Round 1 - Brands Hatch - Sunday 13th March

The changes in the calendar throughout the winter had thrown many plans into confusion as the start of the season came back a month from April 10 to March 13. This was certainly reflected in the size of the entry for Round 1 on the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit when only 26 cars took part. This would have made an acceptable single grid race but split in two it all looked a bit thin on the ground. As there were sufficient Class F runners for a race ion their own, it was decided to bolster A to D by moving the three Class E cars in with them.

Since we were last at Brands in November there have been several changes to the run-off areas, notably on the exit of the hairpin where the barriers have been pushed back. Photograp hers were also pleased to find that the debris fencing on the inside of the circuit at Druids had been removed altogether so it was once again possible to have a clear view of cars all through the corner.

Classes A to E qualified first and despite losing several laps to have a missing oil filler cap replaced, it was Bob Godbold who emerged on pole with his 16v 33. He was particularly pleased because he also had a rear brake imbalance which was to affect him throughout the day. Andy Page was a comfortable second fastest ahead of Tony Soper whose GTV was struggling with a lack of fourth gear. A surprising fourth quickest, heading Class C, was John Clonis who eased out Anthony George’s similar 33 16v by a mere 0.31” Graham Seager was the only Class D runner in the ex Roger Evans 155 3 litre while Chris Finch (156) took fastest time in Class E.

After the dominance of the 16v 33s last November, it was going to be interesting to see how the 8v versus 16v battle continued at the start of a new season. The answer was given by Nikolaos Mantikas who took pole in his 8v 33, ahead of the 16v versions of Paul Lund and James Burland with the 8v’s of Alastair Iles, Phil Astell and David Hughes next in line.

They say that it only takes two to make a race, and Andy Page and Bob Godbold did their best to fulfil this old adage by fighting for the lead throughout the 20 minute (23 lap) race. Andy led all the way but Bob did get alongside him more than once. In the end Andy got through the back markers better, scoring an excellent win and breaking Graham Presley’s Class A lap record into the bargain. Bob eased right off at the finish but was never troubled by Tony Soper who brought his handicapped GTV home 3rd. The close Class C lap times in qualifying were repeated in the race when John Clonis led Anthony George for 11 laps. Even when he had been passed, John never gave up and crossed the line only 1.2” adrift. Chris Finch led class E all the way, much of the time in company with Tony Matthews’ Class C 33. There was a close contest between Graham Seager and Jeff Kite’s Class E 75 but Graham suffered clutch failure before the finish.

The start of the Class F race was a shambles! Alastair Iles, James Burland, David Hughes and Steve Foley all made contact on the line although only Steve was destined not to take the restart. At Paddock Phil Astell spun but continued while Richard Wilkins ended in the edge of the gravel. The Clerk of the Course immediately deployed the red flag. “Part Two” was shortened to 18 minutes (still good for 19 laps). At the first start, Nik Mantikas had been very slow off the line and he was determined not to make the same mistake again but despite a better getaway he was not able to stop Paul Lund assuming the lead. However as they rushed through Surtees and up towards Clearways, Paul with Nik close on his heels threw it all away, spinning wreathed in tyre smoke and resuming 10th. Thereafter, all eyes were on the pale yellow 33 16v as it stormed through the field in pursuit of the leading trio Nik Mantikas, James Burland and Phil Astell. Into lap 11 he had disposed of Phil but Paul’s car was smoking badly from a failing drive shaft and he had been given the black and orange flag. At the end of the lap he peeled into the pits, race over. This left Nik Mantikas to fend off a strong challenge from James Burland although it always seemed that perhaps Nik had something in reserve as whenever James edged closer, he was able to pull out another small gap. This was how the situation remain to the finish – Nikolaos Mantikas crossing the line just 0.51” clear of James with Phil Astell a further 2 seconds back. Fourth was Alastair Iles followed home by Shaun Hazlewood, Kevin Kemplen and newcomers, Garrett MacDonnell and Alan Collett.

Indochine Driver of the Day Awards went to John Clonis and James Burland.

Round 2 is at Oulton Park on Easter Monday.

