The 21st Century magazine about cars and motorsport of the past and present.
January 2019
Issue 100
Classic and Competition Car th 100 e Issu
Our Team.
Contents Page 3
What’s on.
Page 4
Photo of the month.
Page 5
News.
Page 18
Rockingham Super Send-off final race meeting.
Page 26
Rally Round Africa.
Page 32
Archive Photo of the month.
Page 33
New Porsche 911.
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Tasman Revival Series Round 1 Pukekohe Park raceway.
Page 42
VSCC Winter Driving Tests, Bicester Heritage.
Page 48
McLaren 720S Spider.
Page 51
Rockingham Stages Rally.
Page 58
Midland Enthusiasts Cars and Coffee, near Wolverhampton.
Page 63
Christmas Cracker Autotest, Bobbington, Nr Stourbridge.
Page 68
Closing Shot.
Classic and Competition Car
Simon Wright - Editor. Janet Wright - Staff Photographer. Independant Freelance contributors in this issue. Pete Austin. Peter McFadyen. Syd Wall. David Goose & Stuart Yates of MotorsportImagery
All content is copyright classicandcompetitioncar.com unless otherwise stated. All photographs are copyright and cannot be used for commercial purposes unless by prior approval of the original copyright holder. We try to ensure accurate and truthful reporting but if you spot an error, please contact us and will we verify and correct accordingly. We do not organise any events which are mentioned and we are not responsible if the event does not take place or is cancelled. Please contact the event organiser before making a long trip.
Classic and Competition Car is published by simonwrightphotos.com High View Drive, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 8HT E-mail simonwright57@hotmail.com As well as this magazine, you can follow us on Twitter @classcompcarand join our Facebook Group Classic and competition car
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January 2019
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Editorial. Welcome to our 100th issue. Over the last eight years we have covered some of the most memorable motorsport and car events held in the UK. We have visited Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Oulton Park, Mallory Park, Shelsley Walsh, Prescott and Loton Park. We have also covered many of the great events at Goodwood, Chateau Impney, Cholmondeley Castle, The British Motor Museum and Coventry Transport Museum and covered shows like Autosport International, Race Retro and the Classic Motor Shows at the NEC, plus many other events. I would like to thank our team of contributors for all their hard efforts in bringing us the best coverage of these events and without them this publication would not be possible. We look forward to our next 100 issues and hope you will continue to enjoy our coverage.
WHAT’S ON January 1st Stony Vintage Stony Stratford nr. Milton Keynes. 1st Brooklands New Years day Classic Gathering. 6th Breakfast Scramble, Bicester Heritage. 12th-13th Autosport International Show, NEC, near Birmingham. 12th HRCR Open day, British Motor Museum, Gaydon. 27th VSCC New Years Driving Tests, Brooklands Museum. 31st 2019 Monte Carlo Historique rally passage control, Banbury. (Only a few cars start in Glasgow and pass through Banbury, but the town usually puts on a classic car display in the town centre as well) February. 16th VSCC Pomeroy Trophy, Silverstone. 22nd-24th Race Retro, Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry.
Front Cover. The front covers of issue 1, 10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80 and 90 to celebrate our 100th issue. All previous issues are still available from our web site on the Previous Issue page.
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January 2019
For more events we suggest The motoring Diary web site www.themotoringdiary.com www.
We do not organise any events which are mentioned and we are not responsible if the event does not take place or is cancelled. Please contact the event organiser before making a long trip. Most events may charge admission.
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Photo of the Month By Simon Wright Motorsport doesn’t have to be expensive to have fun. Here Andrew Dodd has fun in a Toyota MR2 on the Christmas Cracker Autotest over the Christmas festive period. See event report on page 63
Š Simon Wright
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January 2019
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New low-cost racing series announced. The MG Car Club, MG Motor UK and SAIC Motor UK Technical Centre are jointly developing a new low-cost race car based around the MG 3 hatchback. SAIC Motor UK Technical Centre interns have been building the concept car as their internship project and will unveil the car early in 2019. The aim is to provide a low-cost entry route in to saloon racing, with a budget to convert a road going MG 3 into a racer for just £5,000. The regulations have been produced to allow any MG 3 model to be converted and get on the grid, not just the recently announced new MG 3 model. This is the first opportunity that competitors have had the chance to race the most up-to-date MG model on track within the Car Club’s championships. It has been a problem recently to find suitable heritage models in good enough condition to convert into a racing car, which has proved a barrier to new and young competitors to compete. By allowing the MG 3 to race it should remove this barrier, as there are large numbers of MG 3s available at affordable prices and in a suitable condition for conversion. The MG 3 will be able to race in the invitational class of the MG Cup during 2019, providing a first season of testing and development at the UK’s best race circuits before starting a full points scoring campaign in 2020. The MG Cup has been running for over 30 years, with a simple structure and regulations designed to keep costs to a minimum and provide a challenge for both new and experienced drivers. There is an additional strategy to encourage younger drivers to compete, the MG Car Club is offering half price entries to any competitor who is aged 25 or younger for the 2019 season. This means that the entry fees for a weekend could be as little as £300.
Classic and Competition Car
January 2019
News
The MG Car Club was formed in 1930 at the MG Works in Abingdon. Alongside the club’s non-motorsport activities, they are the largest single marque club organising and managing six race meetings, six championships and two series. BCV8 Championship - MGB and C V8 road going or modified. Cockshoot Cup - MG sports and saloon cars in NW of England. MG Metro Cup - for MG Metro and Rover 100 hatchbacks. Midget & Sprite Challenge. MG Trophy - MG ZR in three classes MG Cup - For 2019 Austin Rover cars will be welcome, including Rover Tomcat Turbos and Rover Metro GTis lining up against MG cars. The Iconic 50s series - 1950s MG Sports and other marques. Triple M Challenge for MG Midget, Magna and Magnette The 2019 calendar starts in March and runs to October. 30th March Silverstone National circuit. 27th-28th April Brands Hatch Indy circuit 15th-16th June MG Live! Silverstone GP circuit. 20th-21st July Donington Park. 31st August Oulton Park. 5th October Snetterton 300. Page 5
Michael Collins behind the wheel of the Leda LT27 004 ‘McRae GM1’ #27 leading four-time SAS MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series winner Ken Smith (Lola T332 #11)
© Fast Company/Geoff Ridder
McRAE’S ROLE IN F5000 CLASS ON SHOW AT PUKEKOHE. The pivotal role Kiwi Graham McRae played in the development of the Formula 5000 category was on show at New Zealand’s annual ITM SuperSprint/Virgin Australia Supercars series round at Pukekohe Park Raceway in November. The Wellington-born designer, car builder, race engineer and driver was the dominant figure in the F5000 category between 1971 and 1974, winning the New Zealand/Australia Tasman Series three times (1971, 1972 & 1973) and the SCCA L & M Continental 5000 championship in the United States in 1972. He did so, first in a McLaren M10B he extensively modified (the 1971 Tasman Series title), then in cars of his own design, the Leda GM1 001, originally built in partnership with the UK designer behind the Leda marque, Len Terry, then the GM1 005 and GM1 014. Heading the entry of McRae-designed and built cars at Pukekohe were father-and-son Peter and Aaron Burson from Auckland in their matching McRae GM1s. Peter’s car is one of the earliest GM1s, chassis 003, built when McRae was working in the UK with Len Terry. That meant it was originally known as a Leda LT27 until McRae bought out his partners and set up his
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January 2019
own business, McRae Cars Ltd, and 003 was renamed a McRae GM1. Before Peter Burson bought it in 2006 the car had spent all of its life in the UK, from 1972 until 1999 with Scottish driver Jock Russell, then from 2000 to 2006 in the hands of British hill climb ace Roy Lane. Peter Burson’s son Aaron’s car – 008 - has always been a McRae GM1, being built in 1973 for a customer in the United States. It first came to New Zealand with Canadian driver Jay Esterer to contest the 2008/09 MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series and stayed when Esterer, who also owns 014, agreed to sell it to the Bursons. The other two ‘McRae’ cars which will be on the grid at Pukekohe are both – technically – Leda LT27s, 004 which was originally built in 1972 for American Evan Noyes to drive, then rebuilt here more recently for Alistair Hey. Expat Kiwi Chris Lambden bought it in 2011 and competed in it, as a McRae GM1, in the MSC NZ F5000 series races for two seasons before selling it back to Hey. Last season it was raced with success by Christchurch driver Michael Collins, a three-time South Island Formula Ford champion, and this season it will be driven by Queenstown-based former New Zealand Formula Ford champion LeRoy Stevenson. That leaves Leda LT27 001, or Leda GM1 as McRae himself called it. The first of McRae’s three GM1 cars to run in the distinctive colours of sponsor STP, 001 was arguably the single most successful F5000 car of the 1971-1973 period. With McRae driving, it won the 1972 Tasman Series and the 1972 US L & M Continental Series before being sold and used in the 1973 Gold Star and Tasman series by Dexter Dunlop. A trailer fire ended its competitive life back in the 1970s but after a global search for parts by Alistair Hey and Motorsport Solutions it has been rebuilt to original Leda LT27-spec, driven by Michael Collins, 44 years after it last turned a wheel. Page 6
Donington Historic Festival brings together a fabulous array of classic racing cars, spanning nine decades, in a three day spectacular at a circuit that’s superb for spectators and competitors. As well as the track action, dozens of car clubs put on vehicle displays on the circuit infield, plus parades and track demonstrations. Early Bird Advanced tickets are available until 31st January 2019 and offer an increased discount over the normal advanced ticket price, at £35 for a three day weekend ticket, which will cost £40 from the 1st February. Race day tickets for Saturday or Sunday are available at £21 (£25 from 1st February). Children under 13 are admitted free. For more information visit the web site at www.doningtonhistoric.com to book tickets.
