Modified Ford Series Snetterton 5th & 6th April 2025
DAVIES STARTS THE SEASON WITH A DOUBLE AT SUNNY SNETTERTON
The Modified Ford Series began its 2025 season at Snetterton in Norfolk over the weekend of the 5th and 6th of April, with the competitive action taking place on the 300 layout in lovely spring sunshine but with a chilly breeze.
An impressive entry of 42 cars was drawn to Norfolk for the two races but Lloyd Jamieson had Class SA to himself with a radical rear-wheel-drive Mk1 Focus equipped with an LS1 Chevrolet V8! The monster was built as a track day weapon before being purchased by the Scot and was pressed into service after his revamped Escort Maxi Cosworth wasn't ready in time. Jason Davies’ supremely quick Class A Sapphire Cosworth has undergone further development with the fitment of a sequential gearbox after the failure of his previous H-pattern unit whilst leading at Donington Park last June and he started the weekend as the favourite for overall honours. James Allen aimed to run with the Welshman with his fast-but-fragile Focus RS that took pole position for the opening race of 2024, lapping quicker than acknowledged hot shoes Dave Cockell and Tommy Field to do so. Also Focus mounted would be Todd Garner and Stefan Marsh, the former moved into the class with a Mk2 Focus RS after showing well with an Ecoboost Fiesta in Class B+ during 2024 and the latter was a three-time class winner last season in the car that has shed 90kg in the offseason. Ashley Shelswell made his first entry after a catastrophic engine failure for his V6 Sierra at the 2023 season finale at Silverstone and wouldn’t be a bad bet for a top-three finish in the class, at least. Wayne Crabtree was originally slated to drive a rapid RS200 clone this year but he moved into a newly-built Sierra Cosworth for this weekend after inlet manifold difficulties with the Group B car's Subaru power plant. Staunch series supporter Mick Head was out again with his immaculate two-wheel-drive Escort Cosworth and has grabbed a trophy or two with the car. Leroy Brown raced with the Modified Fords for the first time in 2024 and belied his lack of experience to take home a few class awards. Andrew Bywaters made his first start aboard a borrowed wide-arched Sapphire Cosworth and it was the first time the ex-Brian O’Connor machine had raced in around twenty years. BTCC-supporting Mini Challenge JCW race winner Tom Ovenden was back in Class SB with the family Mk1 Escort RSR that he went so well with last year and would be an overall podium threat in Norfolk. Mat Brennan’s Mk2 Escort wouldn’t be expected to keep pace with the rapid RSR but would be there to pick up the pieces. The refreshed class structure for 2025 has seen the larger capacity Escorts moved up to Class A with the new 2550cc ceiling so series head Paul Nevill would be among the favourites for Class B+ honours with his 2.3-litre Duratec-powered RS2000 droop-snoot. Steve Goldsmith’s amazing much-modified Anglia Turbo could well be the pacesetter of the split. The classic saloon now sits on wider ten-inch rubber and has sprouted some new aerodynamic appendages. A brigade of Boamerang Racing Fiestas descended on Snetterton, with Alex Boam and David Guthrie's similarly Ecoboost-powered mounts featuring a new aero package and the pair have usually been evenly matched in the past. The normally aspirated third car of Sam Shimwell was at its first meeting since suffering engine problems at Knockhill last June. Martin Reynolds wheeled out the 2.5-litre Millington-engined Mk2 Escort from his collection and the local man would likely be found near the front of the class. Robert Lewis impressively qualified his turbocharged Mk1 Focus inside the top ten when the series last visited Norfolk in July 2024 and would like to repeat the feat this time. Scotsman Iain Blackley contested the Knockhill meeting last season before being tempted to enter the following Donington Park event and he was back for more adventures with his Puma Turbo. The class runners and riders were completed by the Ecoboost-powered Fiestas of youngster Alfie Cowan, who made his debut at the 2024 Ford Power Live meeting, along with Aidan Morris and Dominic Ryan‘s newer versions. A bumper entry was received for Class B, including from Mike Thurley with his Mk1 Escort. Thurley's Castrol-liveried machine has been equipped with power steering over the winter, fitted by fellow competitor Darryl Taplin’s company DT Racing Developments, and also features a deeper front air dam so will be taking aim at the head of the Class B timesheet. Tyler England was one of the fastest entries in the division during 2024 with his Fiesta and the youngster aimed to claim the glory at his local track but he fractured one of his thumbs prepping his car on the Thursday before the weekend. Oliver Bullion took four Class B victories on the trot in slippery conditions during 2024 so the Fiesta ST was definitely one to watch if the weather doesn’t play