motorsportnews Fun is Go Go Go
The Club has started its 2022 track action in style. There’s been trips to Wales for the first trackday of the year at Anglesey and for the race championship to Croft in Yorkshire. A warm welcome from each Club region made the days even more enjoyable for all who attended.
T
he now annual Anglesey trackday attracted some regulars, some new drivers and the North Wales region, who wanted to enjoy the Welsh trip that never fails to deliver in terms of weather, track time and space. We have already pencilled in next year’s date, so we look forward to seeing more new people sample the Club’s Trackday Register hospitality. Drivers of the day were Nick Thomas and Simon Maskell as voted for by the circuit marshals. The BMW Car Club Racing (BMWCCR) started the season at Croft Circuit, which is always worthy of the trip. Drivers and supporters, together with North East Region members, enjoying the challenging circuit and a great day out with friends and family. As we had a live feed on Facebook, many members and enthusiasts were able to watch it online and share the experience. The #bmwfamily all came together to help each other to get through testing and then share some of the problems at scrutineering. Mike Cutt helped install a fire extinguisher so that Colin Whitmore could get on track. The North East and Eastern region members put on a much anticipated display, which was a great addition to the paddock and a boost for the drivers. Qualifying also brought some
Graham Growhurst - M1 Class Winner
14 BMW Car Club Magazine May 2022
Andrew Pywell - Youngest Driver to start a race
drama. Mike Cutt had a sticking brake and Paul Cook had clutch issues. With Stuart Pywell pulling off early, this resulted in three quick cars starting from the back of the grid, which was going to be interesting given their potential pace. With last year’s champion not present,
due to his car not being ready, and the class champions moving classes, we were guaranteed new winners and that proved the case with Graham Crowhurst claiming a pole-position-to-chequeredflag victory in his new M1 car for the first time. Mike Cutt and Paul Cook claimed second and third, with Mark Culmer fourth and Colin fifth in M1 Class. In Class 6 it was Lee Piercey taking the win after his winter changes. He piped Jim Benson and Steve Schwiekhardt, with Adam Read claiming fourth. There was an overdue win for Gareth Thomas in BMWcup class. He was chased home by Sam Walton and debutant Leigh Spencer. There was close racing throughout the grid with drivers having their own battles on this magnificent track, which also witnessed some of our longest standing lap records tumble in M1 and Class 6. As this was also the Russ Cockburn Memorial meeting, it was appropriate to finish the day with the best races of the weekend. The top three cars diced until the chequered flag, with Mike taking an emotional win from Graham and Paul. In Class 6, Lee took the win followed home this time by a rejuvenated Stuart Pywell and Jim Benson in a solid third. www.bmwcarclubgb.uk
