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Ferrari locks out a 1-2 but tactics row overshadows glory

VETTEL SHINES
AS LECLERC FUMES IN SINGAPORE
By Matt James

Sebastian Vettel
claimed his first Formula
1 win for over a year for
Ferrari while his team-
mate Charles Leclerc
was left bemused by a
strategy call which lost
him the lead of the
Singapore Grand Prix.
Vettel’s earlier stop
meant he was able to
leapfrog his pole-winning
team-mate Leclerc and
he powered clear to
win. Leclerc finished in
second place and has
moved up to third in the
Formula 1 points chase.
He was miffed as
to why he had lost his
early advantage. Leclerc
said: “Of course, [I am]
disappointed on my
side, as anyone would
be. [Strategy]’s like
this, sometimes it goes
that way and I’ll come
back stronger.”
Full story, p2-3

Vettel won while Leclerc (right) was frustrated

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ISSUE MJ3199 SEPTEMBER 25 2019

INTHISISSUE
Vettel
finally
wins
again
P4

THE STARS AND THE CARS

FROM RALLYDAY
Vettel’s strategy was

LECLERC
the one that prevailed

SINGAPORE
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Ferrari joy at double podium, but drivers
By Matt James
Rising Ferrari star Charles
Leclerc says he will come
back stronger after he was
left bemused by a team
P22 strategy call which robbed
him of a chance of winning
the Singapore Grand Prix.

BRITISH RALLYCROSS HITS PEMBREY

The Monegasque driver,
who started from his third
consecutive pole position and
the fifth of his maiden season
with the Scuderia, led the first
19 laps around the 3.146-mile
circuit, fending off Lewis
Hamilton as well as team-mate and
eventual winner Sebastian Vettel.
Leclerc had been controlling
the pace at the front as he feared
the tyres would not last and he
wanted to look after the Pirelli
rubber for longer.
Ferrari men locked out the top steps of the Singapore podium
differently. Yeah, the only thing
probably is I will ask a bit more
about the strategy around me
[and who is doing what], because
I was not aware, so I don’t know if
I should have pushed a bit earlier
during my first stint. I don’t know,
we have plenty of data anyway
and I will analyse it.”
that had caught him on the hop.
“We didn’t speak about that
plan so I think that will be one
of the discussions to try and
understand why we didn’t speak
about that situation before,”
said the 21-year-old. “But it’s
impossible to go through all the
possibilities in a race, all of them

P29
Ferrari made a late call for are unique but no, we didn’t speak
Vettel to pit first on lap 19 and the Tough to take about this particular situation.”
German pushed on his out-lap and Two-time race winner Leclerc, Leclerc said that had he been
Singapore Grand Prix report 4 Sporting Scene 29 was fast enough for the four-time who moved into third place in the aware of how the race was playing
Racing news 6 British Rallycrossreport 29 world beater to eclipse Leclerc points table with his runner-up out, he could have pushed harder
Historic race and rally news 13 Letters/Comment/What’s On 30 when the order was restored after spot on the street circuit, said after Vettel had taken his stop
Rally news 14 Classifieds 32 the stops had cycled through. that the possible scenario had to fend off the threat of the
Castle Combe Rallyday 20 Leclerc said: “To be honest, not been outlined by Ferrari in its potential undercut.
Cheviot Stages report 22 today I don’t think I could have strategy meeting before the 61-lap “At that time obviously the
done much things better or race and that was one of the things tyres were quite dead but
Rally reports 23
Racing reports 24

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STRATEGYCALL
are divided on pitstop options which decided the outcome of the grand prix
probably before, I had quite a lot
of margin,” he added. “In the first
few laps, obviously we wanted to
go as slow as we possibly could
for the guys behind to not have
the window to pit.
“So yeah, in that period I could
have done a much better job but
I stuck to the plan and I think that’s
what helped us to do 1-2 today – so
yeah, you can always do something
better but at the end I [did] stick
to the plan.”
While he didn’t take a third
straight Formula 1 win after
triumphs in Belgium and Italy,
Leclerc said he was pleased to
be part of a Ferrari 1-2 which
was the first for the Maranello
team since 2017.
He said: “I was surprised [when
I realised Vettel had stopped]
because obviously I was not aware
in the car, but I guess if this
decision has been made it was for
the good of the team and it had to
be the only way for us to do a 1-2.
“So if it’s the case I completely
understand it, but obviously from
the car it’s very frustrating. So
[I’m] not completely happy but
yeah, anyway the overall result of
the weekend is very positive. We
hoped for at least one car on the
podium for this weekend and we
go back home with a 1-2, which
we definitely did not expect on a
track like this.”
“Of course, [I’m] disappointed on
my side, as anyone would be. It’s
like this, sometimes it goes that
way and I’ll come back stronger.”
Vettel’s late call
Thirty-two-year-old Vettel, who
took his first victory since the
Belgian Grand Prix in 2018, said
the pitstop call from the Ferrari
strategists had been a late one on
his in-lap, and he wasn’t certain
that it had been the correct call.
The 53-time race winner said:
“It was a very late call. I thought it
was a bit early [to switch rubber]
because I wasn’t sure that we
could make the tyres last in the
second stint.
“Obviously then I just gave it
everything on the out lap because
I saw the two cars in front of me
not pitting, especially Lewis
[Hamilton]. I was then very
surprised the lap later to come
out ahead.”
Mercedes’ decision to leave
Hamilton out for seven laps after
motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 3
HEADLINE NEWS Photos: LAT
Leclerc thinks that he was
robbed of a possible win
Vettel had stopped meant he had
less traffic and fresher tyres over
the latter period of the race, but
his charge was partly thwarted
by two safety cars, called to collect
the stricken cars of George Russell
(Williams) and Sergio Perez
(Racing Point).
“It [was] quite busy managing
the tyres, going through traffic,”
said Vettel. “I was trying to go
through and slice through as
quick as I could, maybe then to get
a cushion and control it at the end
but it didn’t work when the safety
car came out. Obviously we
controlled it to the end. The car
was getting better and better.
“It was tricky at the restarts on
cold tyres but I think as first car
you always have an advantage.”
Vettel said he had been unaware
of what was playing out around
him when he was called in for his
stop, which came at the very end
of the lap.
Vettel added: “It was I think just
the corner before, like Turn 21,
the last turn before the pit entry,
I received the call. I don’t know if
somebody pitted or all of a sudden
the gap was big enough, but for me
it worked today so I’m happy.” Charles Leclerc held the advantage from his pole position for the first 19 laps of the race
PAGE 4
4 SEPTEMBER 25 2019 motorsport-news.co.uk Advertising enquiries: 0203 405 8110

Y JAMES
SINGAPORE GP REPOR ROBERTS

WELCOME BACK,
FIVE KEY TALKING
1.Vettel finally makes
it back to the top
to front a 1-2
After 392 days and 22 races,

SEBASTIAN
Sebastian Vettel finally took his
53th grand prix victory on the streets
of Singapore last Sunday evening.
Following a troubled time for the
four-time champion, this was a
chance for him to respond to his
critics. Although the nature of
the win – a tactical call from the
Ferrari pitwall – left his team-mate
Charles Leclerc fuming.
On Saturday, Vettel had impressed
on his first Q3 run in qualifying,
but a brilliant final lap from
Leclerc beat his time and secured

Ferrari conjures up a 1-2 on the streets of Singapore – but there are some tensions
another pole position for the Ferrari
youngster. Merc’s Lewis Hamilton
also improved on his final lap and
demoted Vettel to third.
At the start of the race on Sunday,
Leclerc led away Hamilton, while
Vettel kept third place ahead of
Max Verstappen in his Red Bull.
As all the frontrunners started
on the soft tyre compound, Leclerc
managed the pace of the leaders
in the first phase of the race to
preserve tyre life and extend
the stint before the pitstop.
With the entire field bunched up,
Vettel controlled Ferrari could not afford to pit the
leader and compromise his position
the pace for a win in traffic, so pitted Vettel first (on
lap 19) as fourth-placed Verstappen
was stopping on the same lap.
This decided the outcome of
the race as Vettel flew on his new
rubber and undercut Leclerc when
the lead Ferrari emerged from his
pit just a lap later.
“Max was ready to stop, so we had
to protect Seb’s position and it was
also our best opportunity to try and
pass Hamilton,” said Ferrari team
boss Mattia Binotto. “That was the
right time to stop Sebastian – no
discussion. He then drove very
well and got ahead of Charles.
That’s racing.”
When Leclerc emerged from his
pitstop behind Vettel he demanded
answers from the Ferrari pitwall
describing the situation as “unfair.”
When told to ensure he brought the
car home he added: “I won’t do
anything stupid as we need to finish
1-2,” but wanted assurances he
could race for the win.
“To be completely honest
with you, I don’t understand the
undercut, but we will discuss
after the race,” said a downbeat
Leclerc from the cockpit.
In the end, he couldn’t keep up
with Vettel, particularly as the
German timed his restart after the
last safety car to perfection, to
ensure victory was his.
“I know that Charles is frustrated,
The German took
but that’s positive because it’s the
his 53rd career win right attitude to have,” continued
Binotto. “By the time he sees the
full picture, he will understand the
reason for the choice.”
The end of Vettel’s long victory
drought will have helped his
confidence in the short term but,
after he was beaten by Leclerc in
qualifying and the nature of the win
which meant the advantage would
always go to the second-placed car,
it still raises questions about his
position in the team. Leclerc tried to
hide his displeasure after the race
but knew victory should have been
his. Thankfully he won’t have long
to dwell on it with the next race in
The Ferrari team-mates locked out the top of the podium Charles Leclerc was angered by his strategy Red Bull took a podium spot with MaxVerstappen Sochi this coming weekend.
 Advertising enquiries: 0203 405 8110 motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 5

ROUND Photos: LAT

POINTS FROM SINGAPORE RACE FACTS Results © 2019 Formula One Administration Ltd

SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX TYRE

Circuit: Marina Bay Lap: 3.146 miles CHOICE
2. Hamilton urges fresher rubber might give
Race distance: 191.91 miles Laps:61 SOFT
Mercedes to think Hamilton an advantage in the Lap record:1m41 905s (Kevin Magnussen 2018)
on its feet from closing stages. But the appearance
the pitwall of three safety cars negated that
After Ferrari took their third strategy too. DRS timing line
consecutive grand prix win at Afterwards Hamilton thought
Singapore, it ended a record that Mercedes should have pitted before MEDIUM
stretched back 11 years. Vettel. “I knew we should have tried
The last time the Scuderia won the undercut,” he said. “We should
three races in a row was back in early have taken the risk. But we didn’t.
2008. This year the power advantage We take this on the chin, it’s painful
of the Ferrari made it favourite at for us as we could have easily won HARD
circuits such as Montreal, Spa and Hamilton wanted to take “risks” today, but it didn’t work out.”
Monza – but it was not expected to When asked whether he felt
be as strong on tracks with low Leclerc” so he stayed out and Ferrari were gaining the upper Drag reduction
and medium speed corners, such inherited the lead. Mercedes hand following its three successive system activation
as Singapore. strategists were hoping the Ferraris victories, Hamilton said: “If feels DRS tim
However a front end upgrade would be slowed when they hit the like they are hungrier at the
last weekend helped with runners starting on the medium tyre moment, so we have to step it up. RESULTS
its performance. who were yet to stop and that would “We’re still the best team but we’ve FIA Formula 1 World Championship, round 15/21
When Charles Leclerc made his bring Hamilton back into play. got to stop dragging our feet and POS DRIVERS NAT CAR-ENGINE TIME
one and only pitstop from the lead When Hamilton finally pitted get on. We’ll debrief, get back in the 1 Sebastian Vettel DEU Ferrari 1h58m33.667s
on lap 20, Lewis Hamilton’s engineer on lap 27, that plan didn’t come to scrum and come back fighting at 2 Charles Leclerc MCO Ferrari +2.641s
told him to do the “opposite to fruition, but Mercedes hoped the the next race.” 3 Max Verstappen NLD Red Bull-Honda +3.821s
4 Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes +4.608s
5 Valtteri Bottas FIN Mercedes +6.119s
6 Alexander Albon THA Red Bull-Honda +11.663s
3.Woe for Williams Kevin Magnussen at the team again 7 Lando Norris GBR McLaren-Renault +14.769s
Despite having the slowest car on next year). “He said I left him no room 8 Pierre Gasly FRA Toro Rosso-Honda +15.547s
the grid this season, Williams had and that he was in the wall before he 9 Nico Hulkenberg DEU Renault +16.718s
an enviable record going into the hit me,” said Russell. “Well, I said 10 Antonio Giovinazzi ITA Alfa Romeo-Ferrari +27.855s*
Singapore GP as the only team to that’s absolutely not the case.” 11 Romain Grosjean FRA Haas-Ferrari +35.436s
have both its cars classified in every In reply Grosjean said: “I know 12 Carlos Sainz Jr ESP McLaren-Renault +35.974s
race this year. George is not super happy, but I don’t 13 Lance Stroll CAN Racing Point-Mercedes +36.419s
That streak came to an end think I had much more room to go 14 Daniel Ricciardo AUS Renault +37.660s
on lap 35 of Sunday’s race when any more on the left.” 15 Daniil Kvyat RUS Toro Rosso-Honda +38.178s
George Russell collided with The second Williams of Robert 16 Robert Kubica POL Williams-Mercedes +47.024s
Romain Grosjean as the pair exited Kubica (who revealed at the weekend 17 Kevin Magnussen DNK Haas-Ferrari +1m26.522s
Turn 8 while battling for 17th. he’ll be leaving Williams at the end of R Kimi Raikkonen FIN Alfa Romeo-Ferrari L49/collision
The Williams driver hit the wall the year) finished 16th, just one place R Sergio Perez MEX Racing Point-Mercedes L42/oil leak
which brought out the first safety ahead of the other Haas of Kevin R George Russell GBR Williams-Mercedes L34/collision
car of the GP. Grosjean recovered Magnussen. The Danish driver pitted * = 10s penalty for failing to follow stewards’ instructions Winner’s average speed: 97.074mph Lap leaders: Leclerc 1-19;
to finish 11th in his Haas (and has late for soft tyres and – for the second Hamilton 20-26; Giovinazzi 27-30; Vettel 31-61
been confirmed along with team-mate year running – set the fastest lap. Briton Russell ended in the wall
FASTEST LAP KEVIN MAGNUSSEN 1m42.301s ON LAP 58 (AVERAGE SPEED:110.714MPH)

4. Giovinazzi leads Antonio Giovinazzi etched his name It happened when Lewis Hamilton QUALIFYING
and earns a point into the record books. After starting pitted on lap 27 and the race order POS DRIVER TIME POS DRIVER TIME
The nature of street races like 10th on the starting grid – and by looked like this: Antonio Giovinazzi 1 Leclerc 1m36.217s 11 Gasly 1m38.699s
Singapore is that they can throw up avoiding Q3 having a choice of at the head of the field from Pierre 2 Hamilton 1m36.408s 12 Raikkonen 1m38.858s
random statistical anomalies. starting tyre – he was on the medium Gasly (Toro Rosso) and Daniel 3 Vettel 1m36.437s 13 Magnussen 1m39.650s
For example, all 12 races held in the with only soft runners ahead. As his Ricciardo (Renault). Giovinazzi 4 Verstappen 1m36.813s 14 Kvyat 1m39.957s
Asian city under the floodlights have tyres would last longer, there was a became the first driver to lead a GP for 5 Bottas 1m37.146s 15 Perez 1m38.620s*
featured a safety car and last weekend, chance he could lead the race. Alfa since Andrea de Cesaris led in 6 Albon 1m37.411s 16 Stroll 1m39.979s
Belgium in 1983. His four laps in the 7 Sainz 1m37.818s 17 Grosjean 1m40.277s
lead were also significant, as he was 8 Hulkenberg 1m38.264s 18 Russell 1m40.867s
the first driver from a team outside of 9 Norris 1m38.329s 19 Kubica 1m41.186s
Mercedes, Ferrari or Red Bull to lead 10 Giovinazzi 1m38.697s 20 Ricciardo **
a race since 2015 (when Felipe Massa * = five-place grid drop for a replacement gearbox ** = 10-place grid penalty for additional power unit elements used, and disqualified for technical infringement
headed the field at the start of the
British GP that year for Williams).
Giovinazzi was struck with a 10s
penalty for driving too close to the
marshals that were dealing with
George Russell’s stricken Williams,
Alfa’s Antonio Giovinazzi (left) was playing with the frontrunners but still kept his 10th place finish.

5.Renault’s penalty Renault took the opportunity to fit a ruined six laps later when he
Daniel Ricciardo was disqualified new MGU-K and control electronics attempted to overtake Antonio
from qualifying in Singapore after to Ricciardo’s car and he started the Giovinazzi and suffered a puncture.
his Renault had exceeded the MGU-K race from the back of the grid. He ultimately finished 14th, five
power limit of 120kW in Q1. By starting on the medium places behind his team-mate Nico A late stop helped Kevin Magnussen claim the fastest lap for Haas
The problem was put down to a compound tyre, Ricciardo hoped an Hulkenberg. The German finished
kerb strike that caused a power spike alternative strategy would bring him ninth d i CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
which the team described a DRIVERS CONSTRUCTORS
advantage of just one micro POS DRIVER PTS POS CONSTRUCTOR PTS
or a millionth of a second. H 1 Lewis Hamilton 296 1 Mercedes 527
the FIA took a firm line aga 2 Valtteri Bottas 231 2 Ferrari 394
infringement, despite the la 3 Charles Leclerc 200 3 Red Bull-Honda 289
advantage and excluded Ric 4 Max Verstappen 200 4 McLaren-Renault 89
citing the ruling: “If an auto 5 Sebastian Vettel 194 5 Renault 67
is found not to comply with t 6 Pierre Gasly 69 6 Toro Rosso-Honda 55
applicable technical regulat 7 Carlos Sainz Jr 58 7 Racing Point-Mercedes 46
it shall be no defence to claim 8 Alexander Albon 42 8 Alfa Romeo-Ferrari 35
no performance advantage 9 Daniel Ricciardo 34 9 Haas-Ferrari 26
was obtained.” 10 Daniil Kvyat 33 10 Williams-Mercedes 1

NEXT RACE: RUSSIAN GRAND PRIX, SEPT 29

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RACING NEWS
Photos: LAT

IN BRIEF
Red Bull’s wake-up
Max Verstappen described
the Singapore Grand Prix as
“a little wake-up call” for Red
Bull-Honda after only managing
third place. The Marina Bay
track was expected to play to
Red Bull’s strengths and
Verstappen topped the opening
practice session. But he only
qualified fourth and did not
have the pace to challenge
Ferrari for race victory. He
called it “maybe our worst race
in terms of performance” since
Red Bull had begun winning
again in Austria in June, and
admitted the team had “expected
to be really good” in Singapore.

