2001 Season  TSSC Race Results & Reports		Race Dates
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			Race Results & Reports
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Oulton Park (Fosters), Cheshire     7th April    MGCC

It nearly happened at Pembrey in 1999 when Jon Wolfe threw away a possible race win, when he went straight on at the hairpin, but at the first round of the 2001 season as Oulton it finally did. Did what you ask? The first overall race win by a TSSC car since the TSSC and TR Register Championships were amalgamated. So well done to Colin Elstrop in his GT6 in Class H. The wet weather played a part in the results but It was Andy Vowell Who took the Class C Win (His First Ever and a popular win) so well done Andy. Two other TSSC drivers did well. Andy Winterton was second in Class C driving the ex Steve Crane 2000 championship winning car, and Ian Frost was leading the class in only his second ever race until he spun, handing the lead to Andy Vowell.

So the season is now underway and with some of the fastest spitfire drivers moving to race TR7V8s it will give extra motivation to the other fast drivers/cars to win the championship. The season could throw up some supprises as well but whatever happens its going to be a great season.

Race Results as follows

Brands Hatch, Kent 28/29th April  Aston Martin OC

This was my first round of racing this year and only my second ever race. We left Ipswich at 5:45 on Saturday morning so that I would have time to acclimatise myself to the circuit and the facilities before the pre practise build up of signing on, scrutineering and drivers briefing started. The weather was horribly wet on the way to the circuit and I was praying for the rain to stop and for the sunshine to break through.

The TR Register/TSSC race was the first race of the day and therefor the first practice session, which started at 9am. The rain stopped and the track was beginning to dry ready for practice so I was pleased to say the least, a wet race was not what I wanted. Practice went well and I felt comfortable with the cars performance, although the car was handling very poorly around left hand bends (as it had at Silverstone last year), and the rev limiter was set to low, cutting the engine revs too soon. I found more and more speed as the session went on and really enjoyed surtees and mclarens.

When the results of the practice were printed I was shocked to find out where I had qualified. I was the third fastest TSSC car out of 7. All the cars behind me were tuned cars which have more power and should be faster, so a nice supprise, but I was not going to get carried away as I knew the chances of holding the position would be slim, but I was going to try. Martyn Adams and John Thomason were the fastest spitfires but the TRs made up the first 16 positions on the grid. The following table shows the entire practice results:-

The car was checked over after the practice session and nothing was found that needed attention, so apart from resetting the rev limiter and the usual checks there was not much to do before the race.

The race started at 1:45 and again the rain had stayed away after threatening to come down all day since practice. With the cars behind me I knew my position would be under threat but I was not going to give it up if I could help it. After the green flag lap I took up my grid position alongside the TR6 of Dave McDonald. When the lights changes I got away well but then had problems engaging 2nd. This enabled Alan Pettit and Jon Low to get past. I managed to stay with them and at druids on lap 1 I managed to outbreak Alan Pettit and drive around the outside, giving my track position for Graham Hill bend.

Brands Hatch 1st Lap after passing Alan Pettit

So one place  reclaimed and my first successful overtaking maneuver. Jon Low was now about 2 car lengths ahead and was beginning to pull away down the straights, but I felt I was quicker round the corners, enabling me to maintain the gap. I thought I would be able to make the same out braking move on him as I had Alan on the previous lap, if I could get close enough. This was not to be as on Lap 3 Jon spun at Paddock Hill bend, right in front of me leaving me nowhere to go. My car was right on the limit and as I braked the inevitable happened, and I spun as well. I narrowly avoided a collision with Jon, which everyone including Jon and myself thought was inevitable. The front of my car must have missed his door by inches. Jon apologized after the race and was very thankful that I missed him (so was I). Once I got going again the rest of the cars were too far ahead and I knew I was never going to catch them, so I drove within the cars capability, to guarantee a finish and some championship points. I did however catch and pass Dave Thompson on lap 6 but he later retired due to overheating.

So my second race and all in all a good one. I was slightly disappointed after the spin as I would have had a much more enjoyable race, possibly battling with Alan Pettit and Paul Ford, if it had not happened but that's racing I suppose.  So 4 points, another licence signature and I believe the Brands Hatch Class A lap record. Jon Thomason drove extremely well to take the Class C win, (his first) and the fastest lap.

So 2 new Class C winners in the first two races, and my first class win. What a season this promises to be! The following shows the Brands Hatch race results:-

Castle Combe 7th May BRSCC

Pembrey, S. Wales  10th June  Jaguar Car Club

Silverstone, Northants   June16th  Peterborough MC

This was my second race of the season. It was also the second time I had raced at Silverstone. My first was last year, and was my first ever race! I was therefore optimistic about my chances of having a good race. As I was the only Class A competitor I set myself a goal of beating the lap record, currently held by Dave Thompson in a GT6. Unfortunately this looked very unlikely as it kept raining.