ball. Tom Burgess has been quick whenever he’s raced at the Ford Power Live meeting and his n/a Cosworth-powered Mk2 Escort was sure to be on the pace. Tony Paxman made his return to the series last summer after a prolonged absence and was straight back up to speed with his familiar powder blue Mk1 Escort. Gary Johnson's mint Mk1 Escort has been fitted some new Hoosier slicks over the winter and expect the bronze machine to be heading the chase of the class leaders. Also fielding the iconic family saloon was Colin Claxton in a smart Zakspeed replica. Jason Stone’s Mk2 Escort has been treated to a new engine block after the previous unit grenaded at its debut Ford Power Live meeting in September 2024. John Ward showed well at Brands Hatch late last year with his Focus Mk1 but may be a little short of grunt on the long straights of Snetterton. The Fiesta STs of Mike McKenzie and debutant Brook Rouse completed the class entry, McKenzie having made his debut at Donington Park last June and this would be the maiden race weekend for Rouse after making the step up from trackdays. One car not making the weekend belonged to event sponsor Darryl Taplin, whose Mk4 Fiesta is still being put together just around the corner from Snetterton, another to stay away was the Mk1 Escort of Chris Smith. Regular pacesetter Chris Baker’s Mk3 Escort also wasn’t ready and the car is unlikely to be seen before Mallory Park in May. 2024 overall series winner Dave Barrett has been a reliable performer with his Fiesta over the past few years and scored eleven Class C wins last season on his way to claiming the overall trophy. A noteworthy new entrant in the class came from multiple CTCRC champion Stephen Primett, who brought out his hugely successful Mk1 Escort that now features 1600cc BDA power and his progress would certainly be something to watch out for. Primett has owned the hugely successful car since 2004, with the shell previously seeing use in the Toyo Tyres Super Road Saloons before it was rebuilt into Pre ‘74 specification and sold to Primett. Justin Fuller flew in his Puma at Brands Hatch last September and the little coupe could well be the class pacesetter again in Norfolk, having had some aerodynamic tweaks since then. The Pumas of father Kevan Hadfield and son Shaun Hadfield, who was running the ’Monza aero package!’, were joined in their stable by Melevate.me photographer Marcus Williams, who was making his racing debut in another Puma. The Hadfield cars would be carrying the Prostate Cancer UK logo in support of the charity.
The Modified Ford Series began its 2025 season at Snetterton in Norfolk over the weekend of the 5th and 6th of April, with the competitive action taking place on the 300 layout in lovely spring sunshine but with a chilly breeze.
An impressive entry of 42 cars was drawn to Norfolk for the two races but Lloyd Jamieson had Class SA to himself with a radical rear-wheel-drive Mk1 Focus equipped with an LS1 Chevrolet V8! The monster was built as a track day weapon before being purchased by the Scot and was pressed into service after his revamped Escort Maxi Cosworth wasn't ready in time. Jason Davies’ supremely quick Class A Sapphire Cosworth has undergone further development with the fitment of a sequential gearbox after the failure of his previous H-pattern unit whilst leading at Donington Park last June and he started the weekend as the favourite for overall honours. James Allen aimed to run with the Welshman with his fast-but-fragile Focus RS that took pole position for the opening race of 2024, lapping quicker than acknowledged hot shoes Dave Cockell and Tommy Field to do so. Also Focus mounted would be Todd Garner and Stefan Marsh, the former moved into the class with a Mk2 Focus RS after showing well with an Ecoboost Fiesta in Class B+ during 2024 and the latter was a three-time class winner last season in the car that has shed 90kg in the offseason. Ashley Shelswell made his first entry after a catastrophic engine failure for his V6 Sierra at the 2023 season finale at Silverstone and wouldn’t be a bad bet for a top-three finish in the class, at least. Wayne Crabtree was originally slated to drive a rapid RS200 clone this year but he moved into a newly-built Sierra Cosworth for this weekend after inlet manifold difficulties with the Group B car's Subaru power plant. Staunch series supporter Mick Head was out again with his immaculate two-wheel-drive Escort Cosworth and has grabbed a trophy or two with the car. Leroy Brown raced with the Modified Fords for the first time in 2024 and belied his lack of experience to take home a few class awards. Andrew Bywaters made his first start aboard a borrowed wide-arched Sapphire Cosworth and it was the first time the ex-Brian O’Connor machine had raced in around twenty years. BTCC-supporting Mini Challenge JCW race winner Tom Ovenden was back in Class SB with the family Mk1 Escort RSR that he went so well with last year and would be an overall podium threat in