Russell angry It has been a tough

George Russell felt it was unjust
year for Williams

KUBICA TO EXIT F1 AGAIN

that he came off worst in his
collision with Romain Grosjean
during the Singapore Grand Prix.
The Williams was sent into the
wall in the clash – giving Russell

AT END OF THE SEASON

the first retirement of his F1
career – while Grosjean finished
11th. “He said I left him no room
and that he was in the wall before
he hit me. And I just said, ‘well,

that’s absolutely not the case’,
because I had the last hour to be
able to watch the video,” Russell
said. “It’s a shame that it just
ruined my race and not his too.”
Grosjean felt he had left adequate
room and that Russell got out of
shape while being passed.
Singapore crashes
Russell and Grosjean’s incident
was one of many in the Singapore
race. Kimi Raikkonen’s race
ended when his Alfa Romeo
sustained broken suspension
in a clash with Daniil Kvyat as
the Toro Rosso tried to pass
him for 12th near the finish. Kvyat
felt Raikkonen “moved under
braking” and “suicided himself”.
Raikkonen called it “not exactly
the end of the race I was hoping
for”. The stewards took no action
over that or other incidents
involving Daniel Ricciardo and
Antonio Giovinazzi, and Carlos
Sainz Jr and Nico Hulkenberg.
Extra tyre test
The FIA has forced through an
additional tyre test at Barcelona
next month amid an impasse over
the 2020 Pirelli specifications,
but there is disquiet over the
fact it is doing so despite not
having the required unanimous
support. Only eight of the 10
teams were in favour, with others
being concerned about costs
amid the flyaway races and that
the participating teams might
get an advantage. Pirelli has
been unable to hit the September
1 deadline for confirming its
new spec as the ‘target letter’
from the teams laying out their
demands was not ready in time.
Pole’s heroic comeback will last just one year as he will part ways with Williams
By Matt Beer
Robert Kubica’s heroic
return to the Formula 1 grid
will end after just one year,
as he announced during the
Singapore Grand Prix that
he is leaving Williams.
The 34-year-old Pole’s career
had been interrupted by a
horrific rally crash ahead of
the 2011 F1 season, in which his
right arm was partially severed.
But having finally secured his
Haas decides to keep Grosjean again for 2020
Haas has decided to keep
Romain Grosjean for the 2020
Formula 1 season, meaning Nico
Hulkenberg now faces limited
options for staying on the grid.
With Kevin Magnussen
already under contract, Haas
had Grosjean, Hulkenberg and
Esteban Ocon on its shortlist
before Ocon signed for Renault.
Team boss Gunther Steiner said
it was a “close call” but that he
felt this year’s poor performance
made it fairer to keep faith with
his current line-up.
Grosjean (l) beat Hulkenberg to the second Haas F1 drive
long-hold goal of getting back
in the F1 field with Williams
this year, he ended up mired
at the back of the grid as the
team endured one of the worst
seasons in its history.
“In order to evaluate our
opportunities I have taken the
decision that I will not continue
with Williams,” he said. “I said
that this year it would be say a
goal to remain in Formula 1. But
not at any cost. And I think I have
to first of all do what will bring
“It’s the car, we’re very
conscious about that,” he
said. “Changing the driver
now, I don’t know if it would
help us make the car better.
“Romain was a big part of
getting the understanding of
why we are wrong with the car
at the moment. He was a big help.
And we didn’t want to have any
more unknowns or risks.”
Alfa Romeo is now
Hulkenberg’s best option
for a 2020 drive, if it decides
to drop Antonio Giovinazzi.
me back a bit of joy in racing. back to motorsport in rallying chose Carlos Sainz Jr for 2018
“Of course this season has before starting to explore circuit instead, Kubica turned his
been very tough from a racing opportunities and tests as attentions to Williams. Despite
performance point of view but it he investigated whether it would being beaten to an ’18 seat by
has also been very demanding, be physically possible to return Sergey Sirotkin, he took on a test
being back in Formula 1 after to the top level despite what he and development role with the
a long time is not easy – described as the “limitations” team and was given the ’19 drive.
especially when you are in a left by his injuries – which Kubica acknowledged that
difficult situation, as we are. required over 40 operations. a DTM drive was a possibility
“But still nevertheless I have Renault – which he had been for next season, and it is
to thank the team for the driving for in F1 at the time of his understood both the Racing
opportunity and we will see accident – was his starting point, Point and Haas teams are
what the future will bring.” and he completed a number of interested in giving him an F1
Kubica had initially come tests in its older cars. But after it simulator/development role.
CHAMPS SLAM
REVERSED GRIDS
World champions Lewis
Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel
have both hit out at a plan
for Formula 1 to experiment
with reversed grid qualifying
races at some 2020 events.
As part of its efforts to spice
up the show in 2021, F1 looks
increasingly likely to trial
new format ideas at some
grands prix next season – with
‘qualifying races’ on Saturday
that involve a reversed-grid JKb kkjkb kjkbk jkbk kjnkb kjkb kjkb kjkb kjkb kjk
element high up its list.
But Vettel described the idea genius came up with it, but that don’t really know what
as “complete bullsh*t” and it is not the solution,” he they are talking about.”
“just a plaster” rather than a added. “It is completely the F1 is also believed to be
proper solution to problems wrong approach.” mulling whether to use
with the F1 spectacle. Hamilton agreed, saying: a ballast system to replace
“I don’t know which “The people that proposed grid penalties.

BRC CHAMPION EDWARDS TO COMPETE IN HYUNDAI ON WALES RALLY GB PAGE 19

Advertising enquiries: 0203 405 8110 motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 7

‘GT5 champions eye GT4 move F1 RACING ASSOCIATE EDITOR

JAMES
Racing News, p11

TEAM USA GRADUATES WRAP UP ROBER

INDYCAR HONOURS AT LAGUNA SECA buzz surrounding
“There was a
Newgarden and Askew triumphant as American single-seater season concludes Hamilton”
By Matt Beer our year to win, and if we didn’t,

E
it was just going to hurt a lot.”
IndyCar’s main titles were His team-mate Simon
wrapped up by graduates Pagenaud looked the most
xactly 17 years ago,
from the Team USA likely threat to Newgarden’s in the autumn of 2002,
Scholarship programme, crown on race day but could I travelled to Donington
which brings young American only finish fourth. Third and Park for the final round
talent to the UK’s end of sixth places were insufficient of the British Touring
season Formula Ford races, for the other title contenders Car Championship. It
in the finale at Laguna Seca. Scott Dixon and Alexander Rossi.
Josef Newgarden, who won The race was won by Colton
was my first major meeting as a
the 2008 FFord Festival and Herta, whose junior career burgeoning, young reporter for
then stayed in Britain and was included finishing third in what Motorsport News and I was being
runner-up in Duratec FFord the is now British Formula 4 in 2015. shown the ropes by racing editor
following year, wrapped up his Oliver Askew, a 2016 Team (now esteemed editor) Matt James.
second IndyCar title in three USA Scholarship winner I was amazed at how many people
years with a cautious eighth- and Walter Hayes Trophy
place finish for Penske. runner-up that year, added
he chatted to.
He said the 2019 success the Indy Lights crown to his As we walked around the support
“feels more special” than 2017 US F2000 championship paddock, featuring categories such as
his ’17 championship. success by finishing fourth Formula Ford and British GT, Matt would
“I was just so emotional – I in the Laguna opener. stop to talk to everyone: team bosses,
didn’t quite get that way in the The Lights prize guarantees drivers, tyre fitters, suppliers – there was
first one,” Newgarden explained. Askew the funding for at least
“I think this one just felt like it three IndyCar starts in 2020,
no one he didn’t know.
was more ours to lose. It was including the Indianapolis 500. Newgarden (inset) celebrates a second IndyCar triumph It became a memorable weekend
thanks to two people he introduced me
to in the Formula Renault paddock. The
first was Marc Hynes, the 1999 British F3
OUICK LAPS THE FASTEST NEWS ROUND-UP champion who won the title with John
Booth’s Manor Motorsport team. Hynes
Ginetta has brought Formula 2 out of the induced coma he had been of his lungs… Formula E is massive crash for Alex Davison, was back working at the team that weekend
frontrunner Luca Ghiotto into its in since arriving at a London hospital reshuffling its 2019-20 calendar who escaped unhurt. The series with their latest young driver, Lewis
LMP1 line-up for the next World earlier this month. Correa, who was after adding a race in Jakarta. for one-make V8-powered Ligiers Hamilton. Lewis was only 17 at the time and
Endurance Championship involved in the Spa crash in which The Indonesian event will take is inspired by the classic Formula I remember him being quite shy. But he had
round at Fuji. The Italian had Anthoine Hubert died, developed place in June next year, meaning 5000 concept and designed to about him a steely persona. That weekend
set Ginetta’s best lap in the Acute Respiratory Distress adjustments to several of the become an IndyCar equivalent for
pre-season Barcelona test, Syndrome and had been on a life late-season dates – although Australia. Davison speared into the
he dominated the first of two Formula
and will replace Charlie support machine. His family warned London’s double-header finale barriers in a safety car-blighted Renault races from pole, setting up a title-
Robertson alongside Ben that he was still “in a race against at ExCeL on July 25-26 remains feature race after a brush with Matt winning campaign the following year.
Hanley and Egor Orudzhev in time” with the severe leg injuries in its original date… The inaugural Brabham. James Golding was Today, Marc Hynes still works closely
Japan… Injured F2 racer Juan on which surgery has not been event in Australia’s new S5000 declared the winner ahead of star with Hamilton and his business card
Manuel Correa has been brought possible so far due to the condition category was truncated early by a guest racer Rubens Barrichello. reads: Project 44 – after the Mercedes
driver’s race number.
Back in 2002, there was a buzz
Brands Hatch will remain surrounding Hamilton, and his route to
on DTM calendar for 2020 Formula 1 – thanks in part to his links with
McLaren – was a given. But no one would
Brands Hatch will remain on the DTM have quite believed then that he would go
calendar for 2020 after all, despite the series
having approached Silverstone.
on to be one of the greatest grand prix
Brands’ long-term DTM future had been in drivers of all time. Hamilton is closing in on
doubt after a poor turnout for the 2018 race, his sixth drivers’ title, to be just one behind
but it then doubled ticket sales for ’19, boosted Michael Schumacher’s all-time record.
by a renewed marketing push and the addition Yet unlike Schumacher, Hamilton’s
of the W Series to the supporting package. career hasn’t been blighted by on-track
DTM boss Gerhard Berger told MN during
the Brands weekend that there was still scope
controversy. He’s never resorted to dirty
to improve again at the Kent venue. driving and has always been fair in wheel-
That made the Silverstone approach all to-wheel combat. Another aspect of
the more surprising, although there were Hamilton’s driving – which is so impressive
stumbling blocks to the DTM racing at – are the few times he makes a mistake
Silverstone, primarily over the financial or hits the wall. You can count on one
agreement between the series and the
circuit, as well as concerns over prospective
Electric SUV series hand the shunts he’s had in the past few
crowd numbers. attracts top talents years. But it wasn’t always the case.
The rest of the DTM’s ‘away’ swing is Looking back 17 years, I came across
being revamped, with Misano dropped in
favour of Monza and a first visit to Swedish
F1 DESIGN LEGEND NEWEY INVOLVED IN EXTREME E an interview I did with John Booth who
was talking about Hamilton’s speed and
venue Anderstorp. An “exciting” round on Red Bull’s Formula 1 double Formula E champion Extreme E will begin in skill, but propensity for incidents too. He
May 29-31 has yet to be revealed. design legend Adrian Jean-Eric Vergne, and 2021, and has announced
Newey has taken a role Newey’s fellow Brits Daniel Greenland as its first race
crashed on his fourth lap at his first ever
in a team created for the Bailey, Rupert Svendsen- location. The series recently Formula Renault test and was concussed
Extreme E electric SUV Cook and Jack Clarke. launched a ‘drivers’ in big hits early into his Formula 3 days too.
series launched by “Everyone involved in programme’ for people who But they were immediately put behind him.
Formula E’s creators. Veloce Racing is extremely had “signalled their intent” “The car held no fear for him,” said
Newey will be ‘lead passionate about racing, to compete in Extreme E. Booth who also recalled a winter test
visionary’ at Veloce Racing, competition and cutting- Early sign-ups include six-
an expansion of the Veloce edge technology, as well as time World Rally champion
where he was “stupidly quicker” than
Esports company. His tackling environmental Sebastien Ogier, W Series everyone else, “by 1.5 seconds…”
sportscar and single-seater issues that face the world champion Jamie Chadwick Perhaps, in 2002, we shouldn’t have
racer son Harrison is one of today, so we couldn’t be and rallycross stars been so surprised he’d be as good as he
the five co-founders of the happier to be taking part in Andreas Bakkerud, Kevin has been.
Brands stays, despite Silverstone talks Veloce project alongside Extreme E,” said Newey Sr. Hansen and Timmy Hansen.

AGREE/DISAGREE?
letters@motorsport-news.co.uk
THE MOTORSPORT SHOW
RDS DUBLIN NOVEMBER 23-24
The show will feature all motorsport categories
There’s no denying we’re in a
successful period for motorsport
either side of the Irish border.
Colin Turkington is the reigning
British Touring Car champion
and leading this year’s standings.
Kris Meeke and Craig Breen
are both back competing in the
World Rally Championship. And
there’s a host of young stars
rising up the ranks, including
Porsche Carrera Cup GB points
leader Dan Harper and Renault
UK Clio Cup title contender Jack
Young.
Add in a flourishing Irish
Tarmac Rally Championship
that attracts bumper entries
for the top-level R5 cars and
rumours that the British round
of the WRC could move across
the Irish Sea in the near future,
and there’s plenty to be excited
about.
And that excitement, success
and interest are what organisers
of The Motorsport Show are
embracing.
The Motorsport Show will
take place across November
23-24 and is designed to be a
celebration of the season just
gone and looking forward to
the season ahead unlike many
similar events which act as more
of a preview to the coming year.
The show will take place at the
renowned RDS Simmonscourt
facility in Dublin and the aim
is to emulate the successful
events at the venue at the turn
of the century when the likes
of stunt supremo Terry Grant
and Formula 1 drivers were in
attendance.
The idea behind the event is
that every form of motorsport
will be showcased to the public,
right from the very grassroots
categories to international series
like Formula E and F1. Over
two years of planning has been
carried out to ensure there will
be something for everyone.
As well as motor clubs,
collectors, companies and
enthusiasts that will be
exhibiting, there will also be live
displays on the bespoke Live
indoor runway at the RDS venue.
More details about some of the
star attractions will be released
in the coming weeks.
Tickets for this motorsport
extravaganza are on sale now
with a variety of different
packages available. General
admission tickets start from €55,
while two-day weekend passes
can be purchased for just €75.
Family tickets start from €80
and a number of special VIP
packages are on offer, starting
from €150. Heavily-discounted
tickets for students and OAPs at
just €35 can also be purchased.
Even lower-priced tickets are
available to groups and clubs.
Promotional Feature
Be sure to get yours now
to avoid missing out on what
should be a brilliant motorsport
spectacle and weekend.
ticke ts
on sale now
in person
from Ticketmaster outlets
nationwide
by telephone
ROI
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Northern Ireland
0844 277 4455 (24hr)
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Advertising enquiries: 0203 405 8110
RACING NEWS
BRITISH F3 DECIDES TO
KEEP CAR FOR NEXT YEAR
Series decides against becoming Regional F3 category for 2020 but plans small tweaks
Palmer (inset) says car will
have upgrade package
Bushell will deputise for Tordoff for the remainder of BTCC campaign
Mike Bushell will deputise
for Sam Tordoff in the
AmDTuning.com Honda Civic
for the remainder of the British
Touring Car Championship
this year as Tordoff and his
family come to terms with the
loss of his infant son.
Tordoff’s baby Arlo passed
away in the lead-up to the
previous rounds at Knockhill
and Bushell, who has
Photos: Jakob Ebrey, Gary Hawkins
By Stefan Mackley
BRDC British Formula 3 will
retain its existing car for next
season despite considering
the possibility of switching to
a halo-fitted machine for 2020.
The decision comes after
MotorSport Vision, which
operates the championship, has
considered trying to gain FIA
Regional F3 status for the last
two seasons.
Such a move would mean a
change to a halo-fitted car but,
after consultation with teams,
the championship will remain
with its existing machine, which
first came into use in 2016.
The Tatuus-Cosworth cars
will undergo small upgrades to
increase performance and create a
slightly different look for next year.
“We are doing an upgrade
package for next year to improve
the aerodynamics a little bit,”
said Jonathan Palmer, chief
executive of MSV.
“The key thing is we were
working in co-ordination with
the teams to understand what
teams would like to see in terms
of future development with the
car and in terms of cost.
“We are certainly open and
we would like to upgrade our
British F3 cars to the latest FIA
technical regulations.
engineered AmD racer Rory “The outpouring of love has
Butcher over the first part of been truly humbling, and it’s
the season, stepped in as a comforting to know people are
substitute driver. Bushell will thinkingof us,andremembering
now contest the final two Arlo George, particularly
rounds at Silverstone this within the motorsport
weekend and at Brands Hatch. fraternity,” said Tordoff. “Our
In a statement on social time is now focused on coming
media, Tordoff, who was to terms with losing Arlo as a
a race winner at Thruxton family, and a return to the
in August, said that he would BTCC is not something that I
not race again this year. can consider at this point.” Former Clio Cup champion Bushell stepped in at Knockhill
SWR plans to end sabbatical with Mini Challenge entry in 2020
MotorSportVision chief executive Jonathan
Palmer returned to the track at Brands Hatch last Former single-seater squad SWR
week as he drove an original Austin Mini Cooper is set to return from a sabbatical
S, raced by Jack Davies in period, and now owned next year as it plans to enter two
by his sons John, Tony and Mike. It was the Davies cars in the Mini Challenge.
family that took Palmer to motorsport events for The team previously raced in
the first time as a teenager. “I’ve never driven a BRDC British Formula 3 and
racing Mini before so that was tremendous fun,” was most recently competing
he said.“The car looks terrific and drives really in the inaugural season of TCR
nicely too. I have a lot of great memories of my UK with a Honda Civic, prior to
time at circuits with Tony, Mike, and John, as well interest in the series collapsing.
as their father Jack, who I remember very clearly.” Now the squad aims to be
back in action next season
Brand new Road Racing titles
at dukevideo.com
motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 9
“We put proposals forward to the
FIA for a new British F3 car which
used a halo car and that is still due
to be considered and discussed.
“But until that happens our
current car is doing a very
good job.”
The decision not to become
a Regional F3 championship
means that the series could lose
the Formula 3 name, having
already been granted an extension
to use it in 2019 by the FIA.
But Palmer is keen that the
name should remain and hopeful
that the governing body agrees.
“Certainly we’re hopeful that
British F3 retains the F3 title,” he
added. “In Britain we’ve got a long
history with the British F3 name,
it’s understood by the drivers,
teams and public, everyone
understands it. There’s no real
reason why we shouldn’t keep it.”
The 2020 British F3 calendar was
also revealed earlier this month,
and remains unchanged from this
season. The championship will
begin at Oulton Park and include
visits to Snetterton, Silverstone
(twice), Donington Park (twice),
Spa and Brands Hatch.
● Josh Mason has become the
first driver to commit to the 2020
British F3 season. The two-time
race winner will remain with
Lanan Racing for his third season
in the championship.
when the Mini series is set
to form part of the British
Touring Car Championship’s
support bill.
“The standard of teams and
preparation is very high and
we’re looking forward to a fresh
challenge, but we’re under no
illusions as to the level of
competition,” said team boss
Team plots to run two cars
Hamilton steps back
from BTCC drive
Nic Hamilton has decided
to step back from the British
Touring Car Championship
and he says he will “regroup”
before returning in 2020.
The 27-year-old, half-brother
of five-time Formula 1 world
champion Lewis, joined the
Motorbase Performance team
this season to drive one its Ford
Focus cars for what was meant
to be his first full-season.
Hamilton, who has cerebral
palsy, has decided to sit out
the rounds at Silverstone
this weekend and the Brands
Hatch finale on October 12-13
following sponsorship issues.
Hamilton posted a statement
on social media on Monday.
He said: “Having competed
in all eight of the BTCC race
events so far this year, I have
decided to step back from the
final two rounds of the season,
to regroup and come back
stronger next year. See you in
2020, where I will be hungrier
and stronger than ever.”
Hamilton took a best finish
of 18th over the course of
the 24 races so far this season
in the final race of the day
at Snetterton.
Young impresses on
TCR Europe debut
Renault UK Clio Cup title
contender Jack Young made
an impressive TCR Europe
debut at Barcelona last
weekend, bagging a pair of
fourth places in the two races.
Driving a Renault Megane
TCR, Young had previously
only tested the car once prior
to his first appearance at the
Grand Prix circuit.
But the Northern Irish
teenager was immediately on
the pace, qualifying eighth for
Saturday’s opening encounter.
“I’m really pleased with how
the weekend has gone,” Young
said. “I came here aiming to get
in the top 10, but we’ve come
away with two top-five finishes,
which is incredible.
“This weekend was all about
seeing what the championship
is like and we’re assessing our
options for next year.”
Sean Walkinshaw. “Being part
of the BTCC weekends will be
fantastic, it’s great to be making
this move into Minis now at
such an important time fo
the championsh
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Advertising enquiries: 0203 405 8110 motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 11

RACING NEWS
Photos: Jakob Ebrey
Emson to switch to
Ginetta GT4 Supercup
Ginetta Junior race winner
Tom Emson will switch to the
GT4 Supercup for the final two
events of the season as he
prepares for 2020.
Emson won the second race of
the Ginetta Junior campaign at
Brands Hatch but has struggled to
replicate that form and has only
taken one top-six finish since then.
As he plans to graduate to the
GT4 category next season, Emson
and his Elite Motorsport squad
have decided to make the switch
early, starting this weekend.
“He’s going to prepare for next
year – we’ve bought a car and
he’s pretty committed to that,”
McKenna (l) won overall,
explained Elite team boss Eddie
while Albutt (r) took Am class

GT5 CHAMPIONS EYE

Ives. “The Ginetta Junior season
hasn’t gone as planned for all
sorts of different reasons and he
was going ‘next year I want to do
Supercup, we could jump across

BRITISH GT4 MOVE

early and get a bit of experience’.
It would be different if he was in
the top five in the championship.
“We’re going at it with a two-
year plan just like what I did with

him in Juniors. He’s had two full
days in a G55, a day at Snetterton
and a day at Thruxton. I’m sure
he will go quite well but it’s about
getting a bit of experience.”
Replacing Emson in the team’s
Junior line-up will be Swedish
karting champion Suleiman
Zanfari. The Moroccan will make
his car racing debut this weekend.
“We’ve had a manic couple of
weeks trying to prepare him for
Silverstone,” added Ives. “He’s
an exciting talent and he’s going
well in testing.”
McKenna and Albutt are both in talks to race GT4 machinery next season
By Stefan Mackley
Newly-crowned Ginetta GT5
Challenge champions Scott
McKenna and Dale Albutt
have their sights set on a
British GT drive next season.
McKenna, 18, took the
overall title at the final round
at Donington Park earlier this
month with second place in
the opening race.
It was his first full season in
car racing having done a part-
time GT5 campaign in 2018.
He now intends to race GT4
machinery next season having
tested with several teams.
“British GT4, that’s the plan,”
he said. “That’s what we’re
looking to do and hopefully
that’s where you will see me
next year. It’s quite a jump
but we think it’s the best
series to go to to aid my career.
“I’m not saying I’m going to
smash it from the first round
and be on top of it, it will very
much be a learning experience,
but that’s not to say we’re not
going to try and win races.”
Albutt, whose consistency
enabled him to seal the Am
class title at Donington, is
also eyeing a move to GT4 –
in either British GT or the
Ginetta GT4 Supercup – and
has had held talks with teams.
“As an amateur driver in only
my second year of racing, it was
a bit unexpected in a way and
you don’t expect to have contact
from major team bosses saying
‘do you fancy coming along for
British GT or GT4 Supercup
with us next year?’” he said.
“A good friend of mine,
Graham Davidson, has just
won British GT and I would
love to go to British GT. If
I had the right offer [he would
race in that] and I’m in talks
with a couple of people.”
Additional reporting by
Stephen Lickorish

