ROUND 20 & 21 – 2 & 3 September
In the far and distant land that is Lincolnshire, a number of BARC Speed Championship competitors either completed both Round 20 and 21 at Blyton Park, or hot footed it across from Round 19 at Aintree on Saturday for Round 21 on Sunday.
Either way, the action was fiercely contended and the Championship looks like taking some more twists and turns before being resolved…
Round 20 – Blyton Park Eastern Circuit
With limited entries, we were always going to get a lot of runs in here. Despite thick mist until 10.00am, we then had a warm and sunny day. The Eastern Circuit is a new addition to the Championship. It’s a mixture of tight sections and fast blasts, including the tightening, brake as you turn Curve Grande, causing a few hairy moments.
Andrew Rollason in his Ford KA took two practice runs and five timed runs to record a best of 92.51 seconds, taking the win in Class SA – Standard Saloons and Sports Cars up to 1400cc.
In Class 1A – Road Modified Saloon and Sports Cars up to 1400cc, Championship contender Mike Edwards in the British Mini took the maximum points on offer (19.8) and recorded 88.26 seconds for the class win.
Helen Currie was in Class 1B – Road Modified Saloon and Sports Cars over 1400cc up to and including 2000cc, the Clio Sport putting in a best of 87.00 seconds after six timed runs to take the win.
Final runner on Saturday was Clive Wooster‘s Radical SR4 in Class 4A – Sports Libre Cars up to and including 1700cc and Hillclimb Supersports Cars. Circuit expert Chris Thomas in the OMS SC1 was always going to be tough competition and so it transpired, with Clive pushed into second place on 70.29 seconds and sixth overall.
Round 21 – Blyton Park Sprint Circuit
A few of us were a little more familiar with this track, although after learning the intricacies of the Eastern Circuit, we had to unlearn them all over again. The weather was dry, but a little cooler with a breeze this time.
Image © Jucy Rally Photography 2017
A good influx of BARC Speed Championship competitors joined us after competing at Aintree the previous day. However, it was still Andrew Rollason in the KA who kicked things off. Andrew put in a best of 86.77 seconds to take Class SA – Standard Saloon and Sports cars up to 1400cc. This time he completed six timed runs – Now, that’s real value for money!
Steve Riddle and his Renault Clio Cup joined Class SB – Standard Saloon and Sports Cars over 1400cc up to 2000cc, taking third place on 79.85 seconds for some good points and pushing himself into contention for the overall Championship.
In Class 1A – Road Modified Saloon and Sports Cars up to 1400cc, Mike Edwards in the British Mini won again – this time on 82.77 seconds. With a four hour plus journey ahead, Mike did the time and then hotfooted it back to Kent!
In Class 1B – Road Modified Saloon and Sports Cars over 1400cc up to and including 2000cc, Helen Currie won the class again with a best of 82.21 seconds after five timed runs.
Hot from Aintree, Emma and James Hunt came third and sixth respectively in Class 1C – Road Modified Saloon and Sports Cars over 2000cc, with Emma recording a strong 85.80 seconds in the VW Golf GTi. Unfortunately, after suffering some more mechanical gremlins with the BMW E30, James had to drop out after practice – A real shame as his pace suggested a class win was on!
In Class 7 – Cars competing in the Classic Marques Speed Challenge, Paul Jaggard’s lovely Alfa Romeo Giulia recorded 78.81 seconds in a large class of twelve.
So, final runner again was Clive Wooster and the Radical. On a track Clive knew a little better, he gave Chris Thomas a harder time recording 64.39 seconds to beat bogey, taking second place in class and third place overall on the day.
So, with barely time to wash the race socks, it’s off to MIRA on Saturday 9th September.