Norfolk. Mat Brennan’s Mk2 Escort wouldn’t be expected to keep pace with the rapid RSR but would be there to pick up the pieces. The refreshed class structure for 2025 has seen the larger capacity Escorts moved up to Class A with the new 2550cc ceiling so series head Paul Nevill would be among the favourites for Class B+ honours with his 2.3-litre Duratec-powered RS2000 droop-snoot. Steve Goldsmith’s amazing much-modified Anglia Turbo could well be the pacesetter of the split. The classic saloon now sits on wider ten-inch rubber and has sprouted some new aerodynamic appendages. A brigade of Boamerang Racing Fiestas descended on Snetterton, with Alex Boam and David Guthrie's similarly Ecoboost-powered mounts featuring a new aero package and the pair have usually been evenly matched in the past. The normally aspirated third car of Sam Shimwell was at its first meeting since suffering engine problems at Knockhill last June. Martin Reynolds wheeled out the 2.5-litre Millington-engined Mk2 Escort from his collection and the local man would likely be found near the front of the class. Robert Lewis impressively qualified his turbocharged Mk1 Focus inside the top ten when the series last visited Norfolk in July 2024 and would like to repeat the feat this time. Scotsman Iain Blackley contested the Knockhill meeting last season before being tempted to enter the following Donington Park event and he was back for more adventures with his Puma Turbo. The class runners and riders were completed by the Ecoboost-powered Fiestas of youngster Alfie Cowan, who made his debut at the 2024 Ford Power Live meeting, along with Aidan Morris and Dominic Ryan‘s newer versions. A bumper entry was received for Class B, including from Mike Thurley with his Mk1 Escort. Thurley's Castrol-liveried machine has been equipped with power steering over the winter, fitted by fellow competitor Darryl Taplin’s company DT Racing Developments, and also features a deeper front air dam so will be taking aim at the head of the Class B timesheet. Tyler England was one of the fastest entries in the division during 2024 with his Fiesta and the youngster aimed to claim the glory at his local track but he fractured one of his thumbs prepping his car on the Thursday before the weekend. Oliver Bullion took four Class B victories on the trot in slippery conditions during 2024 so the Fiesta ST was definitely one to watch if the weather doesn’t play ball. Tom Burgess has been quick whenever he’s raced at the Ford Power Live meeting and his n/a Cosworth-powered Mk2 Escort was sure to be on the pace. Tony Paxman made his return to the series last summer after a prolonged absence and was straight back up to speed with his familiar powder blue Mk1 Escort. Gary Johnson's mint Mk1 Escort has been fitted some new Hoosier slicks over the winter and expect the bronze machine to be heading the chase of the class leaders. Also fielding the iconic family saloon was Colin Claxton in a smart Zakspeed replica. Jason Stone’s Mk2 Escort has been treated to a new engine block after the previous unit grenaded at its debut Ford Power Live meeting in September 2024. John Ward showed well at Brands Hatch late last year with his Focus Mk1 but may be a little short of grunt on the long straights of Snetterton. The Fiesta STs of Mike McKenzie and debutant Brook Rouse completed the class entry, McKenzie having made his debut at Donington Park last June and this would be the maiden race weekend for Rouse after making the step up from trackdays. One car not making the weekend belonged to event sponsor Darryl Taplin, whose Mk4 Fiesta is still being put together just around the corner from Snetterton, another to stay away was the Mk1 Escort of Chris Smith. Regular pacesetter Chris Baker’s Mk3 Escort also wasn’t ready and the car is unlikely to be seen before Mallory Park in May. 2024 overall series winner Dave Barrett has been a reliable performer with his Fiesta over the past few years and scored eleven Class C wins last season on his way to claiming the overall trophy. A noteworthy new entrant in the class came from multiple CTCRC champion Stephen Primett, who brought out his hugely successful Mk1 Escort that now features 1600cc BDA power and his progress would certainly be something to watch out for. Primett has owned the hugely successful car since 2004, with the shell previously seeing use in the Toyo Tyres Super Road Saloons before it was rebuilt into Pre ‘74 specification and sold to Primett. Justin Fuller flew in his Puma at Brands Hatch last September and the little coupe could well be the class pacesetter again in Norfolk, having had some aerodynamic tweaks since then. The Pumas of father Kevan Hadfield and son Shaun Hadfield, who was running the ’Monza aero package!’, were joined in their stable by Melevate.me photographer Marcus Williams, who was making his racing debut in another Puma. The Hadfield cars would be carrying the Prostate Cancer UK logo in support of the charity.
