A settled, warm day greeted us for Round 17 at Curborough. Although some light showers and cloud joined us during the day, after a week of rain we enjoyed a dry track with good temperatures.
As usual, Class 0b – Standard Production Sports and Saloon Cars Over 1400cc up to 2000cc started proceedings. Familiarity with his Renault Clio growing, Steve Riddle took an excellent third place in a twelve strong class on a best of 71.29 seconds, only half a second or so off the leading time!
In Class 0c – Standard Production Sports and Saloon Cars 2001cc and over, Emma Hunt hung on gamely to the Porsche Boxster S of David ‘Mr Curborough’ Pattison. Emma finished just 0.65 second behind on a great 72.64 seconds for second place.
In Class 1 – Road Going Series Production Cars – Saloons & Sports Cars up to 1400cc, Mike Edwards continued to bring his times down, run by run. His 74.51 seconds for second place also smashed the class bogey by a good slug. All that and battery boy for Clive Wooster Radical too! Andrew Rollason‘s Ford Ka wasn’t far behind for third on 76.92 seconds.
Elen Worthington continued her run of class wins in Class 2 – Road Going Series Production Cars – Saloons & Sports Cars 1400cc up to 2000cc. Her Elise took a dominant win on with 65.99 seconds, along with Ladies FTD as well. A broken engine mount could have curtailed things, but Elen’s husband Simon replaced it pronto with help from Jim Hunt. Helen Currie in the Renault Clio did well to take third on 71.54 seconds.
Into Class 3 – Road Going Series Production Cars – Saloons & Sports Cars 2001cc and over, in addition to fixing other peoples cars, Jim Hunt took the class on 66.12 seconds. I may have missed a few, but he was seen fettling a Mini Cooper, Elen’s Elise and Clive Wooster’s Radical as a minimum, but probably took apart a Porsche engine too whilst I went to the loo!
A welcome return by Chris Berrisford in the Impreza saw him take Class 4 – Road Going Series Production Cars – 4 Wheel Drive Cars of Any Capacity on 62.82 seconds – The fastest turbo nutter car in a class full of them!
In Class 5 – Road Going Specialist Production Cars (Kit Type & Replica Cars) up to 1700cc, Graham Holdstock held his own for third place. However, 1/100th off second and 4/100ths off the win demonstrated a class as tight as the ducks proverbial. Steve Haskins in his Caterham was a scant 8/10s behind for forth place.
Class 9 – Modified Series Production Cars & Modified Limited Production Cars 1401cc up to 2000cc saw Wynne Morgan missing the win by only 3/10th in another closely fought battle .
Class 13 -Sports Libre Cars up to 1700cc had Clive Wooster taking the win and engaged in a tussle for FTD. Going ahead on T2, it only lasted a few minutes before eventual FTD man, Steve Potter, got back in the lead. So, second FTD and BARC Midlands FTD was some consolation.
Class 15 – Racing Cars up to 1100cc saw Phil Williams‘ Jedi taking the win on a good 64.66 seconds.
In Class 16 – Racing Cars 1101cc to 1600cc Nicholas Scott won on 59.95 seconds in his immaculate Force HC Suzuki.
And finally, in the even more immaculate Ralt RT35, Keith Sollis won Class 17 – Racing Cars 1601cc to 2000cc on 58.66 seconds.
So, Bank Holiday Harewood is next on 27th August – Ay Up Lad!
We were delighted to see Lucy Owen from Jucy Rally Photography at Curborough on Saturday. She has very generously donated a fantastic selection of images which will help the us to promote the BARC SBD Speed Championship. We’re pleased to extend a very big ‘Thank You!’ to Lucy for her support.
If you are interested in purchasing an image from this event, please contact Lucy by email at lucyowen555@btinternet.com
