So, it was off to the manufacturers proving ground at MIRA for Round 4 of the 2018 BARC Speed Championship. Not only did the day provide a fantastic dose of sunshine, but MIRA’s security staff also welcomed us with a swift, efficient and sunny disposition as they completed the necessary checks – a good start!
We were there with the Bentley Drivers Club and despite one or two timing glitches, it ran well and finished commendably on time. The club’s classes on the day were a little eccentric in that they grouped competitors as per their Championship. So, in effect, we had a BARC speed championship class with cars of all shapes and sizes mixed in together, except for four other competitors who were classed elsewhere! So, please bear with me.
In true Eurovision style, we begin with the runners up.
Ed McDonough in the first of a trio of Alfa Romeos and was very consistent to finish in thirteenth place on 66.51 seconds.
Mike Edwards was next in twelfth place in the British Mini to record a time of 64.12 seconds, although Mike was a little puzzled that despite driving the wotsits off the car, he was not close to previous year’s times.
Emma Hunt in the VW Golf nipped ahead of Mike, despite not feeling on top form, to record 63.46 seconds for eleventh place.
Paul Jaggard ran the next Alfa Romeo 147 GTA into tenth place with 62.22 seconds – learning how to handle FWD again!
Steve Riddle had no such familiarisation issues and took ninth place in the Renault Clio Cup on 60.55 seconds.
Championship newcomer Taras Andrusin, now successfully recognised as such by your scribe in reports, took eighth place in the other Renault Clio 172 Cup with 60.28 seconds.
Jim Hunt had updated his BMW’s suspension and was still fine tuning, but took seventh place on 58.76 seconds.
