rather than risk the grass”. Wallis found 13 seconds, despite the engine still cutting out, and took the class win.
Blackwell and Goulding got red flagged in the aforementioned Brown incident and got given reruns this time, making up for practice, Blackwell took 4th but going 0.7 secs faster was Goulding who was pleased to secure 3rd.
Some 1.4 secs up the road, the moleracing Van Diemen of Miles had another tidy run for 2nd, but the almighty SBR Crono, designed, run and built by John Hansell and driven by Simon Bainbridge stormed to a win six seconds ahead. If only Simon’s famous big green double decker bus hadn’t blown a hole in its 40-year-old engine on the way home, it would have been a perfect weekend for him!
Results:
Cadwell Park Sprint March 23rd 2023
BARC Midlands
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 1 & 2
Run-off 1 (Round 1)
1. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 90.45s
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 100.47s
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 102.79s
4. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 104.97s
5. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 106.39s
6. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 114.36s
7. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 122.77s
8. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 234.61s
Run-off 2 (Round 2)
1. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 87.38s
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 93.41s
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 94.84s
4. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 95.61s
5. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 109.44s
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 115.90s
The Crono mastered Cadwell's wet conditions (Anthony Mitchell amm-photography.co.uk)
Hillam champion after exciting finale at Combe
Event 17 at Castle Combe on 08/10/2022
Arriving at an unseasonally warm and sunny Combe the outcome of the 2022 British Sprint Championship remained in the balance. Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) held a ten point lead over Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) but, while Holmes could be dropping high scores Hillam would be dropping lower ones, so both drivers needed to go for wins. Making matters harder for Holmes was a sick engine that was only performing on seven cylinders but the team had taken steps to manage the problem including running only a single driver at the event.
Qualifying for the first Run Off saw Hillam well ahead, with what turned out to be FTD, of the two Mygale Ecoboosts of Pete Goulding and Graham Blackwell, the latter looking to hold on to his third place in the Championship. With only 11 British Sprint competitors present, qualifying was not going to be in doubt so Holmes took it easy to save his equipment.
Run Off one was a dramatic affair. Holmes, using all his experience hauled the smoky Lola around to set an impressive and winning time of 114.15s. The SBD Dallara team weren't employing any team tactics and Steve Broughton was desperate to take his first Run Off win of the season having got close a number of times. Running first, Broughton swept through Camp corner, only for the car to be unsettled by the bump at the apex which threw the Dallara into a lurid slide towards the Armco on the exit of the corner. Just missing the barrier, the car regained the track and continued down the start/finish straight backwards for a few hundred metres before being returned to the paddock. Fortunately there wasn't any damage to the car althought the team's single set of tyres had been compromised a little. Nevertheless, Hillam took to the track for his run and, despite being a second slower than Holmes with a 115.31s, it was enough for second place and a new class record. So, 25 points each but Holmes' lead reduced to three points.
Further back, Goulding took third, despite a loose front wing, with Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) next up. Blackwell's hopes received a setback when a rear pushrod bent out of shape through the first chicane and his spare was found to have been fitted with the wrong thread!
With the double lap format and a couple of incidents the organisers decided not to go for a fourth timed run so the third was to be the last run of the day and a shoot out between the two main protagonists. Holmes again nursed the big Lola around to take the win while Hillam did what was necessary with a fast, but controlled, run to take second place and the Championship by just two points in an exciting end to the season. Goulding again took third with Broughton, Bainbridge and Miles next up.
Blackwell was able to hold on to third place in the Championship ahead of Broughton and Goulding who overtook an under the weather Miles, for fifth. Grahame Harden (Radical PR06) had another good day, beating the other Radicals present, and finishing tenth in the Championship while Simon Wallis (OMS3000) set a couple of PBs and earned himself 11th place in the Championship.
Results:
Castle Combe, Great Western Sprint October 8th 2022
Bristol MC
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 29 & 30
Run Off 1 (Round 29)1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 114.15s
2. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 115.31s
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 117.17s
4. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 118.22s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 119.96s
6. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 121.26s
7. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 124.64s
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 129.29s
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 130.80s
10. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) FAIL
Run Off 2 (Round 30)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 113.53s
2. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 114.49s
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 115.78s
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 116.29s
5. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 116.88s
6. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 118.39s
7. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 119.34s
8. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 123.91s
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 128.47s
10. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 131.16s
Final British Sprint Championship 2022 positions:
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 442 points
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 440 points
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 420 points
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 416 points
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 414 points
6. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 411 points
7. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 367 points
7=. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 367 points
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 319 points
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 314 points
11. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 299 points
12. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 295 points
etc.
Matt Hillam, 2022 British Sprint champion (Chris Bennett)
Terry Holmes put up a tremendous fight (Chris Bennett)
Simon Wallis, 11th in the Championship (Chris Bennett)
Steve Miles hands Matt Hillam his number for 2023
Hillam closes in
Event 16 at Anglesey on 02/10/2022
Day two of Longton & District Motor Club's Anglesey Autumn Sprint was held over the 3.1Km International circuit and remained dry, if a little cool. Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) scored another pair of Run Off wins to sweep the week-end and close the gap to Championship leader, Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) to just 10 points leaving it all to play for at the season finale at Castle Combe.
The day didn't start well for Holmes as an oil seal blew out, along with the oil, during practice. Repairs were made, shared driver Graham Porrett decided to sit out the event and fingers were crossed.
Morning qualifying for the first Run Off saw Hillam ahead of outgoing Champion, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) who was having one of his most competitive week-ends of the season. Next up were Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara), Holmes and Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost). Following a good day on the Saturday, Grahame Harden (Radical PR06) missed the cut leaving Carole Torkington (OMS CF08 ) and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) as the final two qualifiers.
Hillam took the first Run Off but Holmes wasn't giving up easily and took second from Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara) with Miles, Goulding and Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) who was suffering from electronic throttle servo problems all week-end, filling the next positions.
Qualifying the for second Run Off was led by Hillam and Broughton (using all the track and taking Church without a lift) in the SBD Dallara following some more weight change adjustments over lunch with Miles, Blackwell and Goulding next up. Holmes, as he often does, took it easy in qualifying to look after his equipment and was sixth. Harden found some speed to qualify tenth at the expense of Wallis who just missed the cut.
In Run Off two Hillam completed his week-end sweep with another masterful run but Holmes found time to take second ahead of Broughton and keep his Championship hopes alive. Miles, Blackwell and Goulding rounded out the top six while John Loudon was still adjusting the the different characteristics of a 1.6t car engine compared with an 1100cc bike engine but pleased to be respectably close to the other two Mygale drivers. He was seventh despite a minor front wing problem. Further back Harden, Mark Anson (Jedi MK6), having his last event of the year and hoping to hang on to a number for 2023, and Torkington (a PB by a couple of seconds) were happy to add to their overall points totals.
On to Castle Combe for the 2022 SBD British Sprint Championship showdown.
Results:
Anglesey, International Circuit October 2nd 2022
Longton & District MC
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 27 & 28
Run Off 1 (Round 27)1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 75.99s
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 77.04s
3. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 77.33s
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 77.70s
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 77.82s
6. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 79.56s
7. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 79.88s
8. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 81.98s
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 82.22s
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 86.15s
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 86.30s
12. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 86.75s
Run Off 2 (Round 28)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 75.79s
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 77.06s
3. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 77.60s
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 77.82s
5. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 78.55s
6. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 80.16s
7. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 80.24s
8. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 80.71s
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 81.60s
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 83.35s
11. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 86.32s
12. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 86.65s
British Sprint Championship positions after round 28:
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 435 points
2. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 425 points
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 420 points
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 416 points
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 411 points
6. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 408 points
7. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 366 points
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 357 points
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 319 points
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 307 points
11. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 295 points
12. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 292 points
etc.
Terry Holmes fought on at Anglesey (Neil Lambert)
A good week-end for Grahame Harden (Neil Lambert)
John Loudon 'guesting' in the Mygale (Jane Loudon)
Steve Broughton wqas on the pace all week-end (Neil Lambert)
Hillam forges on at Anglesey
Event 15 at Anglesey on 01/10/2022
The first day of Longton & District Motor Club's Anglesey Autumn Sprint was held over 1 lap of the 1.66Km National circuit and competitors were welcomed with a day of cool and blustery conditions but a 'green' track following torrential rain the day before.
Going in to the week-end, Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) held a small lead over Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) and reigning Champion, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96). A considerable distance further back was Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) but who was, significantly, yet to drop scores so a strong showing could catapult him into Championship contention.
Qualifying for the first Run Off confirmed that the battle for the Championship was definitely on with Hillam leading the way from Holmes and Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost). Further back, without an engine in his Force TA, John Loudon was sharing the Goulding Mygale, qualifying a strong 6th while Rob Tonge was making a Championship re-appearance in his Force TA, qualifying 8th. Steve Brown (Empire EVO 2) had to withdraw with electrical problems.
Run Off one saw Hillam assert his position from qualifying, taking the win by half a second from Steve Broughton, sharing the SBD Dallara, with Miles just a hundredth behind in third. As evidence of the close fight for the Championship Holmes was fourth just 0.06s adrift of Miles.
Qualification for the second Run Off again saw the SBD Dallara to the fore with Hillam leading Broughton, both drivers happy with the handling apart from a touch of oversteer, and the rest of the field largely holding position.
Most competitors found significant time improvements in Run Off two but it was Hillam, who completed the double to halve the deficit to Holmes from 89 to 42 points and establish himself as a credible contender for the Championship, although with four rounds still to go it would be close. Miles took second ahead of Holmes with PB and the three Mygales of Goulding, Blackwell and Loudon. Broughton, keen to score his first Run Off win of the season, was on a flyer with good sector times but a half spin at Church dropped him to the back of the field.
Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) came away with an eighth and tenth finish trying to conserve the last diff in the spares box.
Results:
Anglesey, National Circuit October 1st 2022
Longton & District MC
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 25 & 26
Run Off 1 (Round 25)1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 47.00s
2. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 47.48s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 47.49s
4. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 47.55s
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 47.99s
6. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 48.30s
7. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 49.32s
8. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 49.59s
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 50.77s
10. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 51.03s
11. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 51.32s
12. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 51.68s
Run Off 1 (Round 26)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 45.81s
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 46.68s
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 46.91s
4. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 48.15s
5. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 48.22s
6. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 49.05s
7. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 49.12s
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 49.97s
9. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 50.25s
10. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 51.31s
11. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 51.74s
12. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 53.51s
Matt Hillam was on fime form at Anglesey (Neil Lambert)
Rob Tonge was back in the Force TA (Neil Lambert)
Electrical problems for Steve Brown (Neil Lambert)
Steve Miles had a competitive week-end (Jane Loudon)
Hillam makes his bid at Blyton
Event 14 at Blyton Park on 25/09/2022
On Day 2 of Nottingham Sports Car Club's Blyton sprint, held on the Outer Circuit, Matt Hillam got his 2022 title bid back on track with a pair of Run Off wins. Although some way back in the table Matt and the SBD Dallara have yet to drop scores so a brace of wins moved him up the leader board and kept his title hopes alive.
The day thankfully turned out dry even if the morning was a little cool. Qualifying for the first Run Off saw Hillam decisively ahead of Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) and new Championship leader, Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra). Steve Brown's Empire EVO 2 was back running again and qualifed well in seventh and Nick Scott (Force TA) was happy to make the cut in twelth.