Optimum and Steller

purchase new GT3 cars
Optimum Motorsport has
purchased a second GT3-spec
Aston Martin Vantage, and is
targeting an expansion to run in
the Blancpain GT Series next year.   Games Racing-branded Jaguar
Shaun Goff’s outfit, which won
the Silver Cup in British GT this
season, has previous experience
racing in Europe in the Creventic
24H Series and International GT
Open, winning in the latter with
Ollie Wilkinson and Jonny Adam
at the Red Bull Ring.
Goff says the addition of a
second car will help the team
get up to speed more quickly.
“It’s a scale of numbers where
it certainly proves worthy
getting two lots of information
and getting the maximum out
of everything possible, which
can be the difference between P1
and P55 in Blancpain,” he said.
“We’ve operated successfully at
GT3-level for the last couple of
years and we just see a good
opportunity to bring some of our
drivers through GT4 into GT3.
“Blancpain has got a natural
draw so it’s certainly the direction
we want to be going in.”
Meanwhile, Steller Motorsport
displayed a GT3-spec Audi R8
LMS in the Donington Park
paddock at the British GT finale
earlier this month.
Steller boss Gary Blackham,
whose team has support from
Audi Sport Customer Racing,
says it plans to run the GT3 in
addition to its existing GT4
programme, which took two
wins this year. It could enter more
than one of each car next year.
The Jaguar took a marked step forward in performance
Marshal shortage at
Donington Park again
The MotorSport Vision
Racing meeting at Donington
Park last weekend was affected
by a shortage of marshals.
A dip in marshal numbers
resulted in the club taking
the step to switch from the
full Grand Prix circuit to the
shorter national layout to allow
racing to continue safely.
“It’s regrettable that we’ve
experienced lower than
expected marshal numbers, “
said MSVR competition
secretary Joe East. “In
conjunction with Motorsport
UK and the stewards of the
meeting, we made the decision
to switch to the National
configuration to ensure that
we could get racing underway.”
Earlier this year, the Britcar
event at the same venue also had
to switch to the National layout.
ABBA TAKES MORE GT CUP VICTORIES
In-form Abba Racing shared GT
Cup victories with FF Corse in
a rain-affected Donington
Park meeting last weekend.
Only Dan de Zille’s
Sunday sprint race triumph
for the Ferrari squad in
treacherous conditions
denied Sam Neary – who
spun out at Redgate from
pole position – a clean sweep.
“I like a wet race, but not that
wet,” said de Zille, sharing the
Ferrari 488 Challenge with
father Graham.
A routine endurance
victory for Abba Racing
later on Sunday backed up
a harder-fought success in the
50-minute race the previous
day, Richard Neary recovering
well after the Mercedes GT3
endured a trip through the
David Appleby Engineering wants to continue to field Invictus GT4 Jaguars
David Appleby Engineering year, the performances this trying to raise the money to
is hoping to continue in British season have been much continue the project,” said
GT next year with its Invictus improved, with Matt George and Appleby. “James was always
Steve McCulley winning the GT4 going to commit that amount of
F-Type SVR GT4s, but will Pro-Am class at Oulton Park. money and now we’ve used that,
require new funding to do so. DAE’s James Appleby says so that’s it in its current guise.
Jaguar was commissioned Holder’s initial investment “There’s been so much hard
to build the cars by Superdry included two years of racing and work gone into it, it would be
founder James Holder as any potential investor looking a shame to see it stop. We
a vehicle for getting wounded, to keep the project going would completely stripped them back to
injured and sick armed forces need to buy the two cars, spares shells and rebuilt them over the
veterans into motorsport in and trailer from Holder. winter, so now we’ve got the cars
2017. After a trying development “There are people who are working where they need to be.”
Redgate gravel on lap one
after a snatched brake.
Handing over to race one
winner Sam Neary, they
grabbed the lead from the
championship-leading
Lamborghini of James
Webb before the mandatory
stops. Webb claimed two class
wins before handing over to
brother Tom on Sunday, who
added another in the second
enduro by just 0.039 seconds
over a charging Dan de Zille.
John Seale grabbed three
second place finishes with
Jamie Stanley’s support,
while former frontrunner
Jim Geddie returned with
a brace of podiums alongside
Glynn Geddie in another
Lamborghini after a race
one spin at Old Hairpin. A win for de Zille’s Ferrari denied Abba Merc a clean sweep

ALL THE BEST ACTION FROM CASTLE COMBE RALLYDAY PAGE 20

12 SEPTEMBER 25 2019 motorsport-news.co.uk
RACING NEWS
Ferrari Challenge to
visit Donington in 2020
Ferrari Challenge UK is
to add Donington Park to
its calendar for its second
season next year, and is
also in discussions to race
on Brands Hatch’s Grand
Prix circuit.
Various Ferrari Challenge
categories, single-make
series for the 488 Challenge,
take place around the
world with the UK
championship joining
those ranks this season.
Francesco Balli, regional
manager of Ferrari North
Europe, confirmed that
the UK category will race
at Donington in 2020 on
what will remain a four-
round calendar, though it
has not been decided which
circuit Donington will
replace. Ferrari Challenge
UK visited Brands Hatch,
Snetterton, Croft and
Silverstone in 2019.
The championship is also
in talks to race on the full-
length Brands Hatch GP
circuit in 2020, having
used the Indy layout for its
season-opener this year.
Balli added that he expects
this year’s Ferrari Challenge
UK grid sizes of around 20
to be maintained in 2020.
“We expect more or less the
same drivers [as in 2019],” he
said. “We do not have a need to
have more than 20, 25 drivers,
this is the dimension we
believe is correct because,
if a customer wanted to
increase the scale of it, there
is the European series where
we have 50 drivers in two
different categories. We are
fine with this environment
[in the UK].”
Series competitor Alex
Moss was pleased at the
Donington addition, though
also supported expanding
the calendar.
“It could do with a couple
more rounds,” he said. “Next
year looks strong, Donington
will be a challenging circuit
for these cars, and I love
Donington, it’s one of my
most successful tracks.”
Moss eyes European and Asian Ferrari outings
Tourist Trophy class winner
Alex Moss plans to race in Ferrari
Challenge’s Europe and Asia-
Pacific championships after
making his racing comeback in
the inaugural UK series this year.
Moss took TT class victory at
Silverstone in 1986, driving a
Toyota Corolla partnered with
future double British Touring Car
champion Chris Hodgetts. And
this year Moss returned to racing
after three decades away in the
Ferrari 488 Challenge UK category.
“For me, this is a learning curve,”
Moss said. “I’m looking forward
to probably going to do some
European ones before the end of
the seaso
good shot
next year
“My
objective
TT winne
back rac
THE PICK OF THE CLASSIC SPORTS CAR CLUB ACTION FROM THRUXTON
The Nemesis GK18
won two races at Croft
GIBSON MAKES A
CLUBMANS RETURN
Category ace brings Nemesis back to the track to prove its pace
By Joe Hudson
Multiple Clubmans
champion Dan Gibson says
people questioning whether
his Nemesis GK18 still had
the pace to compete in the
Clubmans Sports Prototype
Championship was the
reason behind his Croft
return last weekend.
The car, built by the Gibson
Motorsport team run by Dan
Pearson took second place
was to go and do the [Asia-Pacific]
support grand prix for Singapore
but unfortunately it’s this weekend
[clashing with Ferrari Challenge
UK’s Silverstone round], so next
year we may do one or two of those
races if we can get into it.”
In recent years, Moss’s main
involvement in motorsport has
been via sponsorship, with his
Duo construction concern, and it
was doing this that tempted him
back to racing himself.
“Last year we were a partner
with Force India, in sponsoring
them, and at the Singapore Grand
Prix I saw some very overweight
old people who were doing the
llenge out
I thought
they can do
I can do it!’
“The cars are
ntastic; they’re
ery quick, and
s competitive
cing.”
and father Paul, last competed
in the series when Phil Weaver
drove it to the title in 2016.
Since then, a slight change
in series regulations meant
the team had to alter the front
suspension to fit the new,
shorter, Hankook tyre as
well as detune the engine
from 225 to 200bhp.
“I had a few people say we’d
be a bit slower now with the
new regulations so I brought
Pearson travels from Brands Hatch to Croft as he competes in Historic and Classic Formula Ford
Formula Ford racer Ted
Pearson completed a cross-
country double as he raced
at both Brands Hatch and
Croft last weekend.
The Merlyn racer took
a pair of fifth-place finishes
in the Historic Sports Car
Club’s Historic Formula Ford
Morgan sampled GT4 Aston
COMPACT CUP RACER MORGAN EYES BRITCAR AFTER TEAM BRIT ASTON TEST
BMW Compact Cup racer
Aaron Morgan is eyeing a move
to Britcar next year after testing
Team BRIT’s Aston Martin
Vantage GT4 earlier this month.
Morgan, who uses a
wheelchairafter beingparalysed
from the waist down in a
motocross crash when he was
15, was invited to test the Aston
at Donington Park by Team
BRIT’s founder Dave Player.
Photos: Ollie Read, Mick Walker, Rachel Bourne
the Nemesis out of retirement
just to show what the car’s still
got,” Gibson explained.
“We made the changes to fit
the new regulations but the car
is so adjustable that it didn’t
take too much work. The engine
has less power now, but the new
Hankook tyres have so much
grip that you’re probably not
losing too much time over a lap.”
Despite Gibson himself not
competing in Clubmans since
Championship before making
the five-hour drive north to join
Nigel Grant Motorsport team-
mate Callum Grant in the British
Automobile Racing Club Classic
Formula Ford Championship.
“I got here [to Croft] at 2230hrs
last night,” Pearson explained.
“I don’t normally sleep too well
“The plan is to race in Britcar
but, as with everything in
motorsport, it’s all down to
money,” he said. “I’ve known
Dave Player for a few years and
earlier this year he was like
‘Aaron, let’s get serious now,
I’ve been following your
progress and I would love you
to be a part of it [Team BRIT]’.
“The car was amazing, it just
had so much more power, the
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2014, the Croft local took pole
by 1.5 seconds ahead of
championship frontrunner
Clive Wood and took a pair of
wins, only denied a hat-trick by a
rear roll bar failure in race three.
Gibson added: “I was off down
the road, but as soon as it broke I
went straight on. I carried on but
it was a lot trickier to drive. The
car runs with rake and with the
rear roll barbreaking it flattened
out a bit, which wasn’t ideal.”
after races because of all the
adrenaline but, I tell you what,
after a five-hour drive I ended
up sleeping pretty well!”
In the first race, the Merlyn
Mk11A/19 racer charged
through from the back of the
grid to finish fourth, before
improving to second in the
Hand controls were impressive
brakes were better and the
grip levels were fantastic.
“My aim of the day was just to
get a feel for it in the first session
and then, as and when I felt more
confident, get more on the pace.
My lap times in both sessions
weretumblingandIwasnowhere
near the limits of the car.”
Morgan, who has raced in the
Compact Cup since 2014, was
impressed with how the hand
B&Q trip getsWood
back on track
A trip to buy steel at B&Q allowed
Clive Wood to minimise the damage
from his crash in the first Croft race
and remain in the Clubmans Sports
Prototype Championship title battle.
Wood was rear-ended by an
unsighted John Lambert after the
former broke a halfshaft at the start
of the first race and couldn’t get off
the front row.
Despite fears the damage to the
Mallock Mk23 was terminal, an
inspection by the team found the
rear-axle was straight but repairs
were required to the rollbar support
and the rear-end support frame.
That required Wood to make
a trip into Darlington to buy steel
from B&Q to make paddock
repairs as well as borrowing a
replacement rear-wing from a
competitor to replace his bent unit.
Working until 2300hrs on
Saturday night, and then starting
again at 0600hrs on Sunday
morning, allowed him to get out just
in time to start the second race of the
weekend a lap down. He finished
13th in that encounter before
improving to seventh in the third.
Wood said: “We still had some
issues with the nose frame in the
last race which cost us time, but
I’m just pleased to get more points
on the board. It’s all still to play for
at the final round at Silverstone.”
Lambert’s Mallock Mk23 picked
up more damage in the crash, with
Lambert – who was racing the car
for the first time at Croft – saying
he will have to thoroughly inspect
the machine before deciding on his
participation at the final round in two
weeks. The car suffered radiator,
nose cone and wheel damage.
final encounter – despite an
opening lap spin.
Pearson said: “I’d call that
a pretty successful weekend!
The spin was frustrating but I’m
happy with a podium here and
the two wins in the Over-50 class
at Brands Hatch, it doesn’t get
much better than that really.”
controls on the Aston worked.
“The hand controls were
completely different [to what
he’s used to],” he said. “Team
BRIT are the innovators in
terms of hand control set-up.
The paddleshift on the right is
a progressive throttle and on
the left side is a progressive
brake. All the controls are on the
steering wheel so you have two
hands on the wheel at all times.”
PAGE 25
Advertising enquiries: 0203 405 8110
HISTORICS
DOWN THE PUB
ANDY
HONEY
Engineer and supporter
Age:49 Lives:Truro
Honey is preparations ace
He prepares race cars
“I look after several cars in different
categories with the Historic Sports
Car Club and the Vintage Sports-
Car Club, and the gaps between
race meetings are getting less.
I see a lot of the M5, but we’ve got
80 miles to do on the A30 before we
even join the M5. It’s a long way from
any race circuits but that’s a small
price to pay for the quality of life
we have. I’m a proud Cornishman
and it is unlikely I’d ever live
anywhere else.”
He’s done some racing
“My dad raced when I was younger
and I raced as soon as I was able. So
I was born with a spanner in my hand
and never wanted to do anything
different. I raced national stock rods,
lightning rods and hot rods. I started
in the south-west and qualified for
the national championship in 1989
when I was 19 and raced away in
the Midlands for six years.”
He got involved in TVRs
“I ended up being the regional
organiser for the local TVR club and
Steve Bellerby bought a Chimera,
so that’s how I knew Steve. He’d
done some rallying previously and
he’d always wanted to go racing,
so it didn’t take long before we
were building a car for 70s Road
Sports. We looked at what to run
a TVR in and we saw a feature on
Julian Barter who was winning
the championship at the time in
his 3000M. So that was
decision made.”
He now has a business
“In my spare time the business,
Peninsula Historic Motorsport,
has grown and grown. I look after
several cars in 70s Road Sports
but I’ve probably worked on every
car in the paddock at some point.
If anyone has a problem, we’ll get
stuck in and try and help. There
are plenty of Lotuses in the
championship and they are never
short of problems!”
He enjoys 70s Road Sports
“We’ve made some wonderful
friends here and it is very much a
big family or a travelling circus. It
is proper club motorsport but it is
competitive at the front and people
are keen to do as well as they can.
At the end of the 2017 season
we jointly won the spirit of the
championship award and it was
really nice to be acknowledged.”
HISTORIC SPORTS CAR CLUB ACTOIN FROM BRANDS HATCH
RETRO RALLY EVENT FOR
CHESTER COULD GROW
Race course special is a toe-in-the-water for real stage competition
By Paul Lawrence
A new retro event based at
Chester race course could
be a precursor to a major
UK closed-road rallying
celebration in the style of
Rally Legend in Italy and the
Eifel Classic in Germany.
On Saturday February 29,
the Chester Rally Revival will
take in venues like Chirk Castle,
Weston Park and the famous
Nichols in racing return
Tin-top experts for Goodwood return
British Touring Car
Championship racers will be
back at the Goodwood Revival
next year after the dates for the
three major motorsport events
at Goodwood were announced.
The season starts with an
amended date for the 78th
Members’ Meeting, on March
28/29. The Festival of Speed
will run from July 9-12 and
the Revival Race Meeting
is on September 11-13.
While the Members’ Meeting
will clash with the opening
BTCC event at Donington
Park, the Revival Meeting will
not clash with the touring car
schedule, which allows drivers
like Andrew Jordan, Colin
Turkington and Jason Plato to
race at the Revival. This year,
both Goodwood race meetings
clashed with BTCC events.
World’s End section of road
and will be open to rally cars
available up to the end of 1999.
Friday evening will feature
a ceremonial start under
floodlights in the location in
front of the grandstands made
famous by Colin McRae in 1995
when he clinched the World
Rally Championship.
On Saturday, the cars will
take in a loop of venues, many
with Rally GB connection, with
F1 man Nichols to make more regular appearances in Historic FF2000
Former Formula 1 designer
Steve Nichols has returned to
racing in Classic Formula
Ford 2000 with his Van
Diemen RF82 this season after
an absence of nearly 20 years.
The American designer,
now aged 72, was responsible
Race content for the
Members’ Meeting is expected
to again feature the SF Edge
Trophy for pre-1923 cars and
the Gerry Marshall Trophy
for Group One touring cars
from 1970-81.
Goodwood date is fixed
‘Baines Sr had a busy weekend
lunch at Weston Park and a visit
to a further secret venue before
a return to Chester race course
for a gala dinner on the Saturday
evening. It will be the first rally
to start from the Chester race
course since the RAC Rally
in 1996.
Initially it will run as a touring
event but there are ambitions to
emulate European closed-road
events such as Rally Legend.
Event director Bryn Pierce
for the McLaren MP4/4 that
dominated the 1988 season
with Ayrton Senna and Alain
Prost before working at
Ferrari and Jordan.
“I had a shunt at Spa in 1999
or 2000 and finally started the
rebuildaboutseven yearsago,”
Adrian Miles
(45) crashed
DRAMA FOR THE MILES FAMILY
The opportunity for father
and son Jonathan and Adrian
Miles to race against each
other for the first time lasted
only until the first corner at
Brands Hatch on Saturday.
They ran a pair of Ford
Escort Mk1s but Adrian
was eliminated in a shunt at
Paddock Hill Bend. He had
qualified three quarters of a
motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 13
Race and hillclimb double, belo
Photos: Paul Lawrence, Matt Bull
Chester is etched
in rallying history
said: “We’re delighted to put
together this very special
event which aims to rekindle
memories and create new ones.
To have secured such iconic
venues for the first running
was something we’d hoped for
as the entrants will be in for a
treat! It is very much a tour
in 2020, but with an eye on
closed road legislation and
events such as Rally Legend
going forward.”
he said. “I really got on with it
over the last couple of years.”
Although he has raced in
the US from time to time,
the Pau races in France back
in May marked the FF2000
comeback for the semi-retired
UK-based racer.
second behind his father.
They will now return to
sharing a car when they
field their ex-Alan Mann
Lotus Cortina Mk2 and Ford
Mustang at Spa this weekend.
In December, Jonathan will
return to rallying to tackle
Le Jog in a Mk2 Escort while
his regular Porsche 356 is
being restored.
IN BRIEF
Dave Cooper
Motorsport News is sad to report
the death of Dave Cooper, one of the
long-standing officials in motorsport.
Cheltenham-based Cooper served
for many years as chair of the
Association of West Midlands Motor
Clubs and the Cotswold Motor Sport
Group and used his experience and
good humour to the benefit of motor
racing over many decades.
Jonathan Price
Motorsport News was sorry to learn
of the death of Classic Formula 3 racer
Jonathan Price last week when he
was taken ill at home. Price, 58, raced
regularly in his March 783 and was
the younger brother of former
Le Mans racer and Chevron
enthusiast Hugh Price.
Saloons ride again
The Historic Sports Car Club has
confirmed plans to build on the suc-
cess of the inaugural Dunlop Saloon
Car Cup during 2020. The calendar
will again focus on four double-header
events at prime UK tracks, giving eight
races at competitive entry fees. There
will be some detail changes to the class
structure but the headline features of
the series will remain unchanged.
Champions named
The Classic Touring Car Racing Club
has confirmed its 2019 champions fol-
lowing the final races of the year at
Cadwell Park. Champions include
Patrick Harris (pre-’66 Morris Minor),
Alan Wilshire (pre-’83 Ford Capri),
Graham Myers (pre-’93 BMW M3),
Piers Grange (BOSS Ford Escort
Mk2) and Andy Robinson (Classic
Thunder Ford Falcon).
Croft Classic axed
The Croft Classic and Retro event will
not run in 2020 due to a problem with
dates. The move of the Croft British
Touring Car Championship date to
August has left no workable date for
the event, which first ran in 2010 and
features HSCC racing categories,
but it is hoped that the event can
return to the calendar in 2021.
Rowe’s return
Nelson Rowe will make his return to
Historic Formula Ford 1600 at his
local track of Castle Combe in the non-
championship race during the Autumn
Classic on October 5. The Bristol-based
vet has not raced in the category since
a spectacular accident at Cadwell Park
last May but his Crossle 20F has now
been rebuilt around a new chassis.
Busy Baines
Simon Baines managed to race
at Brands Hatch and hillclimb at
Shelsley Walsh over the weekend.
The Stockport driver trailered
his Morgan Plus 8 to his son Chris’s
Oxfordshire base on Friday and
took his son’s Porsche 924 to Brands
on Saturday. He then went back to
Oxfordshire to collect the Morgan
for Sunday’s hillclimb. Chris was
unable to race at Brands due to his
work with the Williams F1 team.
Triumph outing
Yorkshire crew Kris Hopkins and
Martin Melsome-Smith will shake
down a Triumph TR7 V8 on the
Trackrod Historic Cup this weekend
ahead of contesting the Roger Albert
Clark Rally in November. Hopkins,
who has been rallying for 37 years,
has most recently used a Ford Focus
on BTRDA and other northern events.
PAGE 24
14 SEPTEMBER 25 2019 motorsport-news.co.uk
RALLY NEWS
ELECTRIFIED FUTURE FOR THE
WRC TO GAIN SOME CLARITY
FIA ready to present solutions to leading manufacturers and teams
By David Evans
Key aspects of the hybrid future
of the World Rally Championship
are being discussed this
week, with decisions set to be
announced on the specification
of the 2022 World Rally Cars
on October 1.
The FIA’s technical working group
is meeting to decide on the supplier
of the common components which
will be fitted to cars from 2022.
That supplier will be announced
next month. Despite some teams
feeling there remains a shortage of
information on the new generation
of cars, FIA rally director Yves
Matton insisted the governing
body remained on target.
“We are following the plan,” Matton
told Motorsport News. “At the end
of December we will have technical
regulations fixed and announced
at that month’s World Motor Sport
Council meeting. I know some people
say we are not, but we are 100 per cent
following the timeline we introduced
nine months ago.
“We made a study with the
companies able to provide the kind
of hybrid equipment we need, we have
feedback from those companies – and
there are several of them – and now
REPORT: BRITISH RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP HITS SOUTH WALES
the manufacturers will receive a
complete study to decide which
kind of hybrid we will use. The formal
decision will be made on October 1.”
Matton confirmed new
manufacturers were looking at the
2022 regulations, with one following
them closely.
“Just because they are following,
it doesn’t mean they come,” added
Matton. “It’s a long process to bring
a new manufacturer, but the main
thing is that we know they don’t
come without hybrid.”
Asked about the cost implications
for manufacturers potentially
developing new cars, Matton said:
“We are working to keep the cost of
the car at the current level, as close
as possible. With the manufacturers
we are working to see what we can
do with the cars and not to spend
any money on engineering which
is not giving back any return on
investment in terms of marketing.”
The 2022 World Rally Cars will
retain the current engine, but
different shapes and sizes of
cars could be permitted via new
scaling regulations.
In an effort to ease in world
rallying’s biggest technical change
since the arrival of four-wheel drive,
Matton has conceded that testing
Teams will have to
overhaul their cars
limitations will have to be revised.
“We [have] not worked on the
sporting regulations yet,” said Matton.
“From what we did in the past, we will
need extra days to work on the car.”
One of the primary concerns for
the teams is the restrictions which
mean they can not test the new cars
outside of Europe.
One team insider told MN: “What
about Mexico? I’m not sure we’re
looking forward to going to Mexico
with the heat and the altitude in the
mountains and running with a 50kg
battery for the first time when we
start the rally. There are still a few
questions we need answering and
we need them answering quickly.
“The teams are doing a lot of
preparation and investigation
work for the FIA on this, but the
time is moving very quickly. The
year 2022 will be here very soon.”
On the specific question of Mexico,
Matton said: “I’m not sure there is
only altitude in Mexico… OK, it’s not
perfect to test [at altitude in Europe],
but sometimes you cannot claim to
constrain the budget and then go to
Mexico to develop a car. Maybe you
can’t do this [testing] job to 100 per
cent in Europe, but the ratio between
the expense and what you really
need has to be efficient.”
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Todt wants WRC to run on biofuel
FIA president Jean Todt
(below) has talked of his
disappointment at the
World Rally Championship
not moving to embrace
hybrid technology sooner –
while simultaneously
pushing the series to
run biofuel.
Todt said the
manufacturers involved in
the series had to shoulder
some of the blame for the
delay after ‘resisting the
introduction of new
technologies earlier’.
He said:
“We are very late and this is
a frustration for me. I was in
Frankfurt [motor show] two
days ago and all cars which
were not electric were kind
of hidden it’s caricatured
So, we ar
where we
escape c
change. I
very prou
introduce
Formula E
Photos: mcklein-imagedatabase.com
Matton (inset): ready
to embrace future
and new regulations for the
powertrain in Formula 1
and endurance, but
unfortunately [for rallying],
with cars very similar [to the
ones we see] on the normal
road, [in a sport] happening
on the roads, we are still
with combustion engine.
“Maybe we have not
been strong enough to
enforce regulations which
include new technologies,
but better late than never. It
is going to happen.”
On the subject of a move
away from petrol, Todt
added: “Our team is talking
with the teams to see if we
can introduce [2022
regulations] directly with
biofuel. This would be a
game changer. This is the
in which we are
ng.”
urrent single-
WRC fuel
upplier’s contract
runs out at the
end of 2021.
PAGE 29
Advertising enquiries: 0203 405 8110
IT’S ALL UPHILL
FOR PADDON...
Hayden Paddon converted his own Hyundai i20
AP4 into a 500bhp hillclimb car to set a new record
for the Ashley Forest Hillclimb in New Zealand
on Saturday.Paddon lowered the record with his
52.77 second run up the 1.05-mile gravel road
BREEN HANGING ON
AUSTRALIA OUTING
Irishman will not find out his future until after Rally Spain
Finnish Rally attack
showed promise
By David Evans
Craig Breen’s chances of
driving a Hyundai i20 Coupe
WRC on the season-closing
Rally Australia depend on
Dani Sordo’s performance at
next month’s Rally of Spain.
Ironically, a strong
performance from the Spaniard
would probably rule him out of
the Coffs Harbour-based event.
Sordo, who misses next month’s
Wales Rally GB, sits 10th in
the standings – but he’s only
22 points off fourth place.
Hyundai Motorsport director
Andrea Adamo told Motorsport
News he wouldn’t make any
decisions about his team heading
down under until after the
penultimate round in Salou.
Adamo said: “Australia is a
Pre-Wales Rally GB testing work leaves Hyundai ready for the battle of Britain
Craig Breen returned to a Hyundai
i20 Coupe WRC in Dyfi last week,
driving the car for the first time since
his strong Rally Finland outing in
the summer.
The Irishman completed around
150 miles of running in what look
to have been some of the best
conditions available. While the other
Sordo on the cusp of a new deal to remain with South Korean manufacturer
Spaniard Dani Sordo is expected
to remain with Hyundai for a
seventh season in 2020 – despite
reported advances for his
services from Toyota.
The 36-year-old told MN he
feels comfortable and happy
with his current employer.
“It’s very close with Hyundai,”
Sordo said. “For me it’s close
because I feel really good with
the people, they respect me a lot,
they consider me in everything.
For me I am happy with
‘Action from the Cheviot Stages
National rallying lowdown, page 2
place where road cleaning is very
important. Let me see where
Dani [Sordo] is after Catalunya.
You can be the fastest man in the
world, but if you clean the road
for the others then you are
finished. I want to see the
standings and then I will decide.”
Ideally, Adamo will want a
driver sitting as far down the
standings as possible in order to
benefit from the cleanest possible
conditions coming from a day-
one start position at the back
of the World Rally Car pack.
Breen finished seventh on
his single start in the WRC this
season – Rally Finland – and
sits six places below Sordo.
The Waterford-based driver,
who returns to the Hyundai
team in Wales next month,
is keen on a third i20 Coupe
teams were forced to water roads
in the middle of an Indian summer,
conditions which are unlikely to last
to the October 3-6 event, Breen
found a stretch of mid-Wales
which remained wet.
“The test went really well,” said
Breen. “It was fantastic to be back
in the i20 – nothing compares to the
[Hyundai Motorsport director
Andrea] Adamo, everything is
in the front with him. If you
have a problem, I can tell you,
‘Hey, you are a f***ing bastard,’
but after that we take a coffee
and it’s fixed.”
Sordo dismissed talk of a
move to Toyota, adding: “If
Tommi [Makinen, Toyota team
principal] really wants me then
he needs to talk. Adamo comes
to me and he says I want you. It’s
normal, if I want something
Breen wants to build pace
WRC outing this season.
“I’d do anything to go to
Australia,” Breen told MN.
“I’d love to go back there to right
all the wrongs of last year. I left
with some horrible memories so
I really want to go back there
and do a good job for Hyundai.
“But it’s down to whatever
cards are best to play before
the rally. Andrea is playing
a fantastic game, he’s doing
absolutely everything in his
power to win the championship
and I have to make myself the,
I guess, third strongest card
to play in Australia.
“It’s up to us in GB and
what Dani [Sordo] does on the
rallies – Catalunya – towards
the end of the year. It’s out of
my control. All I can do is do
my best on GB.”
speed and feeling in that car. I’ve
done a bit in the R5 car recently,
but it’s still a step to get back [into
an i20 Coupe WRC]. I loved it. We
worked on the car through the day
and I felt really confident in it. I’m
really happy with the way it finished
and I definitely think we have the
package to do something good.”
from you then I ask you – this is
the normal way. I don’t care, I
have no problem with Tommi –
he’s nice, but I never have a chat
face-to-face with him [about
next season].”
Adamo d
a “strong o
next seaso
Sebastien L
under con
for a furthe
six rallies
next year, t
O&A CRAIG BREEN
You mentioned
righting wrongs from
Australia last year,
what went wrong?
“The whole rally went upside down
for me. I lost every bit of feeling I had
[from the Citroen C3 WRC]. I made
a mistake on Saturday midday and
then it started to rain on Sunday and
things just unfolded from there. We
were second on Friday night, then
we had an issue with the throttle, I
overheated the brakes and melted
the tyres, took a wheel off. It all fell
apart. I want to go back and finish
with some good memories.”
What’s possible in GB?
“I feel more comfortable in the car
than I did in Finland. I’d desperately
love to get a podium, but these guys
are right at the top of their game and
there’s a championship fight very
much on.”
You set some sensational
times in Finland – that
gives you confidence…
“It does, yes. Those times just give
you that little edge to keep going
and going. The times gave us the
confidence to think, yes we can do
this. Hopefully we’ll have that again
in Wales. It’s only been a couple of
months since Finland, but it feels
longer – I can’t wait to get back.”
AndWales is a special
place for you?
“Having Jaf [Gareth Roberts] in the
car with me for so long helped, but
the Welsh people have really taken
me on as one of their own. It feels like
home, it always feels special to be
going back there.”
Asked about the conditions,
Breen added: “It’s vitally important
in Wales to have a wet test and we
managed to find somewhere in Dyfi
which retained the water. It was out
of the way of the sun and under the
trees and it was good – we had the
bowser there as well, just in case we
needed to dampen it down again.”
Italian needs to find a driver
ready to run a part-programme
– something that suits Sordo.
Asked how likely Sordo was
to remain, Adamo replied: “Let
me say the other way around –
body better.
an that he
ecause I have
s, I don’t want
rstood.”
Sordo on the
erge of a deal
motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 15
GROUP RALLYING EDITOR
DAVID
EVANS
“This week it
been all abou
Rally GB prep
I
t’s coming. It’s our turn. The
World Rally Championship’s
here. It’s happening.
For so many months of the year,
we all tune in to social media to see
pictures and videos of numberless,
test-liveried World Rally Cars ripping around
roads in the French Alps, the north of
Scandinavia or the south of Spain.
Last week, the rest of the world could go
figure, last week it was Hafren and Dyfi.
I’m sorry to say I didn’t get a minute to get out
and about for anybody’s test, but the chatter’s
started and that’s enough to get me excited.
As you’ll read elsewhere in Motorsport News,
I did find time to get to Rallyday on Saturday
and it was great to share my pre-GB fever with
somebody who knows much more about how
exciting the build-up to Britain’s round of the
world championship can be.
Seventeen years ago, Justin Dale was drafted
into the Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart team after
Alister McRae had fallen off his mountain bike
and injured himself.
The decision to give him the drive was
something of a whirlwind, with Dale thrown
in at the deep end. Fortunately, he knew the
Lancer WRC2 intimately, having driven it in
stage mode for longer than just about any
other Mitsubishi driver.
“I used to do all the shakedowns for the team,”
he reminded me. “At that time, that meant
putting 50 kilometres on every gearbox and
they had to be 50 kilometres with the car in
stage mode being driven hard. I had to go
through a set number of launches, use the
handbrake so many times.
“While I was doing the 50km in one car, the
team would be changing the gearbox in the
other and then I’d jump into that one and do that.
At the time, it was a job, but obviously I was
always looking for the next step. Looking back
now I can see how fortunate I was to get into the
car and do that many kilometres – and that was
before every round of the championship.”
When it came to Wales, Dale was steady
through the Cardiff superspecial before
letting rip in Brechfa. Early on in the stage,
he was absolutely flying. Then it came to a
downhill section.
“At the time I was used to driving a Peugeot
Super 1600 car,” he said, “and you really had
to work those cars. Getting into the Mitsubishi,
I remember early in the stage thinking: ‘This
feels easy…’ We started to go downhill and I
was still in the mentality of the 206 and the
Lancer was much heavier than that. I braked a
fraction too late and the thing got away from
me and we rolled. It’s a shame, who knows
what might have been. The team told me to
have a go and see what I could do. Shame it
didn’t last a bit longer.”
Dale was back in a Mitsubishi at Rallyday, but
this time it was Guy Andersson’s ex-Shinozuka
Galant VR-4 which had been converted to the
classic blue and white livery. Yet another
classic car I’d forgotten how much I loved.
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16 SEPTEMBER 25 2019 motorsport-news.co.uk Advertising enquiries: 0203 405 8110

