CATERHAMS ADD SPICE TO BRANDS FEAST


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Londoner James Machlachlan won both Supersports races. Photo: Jakob Ebrey

The second and final BRSCC South Eastern Centre meeting of the season took place over the weekend of August 21 and 22 with a 19-race programme using Brands Hatch’s 1.2 mile Indy Circuit. Saturday’s BRSCC Saab City’ Race Weekend dawned close and overcast, with intermittent light drizzle, before the sun broke through mid-afternoon. Sunday looked more promising, but rain arrived just before the Lunch Break, leaving a drying track for the rest of proceedings.

Caterhams were in abundance, with the Avon Tyres Supersports runners kicking off the race schedule. Less than a second separated the top four after 30 minutes of frantic action, Londoner James Machlachlan heading home Maidenhead’s Ian Forsyth. Sunday’s encounter provided the same outcome.

Avon Tyres Caterham Roadsport A competitors followed, with another half-hour tussle. Leeds’ JJ O’Malley’s margin of victory over Antony Sidney-Woolett was altogether more comfortable. Londoner Jamie Orton was leading when a Red Flag foreshortened Sunday’s rain-afflicted race.

A broken cam belt kept poleman Tim Lewis out of the BRSCC Alfashop Alfa Romeo Championship 20 minute races, making Neil Smith’s initial victory in his 156 World Touring car much easier, the Eckington man lapping the entire field. A heavy downpour barely impeded his Sunday stroll to the Chequered Flag.

The Avon Tyres Caterham Roadsport B 20-minute race centred on a three-car lead battle between Yarm’s Martin Addison, Lee Wiggins and Reece Somerfield, finishing in that order. The same trio were at the sharp end of Sunday’s 15 minute restarted race, with Horndon on the Hill’s Wiggins just pipping Addison.

Making their first appearance at Brands were the BookaTrack.com Caterham Superlight R300 contestants. Three cars were always in contention during the half hour race, Newbury’s Paul Wilson taking the honours. London’s Trevor Fowell climbed from 19th on the grid to clinch Race Two, extending his points lead.

Rounding off Saturday’s action was the first of two 20-minute races for the Avon Tyres BRSCC Formula Ford 1600 Southern Championship in association with REIS. Oz invader Jordan Skinner was the class of the field in his Ray GRK10 and repeated the treatment on Sunday.

Competition Car Insurance Ford Fiesta Class A & B runners opened Sunday’s batting with a 20-minute innings, Heathfield’s Ed Cockhill converting his pole position into a comfortable win, despite a Safety Car intervention, brother Harry taking Class B. Horsham’s Rex Nye won Race Two, despite having to contend with a drying track and a Safety Car, Harry upholding family honours with a second Class B win.

The first Class C only race saw Leicester’s David Grady emerge ahead of Jeremy Gumbley after 20 minutes of unusually tame racing. Dorking man Gumbley reversed the placings in a much harder fought Race Two.

Victory in the sole Pistonheads.com Caterham Academy Championship Group 2 15-minute qualifier fell to Northants’ Ross Macindoe. Group 1 spoils were claimed by Bishops Stortford’s Wesley Fox after Mike Hart was excluded from his race win.

Closing the programme was a 15-minute Champion of Brands Formula Ford 1600 race. Jordan Skinner made it a hat-trick of wins, ahead of Adam Quartermaine’s Van Diemen RF90.

Special thanks go to the kind folks at Caterham Motorsport, who invited Centre marshals and officials to join them in the Kentagon on Saturday for a Curry Evening. Some 30 thirsty and hungry souls thoroughly enjoyed their Ruby Murrays and a couple of pints.

Full results can be viewed at Click Here

The next BRSCC South Eastern Centre meeting takes place at Brands Hatch on October 16 and 17 in conjunction with BRSCC HQ, namely the Formula Ford Festival.

Colin Mann


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