I got to the assembly area earlier than intended, which meant I would be one of the first cars onto the track. I decided to take the first lap very slowly to find out how slippery the track was and to allow the faster cars behind me to pass. I was supprised when no cars came past, but when I started to push I found out why. The track was very slippery, with oil in more than a few places. It was very hard driving the car in these very wet conditions but I managed to keep the car on the black stuff. Practice times showed that many of the Spitfire/GT6 drivers had done very well. Paul Lucas was on Pole, well done Paul. Iain Frost did well in his GT6 in 10th and was in 17th place. I was pleased with my first wet drive and was hoping for a drier track for the race.

The track dried up for the race but it was still damp in some places. My car stalled in the assembly area but restarted without a problem but I was so concerned that it would stall on the line that I got a bad start allowing too many cars past. This left me to do battle with Edwin Driver in a TR2. He had the power and the speed down the straights and I was better under braking. We continued swapping places all through the race but Edwin managed to beat me, I had gained valuable experience and had a great days racing.

Croft, N. Yorks  7th/8th July  Aston Martin OC

Rockingham  21tst/22nd July  MGCC

Qualifying Results

Race Results

Myself  followed by Nigel Gibbins Nigel Gibbins

Cadwell Park (Full),Lincs 12th August Jaguar Car Club

This was to be my second visit to Cadwell but my first as a driver. When I visited the Track 2 years ago I was amazed at how narrow the track is and how little run off there is through a very tight woodland section. The track is also very hilly and I was a little apprehensive about racing here. I just had to get out on the track and do my best.

I was up at 4:30am, and on the road at 5:30, to travel the 186 miles up to the circuit ready for the New Drivers Briefing at 10am. The weather was awfull most of the way there and a wet race was looking likely. As usual the car passed scrutineering without any problems, and we were on the track at about 12:30 for our practice session. This was later than scheduled due to a couple of accidents in previous practice sessions.

The track was still very wet and it was still raining as we took to the track. I have no wet tyres so I was out on the Yoki A032 as usual. I had decided to drive cautionsly for the first few laps and to look where the water was standing. I think everyone was doing the same as no-one came past me during these rece laps. I felt quite comfortable and the car was proving to be very predictable as it lost traction, so I was able to push harder. This nearly proved fatal a couple of times, as I nearly understeared off in a few places. I began to find a good rythm but just as I did the chequred flag came out, much earlier than I expected, as the session had been shortened to catch up time from the earlier delays.  Only time would tell how well I had done.

When the times were published I had a big supprise!!!! I had qualified 14th out of 24cars and was the 4th fastest TSSC car out of ten. This was even more of a supprise because 8 of the cars are modified Class C cars, and all the other drivers have more experience than me. Despite the weather I was smiling from ear to ear! This so far was my best practice session and I would be right in the middle of the pack, I could not wait for the race!

Practice Results

After our practice session the track started to dry out, and I knew that if the track was dry when we raced later on I would not be able to keep my 14th place!. Most of the cars behind me would be faster in the dry, when they can use there extra horsepower to better effect. It is very difficult to pass at Cadwell but I knew I would have my work cut out. I therefor was probably the only driver praying for the rain to fall again. Unfortunately my prayers were answered, the rain began to fall but much harder than befor and after a Caterham spun off into the tyres the race meeting was cancelled, due to excess standing water down the straight. So the chances of 6 points and another class A win were thwarted!! I had to go home with nothing, not even a signature on my licence.

This was a huge blow for me as 6 points would have put the Class A championship well within my grasp. Now I can still be caught and as such I must do well next weekend at Snetterton!!

CADWELL I WILL BE BACK!!!

Snetterton, Norfolk 19th   August  MGCC

With all three Class A cars entered for this race I knew I would have to drive well to keep my lead in the Class championship intact. The weather was awful once again and a repeat of Cadwell looked likely, but we might not even get to practice. Even if we got to practice, as our race was the last of the day (race 9) we were the race most likely to be called off. The rain came down so hard during practice 5 that all the marshals came back from the marshalling posts. Track inspections took place at 12 and 12:30 as water was being moved off the circuit, it did not look good. Eventually we were told we would get 3 laps practice behind a safety car. This meant that the grid positions were made up. Firstly in Class order G,F,E,D,C,B,A, and then in number order for each class, or so I thought. It turns out that the class order was correct but the number order was not applied to all the classes! Class A was at the back of the grid and unfortunately for me I was placed last with Ralph and Nigel ahead. If knew I had to overtake them to get another class win. What followed was probably the most enthralling and eventful race Class A has ever seen!!

We went out onto the circuit and were ushered to our grid positions. The green flay lap then started, but to my horror my car started to misfire very badly. So badly that the car was slowing down in second gear. I turned the engine off and restarted it only to find the misfire was still there. So I tried again and thank god it cleared!!! At this time I was the full length of the Revitt straight behind the other cars. I then drove at almost race speed to catch the pack ready for the start! Would the misfire come back....only time would tell but at least I was going to make the start.