Run Off one saw the three top qulaifiers maintain their positions with Hillam taking a comfortable win and Goulding taking an extra point for a new class record. Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara) was fourth ahead of Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost), Brown and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) who was dropping fourth place scores and adopting a 'win or bust' approach. John Loudon (Force TA) was the leading 1100cc car while, winner from the previous day, Simon Bainbridge, posted a fail with a broken diff and was out for the day.
Afternoon qualifying for the second Run Off was an all Dallara affair with Hillam ahead of Broughton but not by much, from the two Mygales of Blackwell and Goulding. Loudon had his oil filter work loose leading to a loss of oil, possible engine damage and his premature withdrawal from the event.
In the second Run Off Hillam maintained his position to take his second win of the day with Blackwell next up from Holmes, putting in a typically competitive run when it all mattered. In the absence of Loudon, Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) was the fastest 1100cc car in ninth, demonstrating his preference for the Outer circuit, ahead of Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M).
Results:
Blyton Park Outer September 25th 2022
NSCC
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 23 & 24
Run Off 1 (Round 23)1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 54.49s
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 55.36s
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 55.78s
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 55.82s
5. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 56.20s
6. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 57.67s
7. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 57.84s
8. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 58.75s
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 60.17s
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 62.78s
11. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 63.80s
12. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) FAIL
Run Off 2(Round 24)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 54.31s
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 55.62s
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 55.92s
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 55.96s
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 56.52s
6. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 56.87s
7. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 59.98s
8. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 61.02s
9. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 63.06s
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 63.11s
11. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 63.45s
12. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 64.47s
British Sprint Championship positions after round 24:
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 426 points
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 419 points
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 404 points
4. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 400 points
5. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 360 points
6. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 350 points
7. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 346 points
8. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 337 points
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 312 points
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 304 points
11. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 291 points
12. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 290 points
etc.
Hillam's day at Blyton (Kim Broughton)
A pair of Run Off apearances for Nick Scott (Kim Broughton)
Blackwell fights for the lead and Bainbridge takes a win
Event 13 at Blyton Park on 24/09/2022
Coming in to Round 21 of the 2022 British Sprint Championship at Blyton Park, Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) held a slender 5 point lead over his rivals, some of whom had yet to drop scores so his only strategy had to be go for wins. A win in the first Run Off was a good start but a poor run in the second, which saw Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) take his maiden win, allowed Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) take a six point lead in the Championship.
The Saturday rounds of the Nottingham Sports Car Club organised event were held on Blyton's Eastern circuit and the morning runs were held in cool and dry conditions. Qualifying for the first Run Off saw the SBD Dallara in the hands of Matt Hillam and Steve Broughton leading the way (and benefitting from new tyres) from Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) and Blackwell. Although Hillam was lying well down in the Championship table he hadn't taken in many rounds and was a dark horse for the overall honours at the end of the season. John Loudon (Force TA) qualified seventh with the two other 1100cc cars of Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) to qualify well in ninth and tenth.
The first Run Off was held in the dry with Blackwell just nicking the win from Hillam by three hundredths and, crucially, both bagging an extra point for a new class record. Next up were Holmes, Broughton and reigning Champion, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) with John Loudon (Force TA) sixth and a new class record. Bainbridge was eighth with a new class record while Grahame Harden (Radical PR06) found over two seconds from his qualifying time to take a good ninth.
As the afternoon arrive, so did the rain and both qualifying and Run Off runs were held in the wet. Holmes qualified at the front just ahead of Bainbridge whose SBR Crono always goes well in the wet, aided no doubt, by its aero advantages as well as its AVON wets. Miles was too cautious and almost missed the cut in tenth. DNFs were posted by Anson, who ended up with a very muddy car after a spin at the exist to Wiggler, and the perennially unlucky Steve Brown (Empire EVO 2).
The final Run Off of the day saw Bainbridge use his advantage to take hois first Run Off win of the season by two and a half seconds from Holmes, Broughton, Miles and Hillam - the temperature had dropped and the Pirelli runners were struggling to get heat into their tyres. Both Mygales had dropped back and it was left to Nick Scott (Force TA) and Graham Porrett (Lola Tegra) to take the final points.
Results:
Blyton Park Eastern September 24th 2022
NSCC
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 21 & 22
Run Off 1 (Round 21)1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 59.85s
2. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 59.88s
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 61.24s
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 61.25s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 61.34s
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 61.76s
7. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 61.92s
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 63.44s
9. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 66.20s
10. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 67.08s
11. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 67.66s
12. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 68.56s
Run Off 2 (Round 22)
1. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 69.35s
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 72.83s
3. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 73.26s
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 73.65s
5. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 76.00s
6. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 77.81s
7. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 77.94s
8. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 79.72s
9. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 79.92s
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 81.33s
11. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 81.86s
12. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 82.02s
Simon Bainbridge was master of the wet at Blyton (Kim Broughton)
A win helped Graham Blackwell prolong his championship lead (Kim Broughton)
Robb's return at Knockhill
Event 12 at Knockhill on 04/09/2022
On a day of very mixed conditions, 2011 and 2012 British Sprint champion, Stewart Robb made a return at Knockhill in his Pilbeam MP88 to take a win in the second Run Off of the day after Terry Homes (Lola Tegra) took the first Run Off.
One observer descibed it as "a day of almost all 4 seasons, with biblical rain first thing, then damp by lunchtime and baking sun for the final run of the day! ". Running anti-clockwise on the demanding track, qualifying for the first Run Off was wet with Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) making full use of the car's downforce and its Avon wets to lead the field by a second from Holmes and John Loudon in his nimble 1100cc Force TA. The two championship front runners, Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF86) were next up followed by Robb, running a new floor at the event and playing himself in.
The first Run Off still needed wets and saw Holmes and Bainbridge reverse their qualifying positions while Miles found some form to take third, five hundredths ahead of Blackwell to reduce Blackwell's championship lead to just three points. Five seconds back were Robb, Loudon and Graham Porrett (Lola Tegra) all covered by half a second. Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M), Grahame Harden (Radical PR06) and Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) rounded out the top 10.
Qualifying for the second Run Off was dry with slicks all round and Holmes maintained his position at the top of the timing sheets ahead of Blackwell and an improving Robb. The final Run Off of the day was held in bright sunshine with, at least, a chance of some new records although it was only Loudon in a good fourth who managed it. But it was left to Robb to complete a successful return and win the Run Off by less than a tenth from Holmes. By coming third with Miles fifth, Blackwell increased his championship lead to five points. Bainbridge was back in sixth, the SBR Crono rebuilt with a new floor after the Shelsley incident, but not as competitve in the dry on its Michelin/Pirelli slick mix.
There are still ten rounds to go and Holmes has now crept up to third, just nine points off the championship lead, but with two low scores to drop is definitely a championship contender along with a couple of other competitors who are further down the leader board but having completed significantly fewer rounds. It could be close at the end.
Note: Thanks to John Stewart of FlatOutPhotogarphy for his usual excellent images
Results:
Knockhill anti clockwise Sept 4 2022
Knockhill Motorsport Club
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 19 & 20
Run Off 1 (Round 19)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 98.53s
2. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 102.08s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 102.37s
4. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 102.42s
5. Stewart Robb (5.0 Pilbeam MP88-1 GV5) 107.20s
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 107.21s
7. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 107.60s
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 109.69s
9. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 110.70s
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 116.22s
Run Off 2 (Round 20)
1. Stewart Robb (5.0 Pilbeam MP88-1 GV5) 89.54s
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 89.63s
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 91.64s
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 93.06s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 93.17s
6. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 94.09s
7. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 94.93s
8. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 98.55s
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 100.12s
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 102.32s
British Sprint Championship positions after round 20:
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 408 points
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 403 points
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 399 points
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 349 points
5. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 333 points
6. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 328 points
7. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 302 points
8. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 292 points
9. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 280 points
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 266 points
11. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 257 points
12. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 241 points
etc.
A successful outing for Robb's Pilbeam (John Stewart)
Bainbridge's Crono was quick in the wet (John Stewart)
Terry Holmes is a championship contender (John Stewart)
Graham Blackwell increases his championship lead (John Stewart)
Holmes bags a pair in N.Ireland
Event 10 at Kirkistown on 07/08/2022
For Day Two of the 500 MRCI organised sprint at Kirkistown, all ten British Sprint competitors who had made the trip were present for morning qualification after overnight repairs had been made to the Holmes/Porrett Lola and the Wallis OMS.
Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) led the qualifiers from championship contenders, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) and Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) with Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) back in seventh checking out his rebuilt suspension. It was clearly running fine as Holmes stormed to a first Run Off win ahead of Goulding, Miles and John Loudon (Force TA) the leading 1100cc runner. Blackwell was sixth after overshooting the chicane and bending a pushrod which was repaired for the following runs. Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) had his engine cover blow off and was red flagged.
Qualifying for the seond Run Off saw Goulding ahead of Blackwell with Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) finding time to take third.
The final Run Off of the week-end saw Holmes take a comfortable win ahead of Goulding, Bainbridge, Miles and Blackwell. The battle between Blackwell and Miles at the top of the leaderboard intensified with Miles leaving Kirkistown just four points adrift with six round left.
There were fewer quick locals present than on the day before but, nonetheless, Rob Dwane (1.3t OMS 25) took a stunning FTD with a 104.30s run.
Results:
Kirkistown August 7, 2022
500 MRCI
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 17 & 18
Run Off One (Round 17)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 109.34s
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 111.08s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 112.70s
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 115.82s
5. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 117.33s
6. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 117.86s
7. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 118.43s
8. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 121.86s
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 124.08s
10. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) FAIL
Run Off One (Round 18)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 110.15s
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 111.92s
3. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 112.28s
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 113.68s
5. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 113.94s
6. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 115.66s
7. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 116.44s
8. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 118.98s
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 122.35s
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 123.34s
British Sprint Championship positions after round 18:
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 383 points
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 379 points
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 350 points
4. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 328 points
5. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 319 points
6. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 302 points
7. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 269 points
8. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 264 points
9. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 259 points
10. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 257 points
11. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 241 points
12. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 231 points
etc.
Two second places for Pete Goulding (Jimmy Graham)
A fine podium for Simon Bainbridge (Jimmy Graham)
Rob Dwane was mighty fast in the OMS 25 (Jimmy Graham)
A good points haul for Graham Porrett (Jimmy Graham)
Holmes & Miles at Kirkistown day one
Event 9 at Kirkistown on 06/08/2022
Just ten British Sprint competitors made the long trip to Northern Ireland for the 500 Motor Racing Club of Irelan's traditional summer Kirkistown sprint week-end. As usual they were joined by a number of local 'hot shoes' keen to show the visitors that there were fast sprinters in these parts. They weren't wrong.
Using the one and a half mile 'traditional long circuit', qualifying for the first Run Off saw Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) comfortably ahead of the two Mygale Ecoboosts of Pete Goulding and Championship leader, Graham Blackwell with reigning Champion, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) next up.
The first Run Off was remarkable in that the first four maintained their qualifying positions with very similar times and gaps. John Loudon was the fastest 1100cc runner in fifth while Simon Baingbridge lost a lot of time to finish ninth and Simon Wallis posted a 'fail' due to a broken CV joint.
