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. Races
4 - 5 Zolder
GP
May 5th -
6th
2
x 30 minute "Sprint" races
"Equipe"GTS
travelled back to Belgium
for rounds 4 and 5 of the 2007 season and made another debut visit,
this time to the
famous ex-Formula One Grand Prix circuit at Zolder. This
excellent 4km circuit was a very popular venue, especially being situated just to the East of Brussels and
within easy reach of most cross channel ferries, only 120
miles from Ostende. and close to the German, Dutch and French
borders. 
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Thirty
seven cars qualified, with all but four making the channel crossing
to the ex-Grand Prix circuit, and the grid included longstanding MGB
friends Holger Felske and Michael van Ofen from Germany, and
Dutchman Esper van Heeswiijk in his TVR Grantura. It was especially
good to see Joern Rasmussen who arrived from Denmark in his
beautifully restored FIA MGB. Esper explained the novelty to Joern of fast third gear corners at Zolder, as this was his first racing
excursion outside Denmark which is blessed with circuits having all slow, second gear corners.
Copse Corner at Silverstone is likley to be a real "Eye
Opener" for Joern at the MGCC International.
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Qualifying -
Tom Smith (1.58.3) followed his Snetterton qualifying form in the
MGB with an even bigger margin from second placed Johnson (1.59.4)
in the Grantura, with Brian Lambert bringing octagonal experience to
bear in 3rd. The MGB of Equipe debutant Steve Mills raised eyebrows
in 5th behind regular TR frontman Neil Howe, as did Jerry Stock in
the ex-Rob Cull MGB in 7th, and 9th place Chris
Woodgate in the rapid Elva Courier. Other debutants included Stephen
Radcliffe with his newly restored 1966 ex-Guards 1000 MGB who had
trouble with hydraulic problems, and Tim Hassle who struggled to
overcome persistent brake gremlins.
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Race 1 -
Johnson gained revenge for his second race Snetterton lashing from
Smith with a 16 second win margin of his own, anchored with a 1.57.8
fastest lap of 15 in 26 degree heat. Smith, amongst others, found
the circuit hard on brakes and was losing time at the end of the
race. Lambert comfortably filled 3rd and Mills continued to impress
with a solid 4th after the ever present and class 5 winning Howe was
vanquished, clutch failure having a part to play and causing Howe to
miss the second race. Woodgate was notable in 6th, and class 3 was
headed by John Bussey in the MGTC and class 2 by Stephen Barlow in
another TC. Holger Felske came in a sparkling 12th after qualifying
difficulties left him in 32nd place.
Race 2 -
The same top four finish to the 16 laps, and Smith's brake woes
contributed to a 19 second lead held by Johnson at the line. Allan
Ross-Jones hustled the TR4 to 5th and class 5 honours, although John
Andon's similar TR4 made him sweat for it. A patently fast learner,
Stock added another top ten place to his creditable 9th in race one,
and Brian Arculus , normally associated with the Lotus Elite,
continues to march up the learning curve with his 1959 TR3a in 13th.
Class winners included Bussey again, and the Spitfire of Colin Elstrop in class 2. . . TWS
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Busy B's -
* With son Mark, Brian Lambert won his class in the 3 hour race
later the same day
* Rod Longton announced that
Zolder would be his last race (again) - we look forward to seeing him at
Silverstone.
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"Equipe"GTS
lap record
Tom
Smith MGB 1.57.21 - 6th May 2007
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