Unique McLaren P1 Celebrates Senna maiden Championship. McLaren Special Operations have completed a unique McLaren P1 GTR for a customer to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna securing his maiden Formula 1 World Championship. Over 800 hours were spent on painting and other external details, the car is finished in the red and white Marlboro livery that is a tribute to the all conquering McLaren MP4/4. The car has been named ‘Beco’, the nickname given to Senna by his family. It has received an aerodynamic upgrade to increase downforce for the Track focused car.
Changes to Classic and Competition Car at Issuu. If you read Classic and Competition Car through the Issuu web site, you will no longer be able to download the magazine. You should still be able to read it on-line there. This is due to changes by the Issuu web site and not Classic and Competition Car. You can still download the magazine from our web site www.classicandcompetitioncar.com
Classic and Competition Car
January 2019
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British Motor Museum events for 2019. The British Motor Museum at Gaydon, has announced a schedule of events for 2019, including the return of popular adult workshops “Living with a Classic Experience Day” and “Classic Virgins Experience day” and an exciting new exhibition ‘The Car. The Future. Me’ which will open on the 13th July. Other highlights include the 60th Anniversary of the Mini, which will be celebrated with three weeks of ‘Mini Madness’ family activities over the Easter school break and a further two events in August. On the 3rd August there will be a Classic Mini Mosaic World Record attempt, where 600 classic Mini’s produced between 1959 and 2000 will spell out ‘Mini 60’. This will be followed on the 4th August by a special one day National Metro and Mini Show. The Gaydon Land Rover Show will return on the 11th and 12th May, while the National BMW Festival will return on 11th August, Europe’s largest gathering of BMW’s. The first event of the year is the Historic Rally Car Register open day on the 12th January 2019. For more information on all these and more events, visit their web site at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/events
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January 2019
Alpine A110 EVO Magazines Coupe of the year award. The Alpine A110 has been named Coupe of the year in Evo magazines annual awards issue. This latest accolade caps a successful 2018 for the Alpine A110, where it has been awarded multiple titles in the UK and across the World: Evo Magazine: Coupe of the year. BBC Top Gear Magazine: Performance Car of the Year & Sports Car of the Year. Motorsport Magazine Hall of Fame Awards: Road Car of the year. Autocar Awards: Five-star car & No1 of Fifty Best New Cars under £50,000 Octane Historic Motoring Awards: Performance Car of the Year. Nominated for European Car of the Year 2019. The A110 is available in two trims: A110 Pure is a driver focused car while the A110 Légende is more of a Tourer with sophisticated interior. Prices start at £46,905. Page 8
Classic and Competition Car monthly magazine. You can get the latest issue of Classic and Competition Car magazine every month from our web site at www.classicandcompetitioncar.com Read it online or download it free from the web site. With over 7 years of history, all our past issues can be downloaded from the Previous issues page of our web site. We also have photo galleries which we hope to expand during 2018, so visit the web site often to see whats new.
Aston Martin Silverstone. Aston Martin’s vehicle dynamics team move up a gear at their new Silverstone base. The trackside location will give the team instant access to World-class testing facilities. Based alongside Silverstone’s Stowe Circuit, Aston Martin Silverstone provides a permanent base for the luxury car makers test and development programmes. With Aston Martin launching a completely new car every year plus multiple special editions, the Vehicle Dynamics experts have a busy programme of prototype vehicle testing and Silverstone’s choice of World class circuits and dynamic handling areas are ideal for working on chassis dynamics and high speed handling development. Once the refit is complete, Aston Martin Silverstone will boast a state of the art workshop with dedicated technicians on site to support all activities. Silverstone’s Stowe circuit will be used to develop future Aston Martins including the Rapide E, the marques first SUV and future mid engined sports cars.
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January 2019
Issue 1
Issue 20
Issue 60
Issue 2
Issue 3
Issue 24
Issue 72
Issue 19
Issue36
Issue 84
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Equipe Pre ’63 Set for bumper 2019.
Andy Priaulx joins Lynk & Co Cyan Racing. Three times World Champion Andy Priaulx has joined Lynk & Co Cyan Racing for the 2019 FIA World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) in a multi year contract. He joins Yvan Muller and Thed Björk in the team to drive the Lynk & Co 03 TCR race cars, and expects to be in a strong position to fight for the overall title in our first year. Priaulx claimed three straight World Titles in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 FIA WTCC and has recently raced in GT, claiming the bronze medal of the 2017 FIA GT World Endurance Championship. Cyan racing was founded in 1996 and was formerly named Polestar until Volvo Cars acquired the performance section and trademark in 2015. Cyan Racing has claimed multiple titles, most recently the 2017 FIA World Touring Car Championship titles for both driver and team, and have participated in the development of the Polestar performance models of the Volvo S60 and V60 between 2013 and 2015.
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The Equipe Pre ’63 series for Appendix K FIA sports cars is set for a thrilling 2019 with eight meetings comprising a mix of sprint and pit stop races. The series recreates the spirit of 1950s clubman motorsport, featuring Aston Martin, Austin Healey, Jaguar, Lotus, MG and Morgan plus many others from period. March 1 Brands Hatch Pre-season test day. April 6 Silverstone (Nat) 1x40 min race. April 27/28 Brands Hatch (Indy) 2x30 min races. May 18 Oulton Park (Nat) 1x40 min race. June 15/16 Silverstone GP 2x30 mins races. July 20/21 Donington 3 hour relay + sprint race. August 3/4 Brands Hatch GP 2x30 min races. September 7 Snetterton 300 1x40 min race. October 5 Silverstone (Nat) 1x40 min race. Their Equipe 3 Hour Classic Relay at Donington Park in July has a major change for 2019. The basic handicap format remains unchanged, but new for 2019 is the removal of the engine size limit which excluded cars over 3 litres in capacity. This will allow Cobras, E-Types and TVR Griffiths to compete in the event for the first time.
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The Leaf Nismo has dual electric motors, all wheel drive and an aggressive restyled body shape. It is equipped with advanced battery technology and drivetrain components from the Nissan Leaf, the World’s best selling electric car. Nissan plan to build six all new Leaf Nismo RC vehicles and deploy them around the World, so fans can experience the power and excitement first hand. The car is powered by two electric motors at opposite ends of the chassis. The motors produce 240 kilowatts (120 kW each) and produce 640 Nm of instant torque to the wheels. The drivetrain technology includes high capacity lithium-ion battery
Nissan Leaf Nismo Electric Race Car. The all new Nissan Leaf Nismo RC is an all wheel drive, zero emission, electric race car which shows off the raw power and performance of Nissan’s electric vehicle technology. The new car has more than double the maximum power and torque of its predecessor. It made its debut at the Nismo Festival at Fuji International Speedway at the beginning of December alongside Nissan’s new Formula E race car. and inverters. The power is managed independently to each axle, instantly supplying torque to the tyre with the most grip, to allow for quick manoeuvrability round the track, with the battery located in the middle of the car and the engines located over the wheel axles. The car also features a full carbon fibre monocoque structure giving it a weight of just 1220 kg. The power to weight ratio gives impressive performance figures with 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 3.4 seconds.
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MG Metro 6R4 for sale at Autosport International Show. A low mileage 1985 MG Metro 6R4 is to be offered for sale at the Silverstone Auctions debut sale at Autosport International Show at the NEC on the 12th January,2019. It was one of only 200 built and has covered just 175 miles. It was originally purchased by the marketing department of Williams Grand Prix Engineering in 1988. As per homologation rules at the time, 200 road going versions had to be built before the Rally version could compete in Group B. These ‘Clubman’ cars developed 250 bhp. This is the closest you can get to the Group B supercar for the road. A full mechanical re-commissioning took place in 2017 by Rally car specialists BGM Sport. It has an estimated value of between £180,000 and £200,000.
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Honda adds Sport Line to Civic range. Announced by Honda UK is a new variant to the popular Civic line up. The Civic Sport Line is available on the 1 litre 127 bhp engine in both manual and CVT transmission. It introduces a more dynamic and sleeker appearance with lower front and side skirts plus rear diffuser, high gloss black cosmetic additions and a unique black leather interior. Priced from £22,445.