Qualifying for Run Off Two saw Goulding fractionally ahead of Miles with Blackwell, Porrett (Lola Tegra) and Bainbridge behind. Holmes was back in ninth after a lower shock absorber mounting bolt snapped. The Lola Tegra was out for the afternoon but enough parts were sourced to effect a repair for the following day.
The up and down day continued into Run Off Two when Miles (managing overheating issues) just outpaced Bainbridge by a couple of tenths to get his title defence back on track and a little closer to Blackwell who came home third. Loudon was fourth having sorted out some wheel bearing issues with the help of another competitor.
Goulding and Loudon both took an extra point for setting new class records.
And what of the locals? Rob Dwane in a 1.3t OMS 25 took FTD, with a 107.04 over three seconds ahead of Holmes while Tim Woodside (Pilbeam MP82) was only just pipped for third FTD by Goulding. Ryan McGimpsey also set some very competitive times in his enthusiastically driven 1.3 Jedi.
Results:
Kirkistown August 6, 2022
500 MRCI
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 15 & 16
Run Off One (Round 15)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 110.29s
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 112.20s
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 113.56s
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 114.63s
5. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 116.54s
6. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 117.95s
7. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 120.75s
8. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 132.28s
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 164.32s
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) fail
Run Off Two (Round 16)
1. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 113.03s
2. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 113.22s
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 114.27s
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 117.05s
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 117.63s
6. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 119.35s
7. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 123.40s
Holmes was in command until his suspension failed (Jimmy Graham)
A welcome win for Steve Miles (Jimmy Graham)
Tim Woodside's Pilbeamwent well (Jimmy Graham)
Ryan McGimpsey's Jedi bounces off the kerbs (Jimmy Graham)
Holmes & Hillam share Lydden spoils
Event 8 at Lydden Hill on 16/07/2022
The Ray Heal memorial sprint, organised by five southern motor clubs, at Lydden Hill was held during one of the hottest spells in living memory but mercifully Saturday July 16th in East Kent was cooler than the preceding (and indeed following) days so competitors didn't have extreme temperatures to deal with. One thing they did have to deal with though was a very dusty track (despite the venue's best efforts to sweep and clean) - a legacy of both Rallycross activities and the continuing works to upgrade the track, paddock and facilities.
Practice was largely uneventful except for those visiting Lydden for the first time and trying to get their heads around the camber and elevation changes - and for Steve Brown (Empire EVO 2) who had the throttle stick open going around Chessons Drift and while this was quickly fixed other electronic issues and misfires would appear from time to time.
Qualifying for the first Run Off saw Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) a couple of tenths ahead of Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) with Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara) hot on their heels - benefitting from the Dallara's preference for warm conditions to get the tyres up to temperature. Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) was next up, fresh from a successful (with a PB) run out at Blyton the week before, with reigning British Sprint champion Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96), championship leader Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) and Simon Bainbridge, not so fresh from the 300+ mile journey down from the North East with the SBR Crono. Carole Torkington (OMS CF08) and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) were pleased to qualify 11th and 12th.
Run Off 1 saw Holmes and Hillam still tied together with Holmes taking the top spot by just 5 hundredths with Broughton nearly a second back in third. Blackwell (overcoming some old tyres and a fractured steering wheel(!)) improved to take fourth ahead of Miles, Goulding and Brown. John Loudon (Force TA) was the fastest 1100, half a second ahead of Chris Jones in a similar car - both were later to break Gary Thomas' twelve year old class record.
Qualifying for the second Run Off saw Hillam repeat his earlier effort, 0.8s ahead of Broughton after Holmes had a big spin coming out of Chessons and needing to be towed back. Brown put in a cracking effort for third, the car running as it should, half a second behind Broughton with Miles, Blackwell and Goulding next up. Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) was pleased to make the cut in the final qualifying position.
In the second Run Off (a standalone affair this time as the curfew was rapidly approaching) Hillam maintained his form to take the win and a new class record from Broughton and Miles who made a big improvement to finish 3 hundredths adrift and with a PB having found the rear brake bias to be well off its normal settings. Torkington completed a successful day with a PB and a sub 70s time for tenth place.
In the championship, Blackwell retained his lead with Miles staying 9 points behind and with Holmes another 25 points back.
Results:
Lydden Hill, July 16 2022
Borough 19 Motor Club
Maidstone & Mid Kent Motor Club
Tunbridge Wells Motor Club
Sevenoaks & District Motor Club
Lydden Hill Motorsport Club
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 13 & 14
Run Off One (Round 13)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 65.88s
2. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 65.93s
3. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 66.89s
4. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 67.35s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 67.81s
6. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 68.09s
7. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 68.43s
8. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 69.04s
9. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 69.61s
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 70.88s
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 71.10s
12. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 97.03s
Run Off Two (Round 14)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 65.66s
2. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 66.19s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 66.22s
4. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 67.29s
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 67.54s
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 67.55s
7. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 67.83s
8. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 68.28s
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 69.20s
10. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 69.79s
11. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 70.69s
12. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 71.22s
British Sprint Championship positions after round 14
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 296 points
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 287 points
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 262 points
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 257 points
5. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 241 points
6. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 233 points
6=. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 233 points
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 225 points
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 203 points
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 193 points
11. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 188 points
12. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 184 points
etc.
A win and a spin for Terry Holmes (Kim Broughton)
A first and a second for Matt Hillam (Kim Broughton)
A fine third place for Steve Brown (Kim Broughton)
John Loudon plunges down Hairy Hill for a good result (Jane Loudon)
Holmes sweeps wet Pembrey
Event 7 at Pembrey on 05/06/2022
Day two of BARC Wales Summer Sprint at Pembrey started out wet and finished wet with brief interludes of a drier track. Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) stayed on his wet AVONs all day and completed his sweep of the week-end with two more Run Off wins.
Qualifying for the first Run Off saw Holmes well ahead of the rest with Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96), the car now performing properly with its rake put back to more normal levels, Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono), Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost), Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara on wet settings) and Chris Jones (Force TA). Carole Torkington (OMS CF08) and Mark Anson were pleased to make the Run Off in 11th and 12th places while Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) and Nick Scott (Force TA) both posted 'fails'.
By the time the first Run Off came around it had stopped raining and most of the field elected for slicks - except for Holmes who found 4 seconds from his qualifying run and emerged the winner by a couple of tenths from Steve Broughton, happy with the Dallara's handling in the changing conditions. The Dallara's other driver, Matt Hillam doesn't enjoy changing conditions and was down in eleventh. In third and fourth were Miles and Jones, the latter redeeming himself after a spin on Saturday although the car ended the run smoking and had to be taken back to the paddock for investigation. Next up were the Mygale Ecoboosts of Goulding and Blackwell ahead of John Loudon (Force TA). while Anson and Torkington reversed their qualifyfing positions in ninth and tenth.
The final run of the day had to count as a Run Off and the rain had stated to fall again so it was onto wets for everyone. It eased a bit during the runs which menat that the early runners had the worst of the conditions but Holmes, who enjoys wet conditions, ran out an easy winner from Broughton and Goulding. Simon Bainbridge put in a strong run to get the big SBR Crono up to fourth ahead of Miles, Blackwell and Jones. Carole Torkington completed a successful week-end with an eleventh place result.
Results:
Pembrey, National Circuit, June 5th 2022
BARC Wales
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 11 & 12
Run Off One (Round 11)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 100.46s
2. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 100.70s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 102.74s
4. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 103.97s
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 104.03s
6. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 105.10s
7. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 109.80s
8. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 114.98s
9. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 115.37s
10. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 116.44s
11. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 117.90s
12. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 122.97s
Run Off Two (Round 12)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 100.53s
2. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 102.08s
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 105.28s
4. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 105.91s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 106.42s
6. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 107.76s
7. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 110.12s
8. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 110.23s
9. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 111.78s
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 112.13s
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 112.62s
12. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 114.53s
British Sprint Championship positions after round 12
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 252 points
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 243 points
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 237 points
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 210 points
5. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 194 points
6. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 193 points
7. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 192 points
8. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 191 points
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 175 points
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 169 points
11. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 163 points
12. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 155 points
etc.
Two wins for Holmes in the wet (Kim Broughton)
Mark Anson, 9th in Run Off 1 (Kim Broughton)
A pair of seconds for Steve Broughton (Kim Broughton)
Two good scores for Grahame Harden's Radical (Kim Broughton)
Holmes wins at Pembrey
Event 6 at Pembrey on 04/06/2022
The 2022 BARC Wales Summer Sprint week-end began in dry and warm conditions but not without difficulties. Competitors had been expected to be running on the National circuit but with a few minutes before practice commenced it was confirmed that the Saturday event would be held on the Clubman track. The left right sequence between Paddock and Senna had another right turn on to the Rallycross track in the middle of the sequence which caught a lot of competitors out, spins, red flags and recoveries. Other drivers were struggling to find the pit lane entrance with the addition of several Rallycross exits off the back straight which led to further delays.
As a result of all this it was only possible to get in two timed runs and thus a single Top 12 Run Off.
Qualification for the first Run Off saw Terry Holmes, the Lola Tegra now running reliably and not giving its two drivers any problems, half a second ahead of Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara). Behind these two came Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara), Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost), Chris Jones (Force TA), Peter Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) all covered by a couple of seconds.
In the Run Off Holmes found a second to take a comfortable win from Blackwell, Hillam, Broughton, Goulding and Miles. Missing were Jones (a spin at Brooklands) and poor Steve Brown (Empire EVO2) who had a propshaft fail coming out of Honda, break a wishbone leaving him up against the pit wall by the start line. Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) just made the Run Off and had a spin but kept the car on track for tenth with the two fails.
Despite the limited running Blackwell, Hillam, Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) and Jones all manages to set new class records.
Reigning Champion, Steve Miles eventually found the reason for his sub par performance. Just before the event he removed the shock absorbers to repair a leak but got the settings wrong on re-installation leaving the front higher than the rear! Sorted for Sunday.
Results:
Pembrey, Clubmans Circuit, June 4th 2022
BARC Wales
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 9 & 10
Run Off One (Round 9)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 102.27s
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 103.92s
3. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 104.22s
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 105.11s
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 106.81s
6. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 107.01s
7. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 107.10s
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 108.13s
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 110.06s
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 123.27s
11. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) FAIL
12. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) FAIL
Run Off Two (Round 10) Cancelled
A second place and class record for Graham Blackwell (Kim Broughton)
Third for Matt Hillam'ss Dallara (Kim Broughton)
John Loudon's Force TA took seventh (Jane Loudon)
Steve Miles celebrates the Jubilee (Kim Broughton)
Hillam's Blyton double
Event 5 at Blyton Park on 15/05/2022
The second day of the Longton & District Blyton Spring sprint week-end was held on the venue's tricky Outer circuit and saw Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) take a pair of fine wins in the car that had been repaired and rebuilt overnight.
Qualifying for the first Run Off saw Hillam well in command from Championship leader, Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) and the improving Steve Brown (Empire Evo 2). They were followed, at some distance, by Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96), Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara) and one of the Run Off winners from the previous day, Terry Holmes in the Lola Tegra.
In Run Off one, Blackwell pushed Hillam hard for the win and was only a couple of tenths adrift with Broughton taking third ahead of Brown (in his best result in the Empire), Miles and Holmes. Next up was Rob Tonge in the Force TA who also set a new Class record despite suffering from some gearbox potentiometer problems during the week-end..
