Sports/Saloon Car Championship
With 12 Mazda MX5’s guesting at Cadwell Park for the third round of this years championship, a healthy 26 cars set out for the morning qualifying session in sunny and dry conditions. Despite feeling that his Darrian "wasn’t pulling properly," Ian Hall still secured pole for the afternoon race. But only 0.074 secs behind was the Caterham Vauxhall of Robert Pritchard, seemingly well suited to the twisty Lincolnshire circuit. Michael Blomfield was a close third, but also had problems with his Sierra RS500. "It blew a chunk out of the exhaust header," he explained.
Denis Crompton completed the second row, delighted with his BMW M3 Evo. "I missed a few gears when the box went tight, but the brakes were OK after solving a problem with the master cylinder," he said. Next up was the Banks Europa of Mark Primett, "It was generally a good session and particularly good dodging past the other cars," he said.
After their entertaining duel at Donington Park, Duncan Aukland’s Rover 3500SE just had the edge over Tony Brass’s BMW M3. "I nearly hit Tony at the bottom of the Gooseneck when he braked early," said Duncan. "I love it here too, I reckon I have been off at every corner during my career," Tony replied.
Richard Winter’s Banks Europa was eighth quickest, "I was trying as hard as I could, but it wouldn’t go any faster," reckoned the Europa boss. Heading the fifth row was James Aukland, making his seasonal debut in his battle scarred Capri. "It’s missing a bit on the straights, it might be a fuel filter," said James. Alongside the Capri Nick Pakes was disappointed with his Banks Europa’s time. "I just didn’t get into a rhythm," he explained.
Graham Taylor’s Westfield made a spectacular exit from the session when he took out the markers at the bottom of the Gooseneck. "I took out every one and it cracked my nosecone and took a headlamp off," he said. Jeremy Coates’ Rover SD1 had its customary troublefree run. Graeme Smith’s Caterham and V6 Eurocar of Charles Newton were next up, before Paul Sheard in the first of the dozen Mazda MX5’s.
The rain was just about holding off as the cloud thickened before the 10 lap race. With Christian Dick electing not to start in his Mazda MX5, it was a 25 car grid that lined up for the start.
Poleman Hall had no answer at the start as Pritchard rocketed into an early lead. Blomfield also got the better of Hall as they charged through Coppice, while Crompton was hard on Primett’s heels for fourth.
Autosport National editor Edd Straw was a first lap casualty at the pits, after his Mazda MX5 was found to be out of fuel. Back at the front though Pritchard was really pushing hard, while Hall harried Blomfield for second. As Primett managed to defend fourth from Crompton, Duncan Aukland began to close, while his Rover also had Brass’s BMW reigning in.
Crompton’s pressure paid dividends on lap four, "I got inside Mark at Charlies, it was fantastic and for once everything worked," said Denis. But Hall’s frustration at not being able to pierce Blomfield’s defence, suddenly became irrelevant. Pritchard was comfortably ahead at the start of lap five, until he caught backmarkers. "I put a wheel on the grass overtaking at Chris Curve and that was that. It was my race and I chucked it away," he said dejectedly. Blomfield was also touring with more exhaust problems, and headed straight for the paddock. "I wasn’t sure what was happening, just that Michael suddenly slowed going into Charlies," said new leader Hall.
The remaining laps were reeled off by Hall with no problem as his Darrian took its third successive win of the season. Crompton managed to pull out 1 ½ seconds on Primett to secure second, but Aukland and Brass took their battle down to the wire once more. "He made me work for the whole 10 laps," said Duncan breathlessly.
James Aukland and Winter ran in fairly close formation for much of the race, after Aukland went ahead on the fifth lap. Taylor moved up to eighth when Pakes pulled out on lap six. "The temperature was soaring so I thought it was safer to stop," said Pakes. Coates was heading for ninth until the last lap, when Smith’s Caterham stole the place.
Newton’s Eurocar was a further second off Coates in 11th, while Paul Sheard was the first of the Mazda’s in a lonely 12th.
It’s back to the Championship’s home base for the next round on June 4th, when a capacity grid will be expected at Oulton Park.
1 Ian Hall (Darrian T98 GTR) 10 laps in 15m47.792s (82.53mph)
2 Denis Crompton (BMW M3 Evo) 16m39.827s
3 Mark Primett (Banks Europa)
4 Duncan Aukland (Rover 3500SE)
5 Tony Brass (BMW E36 M3)
6 James Aukland (Ford Capri)
7 Richard Winter (Banks Europa)
8 Graham Taylor (Westfield SEi)
9 Graeme Smith Caterham)
10 Jeremy Coates (Rover SD1)
11 Charles Newton (Eurocar V6)
12 Paul Sheard (Mazda MX5)
13 Oliver Crawford (Mazda MX5)
14 Martin Stevinson (Mazda MX5)
15 Mark Farnsworth (Mazda MX5)
16 Gary Cobourn (Mazda MX5)
17 Paula Sheard (Mazda MX5)
18 Jonathan Blake (Mazda MX5)
19 Denis Hillback
20 Mark Skeggs.
Fastest lap: Ian Hall 1m31.298s (85.68mph).
Class A: 1 I.Hall; 2 J.Aukland; 3 Newton; no other finishers.
Class B: 1Taylor; no other finishers.
Class C: No starters.
Class D: 1 1 D.Aukland 2 Brass; 3 Coates; no other starters.
Class E: 1 Crompton; 2 Primett; 3 Smith; no other finishers.
Class F: 1 Winter; 2 Sheard; 3 Crawford; 4 Stevinson; 5 Farnsworth; 6 Cobourn.