HRCR Open day celebrates Mini 60. The Historic Rally Car Register (HRCR) open day at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon on Saturday 12th January 2019 will have a theme of the 60th anniversary of the BMC Mini. The winners and their 6 Mini’s from the last 10 years of the HRCR Mini Sport Cup will be present to enjoy this traditional rally opening event of the year. The Open day is a social gathering where organisers of stage and road Rallies, historic endurance events and scenic tours that will take place during the next 12 months can high-light their events and sign up competitors. There are usually many historic Rally cars on display outside. The Open day runs from 9:30am to 4pm and is free. Entry to the British Motor Museum is extra, if wanted, and charged at normal rates
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Ligier JS P4 Ultimate Challenge. Launched in 2018, the Ligier JS P4, in line with FIA Free Formula regulations will now compete in the Ligier JS P4 The first Ligier Cup will take place in 2019. Ultimate Challenge. Following on from the Ligier JS Cup France, Ligier has created a single make formula based on the Ligier JS2 a dedicated series for the Ligier JS2 R, the Ultimate Challenge R which will start on the 29th and 30th March on the Le Mans will be the ideal platform to start experiencing endurance racing circuit. The Ligier JS2 R was launched on 11th October, an behind the wheel of a sports prototype. In 2019, the Ligier JS P4 anniversary car to celebrate the upcoming 50th birthday of the is already eligible to race in different championships, but the marque, founded in 1969 by Guy Ligier. The program is six races Ultimate Challenge is solely for the JS P4 as part of the Ultimate on the most beautiful circuits in France and one race at the Cup series. Its closed 2 seater cockpit and carbon monocoque legendary Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. follow the LM P3 safety regulations. It is powered by a 3.7 litre 29-30 March Le Mans 4 hour race. Ford V6 engine, producing 330 HP, which is fed through a 6 12-13 April Dijon speed gearbox with a steering wheel paddle shift system and a 24-25 May Spa Francorchamps 4 Hour race. centrifugal clutch. 9 June Magny-Cours 6 Hour race. The Ligier JS P4 will be on track within the championship 7 September Le Castellet 4 Hour race. Prototype category and will be 27-28 September Ledenon 3 1/2 hour race. running with LM P3 sports cars. 18-19 October Nogaro 2 x 4 Hours race. The JS P4 Ultimate Challenge will take place during the last four rounds of the championship, with Mugello and Valencia in Italy and Magny Cours and Paul Ricard in France staging the races. The winner will be offered participation in the 2019 Gulf 12 Hours & 2020 Ligier JS P4 Ultimate challenge.
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Unlikely Jeep wins ‘Top Trump’ Drag race. Jeep put it’s fastest ever SUV, the 710 hp V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk up against two iconic supercars in a ‘Top trump’ inspired drag race. The SUV went up against a 1991 Audi Quattro and a TVR Griffith. The Jeep is the fastest production petrol SUV ever built with a 0-62 mph time of just 3.7 seconds and a quarter mile time of 11.48 seconds. The 6.2 litre supercharged Hemi V8 engined Trackhawk reached a 119 mph over the quarter mile beating the TVR by over two seconds and the Quattro by seven seconds. The TVR crossed the line in 13.81 seconds and the Quattro in 18.48 seconds. This makes the £89,999 OTR Trackhawk a true supercar SUV, and the pound cost per horsepower much cheaper at @127 (£/hp) compared to the Bentley Bentayga (£296 (£/hp) and the Lamborghini Urus at £257 (£/hp).
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Audi Sport confirm six drivers for it’s DTM turbo squad for 2019. DTM Champions René Rast and Mike Rockenfeller are joined by Loic Duval, Robin Frijns, Jamie Green and Nico Müller to drive the Audi RS5 DTM cars. Page 14
of zero emissions motoring, starting at £32,845 (including Plug-in Car Grant). The Kona is available with three separate electric powertrains, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric. The vehicle also offers peace of mind to owners with it’s five year unlimited mileage and eight year or 125,000 mile high voltage battery warranty. They achieved the Manufacturer of the Year award for their investment in low and zero emission vehicles with the launch due in 2019 of the Hyundai NEXO fuel cell vehicle, which will be capable of 414 mile range of zero emissions on each fill of hydrogen fuel. It even cleans the air as it drives, cleaning nearly a tonne of fine particulates from London’s air during October’s ‘Clean Driving Month’. Hyundai is committed to reducing emissions across it’s vehicle line-up which will see 18 new electrified vehicles introduced to its range by 2025, with three new fully electric vehicles by 2022.
Hyundai Kona Electric
Hyundai turns green. Hyundai Motors UK won three major titles at the Next Green Car awards - Manufacturer of the year, Car of the year and family car of the tear 2018. Judges praised the Kona Electric for bringing long-distance Electric Vehicle (EV) technology to the mass market with outstanding value for money and practicality. Overall Car of the year and Family Car of the year went to the revolutionary Kona Electric, capable of 279 miles range
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Hyundai NEXO
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Schumacher exhibition to open at Ferrari Museum. The Ferrari Museum at Maranello in Italy, is dedicating a special exhibition to Michael Schumacher, a homage to the Champion on his 50th Birthday. It is intended as both a celebration and a mark of gratitude to the most successful Prancing Horse driver ever. He holds a special place in Ferrari history, marked by the many records he holds. Between 1996 and 2006 he won five consecutive drivers Championship titles 2000 and 2004, and he played a major contribution to the six Manufacturers titles won by Ferrari. The museum will look back over the seasons the seven times World Champion gave to Ferrari, that created the legend in the hearts of all the fans. It will also show Michaels contribution to the extraordinary GT cars in his years at Ferrai, as both driver and consultant. It opens on his birthday 3rd January 2019. Year of Global awards for Bentley Continental GT. The new Bentley Continental GT received 19 accolades during 2018. GT of the year - Top Gear magazine, Best Interior - GQ magazine plus German Design Awards for the Crewe built Grand Tourer. In total 19 awards from a wide range of publications from countries all over the World, including China, Germany and Russia as well as in its home market of the UK.. In the inaugural News UK Motor Awards, which included The Times and Sun newspapers, the third generation Continental GT was named Luxury Car of the Year. Race Retro celebrates the Turbocharged era. Race Retro will pay tribute to the turbocharged era in the Motor Sport Hall of Fame at the Race Retro Show, from 22nd-24th February 2019 at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry. Marking the 40th anniversary of the first turbocharged car Grand Prix win by JeanPierre Jabouille in the Renault RS10 at the 1979 French Grand Prix, there will be an exciting display of racing machinery which will include the 1986 Constructors Championship winning Williams FW11 powered by the Honda V6 1.5 litre turbocharged engine and driven by Nelson Piquet. Porsche also used the turbocharger in the 1970s in the American Can-Am series in the 917-10 and a car should also be on display. For more information on Race Retro see www.raceretro.com
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Mercedes AMG GT and AMG GT R Pro. Four years after the AMG GT made its debut, the model now comes to the starting line honed further and with a new limited edition AMG GT R PRO. In addition to external updates, the two door AMG GT Coupés and Roadsters are fitted with the AMG DYNAMICS integrated driving dynamics control system for added agility, the new AMG Performance steering wheel, the centre consol with innovative display buttons from the AMG GT 4-door Coupé and a fully digital instrument display with exclusive AMG “Supersport’ display style on the instrument cluster. The AMG GT R PRO is modified in numerous details to deliver even more racetrack performance, the aerodynamic fine tuning
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resulting in even more downforce overall. Lightweight design bucket seats and wheels contribute to the enhanced driving dynamics and faster lap times on the race track. It is the nearest Mercedes AMG production model to a race car, and its overall performance delivers more of that incomparable feeling that our racing drivers experience on track. As in the AMG GT 4 door coupé, the new telematics architecture in the 2 door AMG GT models makes the innovative, standard fully digital instrument display with 12.3 inch instrument cluster and a 10.5 inch multimedia display on the centre console possible.. The instrument cluster has three options, Classic, Sporty or Supersport. In Supersport mode there is a prompt borrowed from the motorsport cars to shift up in manual transmission mode.. Also via the right hand touch control on the steering wheel, preferred information can be selected for display on the left or right side of the instrument panel, including Classic speedometer and rev counter, navigation information or even a g-force display. The GT R PRO is powered by a 4 litre biturbo V8 engine that delivers 585 hp and 700Nm of torque. This gives the car a top speed of 197 mph (318km/h) with a 0-62 mph time of 3.6 secs.
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BARC Rockingham Super Send-Off. Rockingham Motor Speedway. Saturday 24th November 2018 By Simon & Janet Wright with additional photos by David Goose and Stuart Yates of Motorsport-Imagery.