Qualifying for the second Run Off saw Hillam maintain his position at the ehad of the bunch from Miles and Holmes.
Run Off two was a repeat of the first, at least for the top three runners with Hillam taking a more comfortable win by nearly a second from Blackwell and Broughton. The 1100cc runners, John Loudon (Force TA), Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) completed their successful week-ends in 6th, 9th and tenths all having scored well in each Run Off. Hillam, Blackwell and Loudon each gained a bonus point for a new Class record.
Results:
Blyton Part, Outer Circuit, May 15th 2022
L&DMC
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 7 & 8
Run Off 1 (Round 7)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 55.69s
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 55.88s
3. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 56.38s
4. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 57.29s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 57.60s
6. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 57.68s
7. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 58.52s
8. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 58.91s
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 59.12s
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 60.06s
11. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 60.83s
12. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 61.51s
Run Off 2 (Round 8)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 54.65s
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 55.59s
3. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 55.76s
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 56.06s
5. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 56.11s
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 58.17s
7. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 58.71s
8. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 58.85s
9. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 59.79s
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 59.91s
11. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 60.85s
12. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) fail
British Sprint Championship positions after round 8
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 187 points
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 179 points
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 162 points
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 140 points
5. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 139 points
5=. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 139 points
7. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 138 points
8. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 127 points
8=. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 127 points
8=. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 127 points
11. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 123 points
12. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 120 points
Matt Hillam, unstoppable at Blyton (Kim Broughton)
Simon Bainbridge in the SBR Crono (Anthony Mitchell)
Steve Brown, committed in the Empire (Anthony Mitchell)
Steve Miles lies second in the Championship (Anthony Mitchell)
Blackwell moves ahead at Blyton
Event 4 at Blyton Park on 14/05/2022
The first day of the Longton & District Blyton Spring sprint week-end was held in fine conditions on the venue's Eastern circuit and saw Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) take a win in the first Run Off and move into the lead of the 2022 British Sprint Championship.
The first drama of the day didn't take long to unfold for the SBD Dallara team as Matt Hillam completed his practice run with smoke appearing from the back of the car. Further investigation revealed a 'foreign body' trapped against an idler pulley with smoke coming from friction against the cam belt. New parts were needed so John Hughes offered to undertake the 8 hour round trip back to base while the rest of the team took the car apart and removed the engine in the Blyton 'hanger'. Amazingly by 8pm all was well and the team ready for the following day. It was going to be worth it.....
Qualifying for the first Run Off was an all Mygale affair with Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) leading the way from Blackwell by half a second from reigning champion Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96, running a new high downforce rear wing) and Rob Tonge, who put in a cracking run in his 1.4 Busa powered Force TA.
The first Run Off saw the leading Mygales swap places with Blackwell taking the win by the narrowest of margins (0.03s and a new record) from Goulding. Miles was third ahead of Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra). The big Lola was running a new exhaust and was set for a trouble free week-end for a change (not even 'taking the engine cover off' at the end of the day). Tonge maintained his strong pace to take fifth from the leading 1100cc runner, John Loudon (Force TA) and Steve Brown (Empire Evo 2). Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) was running an unusual tyre choice - Pirellis at the back and Michelins on the front - but a Fail in the first Run Off cost him a good result.
Qaulifying for the second Run Off saw Goulding post a Fail after "kissing the apex tyre wall at Bishops" although with a front wheel bent back against the cockpit and brake lines ripped off it seemed a bit more of a 'full on snog' quipped another competitor! This left Holmes to qualify quickest ahead of Blackwell, Miles, Tonge and a recovering Bainbridge. Graham Porrett (Lola Tegra) made the cut after finding more that three and a half seconds over his earlier attempt.
Holmes continued to chip away at his times and, improving by a second from the first Run Off, saw him take the win in the second Run Off. Blackwell couldn't repeat his earlier time and took second place ahead of Miles, Tonge and Bainbridge. Next up were Brown, Loudon and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M). Such was the overall improvement in times that Bainbridge, Tonge and Loudon all set new Class records.
Results:
Blyton Part, Eastern Circuit, May 14th 2022
L&DMC
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 5 & 6
Run Off 1 (Round 5)
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 60.00s
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 60.03s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 61.14s
4. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 61.55s
5. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 62.25s
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 62.56s
7. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 63.18s
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 64.01s
9. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 65.89s
10. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 65.97s
11. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 68.12s
12. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) FAIL
Run Off 2 (Round 6)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 60.47s
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 60.92s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 61.08s
4. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 62.22s
5. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 62.32s
6. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 62.77s
7. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 63.07s
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 65.05s
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 65.12s
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 66.69s
11. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 67.53s
12. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) FAIL
British Sprint Championship positions after round 6
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 138 points
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 136 points
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 127 points
4. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 121 points
5. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 102 points
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 100 points
7. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 96 points
7=. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 96 points
9. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 94 points
9=. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 94 points
11. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 88 points
12. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 87 points
A win and the championship lead for Graham Blackwell (Anthony Mitchell)
A trouble free day and a win for Terry Holmes (Anthony Mitchell)
A pair of excellent results for Rob Tonge (Anthony Mitchell)
Fastest 1100 and a new record for John Loudon (Anthony Mitchell)
Hillam's double at Anglesey International
Event 3 at Anglesey on 03/04/2022
The second day of L&DMC's Spring Anglesey sprint dawned clear but very cold with overnight teperatures dropping well below freezing and competitors in tents were taking a while to warm up - themselves not the cars!
Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) led the qualifiers for the first Run Off by nearly a second from reigning Champion, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) followed by Graham Blackwell and Pete Goulding in the Mygale Ecoboosts. Next up was Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara) who was suffering from severe neck pain after a kerb incident testing at Llandow followed by the V8 powered pair of Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) and Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono). Chris Jones' Force was running without its engine cover to try and mitigate excessive inlet air temperatures but a spin at the first corner destroyed the starter motor and he had to be towed back - it was replaced and he would re-appear later. Steve Brown also completed a run without an engine cover but the difference was - he started with one! No serious gamage though.
The first Run Off was a Dallara/Mygale affair with Hillam taking the win by half a second from Blackwell (new class record), Goulding and Broughton. Steve Brown (Empire EVO 2) and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) had their cars going well in seventh and eight places.
Qualifying for the second Run Off saw Broughton ahead of Miles, Hillam and Goulding. Then came Blackwell and Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) a couple of tenths apart. Jones was back in seventh, still in familiarisation mode, ahead of Wallis and Graham Porrett (Lola Tegra). Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) and Grahame Harden (Radical PR6) made the cut in 11th and 12th places.
Run Off 2 was a battle between the two Dallara drivers following some major changes over the lunch break. Broughton was on a great run and ahead of Hillam for much of the lap but lost vital time understeering in one corner and was edged out by Hillam by 6 hundredths. Broughton's consolation was a 4 point lead in the Championship however. Sharing third place were Chris Jones, who put in a storming run to lower the class record by a second and a half, and Blackwell who completed the week-end equal fourth in the Championship. Steve Miles admitted to trying too hard and getting first gear at the banked hairpin and dropping a second as a result leaving him a disappointed fifth.
Results:
Anglesey, International Circuit, April 3rd 2022
L&DMC
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 3 & 4
Run Off 1 (Round 3)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 76.85s
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 77.35s
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 77.80s
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 78.02s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 78.09s
6. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 79.58s
7. Steven Brown (1.3t Empire Evo2) 80.10s
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 82.32s
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 83.55s
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 84.32s
11. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 84.56s
12. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 84.72s
Run Off 2 (Round 4)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 76.72s
2. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 76.78s
3= Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 78.42s
Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 78.42s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 78.65s
6. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 78.81s
7. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 79.03s
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 82.80s
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 83.22s
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 84.61s
11. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 85.45s
12. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 86.39s
British Sprint Championship positions after round 4
1. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 94 points
2= Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 90 points
Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 90 points
4= Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 88 points
Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 88 points
6. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 74 points
7= Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 67 points
Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 67 points
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 66 points
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 64 points
11= John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 60 points
Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 60 points
A pair of Run Off wins for Matt Hillam (Kim Broughton)
Chris Jones took an impressive third (=) (Neil Lambert)
A consistent week-end for Graham Blackwell (Neil Lambert)
Simo Wallis made both Run Offs (Neil Lambert)
Goulding and Miles share honours at Anglesey
Event 2 at Anglesey on 02/04/2022
Following the removal of the Cadwell Park round from the 2022 SBD Motorsport UK HSA British Sprint Championship calendar the opening rounds became the Anglesey Spring sprint week-end on April 2 & 3.
Most of the championship regulars were present with a few changes to report. Series champion, Steve Miles, hadn't updated the highly developed Van Diemen RF96 much over the winter break but had invested in a new trailer fitted out with all the mod cons. The SBD Dallara of Steve Broughton and Matt Hillam appeared with a host of new aero appendages following some intensive development work, a new big bore, short stroke XE motor and smaller tyres. John Loudon had swapped his Force PT for a new Force TA decked out in the colours of his sponsor, Laser Tools. The Force TA of Chris Bennett and Chris Jones was making a re-appearance having finally managed to get the car running reliably.
The Saturday morning welcomed competitors with steady rain which only just abated as practice commenced on the National circuit. It remained cold and damp for qualifying for the first Run Off by which time many runners had already managed at least one spin. With everyone on wet tyres it was two AVON shod runners that led the qualifiers with Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) ahead of Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono). Next up were Jones, Miles and Graham Porrett (Lola Tegra).
By the time Run Off 1 came around it was time for slicks and the times tumbled. Pete Goulding had the Mygale Ecoboost going well and took the win by 0.7s from Broughton and Miles who were separated by 4 hundredths. Next up was Jones running old (like three and a half years) tyres by over a second from Holmes and Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost). Then came Porrett, Bainbridge and Hillam (not as comfortable with the Dallara handling as Broughton) with Grahame Harden (Radical PR6), Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) and Nick Scott (Force TA) rounding out the Top 12.
Qualifying for the second Run Off saw Miles, Goulding and Jones at the top of the time sheet. Loudon, Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) and Steve Brown (Empire EVO 2) made the cut at the expense of Anson, Scott and Porrett.
The second Run Off featured the same four drivers in the top places and was won by Miles, a couple of tenths ahead of Broughton followed by Goulding and Jones. Further back Steve Brown was eleventh and suffering gear selection problems while Terry Holmes had a big spin coming out of Seamans and had to be towed back.
Results:
Anglesey, National Circuit, April 2nd 2022
L&DMC
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 1 & 2
Run Off 1 (Round 1)
1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 48.37s
2. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 49.10s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 49.14s
4. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 49.93s
5. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 51.13s
6. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 51.32s
7. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 52.67s
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 53.04s
9. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 53.51s
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 55.62s
11. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 55.99s
12. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 59.79s
Run Off 2 (Round 2)
1. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 47.83s
2. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 48.09s
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 48.35s
4. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 49.14s
5. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 49.20s
6. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 49.23s
7. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 50.58s
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 50.78s
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 52.22s
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 53.31s
11. Steven Brown (1.3t Empire Evo2) 72.74s
12. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) DNF
Reigning champion, Steve Miles, began 2022 with a win (Neil Lambert)
John Loudon's new Force TA in wet practice (Neil Lambert)
Despite the conditions Steve Broughton scored a pair of 2nd places (Kim Broughton)
No time for the scenery as Pete Goulding takes a win (Neil Lambert)
Holmes takes a double at Combe finale
Event 18 at Castle Combe on 23/10/2021
Competitors for the 2021 SBD Motorsport UK HSA British Sprint Championship arrived at Castle Combe for the postponed 1 3/4 lap Great Western Sprint on October 23rd and were welcomed with a fine Autumn day. The 2021 Champion, Steve Miles had already been confirmed but a couple of competitors who had yet to drop scores sttod a chance of improving their overall positions and even greak into the top three.