Qualifying: Forty cars started qualifying after the non-appearances of Darryl Taplin’s Fiesta and Chris Smith’s Mk1 Escort. The Focuses of James Allen and Todd Garner from Class A briefly topped the times with their first flying laps but Tom Ovenden was the provisional polesitter when the session was stopped after a bit over eight minutes had passed. The Duratec-powered RSR was 4.215 seconds up on the Sapphire Cosworth of Jason Davies at the time and Ashley Shelswell, whose Sierra XR4i was sporting some smart new warpaint, was 0.795 seconds behind the Welshman in third when the break came. The Red Flag was thrown after the unfortunate Jason Stone stopped at Oggies with his fresh engine broken and Oliver Bullion was caught out on the dropped oil. The Fiesta spun and was stranded in a dangerous place on the exit of Hamilton after being unable to restart its engine, with the closely following Robert Lewis also having a moment on the fluid. In the six-minute mini-session that followed, Davies stormed to the top of the pile on his first flying lap after the restart and then found just shy of another two seconds with his next effort to secure pole position from Ovenden's Class SB RSR by 1.889 seconds. Shelswell consolidated third after the break and the Sierra would be joined by Garner's Focus RS in a promising fourth, with the pair spilt by 2.892 seconds as they lined up second and third of the Class A cars. The highly-developed Focus of Allen ran into difficulties when qualifying resumed after suspected heat soak during the stoppage caused the gearbox actuator to stop working, leaving the ex-Time Attack machine stuck in first gear. Steve Goldsmith was in trouble too with a blown motor in his turbocharged Anglia during the out lap, Allen and Goldsmith having been sat in fifth and sixth overall at the time of the Red Flag. Taking their place on the third row would be the Boamerang Racing Fiestas of Alex Boam and David Guthrie, with the pair setting the top two quickest times in Class B+ and Boam was just 0.090 seconds off a place on the second row. Even a broken thumb couldn't hold back the fastest Class B car of Tyler England that lined up an impressive seventh overall but the Fiesta also stopped after the break due to a broken clutch arm, with the hobbled Focus of Allen slipping back to join England on the fourth row. Paul Nevill's RS2000 was the third quickest Class B+ qualifier in ninth and Mike Thurley was second fastest in Class B as he rounded out the top ten with his Mk1 Escort. Tom Burgess' MK2 Escort set the third-best time of the Class B runners and started one grid spot behind Thurley in eleventh, with the Mk1 Escorts of Gary Johnson and Tony Paxman closely matched as a slim 0.044 seconds split the pair in fourth and fifth for the class. The Class C top two of Stephen Primett and Justin Fuller qualified with just 0.031 seconds between them in eighteenth and nineteenth overall, despite Primett having what he thought was a spark plug break down but he still took the Class C pole with his single flying lap. The Fiesta of Dave Barrett was the third Class C car in 27th and started alongside classmate Kevan Hadfield. Hadfield's son Shaun and debutant Marcus Williams formed the row behind and 2.371 seconds covered the quartet. The second Class SB car of Mat Brennan lined up one place behind the first-time racer Williams and everyone who qualified lower than fourteenth moved up a spot with the withdrawal of Goldsmith's Anglia. Another to suffer issues during the session was the Escort Cosworth from Class A of Mick Head after he felt a loss of power before finding the YB engine's turbo wastegate had fallen off.
Qualifying results: Click here
Qualifying results: Click here
Race One: The Modified Ford Series' 2025 calendar got underway in sunny but cool conditions late on Saturday afternoon, poleman Jason Davies led the field into Riches from Tom Ovenden's RSR and Ashley Shelswell's Sierra. Ovenden stayed with the leading Sapphire Cosworth until the Bentley Straight, where the Welshman's power took him clear and Ovenden ended the lap with a smoky Shelswell on his tail. In a quiet race among the top three, Davies raced away to victory by 12.582 seconds in a Red Flag-shortened encounter despite the floor working loose on his Class A Sapphire. Class SB victor Ovenden came home in a similarly lonely second after stretching away from Shelswell’s Sierra, which finished in a credit-worthy third on its comeback and crossed the line 8.952 seconds down on the runner-up RSR. The smoke that trailed the Sierra for much of the race emanated from his new taller tyres rubbing on the wheelarches and he claimed second in Class A. Fourth qualifier Todd Garner's impressive starting position would be his highlight as the Focus quickly slipped backwards on lap one after a big slide through Palmer elevated Alex Boam into fourth before falling to seventh by Riches on lap two, the youngster pulled in after three laps when his engine pushed its water out and began overheating. James Allen had got up to fifth before undoing his hand work by going grasstracking at Williams so he ended lap one back where he started in eighth behind the Class B leader Tyler England. The Focus briefly fell behind Paul Nevill's RS2000 at Riches off the start but shot back ahead on the brakes for Wilson, Allen then dived inside David Guthrie for sixth place into Agostini. Another twitch for Garner at Hamilton saw the Class A car go under the similar Mk2 Focus at Oggies before his dusty moment at Williams. As Garner's descent started, Allen lunged past the Focus on the outside of Wilson for the second time to go seventh and soon wound in the tussling Guthrie and England before rounding up the pair of them into Brundle to grab fifth. The top four had become spread out by then but Allen started to move forward as his lap times got