Dave Wheal F1000 Jedi Mk4 won both Single Seater races, the last man to win a single seater race at Rockingham. Š Janet Wright
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View out over the circuit from the main Grandstand area
© Simon Wright
After just 17 years, Rockingham Speedway, near Corby, has now closed for motorsport. The final race meeting was on Saturday 24th November 2018 and billed as the Super SendOff. Using the 1.94 mile International Super Sports Car circuit infield road course layout, the BARC had organised races for single seaters, saloons and GT/Sportscars plus a one hour race, to allow any previous competitors a final chance to race at the circuit. Unfortunately being so late in the year, and relatively short notice, a lot of competitors had already started winter rebuilds, working towards next season, so the entries were not as many as the organisers had hoped for. Each category had © Janet Wright
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two races Martin Poole Mini Cooper took pole during the day, for the first race and finished 2nd each twenty in the second race minutes in duration. First on track were the saloons, which had attracted a reasonable entry of twenty © Janet Wright four cars, with over half the field being Citroen’s which had enjoyed many races at Rockingham in the past. A mixture of the Citroen 2CV and the more modern Citroen C1 cars formed the back half of the grid. Pole position for the first race went to Martin Poole in a ‘New’ Mini Cooper, but it was fellow front row man Andy Baylie who led from start to finish to win the race in his Volkswagen Golf. At the end of the twenty minute race he was almost a full minute ahead of Daniel Kell, who took 2nd place in his Ford Sierra XR4x4. Gary Miller was close behind in 3rd in his Fiat Punto, just ahead of pole man Poole who finished 4th in the Mini Cooper, still taking a class win. The honour of the first Citroen home went to Nick Roads in a 2CV, 12th overall and 6th in class. The first C1 home, and winning the class was Gary Parkes in 13th place overall. The second Saloon race in the afternoon again saw Baylie dominate to take a second victory, this time by well over a minute from Poole in the Mini Cooper, who again
Citroen 2CV battle in the Saloon car race, with Neal Graham leading home Simon Turner and Chris Hall
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Starting grid for the last ever saloon race at Rockingham, Baylie in the VW Golf on pole.
© Janet Wright
took a class win. The only other car on the lead lap was 3rd placed Jason Evans in his Honda Civic Type R. Again, Nick Roads was the first Citroen home, in his 2CV, finishing 5th in class, while the Citroen C1 Andy Baylie took both saloon class winner in race wins in his VW Golf GTi this race was Will Thomas in 12th place overall. The Sports and GT took second slot in the morning, and © Simon Wright had the ‘honour’
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of being the last race at Rockingham in the afternoon. Circuit CEO Peter Hardman claimed pole position in a Radical SR3 sportscar in front of an impressive thirty two car field. He made it a walk over when he led from the start to the chequered flag, taking victory by over twenty two seconds from a class winning Jon Barnes in 2nd driving his Caterham 420R. Lee © Janet Wright Frost took 3rd Gary Parkes/Michael Glajaardt, Citroen C1
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Rockingham CEO Peter Hardman in his Radical SR3 made sure of going in the history books. He won all three races including being the last ever race winner at Rockingham
Š Simon Wright
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© Motorsport-imagery
Lucky Khera Ginetta G55 won his class in the last ever race at Rockingham Ewen Serison Osella FAF took pole position for the first race but finished 2nd
© Janet Wright
to win his class in a Ginetta G55. The second Sports & GT race had the honour of being the last race to be held at Rockingham, and finished in the early evening dusk to a firework display from behind the pits area. The circuit CEO Peter Hardman made sure his name was written in to the history books by taking his third win of the day in his Radical SR3. In this race his winning margin was only just over fourteen seconds from a class winning Lucky Khera in a Ginetta G55, just ahead of the final class winner, Jon Barnes in the Caterham 420R. The only other car to complete the full race distance was 4th placed Jasver Sapra in a BMW E92.
The Single seaters were out last in the morning and first out in the afternoon, after the one hour race. There was a very small entry for these races, with just eight cars taking to the track. Pole position went to Ewen Sergison in the Osella FAF. From the start it was Robert Bailey from the second row of the grid that led the first couple of laps in his Jedi Mk6 before loosing a Will Cox Van Diemen FVJ (3rd) leads Marcus Shead Reynard 883 (4th) and Robert Bailey Jedi Mk6 (5th) in the first race.
Jon Barnes Caterham 420R won his class in the last ever race at Rockingham
© Simon Wright
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© Simon Wright
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lap and rejoining in third on the road, around twenty seconds behind new leader Dave Wheal in a F1000 Jedi Mk4. Bailey took just three laps to un-lap himself and after setting fastest lap of the race at 1 minute 22.719 seconds, over seven seconds faster than the leader, he climbed back to finish 5th overall, only 31.365 seconds behind the winner after the thirteen lap race. Once Wheal was in-front, he stayed there to win by over twenty eight seconds from pole man Sergison. In 3rd place was Will Cox in a Van Diemen FVJ. The second single seater race took place early afternoon, straight
Jonathan Baggott Van Diemen RF95 finished 7th and 5th in the two races.
Single seaters on the banking
Š Simon Wright
Š Simon Wright
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after the one hour race. Dave Wheal wrote himself into the record books taking his second win of the day, and the last single seater race winner at Rockingham. Starting from fifth on the grid, Bailey tore through the field to take 2nd place before the first lap finished, which he held until the chequered flag fell. He took the fastest lap time down to 1 minute 20.864 seconds, over two seconds faster than the race winner, but was still nearly three seconds behind at the finish. Sergison retired on the second lap of the race, which meant that Marcus Sheard took 3rd place in his Reynard 883, but he had been lapped by the first two cars before the end of the fourteen lap race. The high-light of the meeting was a One Hour race straight after the lunch break, for a mixture of Sports/GT and saloon cars. Twenty one cars took to the track, the Circuit CEO Peter Hardman starting from Page 23
© Motorsport-imagery
Robin Lackford's Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite leads from the Radical and MGB.
pole position in the Radical SR3 and he led the first three laps. By the fourth lap, Lucky Khera in a Ginetta G55 took the lead, which he held until the very last lap of the race. Hardman was determined to have a clean sweep on ‘his’ circuit, and took the lead on the last lap, to win by 2.575 seconds from Khera, who
© Motorsport-imagery
also took a class win in the Ginetta G55. Lee Frost in another Ginetta G55 took 3rd place. The other Nick Crispin's Citroen 2CV. class winners were 5th placed Daniel French in a Caterham 270R, two laps behind the winner, 6th placed Nicholas Halstead in a Ginetta G40 GTS, also two laps behind the winner, and eight laps behind the winner in 15th position, the Clarke/Thompson Citroen C1. Hardman also set the fastest lap time with a 1 minute 21.129 seconds near the end of the race. Although this was the last race meeting to be held at Rockingham, the venue did have one more event to hold, one week after this race meting. The Rockingham stages rally report can be read on page 51 © Motorsport-imagery
© Motorsport-imagery
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Jasver Sapra in his BMW M3.
January 2019
Nick Roads Citroen 2CV leads from the much more up to date Fiat and Mini. Page 24
© Motorsport-imagery
Matt Sheppard Caterham 270R
© Motorsport-imagery
© Motorsport-imagery
Will Stowell in the Paul Sheard Racing Mazda MX5 Jacqueline Perkins blasts past the only serviceable Rockingham stand
© Motorsport-imagery
James Townend's Ginetta lifting a front wheel
Richard Issitt Radical RXC Marc Grasby and Steven Walford's Citroen 2CV climbing the hill © Motorsport-imagery
© Motorsport-imagery
Close end to the racing on the last race day at Rockingham
© Motorsport-imagery
Fireworks at the end
© Simon Wright
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© Motorsport-imagery
Will Thomas and Stuart Wright's Rockingham sponsored Citroen C1.
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Rally Round Africa. Report and photos supplied by Andrea Seed Poppyseed media
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Lorenzo Castelini and Paolo Meelloni 1973 Alfa Romeo Giuila Super 1.3
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CHRYSLER AND BMW REIGN SUPREME ON RALLY ROUND’S INAUGURAL AFRICAN ADVENTURE
Vintage winners David & Barbara Berks 1929 Chrysler75
in the Classic category. Organised by Rally Round, the experts in organising epic motoring adventures around the world, 26 crews took part in the four-week adventure which started in Dar es Salaam. The mix of classic and vintage cars journeyed some 6,700km through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, and Swaziland, as well as South Africa. Event Director Liz Wenman said: “Our first adventure across Africa was a huge success both on the road and off. As well as special tests and regularities, our competitors enjoyed six safari drives along the way and visited stunning Reserves and National Parks, where they got up close with Africa’s famous ‘big game.’ It was a great mixture of competition whilst making sure the crews also got to enjoy the fantastic surroundings.”
The inaugural Rally Round Africa rally saw the crews at the wheel of a 1929 Chrysler 75 and a 1972 BMW 2002 Touring reign supreme at the Cape Town finish line. Canadians David and Barbara Berks took the overall win in the Vintage category while Australia’s Steve and Ruth Lambert claimed the honours
Vintage Class winners Laurie & Pam Lyford 1938 Chevrolet Fangio coupe
Classic winners Steve & Ruth Lambert 1972 BMW 2002 Touring.
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The Vintage Class award was given to Laurie and Pam Lyford in the 1938 Chevrolet Fangio Coupe, who were also presented with the Spirit of the Rally accolade. Neil and Alex Lawson-May came second in the 1935 Buick Sedan with third place going to Page 27
Chris & Kathleen Grace from America, 1938 Chevrolet Fangio Coupe.
Philip Lindsten and Eva Schinkler from Sweden in a 1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce
Bob & Joan Sheeley in a 1974 Fod Capri 3 litre
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Mark Winkelman (USA) and Woulter van den Wall Bake (NLD) 1932 Plymouth PB3
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Mark and Julian Griffiths 1938 Chevrolet Fangio Coupe
Adrian & Alison Martin 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback GT
Tony Allen & Fiona Applegarth 1951 Bentley Tourer
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Chris and Kathy Grace in the 1938 Chevrolet Fangio Coupe. In the Classic Claudine Bloom & Andrew Twort Class for Pre-1966 1965 Volvo122 cars, Claudine Amazon Bloom and Andrew Twort secured first place in the 1965 Volvo 122 Amazon, with Chris and Judy Beighton’s 1965 Ford Mustang in second. The 1955 Morgan Plus 4 of Jeremy Holden and Victoria Oliver secured third place as well as the Against All Odds award after suffering multiple mechanical breakdowns but never giving up day after day.