Qualifying for the First Run Off saw Terry Holmes (Lola T90 Tegra) a second ahead of Miles (Van Diemen RF96) with another second to Pete Goulding's Mygale Ecoboost, the latter looking to hold on to his second place in the championship. Both the Lola and Mygale drivers had minor problems to contend with - the Lola suffering a burnt out exhaust (oxygen sensor issues) repaired with some spare aluminium while the Mygale's version was making too much noise! Alan Mugglestone was sharing the Miles Van Diemen (but not taking part in the Championship) and set a time that would have been good enough for third.
Next up were Matt Hillam and Steve Broughton in the SBD Dallara. Netiher driver had run a full season and were yet to drop scores with Hillam mathematically having a chance to move up to second in the Championship but would need a couple of outstanding scores to get there. Unfortunately the Dallara is kind on tyres but doesn't generate enough heat in them on colder days so the car was sliding around a lot and frustrating both drivers. Sixth fastest qualifier was Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) who was lying third in the Championship and had a small turbo fire in the morning which luckily put itsel out without the application of extinguishant.
In Run Off one, Holmes maintained his advantage to take the win from Miles, Goulding and Blackwell. Appearing in fifth place and making good use of his aero package and V8 power on this fast track was Simon Bainbridge in the SBR Crono from Hillam and Broughton. Grahame Harde went well in the Radical PR6 to take ninth and John Loudon was the quickest 1100cc runner in the Force HC in eleventh.
Qualifying for Run Off two saw Holmes well in control ahead of Goulding, Bainbridge and Graham Porret (Lola T90 Tegra). Next up were Hillam and Broughton struggling in the Dallara while Blackwell and Harden were forced to retire their cars. Mugglestone set a time good enough for second and was now running comfortably ahead of Miles - no surprise as he had set the car up!
In Run Off two Holmes repeated his victory (taking FTD) from Goulding who pipped Bainbridge by a couple of tenths and earing both drivers new class records. Miles took fourth from Porrett (happy with a good balance from running hard fronts and soft rears), Hillam and Broughton with the Dallara drivers scores sufficient to elevate Hillam to third in the Championship and Broughton to seventh. Next up were 1600cc class competitors Robert Tonge (Force TA) and Carole Torkington (OMS CF08) - both drivers completing very successful seasons. The final three places went to 1100cc competitors Loudon, Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) and Tony Beesley (Jedi MK4).
Results:
Castle Combe, Great Western Sprint October 23rd 2021
Bristol MC
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 31 & 32
Run Off 1 (Round 31)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola T90 Tegra) 114.12secs
2. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 117.37secs
3. Pete Goulding(1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 118.02secs
4. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 118.44secs
5. Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono) 119.55sec
6. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara) 119.95secs
7. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara) 121.40secs
8. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola T90 Tegra) 122.93secs
9. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 123.24secs
10. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 126.13secs
11. John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 131.28secs
12. Tony Beesley (1.0 Jedi MK4) 133.71secs
Run Off 2 (Round 32)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola T90 Tegra) 112.70secs
2. Pete Goulding(1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 117.20secs
3. Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono) 117.41sec
4. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 118.44secs
5. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara) 120.30secs
6. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola T90 Tegra) 120.80secs
7. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara) 120.99secs
8. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 126.47secs
9. Carole Torkington (1.5 SBD OMS CF08) 126.90secs
10. John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 129.09secs
11. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 131.90secs
12. Tony Beesley (1.0 Jedi MK4) 136.61secs
Final British Sprint Championship 2021 positions:
1. Miles 446pts
2. Goulding 432 pts
3. Hillam 423pts
4. Blackwell 421pts
5. Bainbridge 384pts
6. Tonge 375pts
7. Broughton 374pts
8. Loudon 368pts
9. Holmes 352pts
10. Wallis 352pts
11. Anson 348pts
12. Porrett 317pts
etc.
A pair of Run Off wins for Terry Holmes (Chris Bennett)
Matt Hillam 'leans' in to Camp and third in the Championship (Chris Bennett)
A good ninth place for Carole Torkington (Chris Bennett)
Two Run Off appearances for Tony Beesley (Chris Bennett)
Hillam's Anglesey double
Event 17 at Anglesey on 03/10/2021
Day two of Longton's autumn Anglesey sprint week-end was held on the International track and in much better conditions to the day before.
Qualifying for the first Run Off saw Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) well clear of a close bunch behind led by Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost), Terry Holmes (Lola T90 Tegra) and Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost). Miles, Robert Tonge (Force TA) and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) were a little further back.
Hillam maintained his pace to take Run Off one from Holmes and Goulding with the, newly crowned 2021 British Sprint Champion, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) and Blackwell next up and separated by a hundredth of a second.
Simon Bainbridge's week-end with the SBR Crono came to an abrupt end with a DNF on the first Run Off with a broken drive shaft.
Run Off two saw a repeat of the first with Hillam taking the win from Holmes while Miles took the remaining podium spot. The two Mygales reversed their first Run Off positions with Blackwell in fourth ahead of Goulding in fifth. Graham Porrett (lola T90 Tegra) qualified for the second Run Off and took seventh.
Results:
Anglesey, International Circuit October 3rd 2021
Longton & District MC
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 29 & 30
Run Off 1 (Round 29)
1. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara) 79.09secs
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola T90 Tegra) 79.81secs
3. Pete Goulding(1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 80.25secs
4. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 80.47secs
5. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 80.48secs
6. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara) 82.67secs
7. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 82.89secs
8. John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 83.78secs
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 85.42secs
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 86.70secs
11. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 86.80secs
Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono) DNF
Run Off 2 (Round 30)
1. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara) 78.99secs
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola T90 Tegra) 79.33secs
3. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 79.40secs
4. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 79.42secs
5. Pete Goulding(1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 79.83secs
6. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara) 81.47secs
7. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola T90 Tegra) 82.54secs
8. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 82.76secs
9. John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 82.94secs
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 83.55secs
11. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 85.57secs
12. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 86.62secs
A pair of wins for Matt Hillam (Kim Broughton)
A scenic shot of Terry Holmes (Neil Lambert)
A competitive week-end for Robert Tonge (Neil Lambert)
Pete Goulding at Anglesey Circuit (Neil Lambert)
Steve Miles - 2021 British Sprint Champion!
Event 16 at Anglesey on 02/10/2021
At Longton & District's autumn Anglesey sprint on 2/3 October Steve Miles was confirmed as the 2021 British Sprint Champion, having led the championship from start to finish.
Despite not adding to his overall score at Anglesey (taking dropped scores into account) his nearest rivals were unable to collect enough points to overtake Steve's total of 445 points with the final rounds at Castle Combe still remaining.
The winning Van Diemen RF96 is a testament to continued development and from its beginnings as a Formula Ford Zetec back in 1996 it has received a 2 litre SBD/Duratec race engine, fully modelled aero and carbon bodywork and the first MBR built Hewland JL gearbox to appear in British speed events.
Day one of the week-end was held over 1 lap of a cold and very wet National circuit and qualifying for the first Run Off saw Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) a tenth ahead of Terry Holmes (Lola T90 Tegra). Simon Bainbridge found the mighty SBR Crono V8 well suited to the conditions and qualified third from Miles and Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara) who quite enjoys driving in the wet.
The SBR Crono maintained its strong showing, taking the first Run Off and giving driver, Bainbridge, a well deserved boost after a difficult season and his first ever Run Off victory. He was over a second ahead of Holmes, Goulding and Robert Tonge who took an excellent fourth in the Force TA. Next up were Miles, Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) and John Loudon, the fastest 1100cc runner in his Force HC.
Carole Torkington (OMS CF08) did well to qualify and went even better in the Run Off, feeling comfortable in the wet conditions and taking ninth, a hundredth ahead of Graham Porrett (Lola T90 Tegra).
As a result of the conditions no fourth run or stand alone Run Off was held so the points for Round 28 were calculated on the third timed run which saw the two Mygale Ecoboosts at the head of the field with Goulding in front of Blackwell. Bainbridge continued to run strongly, taking the final podium spot ahead of the SBD Dallara pair with Broughton over a second in front of Hillam who was, in turn, only a couple of hundredths up on Loudon.
Results:
Anglesey, National Circuit October 2nd 2021
Longton & District MC
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 27 & 28
Run Off 1 (Round 27)
1. Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono) 56.84secs
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola T90 Tegra) 57.78secs
3. Pete Goulding(1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 58.35secs
4. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 58.65secs
5. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 59.09secs
6. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 59.49secs
7. John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 59.87secs
8. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara) 60.14secs
9. Carole Torkington (1.5 SBD OMS CF08) 61.77secs
10. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola T90 Tegra) 61.78secs
11. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara) 62.91secs
Run Off 2 (Round 28)
1. Pete Goulding(1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 57.82secs
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 59.39secs
3. Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono) 59.98secs
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara) 62.53secs
5. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara) 63.72secs
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 63.74secs
7. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 67.76secs
8. Stephen Mallet (1.3 Radical PR6) 69.14secs
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola T90 Tegra) 70.28secs
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 70.30secs
11. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 72.46secs
12. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola T90 Tegra) 72.49secs
Steve at a wet Anglesey (Phil Hen)
Steve and the British Sprint competitors (Jane Loudon)
Steve celebrates his championship win (Phil Hen)
Simon Bainbridge took his first Run Off of the season (Neil Lambert)
Hillam narrows the gap at Blyton
Event 15 at Blyton Park on 26/09/2021
Day two of Nottingham Sports Car Club's Roger Carrington memorial week-end at Blyton Park, was held on the Outer circuit and saw honours split between season long championship leader, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) and challenger, Matt Hillam in the SBD Dallara. Although still lying well down the table Hillam was the only competitor in the top nine not dropping scores and, while still possible to win the championship, he couldn't afford many mistakes.
The day began well (if quite cold) for Hillam, qualifying for Run Off one fastest ahead of Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost), Miles and Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara). The first Run Off mirrored qualifying with Hillam taking the win by just over a tenth from Goulding with Miles and Broughton following. Robert Tonge (Force TA) and Steve Brown (Empire Evo 2) repeated their good performance from the previous day by taking fifth and sixth, just two hundredths apart. John Loudon (Force HC) had a rough sounding engine and a lost plug tip was detected. A change of plugs didn't help and he was out for the day.
The same four quickest drivers continued to dominate qualifying for the second Run Off although Broughton and Miles swapped places to lie third and fourth. In the final Run Off of the week-end Miles, running ahead of Hillam, threw down the gauntlet by setting the fastest time of the day so far. Hillam going last, was 0.8s up at the split but then 'overdrove Bunga Bunga' and was unable to make up the lost time, finishing 0.06s behind Miles!