quicker, taking fourth from Boam into Hamilton for the fifth time and the Focus took the flag 39.932 seconds down from the dominant Davies. After his demotion by Allen, Boam came home in fifth to win Class B+ some 3.243 seconds behind the Focus. England flew to Class B glory in sixth and his damaged thumb didn’t hinder his progress, the Fiesta was another to be passed by Nevill at the start but got back ahead by taking the long way around Oggies for the first time and also got by Allen at the Brundle/Nelson complex after the Focus' failed attack on David Guthrie's Fiesta. England got ahead of the Boamerang Racing car up the inside of Williams on lap two to briefly be fifth before Allen's pass into Brundle shortly after. The fast-starting Nevill took second in Class B+ with seventh and survived side-to-side contact with Tom Burgess on lap one as the RS2000 slewed sideways at Nelson after Allen’s grassy moment compacted the pack. The series head passed Guthrie's fading Fiesta down the Bentley Straight on lap four after the Boamerang Racing machine’s tyres began to wilt, Nevill wasn’t happy with his rubber either after qualifying but he moved his best tyres to the front end and the timesheet showed a marked improvement. Guthrie’s gripless Fiesta came home in eighth, 2.468 seconds behind the RS2000 for third in Class B+. Tom Burgess led Mike Thurley for second in Class B for the first few laps before the Castrol Mk1 got ahead but Martin Reynolds’ Class B+ Escort caught the pair and when Reynolds passed Thurley, it allowed Burgess to follow the local man by but the Red Flag put Thurley back to the head of the bunch from Reynolds and Burgess in ninth, tenth and eleventh. Sam Shimwell rose through the pack well from starting 24th to finish twelfth after low engine temperatures held the 2.3-litre Fiesta back in qualifying and Shimwell narrowly beat the Class A Focus of Stefan Marsh by 0.280 seconds. Gary Johnson's Class B Mk1 Escort was fourteenth from Robert Lewis’ Class B+ Focus, who qualified in a promising twelfth overall before a grassy moment at Coram when in battle with Marsh knocked him down the order. Oliver Bullion flew up sixteen places to 21st from the back row on lap one before the Fiesta ultimately finished as the sixth Class B car in seventeenth, a slim 0.354 seconds behind the fifth-placed car of Tony Paxman. Justin Fuller was victorious in Class C and finished 21st overall but felt something wasn’t right with the Puma’s engine, the victor sealed the win from Dave Barrett’s Fiesta in 25th and Kevan Hadfield’s Puma in 27th. Stephen Primett hoped that a change of spark plugs had cleared the BDA’s cough but the Mk1 Escort had a troubled race after the misfire reappeared during the opening lap whilst leading the division. Racing debutants Brook Rouse and Marcus Williams made it to the finish, with the Class B Fiesta claiming eighth in class with 23rd and the Class C Puma was fifth in its split for 32nd. Mat Brennan was second in Class SB and the Red Top-powered Mk2 Escort was classified 31st. The race was Red-flagged late on and the result was taken back two laps to the end of lap five after an unfortunate collision between the Escort Cosworth of Mick Head and novice Andrew Bywaters' stationary Sapphire at Palmer. Bywaters had already stopped with a suspected water leak on lap two before being asked to move the Sapphire from where he came to rest and a spinning Head hit the stranded car a few laps later to leave both machines extensively damaged.
Race One results: Click here
Race One results: Click here
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Race Two: Earlier delays to the Sunday timetable saw the Modified Fords' second race distance reduced to thirteen minutes and the Union Flag would be used to start the bout after a circuit recovery truck took out the start lights with its HIAB boom. Jason Davies led the way into Riches from the rolling start as fellow front-row starter Tom Ovenden held on to second to the outside of a locked-up Ashley Shelswell. Davies' Sapphire slid out of Wilson and was still spinning its wheels after the Welshman short-shifted into third to give Ovenden's RSR a sniff but the Sapphire's lead ballooned on the Bentley Straight and, like Saturday, the Class A car stretched its legs to win by the slightly reduced margin of 11.043 seconds from the Class SB-winning Ovenden. The Barn Ruche Trophy was also awarded to the overall winner, the prize was first presented in 1973 and has been handed to the Modified Ford Series' Race Two victor since 2022. For third place, James Allen sliced ahead of Shelswell into Wilson for the first time but ran a little wide and contact was made as the Sierra cut back to the inside, the impact bent Shelswell's bumper onto his nearside front wheel and the Sierra pulled out at Agostini to save cutting through the tyre. With his Focus sporting damage to its rear bumper, Allen had a lonely run thereafter to claim third place another 29.552 seconds back from Ovenden. As the V6 Sierra pulled to the right on lap one, Alex Boam got down the inside of Tyler England for what was now fourth place at Agostini after the Class B leader drove around the outside of the Saturday Class B+ winner at the Wilson hairpin. However, England fought back ahead at Hamilton to end lap one in a mighty fourth overall with the giant-killing Fiesta but his hold on the place was shortlived as he ploughed straight on at Riches for the second time. Paul Nevill also took the opportunity to dive inside the Boamerang Racing Fiesta at Oggies but Boam hung on around the outside to retain the Class B+ lead at Williams. Boam held the class lead just ahead of Nevill and Martin Reynolds before suffering big spin at Riches on lap three as he battled low rear-end grip. Nevill gratefully took up the Class B+ running and just beat Reynolds to the flag by 0.326 seconds for