Jeremy Holden and Victoria Oliver 1955 Morgan Plus 4 Against All Odds winners
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Johan Gitsels & Walter Op T’Roodt 1973 Porsche 911
In the Post-1966 cars Class, first place was awarded to Johan Gitsels and Walter Op T’Roodt in the 1973 Porsche 911. Second place went to Lorenzo Castellini and Paolo Melloni in the 1973 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super, while third was Alastair Caldwell and Rachel Christodoulou in the 1967 MercedesBenz 250SL. The final awards were presented to the winning team which went by the name ‘Team Austang’, comprising of Alec and Barbara Hammond and Chris and Judy Beighton, both in 1965 Ford Mustangs, and Steve and Ruth Lambert in the winning BMW. There was also an award for Gary Anderson and Harry Dobrzensky who won the ‘Hire Car’ category in the Ford Ranger. Thanks to the popularity of this year’s event Rally Round has already announced a second Africa adventure is planned for 2021 with entries already being reserved. Rally Round offers amazing adventures all over the world and, with a full calendar up until 2021 and beyond. It creates unique Page 30
Alec & Barbara Hammond 1965 Ford Mustang
Harry Anderson and Count Harry Dobrzensky 1930 Ford Model A Cabriolet
events that combine the passion for historic motorsport with the adventure of global travel. The next event is in April 2019, when Rally Round will take a group of experienced rally crews on the Trans-Himalaya Adventure in April 2019, an unforgettable high altitude expedition through China, Tibet and Nepal. Visit www.rallyround.co.uk for more details.
Neil & Alex Lawson-May 1935 Buick Sedan
Marco Fila & Stephanie Gout 1976 Bentley Corniche
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Archive Photo of the month.
Š Pete Austin
By Pete Austin.
As reported elsewhere in this issue, the Rockingham Motor Speedway near Corby in Northamptonshire has closed its doors for the last time. The first Indycar race at the circuit was held in September 2001. This months photo shows eventual race winner Gill de Ferran in his Marlboro Team Penske Honda Reynard. The image was taken in practice which was curtailed due to water seepage in the track following heavy overnight rain.
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The Timeless New Porsche 911
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Now entering it’s eighth generation, the new Porsche 911 celebrated its World premiere on the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show in America. While retaining its true 911 heritage, it also adapts a more muscular stance. The next generation flat six turbocharged engine now develops even more horsepower, 444 bhp (450PS) as standard in the S model. Efficiency has been increased via an improved direct fuel injection process,
plus a new arrangement for the twin turbochargers and charge air cooling system. The power is fed to the rear wheels by a new eight speed dual clutch PDK transmission. Additional highlights include some new assistance systems including Porsche Wet mode that helps modulate the car’s behaviour on wet roads, and optional Night Vision Assist, where a thermal imaging camera, supported by comprehensive connectivity can be used. The car also sports a 10.9 inch touchscreen monitor in the interior. With the increase of 30 bhp in both the 911 Carrera S and the four wheel drive 911 Carrera 4S, both models have improved their 0-62 mph time by 0.4 seconds. A future 0.2 can be taken
from the time with the optional Sport Chrono package. The rear wheel drive Coupé does 0-62 mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 191 mph while the 4 wheel drive 4S does it in 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 190 mph. The exterior design of the new 911 Type 992, while unmistakably a Porsche 911 is wider than previous models, while wider wheel arches cover the 20 inch diameter front
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wheels and 21 inch rear wheels. Across the nose, the car is 45mm wider, and between the LED headlights lies the distinctive styling of the recessed bonnet that remembers the design of the first 911. To help aerodynamics, the door handles are flush to the body and electrically pop out when required. The rear of the car is dominated by a wider, variable position rear spoiler. The outer skin of the body is made from aluminium apart from the front and rear sections. The interior of the car is completely new, with the facia design inspired by the 911 model from the 1970s. The central rev counter is flanked by two thin frameless freeform displays, which supply further information to the driver. The centre is dominated by the 10.9 inch touchscreen which includes online navigation
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as well as Porsche Connect Plus. As well as the previously mentioned wet mode, there are other driver assistance systems built in to the new 911, including a warning and brake assist which detects the risk of collisions with moving objects and initiates emergency braking if required. The adaptive cruise control option includes automatic distance control and stop and go functions. The 911 Carrera S Coupé with PDK costs from £93,110 RRP and the Carrera 4S Coupé with PDK costs from £98,418 RRP.
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2018/19 SAS Autoparts MSC NZ Tasman Cup Revival Series Rnd 1. ITM SuperSprint/Virgin Australia Supercars Championship NZ round meeting, Pukekohe Park Raceway, New Zealand. 02-04 November 2018 Prepared by FAST COMPANY of behalf of the New Zealand Formula 5000 Association www.F5000.co.nz Photographs by Fast Company/Geoff Ridder.
Ken Smith (Lola T332 #11) leads the final SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F000 Tasman Cup Revival Series race at the opening round of the 2018/19 series at the annual ITM SuperSprint Virgin Australia Supercars meeting at New Zealand’s Pukekohe Park Raceway
© Fast Company/Geoff Ridder
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© Fast Company/Geoff Ridder
Tony Galbraith (Lola T332 #88) heads the mid-field battle pack
SMITH’S PERFECT F5000 SERIES START AT PUKEKOHE Evergreen New Zealand motor racing veteran Ken Smith (Lola T332) has enjoyed a perfect start to his record-extending 61st season of top level motor racing, the 77-year-old qualifying quickest then winning the first two SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series races of the 2018/19 season at the annual ITM SuperSprint Supercars meeting at Pukekoke Park Raceway today. Smith set a pole time of 1:01.6140 – just over 1.5 seconds quicker than category young gun Michael Collins (Leda LT27) in warm, dry track and weather conditions of Friday then won the first race of the 2018/19 SAS Autoparts MSC season in conditions which couldn’t have been more different – grey overcast skies, cool temperatures and a treacherous part damp, part dry track. He then did a 1:01.109 in the second 12
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lap race – held in cool, but dry track conditions – in the afternoon. Smith didn’t quite have it all his own way in the first race, initially leading from Michael Collins – who this year is driving car owner Alistair Hey’s ex Graham McRae/Dexter Dunlop Leda LT27 fresh from a ground-up rebuilt by Christchurch category specialists MotorSport Solutions. However, making the most of his wet tyres, LeRoy Stevenson (McRae GM1) quickly caught and passed teammate Collins and set off after Smith. He got past too - on lap 9 - and looked set to claim a debut class win, holding the lead until the last lap. However as he and Smith closed on Russell Greer (Lola T332) to put him a lap down Smith spotted a gap and eased down on a still patchy track on the inside. That left Stevenson on the outside behind Greer and when the trio exited the Castrol esses it was Smith back in front where he stayed till the chequered flag. Both © Fast Company/Geoff Ridder
Glenn Richards (Lola T400 # 99)
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Š Fast Company/Geoff Ridder
enjoyed the advantage of wet tyres while Michael Collins and most of the other runners opted for slicks. Brett Wills (Lola T330) finished third, Michael Collins fourth, David Banks (Lola T332) fifth and Glenn Richards sixth. The differences in track surface made it particularly difficult for those on slicks with several spinners, including Michael Collins on the warm up lap, and Glenn Richards (Lola T400), Russell Greer (Lola T332) and Aaron Burson (McRae GM1) in the race. Series newcomer Kevin Ingram (Lola T332), himself a former New Zealand Formula Ford champion, came home seventh, ahead of Tony Galbraith (Lola T332), Russell Greer and Aaron Burson Though there were spits of rain as the 14-strong field lined up on the dummy grid for the second SAS Autoparts MSC 12-lap race of the day in the afternoon, the race was run on a dry track albeit still, grey, overcast sky. Having finished second in the first race LeRoy Stevenson joined Š Fast Company/Geoff Ridder
Frank Karl (McLaren M10B #12)
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Second place went to Michael Collins driving the original Graham McRae Leda LT27 GM1 001 #22 owned by Alistair Hey which has been freshly rebuilt in its original fluro pink STP livery by Christchurch specialists Motorsport Solutions Ltd.