With the handling of the SBD Dallara now very balanced and to the liking of both drivers, Broughton took the final podium place ahead of Tonge and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) while a last corner spin led to a DNF for Goulding.
In the championship table Goulding closed to within 25 points of Miles and Hillam remained a long way (149 points) in arrears although it is still just about possible to win with six rounds (153 points including records) left to go.
Results:
Blyton Park Outer September 26th 2021
NSCC
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 25 & 26
Run Off 1 (Round 25)
1. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara) 56.07secs
2. Pete Goulding(1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 56.21secs
3. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 57.16secs
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara) 57.23secs
5. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 59.08secs
6. Steve Brown (1.3 Empire Evo 2) 59.10secs
7. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 60.62secs
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 61.52secs
9. Tony Beesley (1.0 Jedi MK4) 62.10secs
10. Carole Torkington (1.5 SBD OMS CF08) 64.96secs
11. John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) DNS
Run Off 2 (Round 26)
1. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 56.41secs
2. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara) 56.47secs
3. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara) 57.08secs
4. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 58.78secs
5. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 59.63secs
6. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 60.39secs
7. Tony Beesley (1.0 Jedi MK4) 61.03secs
8. Steve Brown (1.3 Empire Evo 2) 65.56secs
Pete Goulding(1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) DNF
Carole Torkington (1.5 SBD OMS CF08) DNF
British Sprint Championship standings after Round 26:
1. Miles 445pts
2. Goulding 420 pts
3. Blackwell 417pts
4. Loudon 389pts
5. Tonge 368pts
6. Bainbridge 357pts
7. Wallis 347pts
8. Anson 347pts
9. Hillam 296pts
10. Broughton 256pts
etc.
A win and a 2nd for Matt Hillam (Kim Broughton)
A good week-end for Robert Tonge (Anthony Mitchell)
Mark Anson lies 8th in the championship (Anthony Mitchell)
Steve Broughton took a podium in the Dallara (Kim Broughton)
Miles ahead at Blyton Park as records tumble
Event 14 at Blyton Park on 25/09/2021
On Day one of Nottingham Sports Car Club's Roger Carrington memorial week-end at Bltyon Park, held on Blyton Park's Eastern circuit the chase for the 2021 British Sprint Championship, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) maintained his lead with a Run Off win and a second plus a new record, following a test on the Wednesday prior to bed in new brakes but reverting to the old set up for race day. Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) has had a restricted season but was still a potential challenger, having only lost one Run Off out of eight he had contested and arriving with some new aero updates. However, like Miles and Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) the Dallara was running new tyres which affected the car's balance and it took a few runs to dial the handling in resulting in a second and third place result.
With just 12 competitors present, qualification for the Run Offs wasn't as intense as usual with Goulding comfortably heading the times for Run Off 1 (running with hastily repaired/borrowed wishbones following his Northern Ireland mishap) from Miles, Broughton (SBD Dallara) and a rapid Robert Tonge in his Busa powered Force TA.
In the first Run Off timing problems intervened and both Goulding and Miles were required to take re-runs. But by this time heavy drizzle had started and Goulding, going first, couldn't match his earlier times on the damp track and finished sixth. Miles, going a little later on a damp but drying track found enough grip and speed to emerge fastest and win the Run Off about a second ahead of Hillam. In third place, another second further back, with a standout performance, was Simon Wallis in the OMS 3000M.
Broughton was fourth ahead of an encouraging performance from Steve Brown familiarising himself with his newly acquired, Busa powered, Empire Evo 2.
Qualifying for Run Off 2 saw Miles ahead of Broughton, Hillam, Goulding and John Loudon in his 1100cc Force HC.
By the time Run Off 2 took place the track conditions had improved considerably and five new British Sprint class records were set. Goulding edged out Miles by four hundredths to take the win - both with new class records. Hillam was third just two hundredths behind Miles in a result which could be significant at the end of the year ahead of Tonge (new class record), Broughton and Loudon (new class record). Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) had been having gearbox issues and swapped to a manual push/pull set up, slowly finding speed to take sixth and another new record.
Goulding, yet to drop scores, closed the gap to Miles (who dropped 13 and 19 points scores) in the Championship.
Results:
Blyton Park Eastern September 25th 2021
NSCC
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 23 & 24
Run Off 1 (Round 23)
1. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 61.88secs
2. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara) 62.75secs
3. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 63.82secs
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara) 64.85secs
5. Steve Brown (1.3 Empire Evo 2) 65.60secs
6= Pete Goulding(1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 65.69secs
John Loudon (1.1 Force HC)
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono) 65.83secs
9. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 65.97secs
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 66.75secs
11. Tony Beesley (1.0 Jedi MK4) 67.14secs
12. Carole Torkington (1.5 SBD OMS CF08) 82.46secs
Run Off 2 (Round 24)
1. Pete Goulding(1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 60.88secs
2. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 60.92secs
3. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara) 60.94secs
4. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 62.96secs
5. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara) 63.36secs
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 63.69secs
7. Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono) 63.95secs
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 65.69secs
9. Steve Brown (1.3 Empire Evo 2) 66.52secs
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 67.14secs
11. Tony Beesley (1.0 Jedi MK4) 67.73secs
12. Carole Torkington (1.5 SBD OMS CF08) 73.24secs
Steve Miles extended his championship lead (Anthony Mitchell)
Pete Goulding took a Run Off win (Anthony Mitchell)
An encouraging start for Steve Brown's Empire (Anthony Mitchell)
A well deserved third for Simon Wallis' OMS (Anthony Mitchell)
Porrett & Goulding share the spoils at Kirkistown
Event 13 at Kirkistown on 08/08/2021
Just six competitors were left to contest Rounds 21 and 22 of the SBD Motorsport UK HSA British Sprint championship at Kirkistown on August 8th.
Fresh from his maiden victory the day before, Graham Porrett (Lola T90 Tegra) set the pace in qualifying for Run Off 1 by over four seconds ahead of the two Mygale Ecoboosts of Pete Goulding (with repaired rear suspension from the Saturday) and Graham Blackwell, who were separated by half a second. In Run Off 1 Porrett matched his qualifying time to take the win while, of the two Mygales, it was Blackwell who improved the most to take second ahead of Goulding.
Blackwell continued to improve his times and led qualifying (and took an extra point for a new class record) for Run Off 2 ahead of Goulding and Mark Anson (Jedi MK6). Porrett's standout week-end took a downward course as gearbox problems intervened, not for the first time this year. The final Run Off of the week-end saw the closest finish with Goulding just pipping Balckwell by a hundredth of a second. John Loudon (Force HC) took his second podium of the week-end in third (with a new class record) ahead of Anson who went for it on his last run, Grahame Harden (his Radical PR6 having an issue free week-end) and a struggling Porrett .
The week-end's results had a profound effect on the championship positions. After taking into account dropped scores, Blackwell moved to within eight points of leader, Steve Miles, and Goulding jumped up to third ahead of the improving Loudon and Anson.
As is customary at Kirkistown, the British Sprint contingent were joined by a variety of unusual and very rapid local competitors for the event. Among them were Alan Cassells OMS 25 who was fasrtest on the Saturday and Gerard O'Connell's Dallara WS who was second fastest on both days.
Results:
Kirkistown 8th August 2021
500 MRCI
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 21 & 22
Run Off 1 (Round 21)
1. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra) 112.13secs
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 113.27secs
3. Pete Goulding (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 115.27secs
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 120.57secs
5. Graham Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 121.51secs
6. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 126.83secs
Run Off 2 (Round 22)
1. Pete Goulding (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 113.45secs
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 113.46secs
3. John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 118.36secs
4. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 119.75secs
5. Graham Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 121.54secs
6. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra) 151.00secs
British Sprint Championship standings after Knockhill:
1. Miles 425pts
2. Blackwell 417pts
3. Goulding 384 pts
4. Loudon 349 pts
5. Anson 340 pts
6. Bainbridge 331pts
etc.
A Run Off win for Pete Goulding at Kirkistown (Tom Maxwell)
Another podium for John Loudon's Force HC (Tom Maxwell)
Alan Cassells' OMS was fastest on Saturday (Tom Maxwell)
The rapid Dallara WS of Gerard O'Connell (Tom Maxwell)
Blackwell and Porrett take maiden wins at Kirkistown
Event 12 at Kirkistown on 07/08/2021
Eight British Sprint competitors made the trip to Northern Ireland for the 500 MRCI's traditional summer sprint at the fast Kirkistown circuit located in County Down south east of Belfast. With championship leader, Steve Miles, absent due to a family medical emergency, other championship contenders were looking to make up ground, notably Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) who managed a sighting lap on Friday in his camper van!
The week-end failed to get off to a good start for Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) who broke a rod end in practice and and then breaking a prop shaft in qualifying. An early ferry home was the result. Blackwell's practice run was red flagged due to the preceding runner dropping a glove half way round the track (?). Nick Houston (OMS Hornet) set a slow time in qualifying, which was a little damp for some competitors, and failed to start the Run Off. Pete Goulding in the other Mygale Ecoboost led the qualifiers from Graham Porrett, on his own this week-end in the Lola T90 Tegra.
Run Off 1 saw Blackwell make the biggest improvement in times to take his first ever win from the similar car of Goulding by half a second with Porrett just behind in third. The remaining places were taken by Mark Anson with his best result in fourth in the Jedi MK6, Grahame Harden (Radical PR6) and John Loudon (Force HC) who was still struggling with the oil/water and gearchange issues that have dogged him recently.
Qualifying for the second Run Off saw the field lose another runner as Goulding sheared a rear suspension clevis pin, spin and bend a wishbone while Porrett set the pace from Blackwell. In Run Off 2 Porrett scored his maiden victory, with the best British Sprint time of the day, ahead of Blackwell and Loudon who scored his first ever podium despite his ongoing problems.
Results:
Kirkistown 7th August 2021
500 MRCI
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 19 & 20
Run Off 1 (Round 19)
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 115.51secs
2. Pete Goulding (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 116.10secs
3. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra) 116.47secs
4. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 122.28secs
5. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 122.59secs
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 123.62secs
Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) DNS
Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono) DNS
Run Off 2 (Round 20)
1. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra) 114.38secs
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 116.03secs
3. John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 121.72secs
4. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 122.47secs
5. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 122.82secs
Graham Blackwell won the first Run Off at Kirkistown (Tom Maxwell)
Graham Porrett was another first time winner at Kirkistown (Tom Maxwell)
Nick Houston had a difficult time in the OMS Hornet (Tom Maxwell)
Another good result for Mark Anson's Jedi (Tom Maxwell)
Miles bounces back at Knockhill
Event 11 at Knockhill on 25/07/2021
Following a disappointing first day of Knockhill Motorsports Club's summer Sprint week-end, Championship leader, Steve Miles bounced back on day two on the clockwise running of the track to take a pair of Run Off wins and a new class record to recover some of the championship points lost the day before.
Reigning champion, John Graham, had been hoping to return with a repaired wishbone but this proved not to be possible so the entry remained as on the previous day. Terry Holmes (Lola T90 Tegra), fresh from a pair of wins on the Saturday, qualifying for Run Off 1 from Miles (Van Diemen RF96) by about half a second and Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) in third.
