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ACE VEHICLE DELIVERIES - HILLSIDE of HEYWOOD Round one, Oulton Park, April 01, 2006 It was a disappointing turn out of only 10 cars which got this years championship off to a shaky start at Oulton Park. For a variety of reasons a number of cars weren’t ready, or drivers work commitments left them sidelined. Further problems restricted the number of takers for qualifying to eight, after Phil Hall’s Banks Europa and John Garnett’s BMW M3 both failed scrutineering as their seatbelts were out of date. With an absence of cars in class A it was Robert Pritchard’s 2 litre Caterham Vauxhall on pole by over four seconds on a wet track with full slicks. “I thought it was a bit of a disaster on the wrong tyres, but it didn’t matter. It was good fun out there in the wet though,” he said. Sharing the front row was Caterham stalwart Graeme Smith, fresh from his winter sports exploits with the British Bobsleigh team. “The conditions were great for me, because I have road tyres I had more grip than most,” he explained. Kevin Cryer’s Caterham headed the second row and admitted to being rather cautious. “Being stuck on slicks it was a bit of a handful, so I didn’t want to risk anything,” he said. “I am one spin in credit now,” said Nick Pakes, after his Banks Europa rotated at Fosters and Druids. “I stayed on the tarmac though,” which was enough to make him fourth quickest. Next up was Autosport’s Edd Straw’s Mazda MX5 fresh from his maiden pole position at Anglesey. “I hope it rains more,” he said back in the paddock. Alongside but almost three seconds slower was the Fiesta of Brian Allen, while the fourth and final row was headed by Richard Winter’s Banks Europa. “I was running in as it was wet, its just a nightmare when it hails in the assembly area when you are sat there on slicks,” he reckoned. Peter Wann’s Westfield’s completed the grid from qualifying, his first time out in the ex Chris Davison Westfield. “My first drive in the car was to scrutineering, then a baptism of fire as I spun at Fosters. I think I could have gone as fast in my “2CV,” he said. Both Garnet and Hall were able make their cars legal after a quick trip to Demon Tweeks, and were able to start the race. For Hall it was the first time out in his rebuilt Europa, after a huge accident at Silverstone at the end of last season. GRID é
Although the track was virtually dry for the race, cloud continued to threaten another downpour at any time. As the lights went out Smith was first away before Pritchard’s power kicked in and he shot ahead on the run into Old Hall. Both Cryer and Pakes also made it past Smith, but had no answer as Pritchard disappeared down the Avenue. Garnett soon made progress and took Smith for fifth as they completed the opening lap. While behind Hall, Straw and Allen eased away of Wann, after he spun at Lodge. While Pritchard and Cryer consolidated their advantages, Pakes hold on third was under threat from Garnett by the end of lap three, having already taken Winter’s fourth. Apart from Garnett’s continuing charge, the rest of the field were somewhat spread out. Third place fell to the BMW driver at Lodge on lap four, leaving plenty of time to catch Cryer as his next target. As the race wore on Pakes had Winter closing in and Hall started to edge closer to Smith. But after lapping two seconds a lap quicker than Cryer and being poised to challenge Cryer for second, Garnett suddenly lost pace and fell back. “I was tuck in fourth gear for the second half of the race, so just kept going,” he explained. Pritchard also reduced his pace during the second half, having built a lead of over 30 seconds. Although rain had started to fall in the closing laps, the dominant leader explained his reasons, “I was trying to lap the whole field and then I broke a valve spring.” He still took the flag over 24 seconds up on Cryer. “That was a good result for me though, lonely, but I enjoyed it,” said Cryer. Garnett held onto third, with Pakes keeping Europa team mate at bay for fourth. “I still spun at Druids a few laps from the end as the rain started,” said Pakes. “I was catching Nick about 0.5secs a lap but couldn’t get by. The one chance I had was when we got lapped by the leader,” Winter explained. Hall had battled his way clear of Smith for sixth, but lost out again to the Caterham driver when the rain started. “At the stat I had a misfire and was bedding in brakes. The car felt great and the misfire cleared which allowed me to get Graeme up Clay Hill on the ninth lap. Then he got me back at Knickerbrook in the rain with a couple of laps left,” said Hall. “That rain was just a bit too late for me, but it had been good to lead the race for about five yards,” Smith said. Straw had a solitary race into eighth place and Wann was set for ninth after taking Allen on the 11th lap. But with self preservation paramount he eased in the wet and the Fiesta pipped him a lap from home. Before the next round at Donington Park on May 7th, co-ordinator John Leck would like to remind all drivers to check their overalls, helmets and seat belts to make sure they are still useable under the current regulations. Results 1 Robert Pritchard (Caterham Vauxhall) 17
laps in 19m58.016s (84.49mph); Fastest lap: Pritchard 1m05.030s (91.56mph). Class A: no starters. Next round Donington Park, May 7th Issued by Peter Scherer for BARC (NW) April 5th, 2006.
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