fastest qualifier and Race 1 winner Ken Smith on the front row of the grid for the rolling start and held second place until lap five when teammate Michael Collins found a way past. Stevenson remained within striking distance until he out braked himself into the hairpin a lap later and took a trip through the gravel trap before pitting to check for damage. That left Smith and Collins safe at the front with Glenn Richards circulating just ahead of Brett Willis in third with SAS Autoparts main man David Banks and fellow Lola T332 driver Tony Galbraith entertaining the large crowd as they battled mightily for fifth. Banks had the initial advantage, leading Galbraith for the first two laps. Galbraith then got a better run onto the back straight to draft past Banks and edge ahead. Banks then spent the next four laps probing for a way back past, finding it on the eighth lap then holding the position to the chequered flag. Towards the end of the race Aaron Burson was making ground on the pair, crossing the line in seventh place. There was then a gap Page 38
© Fast Company/Geoff Ridder
Former series champ Brett Willis (Lola T330 #16) leads Glenn Richards (Lola T400 # 99)
back to series' newcomer Kevin Ingram, with another small margin to Shayne Windelburn (Lola T400) then Tony Roberts (McLaren M10B), Russell Greer, Peter Burson (McRae GM1) and Frank Karl (McLaren M10B). Taking up where he left off on the first day of racing on Saturday, Kiwi super-veteran Ken Smith (Lola T332) made it three wins from three starts in the third and final SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series race at the annual ITM SuperSprint Supercars meeting at Pukekoke Park Raceway today. As he did in the second SAS MSC series 12-lap race on Saturday afternoon, the 77-year-old grabbed an early lead from pole position in today’s six-lap sprint and was never headed, crossing the finish line just over a second-and-a-half in front of series young gun Michael Collins (Leda LT24) with former series champ Brett Willis (Lola T330) third and series newcomer LeRoy Stevenson (McRae GM1) fourth. Because the race was shortened from the planned 14 laps to just six because of time
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lost repairing a safety fence after an accident in the Porsche series race immediately before, it was doubly important for Smith to get a good start and put a gap on Michael Collins. Which is exactly what he did, claiming his second fastest race lap of the weekend with a time around the notoriously bumpy 2.91km circuit of 1.01.4590. “That’s what we came here to do,” Smith said as well-wishers flocked to his pit to congratulate him, “and that’s what we did. I said to you yesterday that given the right set of circumstances there’s a 60 second time in the car (Smith qualified with a 1.00.6140) in a race but I’d need a few more laps than we got today. Maybe next year!” Second – for the second time in two races – was former South Island Formula Ford champion Michael Collins, enjoying another quick, clean race and the only other driver in the race to record a sub 1:02.000 second lap (stopping the clocks with a 1:01.7300). Collins had his first race in the SAS MSC series at © Fast Company/Geoff Ridder
Ken Smith (Lola T332 #11) leads the first SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F000 Tasman Cup Revival Series race at the opening round of the 2018/19 series meeting at New Zealand’s Pukekohe Park Raceway
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© Fast Company/Geoff Ridder
the ITM SuperSprint meeting would I describe my a year ago so knew the track. weekend? Awesome, just But the 22-year-old admitted awesome. To be able to that he still found the lack of drive a car I can remember run-off and proximity of making such an impression concrete walls at the track’s on me when I was a little fastest sections a little kid? Fantastic. It’s like a disconcerting, particularly this dream come true!” weekend as he was behind Also happy with the way his the wheel of car owner weekend panned out was Alistair Hey’s freshly rebuilt series regular Glenn ex Graham McRae Tasman Richards (Lola T400) who Series-winning Leda LT27. finished fifth. After the “I’m doing the same sort of disappointment of blowing times as I did last year, but an engine at the recent Second place in that race went to former New Zealand Formula Ford champion LeRoy Stevenson in his first series race in the Alistair HeyKen,” he said, “makes up the F5000 50th anniversary owned McRae GM1 driven last season by Michael Collins. time through the really fast, meeting at Laguna Seca in really scary parts of the track. So on the hand I’m fairly happy the United States, Richards was full of praise for specialist with how I’ve gone in the new car this weekend but on the other engine builder Craig Hyland who managed to rebuild the there’s definitely as much time left in me as there is in the car.” engine in time to get the car ready for this weekend’s opening Third after an entertaining race long battle for the final podium SAS MSC series round at Pukekohe. “He’s definitely the guy I spot was former SAS MSC series champion Brett Willis (Lola have to thank,” said Richards. “Not only did he manage to T330), with series newcomer LeRoy Stevenson a hard-won repair the damage and get the engine finished in time its fourth in Alistair Hey’s other car, the McRae GM1 Michael seems to have plenty of power. Brett was able to stay in front Collins raced last season. because he got in front of me at the start but I was all over him Stevenson had to start today’s race from the back row of the out of the corners and if he had made the smallest mistake I grid because he was the last recorded finisher (after pitting to would have been able to take advantage because my car was check for damage after running through a gravel trap) in the so good.” As Willis and Richards diced for position early on a second race on Saturday. He set the third quickest time in battle pack consisting of Tony Galbraith (Lola T332), Aaron today’s race, however, (a 1:03.0860) as he worked his way Burson (McRae GM1) and Kevin Ingram (Lola T332) eased forward. Where he would have got to had the race run its full 14 closer, with Galbraith just over two second behind Richards lap length is anyone’s guess though the man himself was just when the chequered flag came out, and Burson just over a happy having been entrusted with Hey’s car for the round. “How second behind Galbraith in seventh, with Kevin Ingram,
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Shayne Winterburn making up the first nine cars home. Missing from the group, unfortunately, was David Banks, whose Lola T332 had a sticking throttle which could not be repaired in time. That left Tony Roberts in his newly acquired ex David Mitchell McLaren M10B tenth with Russell Greer (Lola T332) and Peter Burson (McRae GM1) completing the finishing order 11th and 12th respectively and Frank Karl the only non-finisher in his McLaren M10B. You can follow the series on Facebook at F5000 New Zealand or on the NZ F5000 Association's website www.F5000.co.nz Race 1 (Sat 12 laps) 1. Ken Smith (Lola T332) 01:11.794 2. LeRoy Stevenson (McRae GM1) 01:10.852 3. Brett Willis (Lola T330) +2.183.130 4. Michael Collins (Leda LT27) +3.330 5. David Banks (Lola T332) +4.894 6. Glenn Richards (Lola T400) + 8.171 7. Kevin Ingram (Lola T332) +9.515 8. Tony Galbraith (Lola T332) +12.908 9. Russell Greer (Lola T332) +16.584 10. Aaron Burson (McRae GM1) +26.864 DNS. Shayne Windelburn (Lola T400), Tony Roberts (McLaren M10B), Peter Burson (McRae GM1), Frank Karl (McLaren M10B)
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Race 2 (Sat 12 laps) 1. Ken Smith (Lola T332) 12:32.9940 (fastest lap 1:01.1090) 2. Michael Collins (Leda LT27) 12:38.5350 3. Glenn Richards (Lola T400) 13:03.7050 4. Brett Willis (Lola T330) 13:10.1360 5. David Banks (Lola T332) 13:20.0990 6. Tony Galbraith (Lola T332) 13:22.2200 7. Aaron Burson (McRae GM1) 13:24.9690 8. Kevin Ingram (Lola T332) 12:33.0080 9. Shayne Windelburn (Lola T400) 12:45.9260 10. Tony Roberts (McLaren M10B) 12:58.1530 11. Russell Greer (Lola T332) 12:58.6090 12. Peter Burson (McRae GM1) 13:15.2170 13. Frank Karl (McLaren M10B) 13:15.5550 14. Leroy Stevenson (McRae GM1) 13:32.3130 Race 3 (Sun 6 laps) 1. Ken Smith (Lola T332) 6:14.0870 (fastest lap)1:01.4590 2. Michael Collins
(Leda LT27) 6:16.6800 1:01.7300 3. Brett Willis (Lola T330) 6:35.7970 4. Leroy Stevenson (McRae GM1) 6:35.9410 5. Glenn Richards (Lola T400) 6:36.1670 6. Tony Galbraith (Lola T332) 6:38.5320 7. Aaron Burson (McRae GM1) 6:39.8920 8. Kevin Ingram (Lola T332) 6:44.6350 9. Shayne Windelburn (Lola T400) 6:47.8740 10. Tony Roberts (McLaren M10B) 6:55.6650 11. Russell Greer (Lola T332) 7:07.9070 12. Peter Burson (McRae GM1) 7:09.5230 DNF. Frank Karl (McLaren M10B 4 laps Š Fast Company/Geoff Ridder
Third in qualifying and the second race was Glenn Richards (Lola T400 # 99)
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VSCC Winter Driving Tests. Bicester Heritage. By Pete Austin.
1st December 2018.