RALLY NEWS
Photos: Mark Griffin, ERC.com, Kevin Money

STARS HEAD FOR

WALES FOR GB TESTS
World Rally Championship factory teams
descended on mid-Wales last week in
preparation for next week’s Rally GB.
Championship leader OttTanak drove the
testToyotaYarisWRC for two days in Hafren,
while Hyundai and Citroen centred their
preparations around the Dyfi complex.M-Sport
will complete much of its pre-event running at
the Greystoke forest in Cumbria, but Elfyn
Evans will run a FiestaWRC for one day inWales
ahead of the Llandudno-based event.Warmer
than expected weather for mid-September
forced many of the teams to water the stages
in an effort to recreate the sort of conditions
expected early next month.

DATE SWITCH AND EXPANSION

FOR CASTLE COMBE RALLYDAY
Wiltshire showpiece bosses are looking at alternative date to celebrate its 20th anniversary meeting
By David Evans Davis said: “We’re looking at 1995 in the right fashion.” surprised by his first visit,
all options. We’re keen to see the On turning Rallyday into saying: “I didn’t expect so many
Rallyday could move to WRC calendar so we can get our Rallydays, Davis added: “The good cars. Of course, I know
early summer and run to ducks in a row and bring some two-day idea is something we’ve Rallyday and the reputation of
a two-day format next of the current WRC teams here considered for a few years now. this event, so I knew it would
season as the event plans next season. We’ve got a lot to We’re very aware that we have be good – but not this good! And
to combine its own 20th celebrate [with 2020] being the a lot of action to fit into a single the people, it’s amazing. Miki
birthday celebrations with 20th running of Rallyday and, day. Again, we’re thinking about Biasion came last year and he
the 25th anniversary of of course, it’s 25 years since all options. The one thing we will told me what a friendly event it
Colin McRae’s World Rally Britain’s first World Rally do is make decisions very early – was and it’s right. There are so
Championship title. Champion Colin McRae. we will have the format and date many people coming and talking
Rallyday started life running “We’ve always had a close out in the next few weeks.” about when I drove the Corolla
in May then moved to its affiliation with the McRae As well as the McRaes, Craig or the Lancia on the RAC. It’s a
autumn date, but organiser of family and it was an honour Breen and Didier Auriol starred great day.”
the Castle Combe event Tom and privilege to have three at Saturday’s event, which Davis added: “Didier’s right:
Davis told Motorsport News a generations of them (Jimmy, was watched by one of the Saturday was a good one with
change of date is under “serious Alister and Alister’s son Max) biggest crowds yet. so much to see, so many stars
Alister McRae was one of the star attractions at the 2019 event consideration” for 2020. with us and we want to mark Auriol admitted he’d been and so many cars.”

Tragedy strikes on Indian national rally

Gaurav Gill was involved
in an accident that killed
three people at the latest
round of the Indian
National Rally
Championship, Saturday’s
Maxperience Rally.
Gill, who was hospitalised
himself, has been absolved
of any blame by the rally
organisers. The three people
killed were on a motorbike
in the stage when Gill’s
Mahindra XUV 300
(crossover-type vehicle)
arrived through a blind
corner and collided
with them.
Local organiser Arvind
Balan said: “The motorcycle
had forcibly entered into the
barricaded area, breaking
past the security barrier
while the stage was still
green. The driver was moving
at a high speed and could not
even see the motorbike as it
emerged from a sharp turn.”
Indian series promoter
Vamsi Merla said the event
organisers had done all they
could in terms of warning
locals along the rally route
and maintaining safety on
the day.
Merla added: “They
[the organisers] had got the
necessary permission and
clearance for the rally and
this was quite unfortunate.
I wish and pray it never
happens again.
“This is a black day in
Indian motorsports.”
Gill is scheduled to return
to the Ford Fiesta R5 MkII
he retired from the final day
of Rally Turkey earlier this
month at the forthcoming
Wales Rally GB.
Motorsport News wishes
him a speedy recovery.
INGRAM READY FOR CYPRUS ATTACK
Manchester’s Chris Ingram on Rally Turkey I had a podium
has described defending his in WRC2 on my debut, so we
one-point European Rally can take confidence as it is
Championship lead at this similar in terms of the hot
week’s Cyprus Rally as a temperatures, rough gravel
“huge challenge”. surface and technical roads.”
Ingram, who drives his usual Ingram missed out on winning
Toksport-run Skoda Fabia the ERC1 Junior title at the
R5, has never competed on the Barum Rally last month. His
Mediterranean island, while rival Filip Mares beat him by
Ingram’s nearest rival, 0.3 seconds to scoop €100,000
defending ERC champion (£88,000) of funding for the final
Alexey Lukyanuk, won two rounds of this year’s ERC. Brit Chris Ingram has his title lead to protect in his Skoda
Cyprus three years ago. Ingram’s campaign to become
“The target for Cyprus is to the first British European Rally been overwhelming and Ingram starts the Nicosia-
keep the championship lead,” Champion since Vic Elford humbling and I am so grateful based event at car one on
he said. “[And] to do my best job in 1967 has remained on track to everyone who has supported Friday and will be followed
for the team and everyone who thanks to a crowd-funding us to get to Cyprus. To have so in by former factory Ford driver
has supported me. In Barum effort which has raised close much support from the Czech Mikko Hirvonen (Ford Fiesta
[Rally last time out] I regained to £11,000. Some of that money fans after our great battle with R5) and Middle East Rally
a lot of self belief and I want to came from the Czech rally fans Filip Mares on the Barum Champion Nasser Al-Attiyah
keep the positive momentum. who had been supporting Rally just shows there are some (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5). The
“Cyprus will be a huge Ingram’s rival Mares. fantastic people in this sport and event finishes after 12 stages and
challenge for me. Last year Ingram said: “The support has the rally community is the best.” 120 competitve miles on Sunday.