In Run Off 1 Miles and Holmes pretty much reversed their qualifying times giving Miles the win. Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) fouind over three seconds to move ahead of Goulding's similar car and collect a bonus point for a new class record. Next up was Simon Bainbridge in the SBR Crono which had damage to the ducting and radiator reapired overnight. He was also taking part in the Super Lap Scotland event and putting the extra laps (60 over the week-end!) track time to good use. Graham Porrett showed that the big Lola he shares with Holmes was working well by taking sixth.
Qualifying for Run Off 2 saw Goulding put in a quick run to go fastest just ahead of Miles and Blackwell. Holmes stripped a couple of gears on his run although he set a time so just qualified for the Run Off although his good fortune came at the cost of co-driver, Porrett, missing out.
Miles had everything running right for the final Run Off and set the only sub 92s run of the day to take the win and an extra point for a new record. This helped him claw back four championship points from the ten he had lost the previous day to Blackwell who remained second in the table with a third in the Run Off.
The Holmes/Porrett team executed a well rehearsed gear ratio change very quickly before final run off and although sounding a little noisy Holmes managed to put in a good run to take second. Goulding took a slightly wrong line into Clerks and found himself going backwards into the gravel and losing all his gears at the same time for a non finish.
Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) was suffering from cooling issues but still managed a PB and took seventh in the final Run Off just behind Robert Tonge's Force TA. Despite still having gearchange problems John Loudon (Force HC) finished ninth behind Stephen Mallett's Radical PR6.
Results:
Knockhill clockwise July 25 2021
Knockhill Motorsport Club
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 17 & 18
Run Off 1 (Round 17)
1. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 92.12secs
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola T90 Tegra) 92.56secs
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 92.64secs
4. Pete Goulding (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 94.73secs
5. Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono) 96.17secs
6. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra) 98.46secs
7. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 96.36secs
8 Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 100.72secs
9. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 103.73secs
10. John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 105.32secs
11 Graham Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 107.19secs
12. Stephen Mallett DNF
Run Off 2 (Round 18)
1. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 91.85secs
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola T90 Tegra) 92.13secs
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 94.55secs
4. Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono) 96.787secs
5. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 98.25secs
6. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 100.10secs
7. Stephen Mallett (1.3 Radical PR6) 104.17secs
8. John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 104.59secs
9. Graham Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 106.29secs
10. Richard Mallett (1.3 Radical PR6) 109.18secs
11. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 125.25secs
12. Pete Goulding DNF
British Sprint Championship standings after Knockhill:
Miles 425pts
Blackwell 383pts
Bainbridge 331pts
Wallis 320pts
Goulding 312pts
Tonge 305pts
etc.
Steve Miles 'on it' at Knockhill (John Stewart)
A successful week-end for the Bainbridge Crono (John Stewart)
2nd in the championship and a new class record for Graham Blackwell (John Stewart)
Graham Porrett 'monsters' the chicane in the Lola (John Stewart)
Holmes back with a bang at Knockhill
Event 10 at Knockhill on 24/07/2021
After missing the last round at Lydden Hill, Terry Holmes returned to the British Sprint Championship at Knockhill in the Lola T90 Tegra, which he shares with Graham Porrett, to take a pair of Run Off wins in fine style.
Running in the anti-clockwise direction on the challenging Knockhill circuit qualifying for Run Off 1 saw the two championship leaders Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) and Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) at the top of the time sheet. Miles had an alternator bolt work loose on the way to the line and needed to cable tie it in place and run on battery power alone. The pair were ahead of Holmes who had replaced a part of the Lola's inner CV joint on Friday evening.
Grahame Harden recovered from a trip into the gravel in practice to qualify tenth in his Radical PR6 while current champion, John Graham (Gould GR55B), didn't get out on to the track having discovered a broken wishbone.
Holmes got the big Lola really motoring in Run Off 1, taking two seconds off his qualifying time, to take the win from the two Mygale Ecoboosts of Blackwell and Pete Goulding who were both slightly down on their qualifying times with Goulding wondering if his recently fitted larger turbo was causing more throttle lag and slowing him down. Next up was Simon Bainbridge in the SBR Crono (who was also taking part in the Super Lap Scotland event - which he won! - making for a busy week-end) from Robert Tonge continuing his run of good form in the Force TA Busa.
But what of Miles? His run was aborted at the first corner with the handling feeling decidedly odd. Further inspection revealed a rear wheel and tyre on the front axle and a front wheel and tyre on the rear axle! The problem was quickly resolved but vital championship points had been lost.
Qualifying for the second Run Off followed a similar pattern to the first with Porrett showing well to place in the mid order (equal sixth with Tonge) ahead of the other qualifiers, Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M), Mark Anson (Jedi MK6), John Loudon (Force HC) and Stephen Mallett (Radical PR6). The Loudon Force was suffering from a number of problems including gearchange consistency and coolant and fuel coming together where they shouldn't.
The second Run Off was a close affair with Holmes edging out Miles by 0.14s with both drivers on the ragged edge. The battle for third was between the two Mygales with Blackwell finishing ahead of Goulding by 1.03s, followed by Bainbridge, Porrett and Tonge.
The Bainbridge SBR Crono visited the gravel after the finish (?) needing overnight repairs by John Hansell and Andy Pybus.
The results moved Blackwell ten points closer to Miles in the championship.
Finally, former British Sprint Champion, Stewart Robb Snr, was taking part in the Modsports races in a TVR Turscan and by the look of the fine action photo taken by John Stewart, he has lost none of his driving enthusiasm! He started both races from pole and finished third on both occasions.
Results:
Knockhill anti clockwise July 24 2021
Knockhill Motorsport Club
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 15 & 16
Run Off 1 (Round 15)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola T90 Tegra) 90.17secs
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 91.39secs
3. Pete Goulding (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 92.29secs
4. Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono) 94.10secs
5. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 96.36secs
6. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra) 92.24secs
7 Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 99.34secs
8. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 99.55secs
9. Stephen Mallett (1.3 Radical PR6) 100.76secs
10 Graham Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 105.50secs
11. Richard Mallett (1.3 Radical PR6) 112.21secs
12. Steve Miles DNF
Run Off 2 (Round 16)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola T90 Tegra) 90.31secs
2. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 90.45secs
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 91.26secs
4. Pete Goulding (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 92.29secs
5. Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono) 92.82secs
6. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra) 93.58secs
7. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 95.53secs
8. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 99.32secs
9. Stephen Mallett (1.3 Radical PR6) 100.52secs
10. John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 100.78secs
11. Graham Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 102.74secs
12. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 116.34secs
Terry Holmes was back on form at Knockhill (John Stewart)
A pair of Run Off appearances for Stephen Mallett's Radical (John Stewart)
All the right wheels, just not in the right places..... (John Stewart)
Stewart Robb Snr in the Modsports race (John tewart)
Miles thwarted as Hillam charges on
Event 9 at Lydden Hill on 17/07/2021
The SBD Motorsport UK HSA British Sprint championship made their annual trip to the far South East for Borough 19's Ray Heal Memorial sprint at a very hot Lydden Hill on July17th. Championship leader, Steve Miles, suffered a frustrating day but remained at the top of the standings while Matt Hillam is emerging as a 2021 title favourite after taking his fifth and sixth Run Off victories in a row.
The first timed run (and qualification for the first Run Off) saw Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) set a time of 66.51s which was to remain the fastest of the day - something to do with the heat and tyres perhaps? Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara F399) was a couple of tenths behind, with the pair two seconds ahead of the rest of the field led by Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) and Hillam's co-driver, Steve Broughton. Reigning Champion, John Graham, was fifth in the Gould GR55B but was already suffering from electrical problems and was unable to continue further.
Carole Torkington in the SBD OMS CF08 went well to qualify ninth ahead of Tony Beesley and Mark Anson in their Jedis with the latter on the back foot after a trip into the gravel in practice.
Hillam won the first Run Off by over a second, after a re-run due to timing issues, from Blackwell (having removed 1/2 kilo of water trapped in his rear wing!) and Broughton with Simon Wallis getting under 70secs to take fourth in his OMS 3000M. The OMS was suffering from fuel pump problems which were overcome by routing a direct connection from the battery to the pump but despite this the driver was finding the track much to his liking. Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) was having 4th gear problems and sixth place was his best result of the day although at least his Avons were holding up well in the heat. But what of Miles? On his first Run Off attempt he caught another runner and was duly offered a re-run but he was sent out immediately, the car overheated and he was only able to finish seventh.
Qualifying for the second Run Off saw Hillam ahead of Broughton and Blackwell but with only half a second covering all three drivers. Then came Miles, Wallis (having found a couple of seconds after fitting new tyres) and Pete Goulding who was having a subdued event in the Mygale Ecoboost although traction control problems didn't help. John Loudon qualified 11th, with the Force HC troubled by a sticking clutch pedal, and ahead of final qualifier, Nick Houston, in his OMS Hornet which was experiencing intermittent power delivery issues all day.
Hillam took Run Off Two from Blackwell who was just over a tenth ahead of a recovering Miles who had a part of his trailer fly out of a sidepod (?) during the run and be recovered by a marshal. Broughton was fourth with the SBD pair finding the larger tyres fitted to the Dallara withstanding the heat better than others. Wallis and Goulding were next up to round out the top six.
In the Championship table, Miles' lead has been cut and he now leads Blackwell by 57 points, but Hillam, who missed a number of early season events and may only be down in ninth place, has won all but one of the Run Offs he has contested.
Results:
Lydden Hill July 17th 2021
Borough 19
SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 13 & 14
Run Off 1 (Round 13)
Matthew Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara) 67.29secs
Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 68.49secs
Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara) 69.14secs
Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 69.67secs
Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 70.32secs
Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono) 71.18secs
Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 71.55secs
Tony Beesley (1.0 Jedi MK4) 72.54secs
Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 74.32secs
Carole Torkington (1.5 SBD OMS CF08) 74.36secs
John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 75.16secs
John Graham (3.5 Gould GR55B) DNF
Run Off 2 (Round 14)
Matthew Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara) 66.77secs
Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 67.20secs
Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 67.34secs
Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara) 68.34secs
Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 69.94secs
Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale EcoBoost) 70.19secs
Tony Beesley (1.0 Jedi MK4) 71.65secs
Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono) 72.07secs
Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi MK6) 73.65secs
Carole Torkington (1.5 SBD OMS CF08) 73.92secs
John Loudon (1.1 Force HC) 75.16secs
Nick Houston (1.0 OMS Hornet) 93.21secs
British Sprint Championship standings after Lydden:
Miles 337pts
Blackwell 289pts
Wallis 254pts
Bainbridge 245pts
Loudon 238pts
Goulding 232pts
etc.
Matt Hillam won both Run Offs at Lydden (Kim Broughton)
Nick Houston's OMS Hornet made a Run Off appearance (Kim Broughton)
Graham Blackwell holds 2nd in the Championship (Kim Broughton)
Simon Wallis had a good event in the OMS 3000M (Kim Broughton)
Another double for Hillam
Event 8 at Snetterton on 27/06/2021
At Snetterton on Sunday June 27 Matt Hillam repeated his performance from the previous day by taking another pair of Run Off wins and, by winning five out of the last six Run Offs, served notice of his 2021 championship challenge. His SBD Dallara has been the recipient of aero updates from John Hughes and John Hansell and chassis set-up from Triple M Motorsport - to great effect.
