K & N Sports/Saloon Car Championship

 2005 END OF YEAR REVIEW

Reliability had been a problem last season for Ian Hall’s Darrian, but there was no repeat in 2005, as he took 10 wins from the 12 rounds.

2005 also brought a welcome return to Donington Park, although the turn out in round two was rather disappointing.

Hall dominated from pole on the opening round at Oulton Park, left almost unchallenged after Mike Blomfield withdrew his Sierra as the rain fell. Ric Wood also turned up with his ex DTM Opel, but retired to the pits rather than risk the expensive machine in the conditions.

Robert Pritchard’s Caterham chased hard and this set the pattern for most of the season. Former XR2 champion Richard Casey took a surprised third behind Pritchard, on his first appearance in the championship.

Despite it being his first visit for 25 years Hall was on the top of his form again at Donington. Wood was out again with his Calibra and claimed third, behind Blomfield, with Pritchard back in fourth.

The Cadwell Park entry was boosted by a pack of Mazda MX5’s from the Max5 Championship. Although Hall was on pole, Pritchard looked set for his first win until he slipped off at Park trying to negotiate the backmarkers. With Blomfield also pitting with exhaust problems, Hall went from third to the lead and win number three. Denis Crompton’s BMW M3 claimed third from Mark Primett’s Banks Europa, after an entertaining duel.

For round four it was back to Oulton and Blomfield mounted a serious challenge to Hall once more. Hall led initially but lost out to the Sierra when he picked up a misfire. It suddenly cleared and he charged back for win number four. Pritchard and Primett completed the top four.

The trip to Croft provided the first double-header of the year. Pritchard made a flying start in the first race and led a four car break with Hall, Blomfield and Mark Campbell’s Elan.

As Hall chased Pritchard, Blomfield got past them both, but retired again when a chain of events caused his oil tank to blow apart. Pritchard once again was set for his first win, until they arrived at the Complex for the final time. He backed off for oil, but the unsighted Hall went around the outside and clinched win number five. Campbell held onto third, with Crompton holding off Primett for fourth.

Surprisingly Blomfield performed overnight repairs and was on the back of the grid for round six. Hall ousted the fast starting Pritchard once more to keep his 100% record, with Campbell completing the podium finishers again. Blomfield battled up to fourth, before he hit problems and promoted Primett.

In round seven, the first of the Anglesey weekend, Hall finally tasted defeat. Pritchard led from pole and battled hard throughout. Hall nosed alongside on a couple of occasions, but Pritchard claimed his victory by 0.239s. Primett and Crompton had another racelong duel, with Primett finally clinching third.

With Hall at the back of the grid for the second race, Pritchard planned to maximise his opportunity to build a decisive lead. It started well until the Caterham’s engine let go passing the pits. Hall briefly took over the lead then spun, leaving Crompton out in front. But Hall’s recovery overcame Crompton, while Simon Allaway’s Esprit took third, after the twice spinning Primett retired.

Mallory Park only drew 13 starters for round nine, after Primett had blown his engine and Phil Hall lost the clutch at the first start. Ian Hall was never headed and Pritchard kept Campbell and Blomfield at bay. After Blomfield consolidated third, Campbell lost touch but retained fourth.

Round 10 almost didn’t happen, as the race was run up to curfew at Oulton Park, with an oil soaked track. Hall kept his title chase on track, while Pritchard had to settle for second again. Blomfield and Allaway completed the top four.

It was a double-header and a double points final round again for the seasons finale at Oulton. The first start was red flagged when Pritchard and Blomfield had a slight touch, Blomfield spun and was caught by the luckless Primett. The Europa was extensively damaged and the restart was another Ian Hall benefit. Pritchard retained a comfortable second and Kevin Cryer’s Caterham took third, after Allaway retired.

Pritchard led the final round briefly, before Hall assumed command. But Pritchard not only fought back, but regained the lead. His advantage was further consolidated when Hall spun, but second place was still enough for the title. Blomfield had charged from the back of the grid to third, before confusion with black flags caused him to retire. John Garnett’s BMW M3 completed the top three after Crompton crashed out on oil at Cascades.

In the final standings James Aukland’s Capri finished second to Hall in class A, despite only contesting the middle six rounds of the year, due to his life on the ocean wave. With no points gained from four rounds and a non appearance at Anglesey, Blomfield was left in third place. Other points scorers were Charlie Newton, who ran his Eurocar Mondeo at in rounds three and four, Allaway, who came back from a long absence at Croft and Wood.

Apart from his non finishes at Cadwell and Anglesey when he retired from the overall lead, Pritchard was unbeatable in class B. Cryer had a particularly strong finish to his season, was always a threat to the lead runners. Anglesey was his downfall, having not visited the circuit before. Graham Taylor found slicks on his Westfield not only upped his pace, but caught him out a few times. He secured fourth in class over Campbell, who only made fleeting appearances with his Elan. Brian Small’s Westfield was the only other points scorer.

For once Duncan Aukland’s Rover didn’t have class D to himself, well at least when Tony Brass’s BMW M3 was around. Brass took five wins from his eight races, with Aukland the first to admit that it would have been Brass’s class if he had done more races.

Jeremy Coates took his Rover to third in class and found himself quicker at nearly every circuit this year. Alan Collinson had a troublesome year, and was pleased to see the chequered flag with his Rover. Phil Simpson’s XR4i made a late season return to the Championship, enough for fifth in class. Bob Claxton’s Renault 21 Turbo was the only other points scorer.

If Martin Brockhouse turned out in either his Lotus Elan or Skoda, he usually won class C. Graeme Smith’s Caterham was the only other regular, although Chris Griffiths made a couple of appearances with his Davrian.

Class E had some great early season scraps between Crompton and Primett. They had an even share of class victories, but after Primett blew his engine at Mallory, he was always destined for second place.

Nick Pakes had his share of problems throughout the year, but secured third as a consistent points scorer. Early season engine problems put pay to John Garnett’s hopes, with the ex Cecotto BMW M3. He came back at the end of the year and took two class wins from the final four rounds to secure fourth in class. Anglesey regular Rhodri Hughes was fifth in class with his BMW 325i, with Casey and Richard Hargreaves (Honda Accord) next up.

Richard Winter’s Banks Europa was never really challenged in class F. Phil Hall’s Europa had a season to forget, plagued with problems nearly every time out. Paul Sheard was third in class, from his single appearance in the Mazda MX5.

 FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP POSITONS 

Class A: 1 I.Hall; 2 J.Aukland; 3 Blomfield; 4 Newton; etc.

Class B: 1 Pritchard; 2 Cryer; 3 Taylor; 4 Campbell; etc.

Class C: 1 Brockhouse; 2 Smith; 3 Griffiths; 4 Primett.

Class D: 1 D.Aukland; 2 Brass; 3 Coates; 4 Collinson; etc.

Class E: 1 Crompton; 2 Primett; 3 Pakes; 4 Garnett; etc.

Class F: 1 Winter: 2 P.Hall; 3 Sheard; 4 Gorrie & Crawford; etc.

PUBLISHED BY PETER SCHERER FOR BARC (NW), NOVEMBER 8TH 2005. CONTACT peter@scher.freeserve.co.uk, 01332 362577 or 07802 853244.