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TRACKROD PREVIEW
LEPLEY PREPARED FOR BIG CHALLENGE
Two-time BTRDA champion aiming for another strong result in Gold Star category on Trackrod Rally
Second on
Woodpecker
WEBSTER, ORR, HETHERINGTON, LANCASTER AND PRICE ALL IN WITH A CHANCE OF BRITISH HISTORIC RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
Five drivers will go head-to-
head for the British Historic
Rally Championship on the
Trackrod this weekend.
Simon Webster/Jez Rogers
(Ford Escort Mk2) and Stanley
Orr/Graham Henderson (Ford
Escort Mk1) travel to the event
Smith gets final SRC John Horton Award
Fraser Smith has received
the final Scottish Rally
Championship John Horton
Star Driver Award of the
season for his performance
on the Galloway Hills Rally.
The Honda Civic driver’s
season has been blighted by
retirements, but he showed
brilliant pace to finish less
than five seconds behind
class rival Jude MacDonald
on the SRC event earlier
this month.
“To even be nominated
was a surprise, so I’m
absolutely over the moon
to be picked as the Star
Driver,” Smith said.
“The Galloway Hills
8TH & 9TH NOVEMBER
WWW.MANXAUTOSPORT.ORG/
POKER-STARS
ENTRIES FOR THE RALLY OPEN 1
as the most likely to walk away
with the crown.
Webster holds a two-point
lead but, once dropped scores
are factored in, the balance of
power moves further towards
Webster as he has nine points to
drop while Orr will shed 16 if
was the first event all year
where I’ve had a clean run
with no problems. On
every other event we’ve
had issues with the car [so]
hopefully it’s a stepping-
stone for next season
where things can head in
the right direction.”
Smith joins Scott
MacBeth, Scott Peacock,
Bobby Mitchell, Max
Redpath and wildcard
entrant Thomas Gray in
the shoot-out at Knockhill
on October 16. They will
all compete for a day’s
driving tuition with 1999
British Rally champion,
Tapio Laukkanen.
Photos: Jakob Ebrey, Chicane Media
he scores better this weekend.
Both crews will bag seven
start points.
Webster can afford to finish
close behind his rival, while
Northern Irishman Orr has not
been in Dalby for a year or two,
but should never be discounted.
DEVINE HEADS CORK ENTRY LIST, BREEN ABSENT
Callum Devine heads the seeded
entry list for this weekend’s
Cork ‘20’ International – the final
round of the Irish Tarmac Rally
Championship – as he looks
to take his first ever outright
rally victory.
The 25-year-old has steadily
improved throughout the
season, finishing third on his
past three events, which included
a stunning performance in
Donegal where he finished
as the top R5 competitor.
This was sandwiched in
between strong performances
at the Rally of the Lakes and
the Ulster Rally aboard his
Ford Fiesta R5.
“It’s an honour to be seeded
number one on an international
By Luke Barry
George Lepley insists this
weekend’s Trackrod Rally
Yorkshire will be a “big
challenge” despite
coming into the event
on the crest of a wave.
The two-time BTRDA Silver
Star champion was the surprise
package on last month’s
Woodpecker Stages Rally, as
he took top BTRDA Gold Star
points in his Mitsubishi Lancer
E10 and second overall.
But the youngster admits if he
wants to repeat the feat on this
weekend’s Trackrod Rally
Yorkshire he will need to be
on the pace from the first stage.
“We certainly did better than
I thought I was going to do
[on the Woodpecker],” he told
Motorsport News.
“There was a lot of learning.
The first two stages were damp
and wet, and the test we had
was in the dry so I didn’t think
the stage times were going to be
good and when I saw them for
the first time I thought ‘crikey
that’s better than I thought’.
“There’s still plenty more to
come from me and I’m definitely
getting confident which is nice.
You’ve got Ollie Mellors in
front who won the Woodpecker
[outright] and you’ve got last
Three other crews have an
outside shot at the title. Adrian
Hetherington, Rudi Lancaster
and Joe Price all have a
mathematical chance of taking
the crown but Lancaster will
drop out once Webster starts the
rally. A place in the top 14 BHRC
rally,” said Devine. “The pace
has been good all year and we’ve
been building it up all the time.
“We’ve given our best on every
event this year, it has been flat
out since the word go, within
our own limitations.
“It won’t be easy being first
on the road. From a navigator’s
point of view, you’re the person
checking in the times, you can’t
just follow the person in front.
It’ll be unfamiliar territory.”
One driver not competing
this weekend will be 2019 ITRC
champion Craig Breen, who
has decided to miss the event in
order to focus on his World Rally
Championship return.
“It was absolutely the plan to
do it,” said the Hyundai driver.
The 100 plus miles stage rally will take place over
many of the Isle of Manʼs iconic stages that have
just been used on this yearʼs National event. They
include Keristal, Ronague, St Marks, Druidale,
Staarvey and everyoneʼs favourite Baldwinʼs.
ST AUGUST
motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 17
ENTRY LIST
Trackrod Rally, September 28
NO DRIVER/CO-DRIVER CAR
1 Mat Smith/Giles Dykes Ford Fiesta R5
2 Ollie Mellors/Ian Windress Proton Iriz R5
3 George Lepley/Tom Woodburn Mitsubishi Lancer E10
4 Stephen Petch/Michael Wilkinson Ford Fiesta RS WRC
5 Ian Bainbridge/Jamie Edwards Skoda Fabia R5
6 Ian Joel/Graeme Wood Ford Escort Cosworth
7 Thomas Preston/Carl Williamson Ford Fiesta RS WRC
8 Pat Naylor/Ian Lawrence Mitsubishi Lancer E9
9 Scott Faulkner/Gareth Parry Mitsubishi Lancer E9
10 Richard Sykes/Simon Taylor Mitsubishi Lancer E9
year’s Trackrod winner “The fast stages suit me but
Mat Smith and everyone they don’t suit the car as much
knows those two are quick as they do a WRC car but we
so to beat them will be a managed to win last year so
big challenge.” [who knows?] It’s nice to have
Smith is out for the first number one on the side [of the
time since April’s Pirelli car] and I was hoping we could
Rally on what will be just his do something with Peter
third run in a Ford Fiesta R5. [Smith] again because number
He lines up as top seed due one looks better on the side of
to his breakthrough win the Fiesta than it does the
12 months ago. Proton [Satria]!”
“Last year and on the Mellors is another candidate
Pirelli I put myself under that for victory in his Proton
much pressure to get a result, Iriz R5, while Stephen
I almost didn’t take in the Petchwill be desperate to
experience whereas this end his campaign on a high.
year I’ll be more relaxed,” Elsewhere, Thomas Preston
Smith said. has brought his Fiesta WRC
“It’s not very often you get out for a run as he winds
the chance to have a go in himself up for an assault on
something like a Fiesta R5. the Wales Rally GB National.
contenders for Webster would have also had a quiet season
then knock Hetherington and due to injury and could feature,
Price out of the picture. but the real darkhorse will be
Elsewhere, Matthew Robinson newly crowned British Rally
and Sam Collis will be trying champion Matt Edwards
to win their home event again who steps back to historics
after a quiet season. in the Fiat 131 of his mentor
Nick Elliott and Dave Price Peter Smith.
“Cork ‘20’ is a brilliant rally,
one of the best I’ve ever done.
“I’ve only done it once, in 2010
[finished third in Fiesta S2000] –
I haven’t been able to getback
since. But the stages that are
used, especially this year, are
fantastic. They’re going back
to the roads they used when
[Sebastien] Loeb came over to
do the event in the C4.
“There’s the stage –
Kilnamartyra – which Loeb
reckoned was the best Tarmac
stage he’d ever done in his life.
“I was going to do Cork in the
Hyundai, in the i20 R5, but I’m
testing instead now and can’t
make it. I’m working with
Hyundai on some Tarmac
and gravel work.” Aiming for outright rally win
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
 VOLUNTEERS WANTED
To ensure we successfully and safely run the PokerStars Rally 2019 we need the following:
Stage commanders — Time keepers — Radio operators — Marshals

The 100 plus miles stage rally will take place on its historical dates:

8TH AND 9TH NOVEMBER

Using many iconic stages that have just been used on this yearʼs National event.
They include Keristal, Ronague, St Marks, Druidale, Staarvey and everyoneʼs
favourite Baldwinʼs.
>>> Entries for the rally open 1st August

Heavily discounted event travel and accommodation packages

To register your interest please contact our volunteer liaison officer
Alison on 07624 287178 or email volunteers@manxautosport.org

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RALLY NEWS
Photos: Jakob Ebrey, Chris Huish
Hyundai: drive
into the unknown
EDWARDS TO USE HYUNDAI
i20 R5 ON WALES RALLYGB
Two-time British champion will join up with PCRS for outing
By Luke Barry
Double British Rally
champion Matt Edwards
says he is realistic about
his chances on next month’s
Wales Rally GB as he switches
from a Ford Fiesta to a
Hyundai i20 R5.
Edwards, who usually competes
with M-Sport in the domestic
championship, will run in the
same PCRS team as BRC rival
Tom Cave. But the deal to drive
a Hyundai does not represent a
breakdown in his relationship
with M-Sport.
“Malcolm [Wilson] phoned me
on the Tuesday after Galloway
Back-to-back Asphalt
titles for Pritchard
Jason Pritchard secured back-to-
back Motorsport UK Asphalt
Rally Championship titles last
weekend, his fifth title in as
many years.
The Ford Focus WRC05 driver
trailed six-time Asphalt champion
Damian Cole heading into last
weekend’s Cheviot Stages.
But due to dropped scores, only
a victory would allow Cole to
extend his lead while Pritchard
could increase his total almost
regardless of where he finished.
With Alan Kirkaldy winning
the event and Cole second, third
place was enough for Pritchard
to retain his title.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet, it’s been
a stressful day and I’m just glad
to see the finish with all the issues
we’ve had,” said Pritchard. “The
car’s not been performing right
all day with the misfire.
“To win five championships
in five years including two
National Asphalt Championships
in consecutive years [plus
three historic titles] is a brilliant
feeling. I can’t thank Phil [Clarke,
co-driver] enough – he’s done an
excellent job, as have the rest of
the team. They’ve encouraged
me on the low moments of the
event, it’s a family team.”
+44 (0)1708 606768
www.grove-dean-motorsport.com
[Hills] and he said ‘no, absolutely
you’ve got to take it, you’ve got to
do what you can’,” Edwards told
Motorsport News.
“He’s fully supportive, there’s
no breakdown in relationship.
Just after Ulster, there were
some conversations about where
there may be a little bit of budget
available to do it [Rally GB]. And
at that point I basically asked if
there was anything available or
what sort of deal we could do with
an M-Sport car [but] there wasn’t
the means and the connections
and things like that to make an
M-Sport deal happen.
“With the contacts and the
people that were involved, it
Victory on Rali Bae Ceredigion earlier this month came at the wheel of a Hyundai i20 R5
‘Lightbulb moment’ for Pryce after getting back behind R5
Rali Bae Ceredigion winner
Osian Pryce has revealed
driving an R5 again was like
“turning the light on” as
he seeks to put together a
more consistent programme
for 2020.
On his first rally in an R5
since 2018, Pryce edged his
Hyundai i20 R5 to a 7.7-second
victory over Tom Cave and
admitted he was relieved
to immediately feel
comfortable in a car he had
never driven before.
“I didn’t put too much
expectations on myself
because I knew things were
a little bit against me and
I just wanted to go enjoy,
be a part of it and see how
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could only work going through
the Hyundai channels and
Hyundai are very supportive of
the deal so it’s just the way it’s
panned out. I’m not in a position
where I can choose, it’s where
the finance is and [where] the
infrastructure comes from [that]
dictates what I do.”
Edwards will not try the
Hyundai until Thursday
morning’s shakedown stage
so his expectations ahead of
the rally are measured.
“Let’s be realistic, I’m not going
to have tested the car. We’re doing
shakedown and that’ll be my first
run in it,” he added.
“So my expectations for the
it went,” Pryce told MN.
“[But] even from the day
we tried the car, not even a
20-mile test in it, everything
just felt really, really comfy
and I could do what I wanted
with it. That gave me a bit
of reassurance going into
the rally.
“It was a bit of a lightbulb
moment actually, [like]
turning the light on again.
I don’t know whether the car
was suited to me a bit better
than the Fiesta, I’m not sure.
It was a big relief when I drove
it and I could do what I wanted
with it. The outcome of the
whole thing obviously speaks
for itself.”
Pryce still has ambitions
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motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 19
MN’S MAN IN SCOTLAND
STEPHEN
BRUNSDON
“Exactly what the
championship
needed after ’18”
A
Edwards retains M-Sport link
nother season of the British
Rally Championship done and
dusted, and another title for
Matt Edwards. It might be
the same champion as 2018,
but this year the BRC was as
unpredictable as it was entertaining.
Take nothing away from Edwards’ maiden
event are not huge but if I’m getting championship win last season, but in 2019 he had
closer and closer as the event
a real fight on his hands in the form of PCRS’s Tom
goes by I’ll be happy with that.
“I want to set some top-five times Cave. And it genuinely could have gone either way,
in the category – [that] would be for each had their ups and downs over the course
nice. Come the end of the event, of the year.
if we could be fifth or sixth R5 Better than last year, yes, but what exactly can we
that would be a really strong make of a season which again promised so much
result I think.”
at the start of the year, but somewhat spluttered
A bonus ball draw is open for
one lucky person to ride alongside its way through to its conclusion in the Galloway Hills
Edwards on the Rally GB a fortnight ago?
shakedown stage in Gwydyr It wasn’t vintage BRC that’s for sure, but the very
forest. The numbers range from fact that there were two evenly matched drivers,
one to 100 costing £20 a number. with different cars, fighting for overall honours was
The draw will be made on
exactly what the championship needed after 2018.
Monday, September 30, and
entries can be made via PayPal to But there was still the thorny issue of a lack of full-
merallysport@btinternet.com. season entries which perhaps prevented the title
battle being even better, and that is something the
championship organisers must surely be striving
to rectify for 2020 and beyond.
Josh Moffett and Desi Henry opting out of the
championship after the second round in West Cork
was a disappointing start to the year, while 2011
champion David Bogie electing to concentrate
on other projects undoubtedly impacted the
Edwards versus Cave rivalry.
Then there was the shortened Pirelli International –
reduced to six stages and 66-miles following a
lack of entries.
That’s not to say the season has been a failure,
anything but. Yes, there have been fewer entries
across the season than fans had hoped, but that
allowed youthful outliers to give us a glimpse of
what could lie ahead in future.
And boy did they do that. The Junior BRC was
tipped in these pages earlier in the year to be one of
of climbing the rallying the most competitive championships of 2019 and
ladder and said his Rali Bae the opening three rounds certainly proved that.
Ceredigion success has helped
Josh McErlean showed he was the class of the
him reaffirm those ambitions.
“Being off for two years, you field by taking the title in style a round early, on home
do kind of disappear a bit off soil, on the Ulster Rally.
the radar and I think it’s just The 2020 calendar, which was announced
helped to refresh people’s earlier this month, also points to more positivity for
minds that I am still serious the BRC with the retention of the now staple events
about trying to progress with
of the Cambrian, West Cork, Ypres, Ulster and
rallying,” he added.
“There’s been a few Galloway Hills as well as the exciting first visit to
conversations off the back Clacton-on-Sea in April.
of the rally but they haven’t While there will always be areas for improvement,
led anywhere yet but had the 2019 report card certainly makes for
I not done the rally there’d encouraging reading.
be absolutely nothing so it’s
not a complete non-starter.
We just have to keep these
conversations going and
AGREE/DISAGREE?
letters@motorsport-news.co.uk
see what happens.”
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20 SEPTEMBER 25 2019 motorsport-news.co.uk

CASTLE COMBE RALLYDAY

CASTLE COMBE RALLYDAY PR

Stars and the cars gathered for another unforgettable event in Wiltshire. By David Evans

I
f your hen’s missing any teeth
they were probably at Castle
Combe on Saturday – that’s
where much of the world’s
other rare stuff was.
Take Ford’s stillborn RS1700T
Group B car, for example. Only
four of them in the world and 50 per cent
of them were at Rallyday.
After last year’s rain came stunning
sunshine and a day which transported
thousands of fans to their favourite eras
of the sport in a mesmerising display of
cars and drivers.
A former world champion, a World Rally
Championship returnee and, quite possibly,
another McRae superstar all made their
Rallyday debut on Saturday, in the shape of
Didier Auriol, Craig Breen and Max McRae.
All three starred. All three booked return
tickets on their way out of Wiltshire.
Like his former Lancia team-mate Miki
Biasion last year, Auriol went down a storm.
Alister McRae returned for the first time in 10 years at the wheel of Ford Escort RS1700T Unfortunately, he didn’t spend as long as
he’d hoped thrilling the crowds in some of
the fabulous Rally Replay-tended Lancias.
Emerging from a Martini-liveried 1992
Delta HF Integrale earlier than expected,
Auriol looked concerned.
“The pipe,” he said pointing under
the bonnet. “The pipe from the power
steering pump has broken. It’s not
possible to continue.”
Ushered towards an equally stunning
Repsol car from a year later, he headed
back out, only to be thwarted by a misfire.
Auriol shrugged and smiled, taking
time out for yet another selfie.
“It would have been nice to drive, it’s
always nice to come back to these cars again,
but this means we have more time with the
people and that’s a good thing,” he said.
“Miki told me this was a really friendly
event when he came here last year and
he’s right. It’s really fantastic. I want
to come back.”
The McRae dynasty:Alister (l) with father Jimmy were a big draw for rallying fans The track time is a big part of Rallyday.
The chance to see a bit of absolutely
everything. Mark Clayton’s bonkers 1600cc
Mini – complete with a sequential gearbox –
was simply superb and certainly caught
Alister McRae’s attention as he passed
him under braking for one of the chicanes.
McRae said: “I saw this Mini coming in
the mirror and thought ‘ooo, that’s brave’.
He flew past us and went through the
chicane cocking wheel, it was brilliant!”
Michael Lester’s Ferrari 308 GTB always
raises an eyebrow and a smile, with
Guy Wigley’s Vauxhall Astra kit car
representing Formula Two perfectly.
Also coming from the GM stable was
Dave Kedward’s Calibra 4x4.
We’re back to hen’s teeth with this car. In
fact, this was rarer than anything else at
Rallyday, with only two of these cars coming
out of Russelsheim. Stig Blomqvist drove
this car, which was the first rally car Xtrac
ever fitted with active transmission, on the
1993 Swedish Rally. Rallyday also welcomed
the iconic Leyton House colours back as
Dean Thomas drove the ex-Robin Herd
Darrian T90 he’s spent the last five months
lovingly bolting back together. That
time was, most definitely, not wasted.
As much as this event is about watching
cars on track, it’s very much about another
sort of stage – the one driven by brilliant
Welsh duo Becs Williams and Howard
Davies as well as former Safari Rally
winner Ryan Champion.
Once again, this trio delivered outstanding
aural accompaniment to the day.
Williams’s interview with Breen was a
particular half-hour highlight, affording
him to share his deep appreciation of the
Metro 6R4.
Breen had a huge crowd in the palm of
his hand as he talked in depth about the
car’s foibles.
“Why did they run the power steering
off the front diff ?,” he quizzed. “That
meant the assistance you got for the
steering was directly related to the
work the front diff was doing – so
you got no power steering.
“The 6R4 is an excellent piece o
agricultural engineering – with a
of parts which shouldn’t work in
but they do. It’s a special car, one
loved, right from when my dad w
his car up at night and make the w
the wardrobe doors in my bedroo
“In all of my travels everywher
in the world, I’ve yet to hear a noi
comes close to a 6R4.”
The 35-year celebration of the M
6R4’s competitive debut was a big
on Saturday.
One father and son stood and st
at Breen’s machine.
“That’s the reason I’ve driven 2
said the father. “I grew up watchi
cars and I’ve always loved them. I
to be this close to these cars,” he a
pointing in the direction of Breen
awesome Computervision car To
drove to third place on the 1985 RA
which sat alongside.
“My son and I came down from
last night. I turned the back seat o
into a bed, we slept outside the tra
Amazing. Like I said, it’s a dream
Jimmy McRae relived a dream
Rally win when he fired up Prodr
Rothmans-liveried 6R4. Fresh fro
return to 1986, Jim was joined by
a chat with Davies, talking about
about anything. Soon as they wer
they were set upon for autograph
selfies. Alister ducked out to fill M
News in on his day, but it’s quite p
Jimmy’s still standing there sign
another photograph of him drivi
Gemini-liveried Ford Sierra Cosw
As well as the cars and compa
every era, Rallyday regularly de
something a little extra. Someth
the-wall, something special. It’s
love it. And why we’ll keep comi
year after year.