the class win in fourth. Boam's Fiesta fought back through to sixth overall and third in class after the turbocharged machine fell back to fourteenth with its excursion. The fightback saw Boam pass Tony Paxman, Gary Johnson, Sam Shimwell and Stefan Marsh to break back into the top ten by the end of lap five, with the last two named taken in one go exiting Palmer, before stablemate Shimwell went out with a fuel leak that covered his windscreen in go juice. The Boamerang Racing driver's teammate David Guthrie was dispatched up the inside of Riches and Tom Burgess followed along the Senna Straight on lap six to reach eighth place. On the final lap, Boam sneaked inside Oliver Bullion at Palmer and Mike Thurley at Hamilton to claim his ultimate sixth position but the Fiesta finished with the leading edge of its carbon bonnet folded back. Bullion came through the early Thurley and Burgess battle for class honours to take a last-gasp Class B win in seventh by just over half a second, the Fiesta ST taking the lead from the Mk1 Escort approaching Brundle and Nelson for the final time. Burgess' Mk2 Escort was third in Class B, 1.915 seconds behind Thurley in ninth and lost out to Bullion on the penultimate lap along the Bentley Straight. David Guthrie’s Ecoboost Fiesta toiled on tyres that were well past their best but still secured a top ten finish in tenth but only just as the third Class A car of Stefan Marsh finished right on his bootlid, Marsh having made forward progress after slipping to sixteenth on lap one. Gary Johnson’s Mk1 Escort dragged past Tony Paxman’s similar car along the start/finish straight going onto lap three to grab fourth in Class B and twelfth overall from the powder blue example. After his earlier off whilst leading Class B, England struggled on with wayward handling caused by a left-rear hub issue to finish sixth in the class and sixteenth overall behind the battling Class A cars of Leroy Brown and Wayne Crabtree. After an eagle-eyed bystander noticed a problem with one of his BDA’s carburettors, Stephen Primett stormed to the Class C win from the back row with a new class lap record of 1:16.201 and hit the front of the division second time around. Dave Barrett just took the runner-up spot in Class C from the closely following Kevan Hadfield Puma, who were separated by just 0.181 seconds. Whilst Primett was able to march on to the Class C win, fellow back-row starter Todd Garner pulled off after completing just one lap and the older Mk1 Focus of Robert Lewis also went out early with a broken gearbox mount. Opening race Class C winner Justin Fuller missed the second race due to the head gasket failing on his Puma.
Race Two results: Click here
Young Alfie Cowan took home the Scalextric 'Driver of the Day' award after a pair of solid finishes for the inexperienced Fiesta driver.
Race Two results: Click here
Young Alfie Cowan took home the Scalextric 'Driver of the Day' award after a pair of solid finishes for the inexperienced Fiesta driver.
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The Modified Ford Series now heads north to a single-day meeting at Oulton Park in Cheshire for two races on the 26th of April.
Mini 7 Racing Club - Mini Miglia & Libre
The opening races for the Mini 7 Racing Club's championships also took place at the weekend and the club made the switch to Goodyear title sponsorship after the parent company sold long-time supporter Dunlop. 2024 Miglia champion Jeff Smith secured the top spot in qualifying for the Miglias with his new car by a healthy 0.816 seconds from former title holder Ian Curley, with the second row also comprising two ex-champions in the form of Rupert Deeth and Aaron Smith. Jo Polley was an impressive fifth fastest as she headed the third row from Phil Bullen-Brown. Leading Libre driver Peter Hills set a creditable tenth fastest time overall. Curley got the drop at the start of Race One but couldn’t get away as a lead pack of six cars formed. Rupert Deeth got up to second on lap two and draughted into the lead starting lap three towards Riches. Deeth continued to pull away after breaking the tow back to the almighty scrap for second going on between Curley and the two Smiths. Kane Astin and Bullen-Brown were fighting among themselves for fifth on the back of the lead train. Fifth qualifier Polley tried her best to stay in touch with the front group but crashed heavily at the exit of Riches to bring out the Red Flag with seven minutes left. The race wouldn't be restarted so Deeth won a curtailed race from Curley and Jeff Smith. In the Libre class, polesitter Hills and Julian Proctor collided at Riches for the fourth time. Proctor continued in the class lead but Hills fell to fourth behind Philip Harvey and Huw Turner, the poleman passed the two just before the stoppage so lost the places again on countback. Aaron Smith led the early corners of Race Two before Ian Curley slipstreamed ahead down the Bentley Straight. Rupert Deeth was sat in third when the Safety Car came out at the end of lap one with Colin Peacock not getting off the line and his car was parked against the pitwall. During the recovery, the HIAB boom of the flatbed hit the start light gantry and the race needed to be stopped to remove the damaged lights. After a lengthy delay, the restart would be from behind the Safety Car over ten-and-a-half minutes. Curley led the way initially from Aaron Smith and Deeth, with Josh Canning making a seven-car train for the lead. Deeth towed into the lead ahead of Curley and Aaron Smith onto the last lap and the order was the same over the line as Deeth scored a double victory with Jeff Smith in fourth. After her Race One incident, Jo Polley contested Race Two in partner Jeff Smith’s previous car and came home twelfth. Peter Hills made up for his Saturday disappointment with the Libre category win on Sunday from Ian Fraser.