Š Pete Austin
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Emily Fraser - Overland 38 Speedster
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Elders Brexit themed tests on the perimeter of the airfield. With tests carrying names such as ‘May’s Misery’, ‘Macron Fancy’ and ‘Merkel Mash Up’ you get the idea! The oldest car taking part was the 1905 Bianchi of Luke Roberts who went on to win the Veteran and Edwardian class. Best of the Standard Touring Cars was Harry Hoskins in his 1929 Morris Cowley while Eddie Williams won the Modified Sports Car Class in his 1929 Frazer Nash. Guy Lachlan was the winner of the © Pete Austin Luke Roberts - Bianchi 28-40 Cyclecars and Light Bicester Heritage once again played host to the annual Car class in his 1930 Singer. The familiar 1924 Brescia VSCC Driving Tests. Dull, wet conditions greeted Bugatti of Edmund Burgess won the Standard Sports Car competitors and officials alike but to their satisfaction class also taking the inaugural Malcolm Elder Trophy for signing on and scrutineering were carried out in the dry in Standard Vintage Cars. Lucy Hall’s 1910 AC Sociable had the vast expanse of Hangar 113. Medicals, traders and the smallest engine at 634cc and required assistance refreshments were also all based under the same roof. during some of the tests due to a lack of reverse gear. 64 members braved the elements, undertaking 10 Mark
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© Pete Austin
© Pete Austin
Morris Cowley of Paul and Harry Hoskins
The medical team recruited by Willie Sellars and organised by the Ricketts family managed 73 medicals raising £6290
Edmund Burgess - Bugatti T13 Brescia © Pete Austin
Eddie Williams Frazer Nash Super Sports
© Pete Austin
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Scrutineering
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Christopher Mann - Alfa Romeo RL Targa Florio
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© Pete Austin
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which will be distributed between Mission Motorsport, Practical Action and the Multiple System Atrophy Trust. After a wet and mud spattered morning the competitors were glad to get back into the dry of Hangar 113 for liquid refreshment provided by the Wriggly Monkey Brewery and a hot © Pete Austin meal accompanied by live music. An excellent way to end the day. Dougal Cawley - GN-Ford Piglet
Lunch
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© Pete Austin
Memorising May's Misery
© Pete Austin
January 2019
© Pete Austin
Guy Lachlan - Singer Junior
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Lucy Hall - AC Sociable
Roger Tolson - Lea-Francis P Type
© Pete Austin
© Pete Austin
Jonathan Rose - Allard 2 Seater Sports
© Pete Austin
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© Pete Austin
January 2019
Robert Moore - Austin 7
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McLaren 720S Spider
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now electically operated and can raise or lower the roof in just 11 seconds while the vehicle is driving at up to 31 mph (50km/ h). These performance figures have got McLaren to register three Worldwide patents for the roof system. The retractable hard top is available glazed with an electrochtromic glass panel that can rapidly switch between tinted or transparent. With the ignition off, the glazed roof automatically reverts to its tinted
McLaren Automotive is expanding its Super Series product range with the new McLaren 720S Spider, which is the most accomplished convertible supercar from McLaren, offering the thrill of open air driving with Super Series dynamic performance. Built around a light, stiff and strong carbon fibre Monocage II-S, which features integrated rollover protection structure which requires no additional strengthening over the coupe. The bespoke carbon fibre body and the new retractable hard top give the car the lightest dry weight of 1,332 kg, only 49kg more than the 720S Coupé. The car also features excellent driver visability due to unique glazed flying buttresses which also add to the aerodynamic properties of the design and increase downforce. The patented carbon fibre roof system is
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setting to help keep the car cool during hot weather. The car is powered by the mid-mounted McLaren 4 litre twin turbocharged V8 engine, which produces 710 bhp. This gives a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 2.9 seconds (same as 720 S Coupé) and from 0-124 mph (0-200 km/h) in 7.9 seconds (only 0.1 seconds slower than the Coupé). It can do the standing quarter mile sprint in just 10.4 seconds. With the roof up the car can achieve 212 mph and with the roof down it can still reach 202 mph. The active rear spoiler is automatically aerodynamically tuned to closed or open roof driving. It can either decrease drag or increase downflow and also act as an airbrake to enhance vehicle balance under heavy braking. McLaren’s Proactive Chassis Control II hydraulic suspension delivers precise body control with a compliant ride. It is complemented by an electro-hydraulic steering system which is Page 49
climate control, all selectable from an on screen carousel or by buttons below the screen. The dual zone climate control and air conditioning system can also detect if the roof is raised or lowered, and adjusts the temperature and airflow according to ambient settings selected and increasing airflow in to the cabin and moving more air into the footwell or upper cabin areas. Every vehicle is hand assembled at the McLaren Production Centre, in Woking. Deliveries should commence to customers in March 2019, with UK prices starting from ÂŁ237,000.
acknowledged as providing exceptionally pure precision and feedback. These features allow the driver to choose between three handling modes - Comfort, Sport or Track. The Spider also features a new 10 spoke lightweight forged alloy wheel design fitted with Pirelli P ZERO tyres which were designed in conjunction with McLaren to provide the optimum balance of performance, grip, handling and comfort over a wide range of road conditions. Braking is provided by Carbon Ceramic discs with aluminium callipers. The interior is the same luxurious finish as the CoupĂŠ. A centrally mounted 8 inch high resolution Central Infotainment screen, which is used to display audio, media, navigation and
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Rockingham Stages
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Rockingham Motor Speedway, 1st-2nd December 2018. By David Goose & Stuart Yates of Motorsport-Imagery.
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Saturday Stages winners in one of the very quick Ford Escort RS's, Paul King and Alicia Miles.
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After 18 years, Rockingham Motor speedway had become a popular venue for some motorsport fans due to its friendly outlook, but divided opinion amongst competitors. But after numerous “lasts” including the last race meeting ( Super Send Off in November), the last Track day, the last corporate event, it came down to the last 2nd on Saturday was Darryl Morris competitive event, the and Mark Regan Ford Escort Mk2. Rockingham Stages Rally during the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of December before the curtain came down, competitively for the last time on the Northamptonshire circuit. Opened early in 2001, Rockingham opened to the
thunder of a NASCAR test to prove the suitability of the venue for the series from the US. First competitive event was the Cons Historic Festival with the highlight being a lap record set by Nigel Mansell at an average of 163.59 mph. The fastest circuit lap ever in Europe was set by Tony Kanaan in the Rockingham 500 Champ Car Race in September 2001 at an average speed of 215.397 mph, or put more simply, Ben Moore and Andy Tomlinson he covered 1.5 miles in Vauxhall Astra at the back of the just 24.7 seconds. Over Rockingham grandstands waiting for the stage start. the years, BSB, BTCC, Champ Car, and British GT series all visited the circuit. In December 2004 the first Rockingham Stages Tarmac Rally was held at the circuit with competitors including many Subarus, Mk 2 Escorts and a Triumph TR7. In December 2018, the 15th running of the © Motorsport-imagery
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127 Tim Gray and Stephen Craggs in their Subaru Impreza blast down the pit straight.
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Trevor Smithson and Tim Tugwell Hillman Avenger finished 20th on Sunday
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Adrian EasonBassett and Paul Bareham in the unusual Range Rover.
Looked and sounded stunning, Alasdair Stables and Neil Jones Vauxhall Chevette.
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Tim Hill and Paul Spooner Ford Fiesta R5 with 4th overall and first modern car to finish the Rockingham Stages 2018
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who used a pseudonym, “Trevor Smithson”, through to modern day pocket rockets such as the Ford Fiesta R5 and WRC. The two days were very different, with six stages and over 44 competitive miles on each day. The weather on the Saturday was very mixed with very wet stages at some times, whilst the Sunday was mostly dry. Saturdays event was won by Paul King and Alicia Miles in their Ford Escort Mk2 RS, with other Mk 2 Escorts filling the podium positions. Even in the wet, a well driven rear wheel drive Escort is a match for the very potent modern day 4 wheel drive cars.
Stephen Tilburn and Jack Tilburn Ford Escort Mk 2 finished in 3rd on Saturday.
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Rockingham Stages Rally included many Subaru’s, Mk 2 Escorts and a TR7, funny how some things don’t change. Run over two days, the event comprised two rallies, one each day, competitors of all experience levels and class could compete on either day or both days. Cars entered into the events ranged from an old Hillman Avenger reportedly driven by an Octogenarian although little was known about the driver Anthony Robinson and Mark Witherspoon's Millington Proton 5th on Saturday.
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John and Alex Stones in the victorious Fiesta WRC on Sunday.
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Sundays rally had a different result, with John and Alex Stone in the Legends Fires Ford Fiesta WRC winning the event, from yet another Mk2 Escort of Mark Jasper and the Mazda MX-5 of Dave Crowsley. Clearly a very well run and supported event but sadly the event next year will have a new name and a new venue, one suggestion was a rally at a single site in the Peterborough Page 55
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Mark Jasper and Don Whyatt Ford Escort Mk2 finished 2nd on Sunday.
Rare competitive sight these days Dean Fewings and Bob Smith in the Triumph TR7 V8.
area although this was one of many rumours doing the rounds on the final day. At the end of the event, the souvenir hunters were out with everyone looking for something to remember Rockingham by,
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before the lights were turned off for the final time on what is, or now was probably the most friendly race circuit in the UK. ex Rockingham staff member Cat Lund and Alex Tasylor in the Subaru Forester.
3rd on Sunday Dale Crowsley and John Vaudin Mazda MX-5 GT
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Wayne Larbalestier and Sarah Parrish in the Mitsubishi.
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John Legg and Dave Parsons Ford Escort Mk2 retired
William Hill and Richard Crozier's Ford Fiesta R2T finished 14th © Motorsport-imagery
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Andy & Alex Reid Peugeot 205 Maxi 16th on Sunday
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Latchezar and Svetlana Delibashev try extra downforce on the Ford Focus (33rd)
Kevin and Sue Fossey Ford Escort Mk2 (19th) bettle with the Vauxhall Nova of Richard Bromley and Adrian Lloyd (Retired)
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Š Simon Wright
Midlands Enthusiasts Cars and Coffee, The Nickelodeon, Greene King Pub and Carvery, Bentleybridge Way, Wolverhampton 18th November 2018. By Simon Wright.