Round 2 - Oulton Park - Monday 28th March

We had hoped that an opportunity to race on the Oulton Park Island circuit rather than the more familiar Fosters would have attracted a larger entry than we had at Brands Hatch two weeks earlier. However, we were to be disappointed, mainly because so many of the A to D cars are not yet ready or competitors have decided that Anglesey in May, or even Silverstone in June will be the start of their 2005 season. It was decided, therefore, that the twenty five cars present would form a single grid to improve the “show”. Andy Page and Bob Godbold had the only two modified cars entered but sadly Bob’s 33 broke its crankshaft in qualifying and was to be a non starter. This left Roger Evans to join Andy on the front row with his superb new 3.0 24v GTV which gained admiration from commentators David Addison and Ian Titchmarsh, both GTV owners. Anthony George would line up 3rd quickest in his Class C 33 16v.

Even if there was little to excite us at the head of the field, the E & F entry was quite strong and we were therefore sure of some good racing further back. In E, the 156s of Chris Finch and Andy Inman were to be joined by the 146s of Andy Woodall and Graham Heels and the little seen, but always quick, 145 Cloverleaf of Phil Donaghy. Chris would end 7th fastest overall and on class pole ahead of Graham and Phil. Lee Penn was back in Class F with the 33 16v with which he took two surprise wins at the end of last year but Paul Lund and Brands winner Nikolaos Mantikas were intent on giving him a hard time. Lee had tested the previous day but mid session it looked as though Paul and Nik would prove quicker until on his very last lap, Lee pulled out a really quick lap to edge out Nik by 0.6” with Paul third, followed by Phil Astell and Alastair Iles.

Andy Page wasted no time in moving ahead at the start, with Roger Evans in pursuit, but Anthony George was slow off the line and coming out of Old Hall Lee Penn and Nik Mantikas made contact which resulted in a long excursion down the grass for Nik. He was able to get the orange 33 back on the track with no obvious damage but it meant that he had lost touch with Lee and Paul. Phil Astell was running well just behind Nik and then came a fierce Class E tussle with Phil Donaghy leading Chris Finch! Anthony George was coming back through the field despite hitting Graham Seager’s 155 which had dislodged the Class D car’s rear bumper. Bumpers were to feature strongly as Chris Finch and Phil Donaghy also made contact at Lodge on lap 2, dislodging the rear bumper of the 145 which would continue to loosen itself and flap around. Chris Finch had moved ahead but also fallen prey overall to Graham Seager whose 155 was going extremely well, rear bumper-less!

Andy Page was cruising around, well off his qualifying best, which gave Roger Evans hope that perhaps there was something amiss with the Giulietta – not a chance! Lee Penn was lying 3rd overall as the cars completed lap 3 in what would be a 12 lap (20 Minute) race with Paul Lund hanging on, a second back but clear of Nik Mantikas who was passed by the charging Anthony George on lap 4. Phil Donaghy, bumper flying, was still holding on brilliantly to Chris Finch but was beginning to see Graham Heels edging closer although Graham must have been wondering at what point the errant bumper might fly off. Alastair Iles was driving hard chasing Graham but there was now a long gap to the rest of the field headed by Shaun Hazlewood (33) and Andy Woodall (146).

At the half way stage Roger Evans was still holding station some 3 seconds behind Andy Page, the GTV looking superb as it breasted the hill onto the start/finish straight. Paul Lund had lost touch a little with Lee Penn as Anthony George fought back to his rightful slot ahead of the Class F cars but Nik Mantikas was beginning to see a lot more of Phil Astell’s yellow 33 in his mirrors. Graham Heels had trampled past Phil Donaghy’s car widening bumper and we wondered if he could do anything to close the gap between himself and Chris Finch over the next few laps. Phil Astell was trying hard to find a way past Nik Mantikas but both had to cope with Graham Seager who now appeared to be getting to grips with the 155 passing the two 33s through Old Hall on lap 10, leaving Nik and Phil to fight it out. By lap 10, Anthony George had passed Lee Penn into third overall and Lee had a four second advantage over Paul Lund. Graham Seager was 6th but Phil Astell had made an error and dropped three seconds away from Nik Mantikas and would spend the final couple of laps trying to claw this back.