Lights.....RED.....GREEN .... I was away faster than both Nigel and Ralph! I had done it! Oh no a TR! Barry Rogers TR2 was directly in front of me and I had nowhere to go...I had to lift, allowing Ralph to get alongside giving him track position for the first corner. Nigel was right on my tail and Ralph was just in front. This stayed the same for a few laps until the exit of Russell when Nigel and I came together. Nigel had tried to come up beside me after getting a better drive out of the corner but there was not enough room and he scrubbed the rear of my drivers door and my rear wing with his front wheel. My car had graduated, it was now a proper race car, after its first contact with another car. This allowed Ralph to make up a small gap.

Nigel then spun at the end of the Start/Finish straight and was forced to retire, coming into the pits next time around.

I was then able to concentrate on passing Ralph. This I managed to do with a very late braking manoeuvre undertaking Ralph into Russell. I had done it I was leading! Unfortunately Ralph had more straight line speed and with the help of a tow took me down the back straight! I again tried the Russell Manoeuvre but even though I took Ralph going into the corner he get a better drive on the exit and retook the place. I had struggled all race with the exit of Russell, either bogging down in third gear or getting too much wheel spin in 2nd.

Ralph then made a mistake at the end of the Start/Finish straight and even though I had to slow to avoid impact I was able to get past, only for Ralph to get me down the straight again. This may be because the curbs at Russell had shaken my passenger window loose and it broke off down the straight. This caused much more wind drag, but I need more straight line speed from the car. Ralph then made another mistake that I was unable to capitalise on.

Ralph managed to hold on for the Class win, a great close race and clean (just). I would have won only for the speed down the straight, but a great race and I have now increased my Class A lead by 1 point. I still have a lot of work to do to win the Class A championship as a 10 point lead is not enough.

The Class A lap record was smashed by 4 seconds, proving how hard we were racing! No other lap records were broken!

Paul Lucas took the Class C win again, and ex spitfire racer Jon Wolfe did well to take third place overall.

Race Results

Mallory Park 9th September  AMOC

When I decided to go racing, my aim was to do my first race at Mallory Park last year. I did not manage to get the car ready in time but I watched the race. Watching the race combined with two test sessions over the last year meant I felt quietly confident before the race.

I knew another Class A win would give me the 2001 Class A championship, so I was very determined when practice came. Traffic and yellow flags made my practice session very difficult and I only managed two clear laps. The car did not feel as good as I had hoped and I was not happy with the times I had put in. When the official times came out my mood was better as I had beaten my previous fastest lap time and I had qualified 1st in Class A ahead of some Class C cars as well.

Practice was also very good for Paul Lucas who again showed how fast he and his spitfire can be by claiming pole!

It was not so good for Iain Frost and Nigel Gibbins. Iain qualified 2nd in Class C but oil at Shaws hairpin caused him to skid into the barrier, twisting the chassis on the GT6. Nigel only completed two timed laps after his engine had overheated melting piston No 4.

Practice results

On the grid befor the start!

The Race

I reacted very quickly to the lights but the car bogged down. I then missed 2nd gear allowing everyone to pass me. I was most disapointed as the Class win would now be very difficult to get. I did not give up though and pushed as hard as I dared just hanging on to Dave Thompson and Andy Winterton who were having a great battle. Just in front of them was Rej Jane my target for the Class A win. Andy got past Dave and I could see that Rej was slowing. In fact Rej slowed enough for me to catch and pass him, giving me the lead. I then set about trying to get past Dave Thompson!

Chasing Dave Thompson

On the last lap I tried a late braking move into the hairpin but I soon realised I was not going to make it and I hit Dave in the side as he turned onto the corner. I was able to continue to take the Class A Win but something was wrong with the steering. I was lucky to get the Class A win due to my bad start, with Rej having gear selection problems. I was also lucky to finish as the impact had damaged one of the valves and my front left tyre deflated very quickly when back in the pits.

Damaged car on trailer (much worse than it looks)

This was not the only incident with many drivers failing to finish. Only 16 of 26 drivers finished the race.

Jon Thomason won Class C but only  just from Andy Vowell.
I won Class A which means I have now won the Class A championship for 2001.

Cadwell Park (Full),Lincs 23rd September MGCC

Here we were back at Cadwell for the second time this season. The last round at Cadwell had been cancelled due to track flooding. My car was repaired from the accident at Mallory and I was looking forward to a great race with Ralph Jane.

The day got off to a bad start when the electrical cut of pull cord broke during scrutineering and then I missed the drivers briefing and was called to the office by the clerk of the course. I was then short of time to get the car ready for practice.   I only just got ready for practice in time and had not got my race suit on when we were called to the assemble area. Too close for comfort!! I then noticed that the cars charging system had stopped working but I had no time to find the fault and was concerned about lasting the session.

I was taking it fairly easy to make sure the car was ok after the crash at Mallory. It was just getting used to the new handling (the front toe in was not set how I wanted it as before) when the session was stopped due to Ralph Jane who had broke a halfshaft. We were then sat on the grid whale Ralph's car was removed when the rain started to come down. I realised that there was no point in driving hard as I would not be able to go as fast as I had already done.

I was not happy with myself after the session and knew I had taken it too easy. Even so I was surprised to see that Ralph had gone 3.3 seconds faster than me before his halfshaft had broken.

Practice times as follows.