Mini 7 Racing Club - Mini Miglia & Libre
The opening races for the Mini 7 Racing Club's championships also took place at the weekend and the club made the switch to Goodyear title sponsorship after the parent company sold long-time supporter Dunlop. 2024 Miglia champion Jeff Smith secured the top spot in qualifying for the Miglias with his new car by a healthy 0.816 seconds from former title holder Ian Curley, with the second row also comprising two ex-champions in the form of Rupert Deeth and Aaron Smith. Jo Polley was an impressive fifth fastest as she headed the third row from Phil Bullen-Brown. Leading Libre driver Peter Hills set a creditable tenth fastest time overall. Curley got the drop at the start of Race One but couldn’t get away as a lead pack of six cars formed. Rupert Deeth got up to second on lap two and draughted into the lead starting lap three towards Riches. Deeth continued to pull away after breaking the tow back to the almighty scrap for second going on between Curley and the two Smiths. Kane Astin and Bullen-Brown were fighting among themselves for fifth on the back of the lead train. Fifth qualifier Polley tried her best to stay in touch with the front group but crashed heavily at the exit of Riches to bring out the Red Flag with seven minutes left. The race wouldn't be restarted so Deeth won a curtailed race from Curley and Jeff Smith. In the Libre class, polesitter Hills and Julian Proctor collided at Riches for the fourth time. Proctor continued in the class lead but Hills fell to fourth behind Philip Harvey and Huw Turner, the poleman passed the two just before the stoppage so lost the places again on countback. Aaron Smith led the early corners of Race Two before Ian Curley slipstreamed ahead down the Bentley Straight. Rupert Deeth was sat in third when the Safety Car came out at the end of lap one with Colin Peacock not getting off the line and his car was parked against the pitwall. During the recovery, the HIAB boom of the flatbed hit the start light gantry and the race needed to be stopped to remove the damaged lights. After a lengthy delay, the restart would be from behind the Safety Car over ten-and-a-half minutes. Curley led the way initially from Aaron Smith and Deeth, with Josh Canning making a seven-car train for the lead. Deeth towed into the lead ahead of Curley and Aaron Smith onto the last lap and the order was the same over the line as Deeth scored a double victory with Jeff Smith in fourth. After her Race One incident, Jo Polley contested Race Two in partner Jeff Smith’s previous car and came home twelfth. Peter Hills made up for his Saturday disappointment with the Libre category win on Sunday from Ian Fraser.
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Mini 7 Racing Club - Mini Se7en & S-Class
2024 race winner and 2022 S-Class champion Damien Harrington headed the timesheet after qualifying by 0.781 seconds 2024 Se7en champion Joe Thompson. Ross Billison was 0.298 seconds slower than Thompson as he lined up third, ahead of Spencer Wanstall in fourth. The top six was completed by newcomer Daniel Munro and the experienced Darren Thomas. Current S-Class champion Matthew Ayres set the fifth quickest time overall as he topped the budget class by 0.684 seconds from Matthew Page, with 2021 class title holder Michael Winkworth third. The front row of Harrington and Thompson made good launches at the start of Race One but the second row got away better and the reigning champion was side-by-side with Wanstall to Wilson, where Thompson made the lead his own. Harrington then got up the inside of Wanstall at Agostini for second and took the lead on lap two before the Safety Car came out at the end of the lap with Billison's mount stranded in a dodgy spot at Coram, after lap one contact burst its radiator and the third qualifier skated off on his own coolant. The race was under the control of the Safety Car for just one lap, which came in with eleven minutes left. Harrington and Thompson were able to get away from Wanstall and the impressive Munro as the clock ticked down. Harrington led onto the final lap and narrowly held off Thompson on the run to the line by 0.131 seconds. Wanstall started his title campaign with a solid third, whilst Munro was a last-lap retirement after a missed shift down to second made him spin and he couldn’t restart his engine. Reigning S-Class champion Matthew Ayres charged through to fourth overall and had the leaders in sight as he crossed the line 11.869 seconds clear of Joel Wren and Michael Winkworth took third another 2.404 seconds back. Thompson led Wanstall and Harrington during the opening lap of Race Two, with Munro sixth at the end of lap one behind Billison and Thomas. Wanstall got inside Thompson for the lead at Oggies second time around but the 2024 champion led again through the Brundle/Nelson complex. Billison charged up from fourth to second on lap two and grabbed the lead on lap three at Hamilton, as Thomas relieved Harrington of fourth just behind. The Safety Car was called for at the end of the third circulation with Bertie Woollard's S-Class car upside down at Murrays. The field was brought to a halt in the infield section and there would be a two-lap dash from the Safety Car restart. The top three jumped away at the resumption as Thomas and Harrington squabbled into Riches, resulting in a spin for Harrington and Munro was delayed in the aftermath. The race looked likely to be Billison vs Thompson for the win heading onto the last lap but Wanstall clawed his way back in touch through the infield section. Billison held on to win by 0.217 seconds as Wanstall slipstreamed ahead of Thompson in a drag race to the line by just 0.050 seconds. Ayres again led the charge of the S-Class runners as he reached fourth overall and claimed his second win of the weekend. Two Se7ens finished between the victor and the second-placed Oliver Birkett and a further three crossed the line ahead of former champion Jonathon Page in third.