RALLYDAY HIGHLIGHTS

‘MAGIC’ LANCIA DELTA S4 BGMSPORT’S FLEET

Where d
contribu
firm deliv
three pe
Merced
RS, Bed
1981 H
which p
had plan
but his fa
was spik
moment
died soo
back of a

BREEN’S METRO 6R4

An MG Metro 6R4 on gold Speedlines?
Nah, that’ll never work. It did, you know. Craig
Breen’s Metro captivated Rallyday when
Ryan Champion doesn’t know what he’s talking about. How can Lancia’s Delta S4 not be the greatest rally car ever created? In fairness, it was allowed to run. Apparently, not all the
Champion’s defence of his position was fairly solid: “I think it’s because of what it did to Henri…” That the Turin-made monster had a hand in neighbours are fans of six cylinders barking
the demise of Toivonen and Sergio Cresto is beyond question. OK, point taken. But everything else about that car is just gorgeous. The look, out 120db. What’s wrong with these people?
the lines, the lovely Martini-striped Lancia-ness. Standing still it causes what my fellow mud-lover and great friend Henry Hope-Frost would Breen was a massive, massive hit with fans –
have called “serious trouser trouble.” Push the big red starter button and that rasp-into-roar weakens knees. Edoardo Bresolin drove his mainly because he himself is a self-confessed
father’s S4 on Saturday and couldn’t stop smiling. Stepping out at the end of the Legends Stage, I asked him what he thought. He thought ‘bobble-hatter’. He couldn’t get enough of
about it for a moment and then, surrounded by fans in the blink of an eye, he smiled. “Magic. This car? It’s just magic.” Rallyday. The feeling was entirely mutual.
 motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 21

‘Jackson takes title with Winkelmann

Brands Hatch HSCC racing report, p24

ROVES TO BE A HIT ONCE AGAIN

Photos: rallygallery.com, Kevin Money

sometimes

f
a whole load
a rally car,
I’ve always
would start
walls and
om shake.
re I’ve been
se that

Metro
g deal

tared

00 miles,”
ng these
It’s a dream
added,
n and the
ony Pond
AC Rally

Yorkshire
of the car
ack.
m.”
Ulster
rive’s
om his brief
Alister for
, well, just
re done,
hs and
Motorsport
possible
ning yet
ing a Shell
worth.
ny from
elivers
hing off-
s why we Hundreds of people flocked
ing back
to the annual Wiltshire event

Rally Legend Stage honours a bygone era

In February this year, Motorsport momentarily stopped in my tracks.
News joined Ian Gwynne, Ryan They were all there; Jimmy McRae
Champion and Rallyday organiser was next up in the Rothmans Metro,

McRAES OUT IN FORCE

do we start with BGMsport’s Listening to that most familiar Lanark Tom Davis at the Wiltshire circuit then there was Alister in the
ution to Rallyday? The Brackley lilt is a genuine pleasure for rally to talk about the potential for RS1700T followed by a brace
vered 23 vehicles, including fans. Jimmy’s a Rallyday regular, but a new stage. of Colin cars including a 2001
eriod service barges – a Prodrive Wiltshire welcomed Alister McRae With increased Group B interest, Ford Focus RS WRC and
es van towing a 1992 Legacy back for the first time in 10 years. The Davis was keen to reflect the RAC beautiful Subaru Impreza
dford CF2 hauling Jim McRae’s former British and Asia Pacific Rally Rally’s last visit to the track in the WRC from four years earlier.
SR and an ex-Boreham Transit champion hasn’t changed a bit, but first year of the formula, 1983. After After that, a wave of all-Italian
ulled an RS1700T. Ian Gwynne the stories just keep getting better. a day of driving the track, walking fever, starting with a Lancia Delta
nned this show for Rallyday 2018, Max McRae – big Al’s boy – was a very the access roads and plenty of S4, Didier Auriol in a Martini
ather Bill fell ill and everything welcome debutant and soon got into planning in the cold, the Rally Deltona and then the same shape
ked for a year. It was a touching the swing of signing his autograph. Legend Stage was born. dressed in the black and gold
t to see the tributes to Bill, who Rallying doesn’t have a more famous The new test would run for an ex-Fabrizio Tabaton loveliness.
on after last year’s event, on the family and it was wonderful to see hour in the middle of the day, taking And every one of them launched
all the BGMsport cars. three generations in a day. the best cars and drivers on part like they were meant to be.
of that 1983 stage and putting Standing among the masses
them right in front of the fans for at the end of the pitlane, the

AURIOL HITS THE TRACK

closer-than-ever action.
Standing outside Castle
Combe’s medical centre at just
after 1230hrs on Saturday was a
Hearing the 1994 World Rally champion pretty cool moment. Craig Breen
talking about the ‘rack’ really wound back fired his MG Metro 6R4 into the
the years. For those who will always know stage and the noise, as we’d
Finland as the 1000 Lakes, Rally GB will hoped, bounced off the buildings
always be the RAC. And for Europeans of and sent hairs on the backs of
the same persuasion, they will forever know thousands of necks in one
the RAC as the ‘rack.’ Auriol’s time on the direction. Upwards.
track was all too brief courtesy of a power As the Irishman disappeared into
steering pump problem aboard the Lancia the right-hander around the back of
Delta HF Integrale he was driving, but the scrutineering building, I turned
when he was out there, it was majestic. to look at what was next and was
atmosphere and anticipation
was electric. The chance of a
lifetime was right there to watch the
evolution of rallying emerging from
a hairpin left, tight at the apex but
open at the exit. The BMW M3
struggled for traction, a forest-
rubbered Focus was a four-wheel
drifting spectacle and Nicky Grist’s
Group A Celica brutally efficient.
We stood, stared and smiled.
Introduced to deliver
goosebumps, the Legend Stage
delivered in spades. Surely it has
to be a regular fixture from now on.
22 SEPTEMBER 25 2019 motorsport-news.co.uk
ASPHALT RALLY
Winning margin was
just three seconds
CLASS ROUND-UP
Following Mark Jasper’s
retirement, Andy Bird/Richard
Pulleyn had a problem-free run
to finish as first two-wheel-drive
crew home in their new
Ford Escort RS, with Shaun
Weston/Dean Mevo happy
to finish second on their first
pacenote outing in a similar car.
There was a great battle in
the 1600cc class, where Chris
Grieve/Jonathan Fowler were
early leaders in their Peugeot
106 before suffering with fuel
issues. Barry Lindsay/Caroline
Lodge then moved into the
lead in their similar car, before
damaging a steering arm.
Rhidian Daniels/Tomos
Whittle, who had secured
the championship class
title, had a good run in the
afternoon to overtake Lindsay
for the class win.
After fitting a Pinto motor
into his Ford Escort Mk2 after
problems with his usual engine,
Richard Wheeler decided to
run in the open two-litre class in
his historic-specification car.
He ended up winning his class
and also taking the outright win
in the HRCR Northern Historic
Asphalt Championship.
All nine of the Minis that
started the event made it to the
finish. In the HRCR Mini Cup,
father-and-son Clive and Craig
King were battling for the
championship win. In the end, it
was Clive and Anton Bird who
took the victory in their Austin
Cooper S ahead of Welshmen
Ken Pryce/Don James, as Jack
Hartley/Gary Davies won class
nine in their Austin Mini, and
Malcolm Davey/Paul Slingsby
took class eight honours in
their Escort Mk1.
Bird/Pulleyn: class win
PRITCHARD GRABS TITLE
AS KIRKALDY TAKES WIN
Thrilling contest as top three crews covered by just 36 seconds. By Simon Gronow
I
n his first year of
contesting the Motorsport
UK Asphalt Rally
Championship, Alan
Kirkaldy took his first
win on the Cheviot Stages,
during a weekend when
Jason Pritchard retained his title.
Kirkaldy and co-driver Cameron Fair
had to withstand a fierce onslaught in
their Ford Fiesta R5 from Damian Cole/
Andrew Roughead, as the Fiesta RS
WRC driver sought to take a seventh
championship title.
The winning margin at the finish
was just three seconds, as gearbox
issues hampered Cole’s challenge
and he ultimately had to concede the
title to Pritchard/Phil Clarke, who
overcame a day-long misfire in their
Ford Focus WRC05 to secure the title
for a second year running.
With championship points close
between Cole and Pritchard there was
the potential for the pair to be equal by
the end of the event. In such a case, the
title would have been decided in the
favour of the faster driver on the opening
stage. Cole made a concerted effort on the
test and was two seconds quicker than
his rival, and after the first loop of four
stages returned to service as equal leader
having been lucky not to lose any time
after he spun over the flying finish of SS2.
Equal with Cole after the first loop
was Kirkaldy, who admitted that he had
encountered some “scary bits” along the
way. After engine issues on the Mewla,
Pritchard thought the problem was
linked to the water injection system
of his Focus WRC05, and while a fix
improved matters the car was still
suffering a misfire at times. In worse
trouble were Paul Mackinnon/Paul
Beaton, whose Fiesta R5 had a turbo
pipe come off, dropping them out
of contention.
Over the second loop, Kirkaldy was
fastest on two of the first three tests with
Cole fastest on the other as the pair both
beat the bogey on SS8. Kirkaldy moved
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Photos: Chicane Media
into an eight-second lead as Pritchard’s RESULTS
day got no better, with the intermittent Cheviot Stages, Northumberland, Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally
misfire not helping his cause. Meanwhile Championship, round 7/7, September 22
John Stone/Michael Gilbey were having POS DRIVER/CO-DRIVER CAR TIME
a great run, holding fourth position from 1 Alan Kirkaldy/Cameron Fair Ford Fiesta R5 50m55s
the start in their Fiesta RS WRC, Stone 2 Damian Cole/Andrew Roughead Ford Fiesta RS WRC +3s
admitting “we’re going as fast as we 3 Jason Tauber Pritchard/Phil Clarke Ford Focus WRC05 +36s
can, and as fast as we dare!” 4 John Stone/Michael Gilbey Ford Fiesta RS WRC +1m23s
Stage nine resulted in another fastest 5 Frank Bird/Jack Morton Ford Focus WRC07 +1m59s
time for Kirkaldy who was revelling in 6 Gordon Morrison/Calum MacPherson Ford Fiesta R5 +2m11s
the conditions, and wasn’t concerned 7 Richard Slinger/Stuart Walker Mitsubishi Lancer E6 +5m00s
about reports of impending rain, as 8 Lee Hastings/Michael Cruickshank Subaru Impreza +5m38s
he increased his lead to 11 seconds. 9 George Mackey/Tony Cope Subaru Impreza +5m53s
Cole in second was beginning to 10 Chris Ford/Neil Colman Ford Fiesta R5 +6m16s
experience gearbox problems with Class winners: Charlie Barlow/Tom Hutchings (Nissan Micra); Rhidian Daniels/Tomos Whittle (Citroen C1 Max); Richard Wheeler/
his Fiesta RS WRC and he had to short Dave Jackson (Ford Escort RS 2000 Mk2); Andrew Bird/Richard Pulleyn (Escort Mk2); Slinger/Walker; Kirkaldy/Fair; Clive King/
Anton Bird (Austin Cooper S); Malcolm Davey/Paul Slingsby (Escort Mk1); Jack Hartley/Gary Dawes (Austin Mini).
shift as well as avoid using second gear.
Meanwhile, Pritchard had turned the
anti-lag down on his Focus WRC05
but found the car not as responsive
as a result.
Gordon Morrison/Calum
MacPherson were trying to find a
suitable set-up for their new Fiesta R5,
which was bottoming out at times,
and the pair went on to finish in sixth
position despite a moment onto the
grass on SS8. Mark Jasper/Don Whyatt
had led the two-wheel-drive crews
before departing from seventh position
with engine issues in their Ford Escort
Mk2, while Chris Ford/Neil Colman
were making their way back up to the
top 10 after losing time early on with
severe brake issues on their Fiesta R5.
With the stage directions reversed for
the fourth loop, the top three remained
the same, with Cole taking a second out
of Kirkaldy despite worsening gearbox
issues. Pritchard wasn’t faring much
better with his misfire, while fourth- Third place was enough for Pritchard to take back-to-back Asphalt titles
placed Stone was enjoying his day.
For the final loop, Cole decided to go all on the event and the championship, excellent fifth in his Focus WRC07.
out and used all the gears. Two fastest while Pritchard said he was “glad to Behind sixth-placed Morrison, Richard
times ensued, but he was still three see the finish, it’s been a stressful day Slinger/Stuart Walker overcame an
seconds behind a happy Kirkaldy. “I’m with all our issues”. overshoot and big spin on SS5 to finish
delighted,” the jubilant winner said, “I Stone’s good run continued as he seventh in their Mitsubishi Lancer E6.
wanted a podium but never expected to finished fourth ahead of Frank Bird Lee Hastings/Michael Cruickshank
be first.” For Cole, the disappointment of who was having his first Otterburn run overcame early misfire issues to finish
gearbox issues thwarting his challenge and only his second pacenote event. With eighth in their Subaru, ahead of George
meant he had to be content with second Jack Morton alongside, he took an Mackey/Tony Cope’s similar car.
Advertising enquiries: 0203 405 8110 motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 23

RALLY REPORTS
HENRY WINS AGAIN AND
Photos: Roy Dempster, pro-rally.co.uk

MOVES CLOSER TO NI TITLE

Ford Fiesta RS WRC driver comes out on top over the final stages to take hat-trick in 2019

Henry/Mohan won
by eight seconds

Bushwhacker Rally deep, however, as running first on the
By Jason Craig road meant that he was losing time
carrying out ‘sweeping duties’ for
Organiser: Omagh Motor Club When: September 21 Where:
Omagh, County Tyrone Championship: Northern Ireland Rally those cars that were following in his
Championship Stages: 10 Starters: 68. tracks. It all meant that after the
opening three stages Lithuanian
True to his word, top seed Desi visitor Martynas Samsonas was
Henry put his Ford Fiesta RS the surprise pacesetter.
World Rally Car into V-max mode His BMW M3X E46 had seven
for the closing miles of Saturday’s seconds in hand over R5 debutant
Bushwhacker Rally to snatch Patrick O’Brien, who was revelling in
victory in the final stages with the performance of the McKinstry
Conor Mohan alongside. Motorsport-owned Fiesta. Despite
The result is doubly significant having to contend with a misfire which
as it puts Henry firmly in the mix to was traced back to an iffy boost valve,
challenge for the Northern Ireland Niall McCullagh in his Fiesta R5 was
Rally Championship title. He has third. Scottish visitor Jock Armstrong
triumphed in all three rounds he was having a positive early run and
has entered. shared fourth spot with Henry.
The Portglenone driver had to dig Samsonas had his lead trimmed
after stages four and five as O’Brien
quickly began to gel with his Fiesta,
while the extra grunt of Henry’s
WRC car allowed him take third
from McCullagh.
Henry’s title rivals Stephen Wright
(Fiesta R5) and Derek McGeehan
(Mini JCW World Rally Car) were
10th and 11th as the pair struggled
for speed and confidence. Derek
McGarrity’s woes in the competition
continued, meanwhile. Despite
the intervention of M-Sport
between rounds, his Fiesta RS
WRC continued to be dogged by
a seemingly incurable misfire.
Blue skies and sunshine made way
for grey clouds and rain as the rally
passed the mid-point but, despite his
inexperience of the Omagh forests,
Samsonas continued to look
comfortable, recording top-three
times on stages six, seven and eight
to lead second-placed Henry by
six seconds.
O’Brien’s promising run was
thwarted by turbo problems on SS8,
with former Northern Ireland Rally
champion Connor McCloskey pulling
out on safety grounds as his Subaru
Impreza’s wipers refused to work.
A quickest time on the penultimate
test for Henry, coupled with a blocked
oil breather pipe on Samsonas’s BMW,
turned the rally on its head as the
leading duo traded places. With his
nose in front, Henry cemented top spot
with a second consecutive scratch
time to make sure of maximum
points by eight seconds.
In the two-wheel-drive category
Adrian Hetherington emerged the
winner – but only just. Shane McGirr
led going into the final three-mile
test but Hetherington, in his Escort
Mk2, was not to be denied.
Results
1 Desi Henry/Conor Mohan (Ford Fiesta RS WRC) 28m12s;
2 Martynas Samsonas/Mindaugas Varza (BMW M3X E46) +8s;
3 Niall McCullagh/Ryan McCloskey (Fiesta R5); 4 Conor
McCourt/Caolan McKenna (Fiesta R5); 5 Jock Armstrong/
Graham Henderson (Subaru Impreza N11); 6 Martin Cairns/
Peter Ward (Fiesta RS WRC); 7 Stephen Wright/Liam
Moynihan (Ford Fiesta R5); 8 Derek McGarrity/Paddy Robinson
(Fiesta RS WRC); 9 Martin McKenna/Martin Brady (Fiesta RS
WRC); 10 Niall Henry/Damien Duffin (Citroen DS 3 R5).
Class winners: Drew Chambers/Wendy Blackledge (Peugeot
206 GTi); Austin Snow/John Henderson (Mitsubishi Lancer
E9); Damien Conlin/Gareth Lewthwaite (Vauxhall Nova); Ruairi
Maguire/Cathan McCourt (Vauxhall Corsa); Hugh McQuaid/
Enda Gerety (Ford Escort Mk2); Shane McGirr/Denver Rafferty
(Toyota Starlet); Henry/Mohan; Adrian Hetherington/Gary
Nolan (Escort Mk2).

Bowen/Robinson ease to victory in tricky conditions aboard Ford Fiesta S2000T

Heroes Stages Rally
By Phil James
Organiser: Pendle & District Motor Club; Garstang & Preston
Motor Club. When: September 22 Where: Weeton Camp,
nr Blackpool. Championships: ANWCC; ANCC; SD34; F1000
Junior; Junior 1000 Ecosse Stages: 9 Starters: 56.
Simon Bowen and Richard Robinson
mastered the slippery conditions
to bring their Ford Fiesta S2000T
to victory, finishing almost two
minutes ahead of the Ford Escort
Mk2 of Paul Murro and Callum Cross.
Wes Simpson and Joe Ford, fresh
from their win on the Promenade
Stages, were quickest from the off
after surviving an overshoot in their
Proton Satria Millington.
Tying for second place, four seconds
behind, were Bowen and the Subaru
Impreza of Neil and Daniel Roskell.
Already out were Martin Farrar
and Andy Ward after their Impreza
suffered a head gasket failure.
Bowen snatched a lead he wasn’t to
relinquish on stage two when Simpson
suffered a spin, and worse was to come
for Roskell who was forced to retire
after clattering a kerb. Simpson’s
rally ended on stage four when he
came upon a water barrel lying
across the stage and, in taking evasive
action, he smashed a wheel on a kerb
and elected to retire.
Murro now settled into second place
with the Mitsubishi Lancer E4 of Dave
Hornbrook and Ann Forster taking
hold of third and making a top-three
order that wouldn’t change.
Propshaft failure ended Ryan
Simpson and Georgina Smith’s
run, which promoted fellow Escort
Mk2 incumbents Andrew Morris and
Chloe Thomas to fourth. Brandon
Smith and Catrin Jones were content
with fifth as their Darrian T90 GTR
was suffering from a slipping clutch.
John Deegan and Pauline Merrills
survived a fourth-stage trip into the
undergrowth to bring their Subaru
Justy home sixth. James Ford and
Ryan Griffiths drove their Escort
Mk2 straight from the Clitheronian
Road Rally, in which they finished
second, to take seventh place.
David Gratrix and Iain Reece’s
Renault Clio 182 was plagued by
bottom ball joints constantly working
loose but they still finished eighth.
On the final stage, Adam Williams
and Rachael Atherton grabbed ninth
place, edging their Impreza ahead
of the Peugeot 205 GTi of Andy
Evans and Neville Boulds.
Lewis Hooper and Sam Bilham took
the top Junior honours in their Nissan
Micra after early leaders Rob Wilson
and Martin Haggett inflicted extensive
damage on their Citroen C1 following a
stage-seven excursion.
Results
1 Simon Bowen/Richard Robinson (Ford Fiesta S2000T)
1hr01m31s; 2 Paul Murro/Callum Cross (Ford Escort Mk2)
+1m54s; 3 Dave Hornbrook/Ann Forster (Mitsubishi Lancer
E4); 4 Andrew Morris/Chloe Thomas (Escort Mk2); 5 Brandon
Smith/Catrin Jones (Darrian T9); 6 John Deegan/Pauline
Merrills (Subaru Justy); 7 James Ford/Ryan Griffiths (Escort
Mk2); 8 David Gratrix/Iain Reece (Renault Clio 182); 9 Adam
Williams/Rachael Atherton (Subaru Impreza); 10 Andy Evans/
Neville Boulds (Peugeot 205GTi).
Class winners: Phil Shaw/Paul Stringer (Nissan Micra);
Deegan/Merrills; Morris/Thomas; Murro/Cross; Ford/Griffiths;
Lewis Hooper/Sam Bilham (Nissan Micra). Making a splash: winning margin was almost two minutes by the end
24 SEPTEMBER 25 2019 motorsport-news.co.uk Advertising enquiries: 0203 405 8110

RACING REPORTS
BRANDS HATCH: HSCC BY PAUL LAWRENCE SEPTEMBER 21

Championship titles for Cameron

Jackson and Adrian Langridge
topped an entertaining day of
Historic Sports Car Club action
on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit.
While Langridge bagged his first
Classic Formula 3 crown with a brace
of wins, Jackson retained his Historic
FF1600 title even though his view for the
two races largely comprised the gearbox
of Richard Tarling’s Jamun. Not to be
outdone, the 70s Road Sports turned on
two barnstormers topped by Will Leverett
winning from the back of the grid.
Langridge arrived at Brands with one
hand on the CF3 title and a fresh engine in
the family March 803. But he didn’t want
to cruise around and take safe points, he
wanted to try and win races. His day in
the sunshine achieved both goals.
In the opener, Langridge was under
serious attack from the flu-ridden Steve
Maxted (Ralt RT3) and it got so close that
Maxted bent a front fin on the back of the
March under braking for Druids. Two
laps later the fin came off completely and
Maxted slipped back into the clutches
of the RT3s of Paul Smith and David
Thorburn. Maxted held on, but worse
was to come in the second race.
While Langridge fired into the lead,
Maxted was slow away after a switch
drama and spent the race fighting
back up to third on Smith’s tail. “It
feels good, but I got a bit lucky as Steve
managed to help me out,” said new
champion Langridge.
Ben Stiles blitzed the FF2000 pack but
the second race proved beyond any doubt
that a Van Diemen RF82 does not have
the grip of a Ralt RT3 after a lurid spin
while chasing Maxted into Clearways.
Just as he had on the Brands Grand Prix
track in June, Tarling parachuted back
into Historic FF1600 to give Jackson
a hard time. In both races, the Jamun
got off the line best and, despite two
relentless pursuits by Jackson, Tarling
made it three wins from three starts.
In the opener, restarted after a spinning
Clive Richards was mounted by Simon
Toyne at Graham Hill Bend, Jackson
really had his hands full as Linton Stutely
went with them in his Royale. Late-race CHAMPIONS CROWNED AS
HSCC HEADS TO BRANDS
traffic cost Stutely a shot at moving up,
but he was back with them at the flag.
A broken engine mount sidelined
Stutely early in the second race but Photos: Gary Hawkins
Jackson didn’t have it any easier as
Pierre Livingston went with the two
leaders. “I sat behind Richard to block
Pierre when I should probably have had
a go to overtake Richard,” said Jackson,
who duly sealed his second title.
Both 70s Road Sports races were
superb as up to five cars contested the
lead. First time around, Charles Barter
managed to wriggle his Datsun 240Z to
the head of the pack as Dave Karaskas
had his best race in the championship so
far to take second in his TVR 3000M. John
Williams (Porsche 911), championship
favourite Jeremy Clark (Lotus Elan) and
Mark Leverett (Elan) made up the pack.
For the second race, Leverett handed his
Elan to son Will as Will’s Lotus Europa
was still broken from Oulton Park.
The young Leverett started from the
back of the grid and hared up the order
to slice through the battling lead pack
and take a famous victory. Williams
thought he’d done the hard work until
the white Elan appeared in his mirrors,
while Karaskas took third from
recovering spinner Clark and Barter
parked the 240Z with more engine woes.
Andrew Park made the eight-hour trek
from the Lake District worthwhile with
Langridge (r) defeated
a double win in Historic FF2000 to close
in on a fourth straight title. Ian Pearson Maxted in Classic F3
was the big threat but was fortunate to
retain second when the race was halted
just after he’d had a wild ride through WINNERS
the gravel at an oily Paddock in the
opener. Park had a slightly easier time Classic F3/Classic FF2000 Historic Formula Ford 2000
in the second race as Nelson Rowe again Race 1 & 2: Adrian Langridge Race 1 & 2: Andrew Park
(March 803) (Reynard SF81)
completed the podium.
Mark Martin dropped in from Masters Historic Formula Ford 1600 Historic Touring Cars
to bag both Historic Touring Car Race 1 & 2: Richard Tarling Race 1 & 2: Mark Martin
(Jamun T2) (Ford Lotus Cortina)
races in his Ford Lotus Cortina but left
it late in the second race after passing 70s Road Sports Ford Escorts
Richard Belcher at Clearways on the Race 1: Charles Barter (Datsun 240Z) Race 1 & 2: Terry Davis
final lap when the former leader went Race 2: Will Leverett (Lotus Elan) (Ford Escort Mk2)
in just too deep. Barter won a thrilling 70s Road Sports opener