Eye catching red 1995 5.7 litre Pontiac Trans Am
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were in concours condition. A couple of immaculate Honda Civic Type R models caught the eye, with the red brake callipers standing out against the jet black of the rest of the vehicle. Another interesting view was two generations of Honda Civic parked side by side. It was immediately obvious that the new 2015 Civic is bigger than the previous 2002 Civic Type R model. © Simon Wright
Honda Civic Type R
© Simon Wright
The Midlands Enthusiasts Cars and Coffee meetings are regularly held monthly on a Sunday morning at the Nickelodeon, Greene King Pub and Carvery, Bentleybridge Way, Wolverhampton, behind the Bentley Bridge Shopping centre. The Facebook based group meets are open to any type of car enthusiast, and meet on the pub car park. The November meeting, held on Sunday 18th of November had a reasonable turn out for what was a cold but dry morning. At this time of year, many enthusiasts have parked up their show cars, either for the winter or for restoration and maintenance, so there are never as many people as at meetings held during the summer. There was a mix of classic and modern vehicles on display, with some nice modern hot hatches that
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Pontiac Bonnerville
The classic car scene was quite well represented. An unusual sky blue 1966 6.5 litre V8 Pontiac Bonnerville stretched across the car park. Although only a 2 door hardtop, being a typical American vehicle of the 1960s it was 18ft 6 inches in length. © Simon Wright This was a fourth generation Bonnerville, built in Michigan USA, and this version was built between 1965 to 1970. This car was based on the General Motors B Platform, which was the fourth best selling automobile platform in history, behind the Volkswagen Beetle, Ford
Honda Civic old and new
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compartments. The Ford Cortina was one of Britains most popular cars for many years in all it’s various models. These were both Mk II models, which were built between 1966 and 1970. The four door 1600E was first introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1967 with a higher trim level than the standard model, which included a burr walnut woodgrain trimmed dashboard and door capping, bucket seats, leather clad aluminium sports steering wheel and full instrumentation inside and a black grill, tail panel, front fog lights and plated Rostyle wheels with radial tyres. It also featured the lowered suspension of the Lotus Cortina and the high tuned GT 1600 Kent engine.
Ford Cortina GT and 1600E
Model T and the Lada Riva. A more local pair of classics were two spotless Ford Cortinas, a green 1966 1.5 litre Ford Cortina GT and a purple 1968 1.6 litre Ford Cortina 1600 E, both proudly displaying their clean engine
© Simon Wright
© Simon Wright
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Ford Cortina 1600E engine bay.
Vauxhall Chevette
Another popular car in period, which you don’t see many on the roads now, was an immaculate white 1981 Vauxhall Chevette hatchback. This was the General Motors T-Car, the small family car that was sold World wide as the Opel Kadett in Page 60
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Germany, the Isuzu Gemini in Japan, the Holden Gemini in Australia, and the Chevrolet Chevette in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina. It was also re-badged in America and Canada as the Pontiac Acadian or Pontiac T1000. A white 1982 Ford Escort Custom Mk3 was a typical special model, usually produced by dealers, to add extra value to one of the most popular cars of all times. This third generation of the Ford Escort was built between 1980 and 1986 and became the best selling car in the UK for eight years starting in 1982. Honda Civic Jordan
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Ford Escort Custom Mk3
Another special production model was the yellow Honda Civic Jordan, produced in 1999 to celebrate Honda’s relationship with the Jordan Grand Prix team. It modified the standard 160 bhp VTi into a limited edition of just 500 cars, making it the fastest Civic available in the UK at the time. It featured black
and yellow leather seats as well as an Eddie Jordan plaque on the centre consol and a Jordan logo on the side and a Buzzing Hornet sticker on the rear. In keeping with the unusual vehicles on display was a red 2000 Volkswagen Lupo. The Lupo was introduced in 1998 to fill a gap in the Volkswagen range for a small car to replace the Polo, which had got bigger with each new version. It was a re-badged version of the 1997 Seat Arosa. A three door hatchback City car, with front engine and front wheel drive, with various engines fitted, ranging from a 1 litre petrol to 1.6 litre petrol and 1.2 litre diesel to 1.7 litre diesel, this particular car had the 1.4 litre petrol engine fitted. The model was finished in 2005. Lupo is Latin for Wolf and the car was named after its home town of Wolfsburg. VW Lupo
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MG pair © Simon Wright
Ford F150 V8 Boss 5.4 © Simon Wright © Simon Wright
Nissan GT-R
There were a few high performance or supercars present, with a striking red 5.7 litre Pontiac Trans Am from 1995 and a 2010 Nissan GT-R. The Trans Am with its large 5.7 litre V8 engine has a 0-60 mph in 6.0 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. The more modern Nissan GT-R with its V6 twin turbo, all wheel drive and automatic transmission can do 0-60 mph in around 3.3 seconds with a claimed top speed of 196 mph. Another big engined vehicle was a 2003 Ford F150 V8 Boss 5.4 litre pickup truck.
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Subaru Impreza
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Subaru and Honda Hatchbacks
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Christmas Cracker Autotest. Bobbington, near Wolverhampton. 27th December 2018. By Simon Wright
Gregory Kilmurray in his MG TF having fun in the mud He finished 15th in the Autotest.
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majority of tests were on solid surfaces, tarmac or concrete, which still allowed plenty of sliding with the correct application of the handbrake. This must be one of the cheapest forms of motorsport for people to compete in, but offers the chance to learn great car control away from the public highway. Once everybody had walked the course to make sure they knew which way round the marker cones they had to drive, it was Aaron Pountney in a Mk2 Ford Escort that started the
Autotest winner Ian Jarman Subaru Impreza powers round the cones
James Seymour took 3rd in the Ford Fiesta © Simon Wright
Two days after Christmas, most people were either sitting watching festive TV or had headed to the shops to the Christmas Sales. But not the hardy members of Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club, who headed out to land just next to Bobbington Airport, Stourbridge for the Christmas Cracker Production Car Autotest. There was an interesting collection of cars assembled ready for action round the marker cones, with most cars being shared. The © Simon Wright
2nd place went to Phil Matthews in a BMW Compact
© Simon Wright
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action. After all the tests had been completed, the times recorded and any penalties (for leaving the course or hitting a course marker) taken into account, the results were declared. The winner was Ian Jarman, who was driving Andrew Taylor’s Subaru Impreza for the first time, who emerged as the surprised winner with a score of 10.16. In 2nd place was Phil RoamerCo Matthews in a BMW Compact with a final score of 10.25. Showing that there is no ‘ideal’ car for these events in 3rd was a Ford Fiesta driven by James Seymour with 10.31 Page 64
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Aaron Pountney in the Ford Escort Mk2 was keen to get started and eventually finished 10th in the Autotest
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and 4th was Tim Cross in a Renault Clio with 10.40 After the tests had all been completed, the Organisers then sprang their Christmas surprise, a Race of Champions style ‘shoot out’ where two cars would compete side by side, taking the route in a different order, with the looser of each heat, out. The original order was decided by the organisers, taking into account the times set by the drivers in the previous tests and also that many cars were being shared. This was to try and
The two winners together for their heat of the Race of Champions
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ensure that drivers competed against someone at a similar level, at least for the first round. The Autotest winner Ian Jarman, in the Subaru Impreza, was drawn against Alex Barker in a BMW Compact for their The aim is to drive round the cones, heat, and Jarman harder than it looks. Will Atkins BMW Compact still finished 5th in the Autotest went straight out, loosing to Barker. His defence was that he was beaten by Barker who went on to win the Race Of Champions shoot out. All the competitors
Tim Cross in the Renault Clio was probably the most consistent competitor with 4th in the Autotest and 3rd in the Race of Champions
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Race of Champions winner Alex Barker in the BMW Compact.
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loved this event, that went round cut down tree log piles and featured a very muddy corner at the bottom end of the test, which all competitors had to negotiate. After the various heats and semi finals, it came down to Barker in the BMW Compact
Youngest competitor Owain Thomas Peugeot 206 won his first heat in the Race of Champions and finished 16th in the Autotest.
against Harry Billington for the final. This may have been lost when Billington ran into one of the log piles with the nose of the Mazda. After backing out he was already behind and having lost the final, had a quick spin round one of the final marker cones. This gave Alex Barker in the BMW Compact the victory with Harry Billington, in a Mazda MX-5, 2nd and Tim Cross in his Renault Clio was 3rd. The Toyota MR2 of Nichola Dodd who finished 16th in Autotest
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Andy Seymour Smokes his tyres on the Ford Fiesta on the way to 14th place.
Andrew Taylor in his Subaru Impreza finished 7th in the Autotest © Simon Wright
© Simon Wright
Philip Atkins BMW Compact finished 12th
Grant R Victory in the Citroen Saxo finished 8th in the Autotest. © Simon Wright
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Closing Shot
This was the last competitive event at Rockingham before they closed their doors. Andrew Williamson and Dave Taylor in a Mk2 Ford Escort Mk2 finished 27th in the Rockingham Stages Rally.
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