The second meeting for the Mini 7 Racing Club will be on the swooping Grand Prix circuit at Brands Hatch on the 3rd and 4th of May, when the championships support the main GT World Challenge Europe event.
2024 race winner and 2022 S-Class champion Damien Harrington headed the timesheet after qualifying by 0.781 seconds 2024 Se7en champion Joe Thompson. Ross Billison was 0.298 seconds slower than Thompson as he lined up third, ahead of Spencer Wanstall in fourth. The top six was completed by newcomer Daniel Munro and the experienced Darren Thomas. Current S-Class champion Matthew Ayres set the fifth quickest time overall as he topped the budget class by 0.684 seconds from Matthew Page, with 2021 class title holder Michael Winkworth third. The front row of Harrington and Thompson made good launches at the start of Race One but the second row got away better and the reigning champion was side-by-side with Wanstall to Wilson, where Thompson made the lead his own. Harrington then got up the inside of Wanstall at Agostini for second and took the lead on lap two before the Safety Car came out at the end of the lap with Billison's mount stranded in a dodgy spot at Coram, after lap one contact burst its radiator and the third qualifier skated off on his own coolant. The race was under the control of the Safety Car for just one lap, which came in with eleven minutes left. Harrington and Thompson were able to get away from Wanstall and the impressive Munro as the clock ticked down. Harrington led onto the final lap and narrowly held off Thompson on the run to the line by 0.131 seconds. Wanstall started his title campaign with a solid third, whilst Munro was a last-lap retirement after a missed shift down to second made him spin and he couldn’t restart his engine. Reigning S-Class champion Matthew Ayres charged through to fourth overall and had the leaders in sight as he crossed the line 11.869 seconds clear of Joel Wren and Michael Winkworth took third another 2.404 seconds back. Thompson led Wanstall and Harrington during the opening lap of Race Two, with Munro sixth at the end of lap one behind Billison and Thomas. Wanstall got inside Thompson for the lead at Oggies second time around but the 2024 champion led again through the Brundle/Nelson complex. Billison charged up from fourth to second on lap two and grabbed the lead on lap three at Hamilton, as Thomas relieved Harrington of fourth just behind. The Safety Car was called for at the end of the third circulation with Bertie Woollard's S-Class car upside down at Murrays. The field was brought to a halt in the infield section and there would be a two-lap dash from the Safety Car restart. The top three jumped away at the resumption as Thomas and Harrington squabbled into Riches, resulting in a spin for Harrington and Munro was delayed in the aftermath. The race looked likely to be Billison vs Thompson for the win heading onto the last lap but Wanstall clawed his way back in touch through the infield section. Billison held on to win by 0.217 seconds as Wanstall slipstreamed ahead of Thompson in a drag race to the line by just 0.050 seconds. Ayres again led the charge of the S-Class runners as he reached fourth overall and claimed his second win of the weekend. Two Se7ens finished between the victor and the second-placed Oliver Birkett and a further three crossed the line ahead of former champion Jonathon Page in third.
The second meeting for the Mini 7 Racing Club will be on the swooping Grand Prix circuit at Brands Hatch on the 3rd and 4th of May, when the championships support the main GT World Challenge Europe event.
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Alex Sidwell's Holden Commodore VF
Another star attraction at the meeting was Alex Sidwell's spectacular Holden Racing UK Holden Commodore VF competing in the combined CMMCS Intermarque/Super Saloons/Tin Tops. The V8 Supercar chassis number GRM15 is one of seven in Sidwell's collection of the Australian machines.
Once his tyres had warmed up and he could use his straightline speed advantage, Sidwell fought through from gridding fifth to beat the battling Russell Humphrey, Ray Harris and Colin Smith Intermarque cars to the glory in Race One. The Holden fell to seventh on lap one of the ten-minute Race Two but Sidwell was back into third by the end of the opening lap. The Commodore closed in on the top two as the race progressed and passed Humphrey for second on the last lap when his Tigra began to misfire. Sidwell then beat the Ginetta of former leader Harris to the line by 0.600 seconds for his second triumph of the day, having set the fastest lap on the final circulation.
Another star attraction at the meeting was Alex Sidwell's spectacular Holden Racing UK Holden Commodore VF competing in the combined CMMCS Intermarque/Super Saloons/Tin Tops. The V8 Supercar chassis number GRM15 is one of seven in Sidwell's collection of the Australian machines.
Once his tyres had warmed up and he could use his straightline speed advantage, Sidwell fought through from gridding fifth to beat the battling Russell Humphrey, Ray Harris and Colin Smith Intermarque cars to the glory in Race One. The Holden fell to seventh on lap one of the ten-minute Race Two but Sidwell was back into third by the end of the opening lap. The Commodore closed in on the top two as the race progressed and passed Humphrey for second on the last lap when his Tigra began to misfire. Sidwell then beat the Ginetta of former leader Harris to the line by 0.600 seconds for his second triumph of the day, having set the fastest lap on the final circulation.
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