JACKSON TAKES FIRST Cameron Jackson duly claimed his second

Historic Formula Ford title on Saturday
Six-Hours in the freshly prepared Lotus
Elan 26R of fellow Historic Formula Ford

TITLE FOR WINKELMANN

on the back of a remarkable run of 10 wins
and three seconds from 13 races. Only
former champion Richard Tarling has
topped Jackson at Brands Hatch this season
and Jackson was able to miss four rounds
and still seal the spoils with two races to run.
His 2018 title came in a Lola T200 but
this year, working again with Neil Fowler’s
team, he opted to run the unfashionable
Winkelmann, the US brand for the UK-built
Pallisers. Never before had a Palliser or
a Winkelmann won the title in 24 years of
the series, although Jamun and Macon
have both enjoyed more success in historics
than they did in period.
“It was a really good car out of the box
and it dispels these things that people think
about what is a good car, and that’s why
I got it in the first place,” said Jackson of
the Winkelmann. “It’s unbelievable what
Neil Fowler and I, and all of his guys, have
been able to do over the last two years.
We dialled the Winkelmann in but we’ve
not done anything drastic to it. Neil and
I bounce ideas off each other and he’s
obviously a top driver as well as a great
engineer and he raced the car at Anglesey
in July and won first time out.”
Jackson arrived at Brands on Saturday
fresh from racing a Crossle 5S sports-racer
to a podium finish in the hugely competitive
Whitsun Trophy at Goodwood, a race won
by former F1 racer Karun Chandhok.
Earlier in the year, Jackson won at the
Members’ Meeting in the unfashionable
Crossle, which is now for sale.
Another new challenge will come this
Switch to the unfancied Winkelmann didn’t stop Jackson taking a second consecutive FF1600 crown weekend when he contests the Spa Classic
racer Lee Penson. Sir Chris Hoy is due to join
the driver line-up. However, Formula Ford
racing is still number one for Jackson.
“I’m just completely addicted to Formula
Fords,” he admitted. “I think it’s pretty safe
to say I’ll be racing Formula Ford for a long
time. I don’t mind losing to Richard, he’s
always quick and he’s a very good driver
and good fun to race with. We try hard and
we don’t hide that fact and we think a lot
about it. That’s part of the enjoyment and
we get results to show for it.”
Clearly his plans for 2020 will heavily
feature Formula Ford with Fowler’s
standard-setting team. With the Classic
Formula Ford Championship, for the
pre-’82 cars, joining the HSCC roster next
year, a challenge on both championships
becomes logistically possible for a driver
with the time pressures of a young family
and business commitments.
“I may even try and win a third Historic
title in three years in three different cars,
I’d quite like to do that; that would be
amazing!” Jackson said. It just so happens
that he has a car in mind and, if that
tentative plan comes off, another marque
could be joining the nine already listed on
the Historic Formula Ford roll of honour.
Jackson (l) couldn’t deny Tarling (c)
Advertising enquiries: 0203 405 8110 motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 25

THRUXTON: CSCC BY MARCUS PYE SEPTEMBER 21-22

Photos: Steve Jones

WINNERS
New Millennium Tim Davis (Caterham
Jamie Sturges C400)
(SEAT Leon TCR)
Turbo Tin Tops
Special Saloons & Charles Hyde-Andrews-Bird
Modsports (Renault Megane R26)
Race 1 & 2: Ian Hall
(Darrian Wildcat T98 GTR) Tin Tops
Jonathan Dee
Swinging Sixties (Honda Integra DC2)
Group 1
Richard Merrell (Alfa Future Classics
Romeo Giulia Sprint GT) Mark Chilton
(Nissan Skyline GTR)
Swinging Sixties
Group 2 Modern Classics
Jamie Keevill Trevor Pickard/Ray West
(Lotus Elan S2) (BMW M3 E36)

Open Series Jaguar Saloon & GT

Jamie Sturges Race 1: Colin Philpott
(SEAT Leon TCR) (XJS)
SEAT driver added Race 2: Tom Robinson
Magnificent Sevens (XJR)
to Open Series win

JAMIE SURGES TO NEW MILLENNIUM GLORY

“That was quite something,”
reflected circuit neighbour Jamie
Sturges, having won the New
Millennium climax to the Classic
Sports Car Club’s fourth Thruxton
Thriller against the odds in his
SEAT Leon TCR.
Unexpectedly victorious over zippy
Caterhams in the earlier Open Series
race, he relentlessly hounded down
Peter Challis (Porsche 997 Cup) after
the mandatory pitstops then “threw
one down the inside” decisively into
Campbell on the final lap.
“After the first race I was praying for
rain, but it stayed dry,” said Sturges,
whose 1m28.202s (96.16mph) charge
on a drying track had earned pole by
2.154s from former single-seater racer
Michael Vitulli (BMW E46 M3) with
Challis third. “The rear-wheel-drive
cars all mugged me at the start, as
expected, and I found myself sixth
after three laps.” By then Challis,
Vitulli, Chris Griffin (Lotus V6 Cup R),
Lucky Khera (E46 M3, from eighth)
and Mark Smith (E36 M3) were ahead.
A collision with a Mazda RX-8
ended Khera’s bold race, but Russell
Humphrey forged his E46 M3 past
Sturges before a big spin at Segrave
gifted the SEAT pilot fifth. An early
stop shuffled Sturges back into the fray
expediently and his chase resumed as
others stuck to gameplans, Smith and
Griffin taking successive turns ahead
after stopping later than Challis.
Unbeknown to rivals, not that
onlookers had a clue, Sturges was
wrestling with a car problem. “Just
before the pitstop the paddleshift came
off the steering wheel,” he explained.
“Luckily, I was able to hold and operate
it with three fingers, but then dropped
it. Having grabbed it again, I battled
my way back [to Peter], overshooting
corners as I tried to lap quicker.”
A series of fastest laps culminated
with a remarkable 1m22.060s
(103.35mph) two laps from home,
with the Porsche in range and getting
ever larger. “If you mirror watch you
are going to get caught,” said Challis.
“My crew was telling me [plus] nine,
five, then four seconds, then the SEAT
appeared! Fair play to Jamie, he drove
very well and deserved to win.”
James Moulton-Smith (in for dad
Mark) overcame a 20-second previous
winners’ penalty – served at the stop –
to scoop third from Vitulli and Griffin,
who had a late spin at the chicane. E46
M3 duellists Jasver Sapra and David
Fielder arrived at Club abreast on the
final lap, whereupon Fielder, hung
out on the outside, spun on the grass.
Despite shredding another nose
splitter when squeezed off piste during
lappery at Noble, Thruxton devotee Ian
Hall won both of Saturday’s attritious
Special Saloon & Modsports bouts,
the first his 200th race win. Only Paul
Sibley (Lotus Elan-BDG) kept Hall in
sight. Marcus Bicknell (ASCAR Ford
Fusion) and Danny Morris (Peugeot
309-Cosworth turbo) shared thirds.
Richard Merrell finally grasped his
first Swinging Sixties gold after
Charles Tippet (BMW 2002Ti)
“overcooked it” at the chicane trying to
round his Alfa on the last lap. After an
early scrape with Malcolm Johnson’s
Lotus Europa, Jamie Keevill dominated
the Group 2 race as Peter Thompson’s
TVR Griffith shed a wheel. Phil Otley
drove his immaculate Reliant Scimitar
GTE superbly into second.
Spark plug failure left Tim Davis
at the back of the Open Series grid,
but he fired his Caterham C400
through to second, behind Sturges’s
SEAT and clear of polesitter Jonathan
Pittard’s 295bhp supercharged CSR.
On this imperious form, Davis was
unmatchable in Magnificent Sevens,
cutting a 1m21.048s (104.64mph) best
lap in beating BOSS team-mate Colin
Watson. John Cutmore screamed his
revised Spire-Suzuki RB-7 from 15th
to third on his first visit since 2005.
Charles Hyde-Andrews-Bird’s
Renault Megane just repelled Dan
Ludlow/Stuart Emmett, debuting
their ex-Synchro Honda Civic Type R,
in Turbo Tin Tops. Stalwart marshal
Jonathan Dee aced the ‘atmo’ version
in his Honda Integra after favourite
Martin Addison (Peugeot 106 GTi)
inexplicably made his stop at the end
of a three-lap caution.
There was no countering Mark
Chilton’s Nissan Skyline in Future
Classics, but Porsche 944 duo Antony
McEvoy and Ryan Mone scrapped for
second. Thruxton-based engine tuner
Ray West stormed Trevor Pickard’s
BMW E36 M3 past Alan Thompson’s
version for Modern Classics honours.
Jaguar poleman Tom Robinson
recovered brilliantly from a lairy spin
at Church on lap one of Saturday’s
race to shadow winner Colin Philpott.
Robinson and the impressive Michael
Seabourne (XJ40) made it a saloon 1-2,
with Philpott third, on Sunday.

The most surprised winner

of the CSCC weekend – if not
the decade – was Jonathan
Dee, who delighted the
‘orange army’ by coolly
guiding his Honda Integra
home ahead of Stephen
Reynolds/John Ridgeon
(Renault Clio 182) in
Saturday’s frenetic Tin
Tops race.“I’ve been
marshalling for 25 years,
much of it at post 16 here,
but always wanted to have
a go [at racing].This is the
first time I’ve finished
inside the top 10, so to win
is just amazing,” said the
shell-shocked Dee.“It’s a
fantastic team effort, which
would have been impossible
without Tom and Dan who
prepare the car.”

Transplanting a larger-capacity AmericanV8 engine

into Austin-Healey chassis effected quite a popular
A stunning ex-Daytona Porsche 997 Grand-Am turned transformation for competition in the 1950s and ’60s.
heads on its CSCC debut. Factory-built for IMSA racing in New Zealander Arthur Kennard’s period KenWharton
2011, it was uprated from 3.8-litre GT3 Cup spec with RSR Trophy-winner (which made its UK debut at Goodwood
suspension, shell and body tweaks by 935 veteran Paul last week) is delightfully stock-looking, future British
Miller’s team for the 2012 Daytona 24 Hours. Sponsored hillclimb champion David Hepworth’s was less so.
by Chopard watches, the strikingly-liveried #48 machine Much more radical is club racers John and James Plant’s
ran strongly with Miller’s son Bryce, works driver Sascha tubular-chassised homage, which raced for the first time
Maassen, rapid Briton Rob Bell and Canadian Mark at Thruxton. Utilising parts from John’s mighty green
Wilkins up, but was retired after Bell was hit. Imported ‘Allard’, it carries the 6.6-litre Chevrolet power unit
to the UK by specialist Mark Donaldson, it was acquired well back in the frame and boasts more advantageous
by John Cockerton who finished ninth in Sunday’s New aerodynamics.The car took a best result of sixth in the
Millennium set. second Special Saloons and Modsports race.
26 SEPTEMBER 25 2019 motorsport-news.co.uk
RACING REPORTS
CROFT: BARC BY JOE HUDSON
A hat-trick of second places
was enough for Malcolm
Blackman to secure his fourth
Super Silhouettes title with
a round to spare after a
weekend of battling through
mixed conditions at Croft.
Needing to collect just 300 points
from the three races at Croft (with
220 available for a win and pole)
and the two at the Brands Hatch
finale, Blackman elected to take
a cautious strategy to avoid a
potential non-finish.
In the sunny first race,
championship rival Chris
Brockhurst proved too quick
to catch, while in Sunday’s
two encounters, peppered by
intermittent showers, Danny
Hunn mastered racing on slicks in
the wet to take his first series win
in the opening event. Brockhurst
then capitalised on a rare mistake
from Blackman to take his fourth
win of 2019 in the final race.
“It was fun to drive all weekend,
slicks in the wet is always fun,”
Blackman said. “But I knew I didn’t
want to push it too hard because I
didn’t need the wins, I just needed
to keep banking the points and that
proved to be enough to take the title.”
Despite not adding to his tally of
12 wins this season, his haul of 593
points has given him an unassailable
lead of 752 with just 420 points
available at the final round.
Callum Grant secured a clean
sweep of pole position and a pair
of race wins as he joined Classic
Formula Ford for the first time
this year in his Merlyn Mk20A.
Familiar with the resurfaced
track after a podium finish during
Historic Formula Ford’s visit to
North Yorkshire in August, Grant
made his experience count with two
dominant wins in the damp, winning
both races by more than 15 seconds.
Jordan Harrison finished second
in the first encounter while Ted
BLACKMAN THE MODEL
OF CONSISTENCY AGAIN
Blackman (l) had close battle with Hunn but didn’t win a race at Croft, although he still wrapped up the title
Pearson – who drove five hours
from Brands Hatch on Saturday
night to compete at Croft on Sunday –
finished as runner-up in the second
to add to his earlier fourth-place in
his Merlyn Mk11A/19.
Championship leader Rick
Morris struggled in the wet in
his Royale, taking a sixth and an
eighth, but maintained his lead
in the standings after nearest rival
Tim Harvey elected to skip the trip
north for logistical reasons.
Dan Gibson was only denied
a trio of wins on his return to the
Clubmans Sports Prototype
Championship after a five-year
absence by a broken rear rollbar on
his Nemesis GK18. The mechanical
issue allowed Peter Richings to take
his third win of the season by 0.519s
ahead of Gibson in the finale.
Car trouble also denied Reece Jones
all three victories in the Pickup
Truck Racing Championship.
After a fight from fourth to win the
opener, he made a remarkable charge
from the back of the grid to win the
second race. He was leading the third
when he was shown the mechanical
flag after a first-lap collision broke
off his passenger door.
Jones’s retirement gave points
leader George Turiccki a fifth win of
the year having passed a spinning
Daniel Petters – who finished third –
on the run to the line.
Mathew Dawson and Rhys Lloyd
took their second Croft win of the
season as the three-hour Citroen
C1 Challenge race was decided in
their favour in the final five minutes.
The Amigo Motorsport pair
were two minutes down on long-
time leader Old Hat Motorsport
at the point when the first-placed
C1 ran out of fuel while Daniel
Bruce was on his in-lap for a late
splash of fuel. Slowing at Tower,
Bruce tried to limp the car back to
the pits for half-a-lap before finally
admitting defeat at Sunny Out.
BROCKHURST AND HUNN
SHARE SILHOUETTE SPOILS
Photos: Ollie Read
Tigra driver Brockhurst
took two Croft victories
WINNERS
Super Silhouettes
Races 1 & 3: Chris
Brockhurst (Vauxhall
Tigra)
Race 2: Danny Hunn
(Mazda RX-8)
Classic Formula Ford
1600
Race 1 & 2: Callum Grant
(Merlyn Mk20A)
Grant put Croft knowledge from earlier this year to good use
Twelve wins in 17 races and the
championship wrapped up with
a round to spare. Reading those
stats, you would think it’s been a case
of one driver steam-rollering the
competition but for Super Silhouettes
champion Malcolm Blackman, that
couldn’t be further from the truth.
After winning the first five races
at Brands Hatch and Pembrey by
“sticking his elbows out”, Blackman –
who has now won four titles in the
past five years – said his approach
since then has been to pick his battles.
“There have been a few times
this year where I’ve benefited from
people ahead of me over-driving,
making mistakes and giving me the
lead,” Blackman explained.
“The prime example was at
Snetterton. I was coming down
the first straight in fifth, behind the
lead battle, and at the first corner,
I slowed down to get out of that pack.
I came out the other side in the lead!
“I think maybe my experience meant
I probably don’t drive at 11-10ths, I
drive nine-10ths and I finish. If I was
getting those elbows out and wanting
the win as badly as they did I would
have been off on the grass with them.”
That’s not to say the Vauxhall
Tigra driver is afraid of taking risks.
His decision to pit for slicks on the
formation lap at a wet-but-drying
Donington Park was a gamble that
paid off handsomely.
He said: “I think it was a big risk.
I still think we should have gone
two and two [wets and slicks]. The
Advertising enquiries: 0203 405 8110
SEPTEMBER 21-22
Clubmans Sports Race 3: George Turiccki
Prototype Championship
Races 1 & 2: Daniel Citroen C1 Challenge
Gibson (Nemesis GK18) Amigo Motorsport
Race 3: Peter Richings (Mathew Dawson/
(Mallock Mk30 PR) Rhys Lloyd)
Pickup Truck Racing Michelin Clio Cup
Championship Series
Races 1 & 2: Reece Races 1 & 2: Ronan
Jones Pearson
team picked wets and I eventually
went out on four slicks. When I went
off through the mud I thought ‘we’ve
done it wrong!’
“At Coppice, twice I went through
the gravel, through the mud, and
the car was overheating because it
was full of grass. But then the track
conditions switched in our favour
and, once the tyres got a bit of
temperature, I just picked my way
through into the lead.”
All of his success this year has
come with the shadow of 2018
looming large. Four wins in a row
at the start of the year proved to be
a false dawn as he failed to finish
another race through engine
troubles and a Rockingham fire
which is still throwing up problems.
“We’re still finding gremlins from
that fire,” Blackman acknowledged.
“In the wiring loom especially because
some of the wires partly melted and
have become quite brittle meaning
we’re still discovering issues.
“For example, during the wet
race at Mallory Park, I was running
second and chasing down first. I went
to switch on the demister to clear the
screen but it wasn’t working which
was a bit of a problem!”
It’s those difficulties that have made
this year’s glory all the sweeter.
“The team needed to win [the title]
after all the hard work they’ve put
in this year,” he added. “The family
don’t get to see you very much when
you’re repairing the car, so winning
the title makes the sacrifice worth it.”
Advertising enquiries: 0203 405 8110 motorsport-news.

