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Race
1
Silverstone
March 31st
.
1 x 30
minute "Sprint" race .
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The
"Equipe"GTS
series kicked off the new season at the home of British Motor-sport
on the club circuit at Silverstone, which was a perfect start
and an ideal opportunity for drivers to ready themselves and their
cars for the 14 race season which lay ahead.
Silverstone
circuit has been hosting motor racing for over half a century and
has witnessed countless victories for many World Champions in many
of the Worlds most famous cars. Unbelievably, despite most drivers
knowing the circuit extremely well having raced here many times, it
was the very first time that a round of the "Equipe"GTS
series had been held at this venue.
Our
excellent hosts at the meeting were the MGCC and their
"Welcome Centre" in one of the pit garages serving teas
and coffees proved very popular for the competitors in the bright,
yet not surprisingly breezy Silverstone paddock.
.
A
fine full grid entry of 40 drivers plus 4 reserves diminished as the
preceding week unfolded with various cars' owners being caught out
with by early start of the season. However a very impressive 35 cars
qualified for the race with Mark Ashworth and Malcolm Johnson's TVR
Granturas taking the front row from the more regular leaders James
Cottingham and Tom Smith.
MGB's filled the
next four spots with "Equipe"GTS
welcoming the return of one of our own ex-novice drivers –
and now regular British GT contenderer; Oliver Bryant
sandwiched between last
year’s regular pacesetters James Cottingham and Tom Smith with Mark Rayment
completing the third row.
The
much publicised "Seven Lady Drivers in One Race"
reduced itself to a lesser, but albeit impressive headline of "Five
Lady Drivers in One Race" as both Pat Arculus and Sheila
Hassell fell foul of unfortunate last minute car problems, leaving
Caroline Betts as the only First Time racer in her own immaculate
MGB with Michelle Kirkpatrick, Nikki Saunders, Barbara Lambert and
Helen Elstrop making up the "Famous Five"
Mark
Ashworth took the lead at the start which he held to the finishing
flag, however the victory was hard earned with Malcolm Johnson
pushing impressively hard from the start with the MGs of James
Cottingham and Oliver Bryant only one or two seconds behind. An
early spin from Johnson appeared to ruin his chances of victory,
however with extra effort and determination, he was soon within the
slipstream the leader having set fastest lap - after lap. Less
than 3 seconds separated the two after the 30 minutes.
Oliver
Bryant took third place after the mid distance retirement of the
James Cottingham car with engine problems, a spin from Tom Smith
ruined his own chances.
Driver of the day and
class winner was Andrew Actman in his replica Austin Healey Sebring
Sprite along with John Andon in his Triumph TR4. A very popular win
for Keith Hampson driving his beautiful Ex-works and two times Le
Mans 24 hour Sunbeam Alpine completed the class honours.
.
,
"Equipe"GTS
lap record
Malcolm
Johnson - TVR Grantura Mk3. - 1 min 12. 005 secs
,
For full
results see; http://www.msttiming.com
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