Sunday eventually met the weather forecasters expectations with sunny intervals, a light breeze and a very welcome temperature of 12 degrees. However, it was hazy during first practice and the track devilishly greasy. Spins, understeer and oversteer were the order of the day during P1, with the track resembling a baking tin smeared with margarine. Fortunately, things moved on nicely for P2 and here’s how the following timed runs for Round 1 of the 2018 BARC Speed Championship turned out.
In Class SB – Standard Saloon Cars Over 1400cc to 2000cc, reigning BARC Champion, Steve Riddle returned in the Clio Cup to take the class win on 87.87 seconds. Steve was fresh from some laps at Thruxton with, amongst others, Tiff Needell and in the slippery P1 was emulating his sideways mentor!
Class 1A – Saloon Cars up to1400cc, saw Andrew Till returning to the championship with a second place on 92.19 seconds in the MGZR105. Snapping at his heels was Mike Edwards in the British Mini on 92.94 seconds for third place. In between runs Mike was chasing Clive Wooster’s electrical gremlins too! In fourth on 98.20 seconds came Andrew Rollason‘s Ford KA.
Class 1B – Saloon Cars Over 1400cc up to 2000cc, had Leo Martorana in the Alfa Romeo Mito take second place on 90.81 seconds with brother Adrian Martorana in fourth on a 92.11 seconds. Some excellent Italian coffee was also on tap if you knew who to ask!
Class 1C – Saloon Cars over 2000cc saw yet more Italian machinery, with Paul Jaggard‘s latest vehicle an Alfa 147 GTA taking second in class on a 90.81 seconds. Emma Hunt put in a good time in the VW Golf to snatch third on 95.69 seconds and another Alfa, this time a 156 GTA in the hands of Ed McDonough, took fourth on 96.23 seconds.