‘Roddison sealed titl

MaX5 at Anglesey, below

SILVERSTONE: BRSCC BY GRAHAM KEILLOH SEPTEMBER 21-22

BAKER’S ABSENCE ALLOWS

CLARKE TO CLAIM THE CROWN
There were a few reasons to be enough.” Clarke meanwhile was
Photos: Mick Walker

unsure what to expect from the
Ferrari Challenge UK in 2019. This
was its inaugural season, becoming
the only single-country Ferrari
Challenge championship. It is also
open to all UK Ferrari clients who
own a 488 Challenge, and around
half its field were racing novices.
Yet quickly there appeared clarity on
the championship winner. Ex-Ginetta
GT4 Supercup and Lotus racer Jason
Baker won the first four races of what was
slated as an eight-race schedule, albeit
with a consistently-close challenger in
Jamie Clarke – formerly of Legends but
who hadn’t raced much in the preceding
12 years – next home every time.
But at Croft, the third two-race
meeting of four, things started to turn
against Baker. First he tangled with
a backmarker late in race one and was
classified fourth, while Clarke bagged
his first win. After that, race two was
cancelled due to barrier damage.
Then at Silverstone’s final round
Baker missed the first race due to
a wedding. And Clarke again took full
points advantage with an imperious
pole, fastest lap and victory, despite
a lengthy safety car period. “We just
did what we had to do,” Clarke said.
“It [now] all hangs on the last race.”
Indeed so, and it left Baker needing a
perfect Sunday – pole, win and fastest lap
– to pip Clarke to the title on countback.
His task soon got even harder, as Clarke
took the point for race two pole. “Coming
straight into qualifying – Jamie had
[done] the day before – was always going
to be a tall order,” Baker noted. “I was
pleased with my lap time, but it wasn’t
delighted with his pace. “[I’ve] finally
found my flow around here,” he said.
The track was wet for the deciding
race, giving Baker hope of his required
‘mixed up’ result and in the race he
attacked leader Clarke relentlessly. But
it was for naught, as the pair checked
out at the front as usual and Clarke –
although waving Baker by and cruising
home second would have been enough –
remained resolute to seal the title in style,
even amid further rainfall near the end.
“Delighted,” Clarke concluded,
“the whole weekend went as well as
it possibly could. Jason gave me a real
good run for my money today. That’s
the last three races that we’ve won, so
a real shift in momentum.”
Baker was generous in defeat. “It’s
a shame having led the championship
all year to not get it but that’s that,” he
said. “[I had] a couple of opportunities
to overtake but it would have been a real
50/50 move; the last thing I wanted to do
Baker (l) couldn’t stop Clarke
is punt him off and win that way. I knew
that it would have been tough to go away winning second Silverstone race
with the championship when losing
a whole round.”
Wayne Marrs dominated Silverstone’s WINNERS
opening Ferrari Formula Classic race
Ferrari
in his F355 Challenge. He didn’t last long Challenge
in race two as his radiator failed, and Races 1 & 2:
fellow frontrunner Tris Simpson pitted Jamie Clarke
his F355 at the end of the warm-up lap
Ferrari Formula
to investigate a smoky exhaust, caused Classic
by a kink in his oil return pipe and an Race 1: Wayne
overfill. The other habitual frontrunner, Marrs (F355
Challenge)
Tim Mogridge also in a F355, therefore Races 2 & 3:
cruised to victory. He also won race Tim Mogridge
three, as Marrs and Simpson rose from (F355 Challenge)
the back to complete the podium. Mogridge tooktwo FerrariFormula Classicvictoriesas rivalsMarrs and Simpsonsuffered

ANGLESEY: BARC BY PETER SCHERER SEPTEMBER 21-22

TWO NARROW WINS FOR

Photos: Rachel Bourne

McINTYRE AIDS TITLE BID

Jay (l) did his best to deny McIntyre but ultimately fell just short in both contests
WINNERS
Junior Saloons
Race 1 & 2: Scott McIntyre
CNC Heads Sports &
Saloons
Race 1, 2 & 3: Danny Bird
(Spire GTR)
Classic VW Cup/BARC
Saloons/Honda VTEC
Challenge
Race 1: Chris Sparks
(Honda Civic)
Race 2: Steve Rothery
(Peugeot 308)
MaX5
Race 1 & 3: Paul Roddison
(Mk4)
Race 2: Ian Loversidge (Mk4)
No-onecouldstopBirdflyingtoCNCtreble
Scott McIntyre took another
step towards the Junior Saloon
Car Championship title, with
a tremendously hard-fought
winning double at Anglesey.
After an initial skirmish with
outgoing champion Lewis Saunders,
McIntyre was locked into a duel
with double Mallory Park winner
Alex Jay. They remained inches
apart for the duration, but McIntyre
got the verdict by 0.067 seconds
over Jay, with Owen Hizzey
snatching third from an ailing
Saunders at Peel on the last lap.
The lead duel recommenced in
race two, but McIntyre kept his
nose ahead, before Jay made a late
British Superkart Division
1/F250 National/F450 challenge out of the final turn,
National missing out on this occasion by
Race 1, 2 & 3: Lee Harpham 0.064s. Behind, Harry Ashley
(MS Kart/VM) fended off Charlie Hand and
British Superkart F125 Saunders to take third.
Open Although Danny Bird’s Spire
Race 1: Matt Robinson GTR won all three CNC Heads
(Anderson/Redspeed TM)
Race 2: Liam Morley Sports & Saloons races, he didn’t
(Anderson/DEA) have it all his own way. In race one,
Race 3: Mark Bramhall Paul Dobson’s Locost Mazda led
(Anderson/IAME) as far as Rocket on the opening
Mighty Minis lap, but from thereon had to settle
Race 1: David Kirkpatrick for second behind Bird. Robert
Race 2: Neven Kirkpatrick Burkinshaw’s Honda Integra took
third, after ousting Tim Foxlow’s
Ford Escort three laps from home.
Dave Harvey’s Locosaki proved to
be Bird’s toughest opponent, as it
took until lap 11 of 14 for his defence
to be breached in race two. But, once
ahead, Bird soon consolidated his
lead, while Dobson retained a race-
long third.
Harvey led again in race three,
but Bird was ahead by Peel on lap
two, leaving Dobson a solitary
third again.
The Classic VW Cup, BARC
Saloons and Honda VTEC
Challenge were combined to
make a healthy 21-car grid. Chris
Sparks’ Honda Civic and Mark
De’Ath (Subaru Impreza) had
been fairly close in race one,
after dropping poleman Steve
Rothery’s Peugeot 308.
But after a three-lap safety car
intervention, Rothery snatched
second as De’Ath briefly fell back.
Sparks managed to retain his lead,
while De’Ath fought back to retake
Rothery on the penultimate lap.
Although David Matthias’s Ford
Sierra Cosworth charged away at
the start of race two, Rothery was
ahead by Seaman’s on the opening
lap and was never headed.
As Matthias continued to fall
back, De’Ath and Sparks moved
into second and third and started
their own duel. But De’Ath ran wide
exiting the final turn on lap nine of
12, allowing Sparks through, who
then managed to reduce Rothery’s
victory margin to only 0.469s.
Newly-crowned MaX5 champion
Paul Roddison took two wins out of
three. It was a lights-to-flag victory
in race one, with Ian Loversidge
a safe second and Andrew Pretorius
third, after duelling throughout
with Jeremy Shipley.
Although Roddison led from
the start of race two, Loversidge
nosed ahead a couple of times and
finally got a run on his rival into
the hairpin with two laps to go to
clinch the win, with Shipley getting
the better of Pretorius for third
after a continuation of their tussle.
But in the third race Roddison signed
off with another lights-to-flag win
from Loversidge and Pretorius.
Lee Harpham had a winning
treble in Division 1 of the British
Superkarts. It was a last-lap
victory in race one, after Andy
Bird had led for most of the race.
Bird succumbed on the third lap
in race two, leaving Tom Rushforth
to chase Harpham to the flag.
Rushforth was the main challenger
again in race three, but Harpham
was never headed.
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SPORTING SCENE
LARSSON TOP AFTER CHAOTIC
RALLYX NORDIC SEASON FINALE
Ekstrom steps aside to give team-mate a last-gasp chance to chase title – and he wins
By Hal Ridge
Former World Rallycross champion
Mattias Ekstrom sacrificed his
own result to help JC Raceteknik
team-mate Robin Larsson claim
the RallyX Nordic Championship
title in the season finale at Tierp
last weekend.
Having already secured the European
Championship title this year, racing
Ekstrom’s 2016 World RX-winning Audi
S1, Larsson entered the final round of
RallyX Nordic five points behind leader
Oliver Eriksson.
Larsson topped qualifying ahead of
Ekstrom, the Swede making a one-off
return to rallycross. But, while Ekstrom
won semi-final two, a turbo issue for
Larsson from the start of semi-final
one meant, as points leader Eriksson
took race victory, Larsson did not qualify
for the final. Eriksson duly celebrated
provisional championship success.
The event was thrown into confusion
Glenn Bell (car 9, above) was crowned the National Hot Rod
British champion after claiming the spoils at Tullyroan in
Northern Ireland on Sunday. He endured a close battle with
poleman John Christie and Shane Murray. In the wet conditions,
Bell eventually got the better of the tense battle to take the crown
for the third time. Christie slipped back and second place was
taken by Murray with Scotsman Gordon Alexander in third.
BRITISH RALLYCROSS
VICTORY FOR TOHILL HELPS HIM TO HUNT DOWN GODFREY’S LEAD
British Rallycross
Championship: Pembrey
By Hal Ridge
Organiser: BARC/LHMC When: September 21-22 Where:
Pembrey Circuit Starters: 43.
Derek Tohill used fast pace and good
fortune to keep his hopes of winning
the British Rallycross Championship
alive at Pembrey. He entered the
sixth round of the series five points
behind Julian Godfrey and the pair
traded fastest times throughout
the event in South Wales.
With the weekend run to World RX
format, a first for the British series,
the first two qualifiers took place on
Saturday afternoon, and it was in Q2
where Tohill’s first bout of luck came
into play.
The pair had raced in separate
encounters in Q1, but were joined for
Q2, with Godfrey leading from the front.
But the engineering wizard ran wide at
the hairpin as the circuit transitions from
loose to Tarmac on the final lap, Tohill
diving up the inside to take the position.
But, with Godfrey still on the throttle, the
pair made contact. Godfrey’s left front
steering was damaged, putting him into
over whether Eriksson’s brother Kevin
would receive a penalty for contact in
the semis, which would allow Larsson
into the final. That was dismissed but
Ekstrom, who was due to start on pole,
then withdrew from the final to allow
Larsson to take the start.
In an incredible turn of events,
Eriksson led the final from the front, but
broken suspension on his OlsbergsMSE
Honda Civic with a lap to go put him out
and second was enough for Larsson
to claim the title by a single point.  prove to be too costly. Colin Flashman
“Today’s event is probably the weirdest
I have ever been in,” said double Euro
RX champion Larsson. “It went from
everything, to nothing, and then to
everything again. When I saw that Oliver
Eriksson was parked up, and I got to
the finish and they shouted on the radio
that I won, at first I did not believe it.”
Larsson now has eyes on returning to
World RX full time next year. He said:
“Now we have ticked off these two golds,
what happens next year we will see.”
Photo: Ken Reay
the wall on the outside, while Tohill’s
right rear suspension broke. Incredibly,
with just a straight and two corners
remaining, Tohill made it to the finish
line on three wheels before spinning,
and netted the fastest time.
He was again lucky in Q4, when the
throttle stuck open on his OlsbergsMSE-
built Ford Fiesta with two corners to
go. The car was towed back into the
paddock after the race.
It was Tohill who took pole for the
final, and as the lights went green, the
Irishman led into Turn 1.
Behind, Steve Hill and Roger Thomas
made contact, Hill hitting the rear of
Godfrey’s Fiesta. While Godfrey survived
the moment, Hill retired in Turn 2.
With smoke pouring off Godfrey’s left-
rear wheel, he hounded Tohill on lap one,
and closed further still when the leader
made a mistake on the loose section on
lap two. But thereafter Tohill pulled
a gap, as Godfrey’s left rear deflated mid-
race and he was forced to work hard to
fend off Thomas to the end, the three
finishers taking the podium positions.
Andy Grant failed to start the final
after he ran out of time to change the
gearbox in his Ford Focus after Q4. With
Larsson (leading
Ekstrom) lifted trophy
Tuominen lands prize drive
in European RX2 for 2020
Finnish driver Rasmus Tuominen will
follow in the footsteps of RX2 International
Series frontrunners Jesse Kallio and Sami-
Matti Trogen next year after winning the
RX Academy series and receiving the
coveted prize drive.
Double 2019 event winner Tuominen
entered the final round at Tierp in Sweden
five points ahead of compatriot Tommi
Hallman, but a crash and then a penalty
on day one put Tuominen on the back foot.
He battled back on day two, qualified
second to Hallman, won his semi-final
and followed his title rival throughout the
final to claim the single-make Renault
Clio RS RX series by just one point.
Tuominen’s prize is a fully-paid drive
in five European rounds of RX2 next
year, in which 2016 and 2017 RX Academy
champions Kallio and Trogen have both
finished on the podium this season.
two rounds remaining at Croft, Godfrey
leads the standings by two points.
Tristan Ovenden claimed his sixth
win in a row in the two-wheel-drive
Supernational category to wrap up
his third successive crown, although he
was beaten away from the start line by
Guy Corner’s Lotus Exige in the final.
Corner finished second, while third
went the way of Polish driver Jarek
Suchowiecki after fellow Super1600
campaigner Craig Lomax retired.
Several classes had a double-header
weekend, with Luke Constantine and
Ben Sayer claiming the honours in the
Junior division. The Junior final on
Saturday was cancelled after the race
was twice red flagged, with the results
taken from qualifying. Constantine
and Patrick O’Donovan are now tied
on points with two rounds to go.
Will Layton and Max Weatherley took
a win each in the Swift Sport series,
while David Bell and Drew Bellerby took
a win and a second apiece across the two
rounds in the BMW Mini series. Chrissy
Palmer won the RX150 final and Gary
Simpson continued an impressive run in
the Retro Rallycross Championship
with his sixth win of the campaign.
Photos: Nordic RX, Hal Ridge
Tuominen collected the big spoils
“I didn’t expect this when we started the
year,” said Tuominen. “This was going to
be a learning year but it turned out to be a
championship-winning season. I knew
second would be enough for me in the final
and I was a bit cautious. I made one massive
mistake but the last lap was brilliant and
I’m so happy. It feels awesome.”
Tohill rode his luck to trim down his championship deficit to just two points
Results
British Rallycross: 1 Derek Tohill (Ford
Fiesta); 2 Julian Godfrey (Ford Fiesta)
+9.987s; 3 Roger Thomas (Ford Fiesta); 4
Steve Hill (Ford Focus); 5 Andy Grant (Ford
Focus); 6 Simon Horton (Subaru Impreza).
Supernational: 1 Tristan Ovenden
(Renault Clio); 2 Guy Corner (Lotus Exige)
+5.729s; 3 Jarek Suchowiecki (Citroen
C2); 4 Paul Coney (Vauxhall Corsa);
5 Dave Ellis (Suzuki Swift); 6 Craig Lomax
(Citroen C2).
Junior Rallycross, round six (from
qualifying): 1 Luke Constantine; 2 Patrick
motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 29
ROUND-UP
Roland Uglow won the Robin
Alexander Sporting Trial on the
north Cornwall coast despite a couple
of errors during the afternoon.
Uglow was driving aggressively,
unusually, to win by just two points
from John Fack, who was debuting a new
engine. British championship leader
Simon Kingsley was extremely focused
and completed the podium with a better
afternoon, ahead of Richard Sharp.
Sharp won a closely contested
David Ayres Sporting Trial at
Marshgate by a single point from
close friend Kingsley.
Both battled all day and the third hill
proved decisive with Sharp climbing a
point further up. Kingsley had a wheel
fall off on the final section but that didn’t
slipped back to third after lunch.
Julian Fack sprung a surprise at the
Pete Fear Pauntley Sporting Trial,
winning a wet trial and becoming the
eighth winner of a British championship
round this year, at round 12.
Paul Price took the early lead by
a point from Fack, but come lunch
Fack and British championship leader
Kingsley were tied on points. Fack’s
superior final round, following a stall
by Kingsley, netted him the win. Price
slipped back to third overall.
Duncan Stephens
Results
Robin Alexander Sporting Trial
Organiser: Camel Vale Motor Club When: September 14
Where: Crackington, Bude, Cornwall Starters: 15.
1 Roland Uglow (Crossle) 25 marks; 2 John Fack (MSR)
27 marks; 3 Simon Kingsley (Crossle); 4 Richard Sharp
(Cartwright); 5 Colin Flashman (MSR); 6 Andy Wilks
(Crossle); 7 Jerome Fack (MSR); 8 Darren Underwood
(Sherpa); 9 George Watson (Hamilton); 10 Mike Wevill
(Crossle).
David Ayres Sporting Trial
Organiser: Launceston & North Cornwall Motor Club
When: September 15 Where: Marshgate, Bude, Cornwall
Starters: 15.
1 Sharp 14 marks; 2 Kingsley 15 marks; 3 Flashman;
4 Uglow; 5 John Fack; 6 Wilks; 7 John Cole (Crossle);
8 Jerome Fack; 9 Alan Baker (Apex); 10 Wevill.
Pete Fear Pauntley Sporting Trial
Organiser: Ross & District Motorsports Club When:
September 21 Where: Pauntley, Gloucestershire
Starters: 19.
1 Julian Fack (Crossle) 38 marks; 2 Kingsley 41 marks;
3 Paul Price (CAP); 4 Wilks; 5 Alastair Moffatt (RB7);
6 John Fack; 7 Sharp; 8 Jerome Fack; 9 Pat Henson
(Crossle); 10 Josh Veale (Sherpa).
O’Donovan; 3 Ben Sayer; 4 Tom Ovenden; 2 David Bell +1.916s; 3 Stephen Brown;
5 Roberts Vitols; 6 Alfie Porter. 4 James Osborne; 5 Dave Ward;
Junior Rallycross, round seven: 6 Martin Hawkes.
1 Sayer; 2 O’Donovan +3.148s; BMW Mini round seven: 1 Bell;
3 L Constantine; 4 Ovenden; 5 Archie 2 Bellerby +3.740s; 3 Brown; 4 Osborne;
Thomas; 6 James Constantine. 5 Ward; 6 Hawkes.
Suzuki Swift, round six: 1 Will Layton; RX150: 1 Chrissy Palmer; 2 Paige
2 Max Weatherley +0.567s; 3 Dominic Bellerby +4.246s; 3 Stephen Jones;
Flitney; 4 Tom Constantine; 5 Joe Booth; 4 Brett Harris; 5 Peter McGarry.
6 Nikita Abramov. Retro: 1 Gary Simpson (BMW E30);
Suzuki Swift, round seven: 1 Weatherley; 2 Tony Lynch (Toyota MR2) +5.541s;
2 Constantine +2.636s; 3 Flitney; 4 Layton; 3 Steve Cozens (Citroen AX); 4 Paul
5 Abramov; 6 Ed Stallard. Smith (Volkswagen Polo); 5 Simon Hart
BMW Mini, round six: 1 Drew Bellerby; (Ford Escort); 6 Brian Hardman (Escort).
30 SEPTEMBER 25 2019 motorsport-news.co.uk Advertising enquiries: 0203 405 8110

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MN SAYS...
WRC bosses need clarity on hybrids
Mapping out a future with electrification must be put on the table – and soon
Electrification is coming. In fact, it is already here. Several series have embraced the technology already, led by the flagship Formula E, a
the trickle down effect into other categories is inevitable.
It is a desire of the manufacturers to embrace this new way of powering cars – indeed, it is something that firms are going to have to do to meet the increas
stringent demands from governments around the globe. But introducing something new is not the work of a moment.
Teams competing in the top level of motorsport are renowned for working quickly to come up with new engineering solutions. Other new initiatives take a b
more time to develop, and introducing hybridisation is something that will take a big thought process. This is a point that seems to have been missed by the
organisers of the WRC, who are still going through the process of redefining what the future rules will be. Leave it too long, and the manufacturers will have
option but to walk away – if you think that is unlikely, organisers should learn the lessons from the exodus from the World Rallycross Championship.
Matt James, Editor (Twitter: @MattJMNews)

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Classified advertising: 0203 405 8109 motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 33

MARKETPLACE

WANTED

RALLY CARS FOR CASH

Specific interests in Ford Escorts MK1
or MK2 but all makes and models
considered in any condition
01291 621234 or 07976 239076
rob@weirrallying.co.uk
CALL FOR MORE INFO 2A BRUNEL CLOSE Email: info@mardigras.co.uk
DRAYTON FIELDS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE www.mardigras.co.uk
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34 SEPTEMBER 25 2019 motorsport-news.co.uk Classified advertising: 0203 405 8109

MARKETPLACE
Classified advertising: 0203 405 8109 motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 35

MARKETPLACE

Automotive Engineering & Fabrication Specialists

Bespoke & Standard Roll Cages

ROLL CAGE CHASSIS

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36 SEPTEMBER 25 2019 motorsport-news.co.uk Classified advertising: 0203 405 8109

MARKETPLACE
Classified advertising: 0203 405 8109 motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 37

TRAILERS & TRANSPORTERS

» Connected to you

www.brianjames.co.uk

Style and Substance

Introducing the new Race Transporter 6 by Brian James Trailers. An even more
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New features include a standard automatic tilt-operation, invaluable for all

professional motorsport or transport operations. An extra side access hatch
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In addition, many new optional features are now available, all designed to
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Race Transporter trailers are available from £ 7,699 + vat

Race Transporters are available ex-stock at many UK dealers.

Please visit our website or call us for further details.

T +44 (0)1327 308 833

For more information and details on the Brian James Trailers range, please contact our head office
38 SEPTEMBER 25 2019 motorsport-news.co.uk Classified advertising: 0203 405 8109

TRAILERS & TRANSPORTERS

Woodford covered trailers

Superior in design, quality and finish

Woodford Trailers Limited | 14 Great Central Way, Daventry, Woodford Halse, Northants, NN11 3PZ | Telephone 01327 263384
Classified advertising: 0203 405 8109 motorsport-news.co.uk SEPTEMBER 25 2019 39

WEB DIRECTORY
DRY SUMP ELECTRONICS ENGINES

Authorised stockists for:

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• Weber, Dell’Orto and SU Carburettor Agents
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GEARBOXES GEARBOXES GEARBOXES

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avantimotors@btconnect.com
- Rally and Race Gearboxes
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RACE & RALLY PARTS RACE & RALLY PARTS RACE & RALLY PARTS

Autoparts and Hydraulics

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RACEWEAR TRAILERS & TRANSPORTERS WHEELS & TYRES

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WWW.COMPOMOTIVE.COM
Tel. 00 44 1952 850618 sales@comp.co.uk

THIS CLASSIFIED SECTION WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Ben Kavanagh Ben Webster
Classified Advertising Senior Production Controller
T: +44 (0) 20 3405 8109 T: +44 (0) 20 3405 8131
E: ben.kavanagh@motorsport.com E: ben.webster@motorsport.com

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