After a clear and warm Saturday, competitors arrived to find a misty and slightly damp track following overnight rain but this quickly disappeared leaving another fine day with excellent conditions.
Hillam qualified fastest for Run Off 1 from Pete Goulding's Mygale Ecoboost and Terry Holmes, getting back up to speed in the repaired Lola Tegra Judd. Despite suffering from sickness and an upset stomach, Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) put in a good preformance to qualify sixth while Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) maintained his and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) 2021 100% Run Off qualification record. The Force TAs of Robert Tonge (brakes) and Chris Jones (electrical) continued to have issues and failed to qualify.
Run Off 1 saw Hillam win by over a second (and break Nick Algar's 2 litre record) from Miles with Goulding, Holmes and Blackwell next up. John Loudon (Force HC) took an excellent ninth to hold on to his fifth place in the championship.
Qaulifying for Run Off 2 followed a similar pattern to the first although Robert Tonge had overcome his brake issues and qualified seventh. Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono V8) only just qualified in eleventh after driving the second lap one handed with the other holding the driver's door after the tape repair had broken and he didn't want to risk getting red flagged! Caught on camera by Jane Loudon.....
Wallis just missed out in 13th place leaving Miles as the only competitor with a 100% qualification record this year. The Run Off saw Hillam maintain his level of performance to complete a perfect week-end from Miles and Goulding. Blackwell, having improved his times throughout the day, moved up to fourth and Simon Bainbridge finished seventh having run consistently on both days in the SBR Crono V8 to sit sixth in the championship, just one point behind Loudon. John Graham was back in ninth place and wondering if the 18 month lay off was contributing to him and the Gould being off their normal pace.
Although not appearing in the Run Offs Stephen and Richard Mallet (Radical PR6) and Carole Torkington (PBs on both days in her OMS CF08) got quicker as the week-end went on and felt that the long trip to Snetterton was very worthwhile. Mark Anson's Jedi was running new brake discs but they which weren't having the required effect.
Finally, a big thank you to the Borough 19 team (Roger Grimes, Carol Glenn et al) who, as usual, ran an efficient and enjoyable event.
Steve Miles left Snetterton with a healthy lead (Kim Broughton)
Terry Holmes (in car) and Graham Porrett back in the Lola (Simon Reid @ Fokus.media)
Richard Mallet's Radical PR6 (Kim Broughton)
Carole Torkington with Simon Bainbridge in the background (Kim Broughton)
Hillam begins Championship charge at Snetterton
Event 7 at Snetterton on 26/06/2021
After missing all but 2 of this year's British Sprint Championship rounds, Matt Hillam made a clear statement of competitive intent by winning rounds 9 to 12 in the SBD Dallara at Snetterton making it 5 wins and a second from 6 rounds.
A strong field assembled for the ever popular and efficiently run Borough 19 Snetterton Sprint on June 26/27. After missing Pembrey a number of competitors re-appeared including Pete Goulding in the Mygale, Terry Holmes and Graham Porrett with a repaired gearbox casing, wing and bodywork on the Lola Tegra Judd, father and son Mallet down from the Stirling area in their Radical PR6. Making their first appearances of the year were Grahame Harden, throughly enjoying his Radical PR6 and the Chris Bennett/Chris Jones Force TA which was still in 'development mode' with its latest gen Suzuki GSXR engine.
In the first timed run (and qualifiying for the first Run Off) Matt Hillam was easily the fastest by nearly four seconds from Steve Broughton sharing the same car. John Graham was happy to qualify the big Gould GR55B fifth with his coolant problems fixed and Chris Jones did well to qualify the recalcitrant Force TA ninth. Graham Blackwell's Mygale went into limp mode due to excess charge air temperature and completed a slow run.
Run Off 1 saw Hillam take a narrow win by 0.13s from Steve Miles' Van Diemen RF96 with Goulding, Broughton and Graham filling the next positions. Jones improved to seventh but disappointed to be well off his PB and even further away from the potential of the new motor. Tony Beesley (Jedi MK4) and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) finished 10th and 11th while Robert Tonge's Force TA Busa non started while he fixed his brake bias issues.
Qualifying for Run Off 2 again saw Hillam out in front, this time from Miles and Goulding (new class record) with Tonge re-appearing to qualify seventh and Harden going well in eleventh. Jones failed to qualify as the car stalled with four wheels across the line - later diagnosed as pinched wheel speed sensor cables sending confusing messages to the ECU.
Hillam won Run Off 2 by over a second from Goulding with Miles a little way behind. Tonge was an impressive sixth from Blackwell and Graham.
Runaway championship leader (in more ways than one because he kept forgetting to chock his car in the sloping paddock!) Steve Miles had decided to go for outright wins in the belief that at the end of the season they would be likely to determine the final outcome. However, this driving approach didn't necessarily get the most out of the Van Diemen but a second and third were fair rewards and maintained his healthy lead in the championship.
A pair of wins for Hillam's Dallara (Kim Broughton)
Pete Goulding's Mygale (Simon Reid @ Fokus.media)
Another strong result from Robert Tonge's Force TA (Kim Broughton)
John Graham's Gould GR55B (Simon Reid @ Fokus.media)
A Miles double at Pembrey
Event 6 at Pembrey on 06/06/2021
The second day of the BARC Wales sprint week-end held on the Club circuit saw Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) strengthen his hold on the 2021 British Sprint championship with a pair of Run Off wins and a new record.
The entry was unchanged from the previous day with one exception. Overnight the SBD team had discovered a damaged cambelt on the Dallara leading to the car's withdrawl. Matt Hillam was left without a drive while Steve Broughton moved across to share the Westfield Ecoboost with Zoe Kingham. In contrast to the day before the weather was hot which casued some concern over tyres.
In Run Off one, drivers were reporting a lack of grip but Miles took the win with a 105.87s, half a second ahead of John Graham's Gould GR55B with Rob Tonge's Force TA a second further back to take a well deserved podium. Graham Blackwell (Mygale M12) confirmed his strong start to the 2021 season and second place in the championship with fourth place.
Despite (or because of) hot tyres the Miles Van Diemen stormed to an easy win in Run Off two with a 104.27s run and a new record. He was nearly three seconds clear of the surprised and delighted second place competitior, Rob Tonge in the Force TA, with John Graham (after experiencing gear selection problems earlier in the day) and Graham Blackwell filling the next two positions.
Having run well in the first Run Off the SBD Westfield had an off in the second. With Steve Broughton at the wheel, the rear stepped out on the entry to Woodlands and a small correction which the car slightly wide, causing it to head towards the edge of the circuit and touch the grass causing a spin. Simon Bainbridge had a door work loose mid run but this was fixed with some gaffer tape.
Championship positions after Pembrey were Steve Miles (200pts), Graham Blackwell (172pts) and Rob Tonge (167pts).
MOLE Racing celebrate a successful week-end
Simon Wallis' OMS 3000M, two 7th places in the Run Offs
Hillam and Miles share the spoils at Pembrey
Event 5 at Pembrey on 05/06/2021
Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) shared the British Sprint Run Off wins at Pembrey for the first day of BARC Wales Pembrey Sprint on June 5th held on the National circuit. The day saw intermittent drizzle and dry spells making conditions tricky for competitors.
Hillam's Dallara F399, making its first British Sprint appearance of the year, was benefiting from recent aero updates and won the first Run Off comfortably by two seconds from Miles with a 93.91s run. The Dallara's other driver, Steve Broughton took third from John Graham (Gould GR55B). The Forces of John Loudon and Rob Tonge again showed well to claim 6th and 7th respectively.
In the second Run Off Miles and Hillam reversed their positions with Miles narrowly taking the win with a 103.07s while Simon Bainbridge hustled the mighty V8 powered SBR Chrono (with a new diff following the Blyton breakage) round to take an encouraging third place, a mere tenth of a second behind Hillam. Steve Broughton aborted his T3 run with a throttle issue and didn't qualify for the Run Off. John Loudon (Force HC) took an excellent fourth ahead of Markn Anson's Jedi MK6 and Tob Tonge's Force TA. Notable Run Off appearances included Carole Torkington (OMS CF08 in ninth) and Zoe Kingham (SBD Westfield in tenth).
Miles' performance was all the more creditable having damaged a rear wing on his trailer, left his air bottle at home and set fire to his camper van.....
Zoe Kingham, tenth in Run Off 2
Mark Anson took an impressive fifth place
Steve Miles was on fire at Pembrey - literally!
Miles repeats to extend Championship lead
Event 2 at Blyton Park on 16/05/2021
Rounds three and four of the 2021 British Sprint Championship took place on Blyton's Outer circuit on May 16th with Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) and Pete Goulding (Mygale M12) repeating their indentical performances from the previous day. Not that it wasn't close though. In the first Run Off, Miles' time of 56.57s was only 0.03s quicker than Goulding while in Run Off 2 Miles' time of 56.29s was 0.40s clear of Goulding.
John Loudon in the 998cc Force TA took third in the first Run Off from Graham Blackwell's Mygale, positions they were to reverse in Run Off 2. Other notable performances included Mark Anson (Jedi Mk6) and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) who each managed a fifth place.
Chris Fulke-Greville (HMA Turner) and Tony Beesley (Jedi Mk4 and despite dicovering a crack in the chassis) also made Run Off appearances.
Competitors were pleasantly surprised to finish the week-end without seeing any significant rain but Steve Miles was even happier with his 4 point lead at the top of the Championship standings - and with a largely trouble free week-end apart from having to swap out a cracked brake disc.
A good start to the Championship for Pete Goulding (Anthony Mitchell)
A fine third in Run Off 1 for John Loudon (Anthony Mitchell)
Tony Beesley scored good points in spite of problems (Anthony Mitchell)
Chris Fulke-Greville made a Run Off appearance in the Turner (Anthony Mitchell)
Miles double at Blyton
Event 1 at Blyton Park on 15/05/2021
The first two scoring rounds of the 2021 SBD Motorsport UK HSA British Sprint Championship took place at Longton's Blyton Sprint week-end (15/16 May) on the Eastern circuit.
Qualifying for the first round took place in T1 and the twelve fastest competitors had their T2 times taken as the first 'Run Off' with Steve Miles' heavily modified Van Diemen RF96 putting in a cracking time of 61.96s to take maximum points from Pete Goulding's Mygale and Terry Holmes' Lola Tegra. Robert Tonge's Busa engined Force TA went well to take sixth followed by John Loudon's 1100cc Class Force HC Suzuki.
Qualifying for Round 2 took place in T3 and saw Richard and Stephen Mallet in their shared Radical PR6 both make the Run Off which was again won by Steve Miles with a 62.79s run and again from Pete Goulding while Rob Tonge improved to fourth. Terry Holmes put a right rear on the dirt and got a tank slapper on into Curva Grande and went backwards into the wall, putting him and Graham Porrett out for the week-end. Simon Bainbridge (fourth in Round 1) blew a diff and was also out for the week-end.
Steve Miles won the first two rounds of the 2021 British Sprint (Anthony Mitchell)
Rob Tonge took a fourth and sixth in the Force TA (Anthony Mitchell)
Richard Mallet was ninth in round 2 (Anthony Mitchell)
A fifth for Simon Wallis in Run Off 2 (Anthony Mitchell)
SBD Motorsport UK HSA British Sprint Championship