Andy Page crossed the line 9 seconds ahead of Roger Evans to take his second overall win of the year, Roger having an excellent debut with the GTV to win Class D. Anthony George had recovered well to finish 3rd ahead of Class F winner Lee Penn. Paul Lund, realising that he could not catch Lee has eased off slightly but was still comfortably ahead of Graham Seager while Phil Astell could only cut the gap between himself and Nik Mantikas to 1.5 seconds by the flag. 9th overall was Class E winner Chris Finch with Graham Heels, Alastair Iles and Phil Donaghy the next home. Tony Matthews would take 2nd in Class C ahead of Chris Healey, driving the second “Track & Race” 33 who had enjoyed a good battle with daughter Mel.

The Oulton result confirmed Chris Finch’s overall championship lead from Anthony George, with Nik Mantikas and Andy Page sharing 3rd ahead of Tony Matthews.

Indochine Driver of the Day Awards went to Graham Seager (A to D) and Phil Donaghy (E & F)

Round 3 - Brands Hatch - Sunday 3rd April

August 2002 was the last occasion that we were able to race on the 2.62 mile Brands Hatch GP circuit, the day bringing wins for Ray Mears’ fearsome 33 Turbo (A to D) and Chris Forrest (E & F) although the latter’s win came about after the premature end to the race with a well documented multi-car accident on the exit of Druids. At the beginning of this year, the barrier at this point was moved back and showed its good sense when Alan Hudd was able to avoid a car crunching accident in the April 3 qualifying session.

Timetable issues meant that we were always only going to be able to run one grid at Brands but it came as a surprise that despite the attractions of this great circuit we were not able to provide a full 38 car field. In the end, on a lovely spring day, there were 28 cars that went out to qualify, very quickly reduced to 27 when a front doughnut exploded on Jeff Kite’s 75 Twin Spark, shattering the bellhousing. With no spare available, Jeff would be a disappointed non starter.

A welcome first appearance of the year was that of Tim Lewis, Adie Hawkins having worked some very late nights to get the Alfasud Sprint ready, Tim only putting in his entry on the previous Thursday. However, none of that stopped him being straight back into the groove, doing three very quick laps mid session to annexe pole. Alongside him on the grid would be Tony Soper (GTV) who had put in one really rapid lap while Andy Page (Giulietta Turbo) and Nick Sismey (33 1.9 16v) completed row 2. There was then a considerable gap before the leading Class C car, the 33 16v of Anthony George, winner both times out so far. He had a 2.3” advantage over the fastest of the Class F cars, Paul Lund’s 33 16v. This was much more representative than the gap we had seen up at Oulton. Graham Seager was the only Class D representative again and would line up on the 6th row.

It was clear that much of the excitement in the race would be amongst the E & F cars that made up two thirds of the field. With Paul Lund securely on class pole, the next few cars were very evenly matched, led by James Burland, Nikolaos Mantikas and Alastair Iles. Chris Finch headed Class E but his session would come to a premature end when the engine just stopped with what appeared to be an electrical problem His closest rival, Nick Suiter’s 146 would start several rows further back. So Chris remained confident for the race if the Bianco team could trace the fault. Phil Astell was disappointed with his qualifying performance and hoped that he could outdrag Graham Seager’s 155 off the line and tack onto the tail of the other Class F cars ahead. Next in line were Simon Hampton, having his first race of the year, Martin Jones and Mel Healey , very evenly matched with their 16v 33s, Nick Suiter’s 146 and the 33 8v of the returning Alan Collett.

Some delays in the first race of the afternoon meant that the programme was running late throughout and so it was 5.45 rather than 5.15 when the 27 Alfa starters were unleashed for their 20 minute (12 lap) race. As the red lights were switched off Tim Lewis was slow away and found himself boxed in as Nick Sismey sprinted through into the lead. Tony Soper soon took over at the front briefly but by the end of the first lap Tim had reasserted himself, Sprint leading GTV across the line by under a second with Andy Page 3rd and Nick Sismey back to fourth. Anthony George lay 5th with Class F leader Paul Lund just behind him and being menaced by Nik Mantikas. James Burland was running 3rd in F with a fast starting Phil Astell already chasing hard having passed three cars on the first lap. Class E had Chris Finch’s 156 seemingly in control but he never completed lap 2, the electronic glitch having returned, ending his day and overall championship lead. Tony Soper was holding on well to Tim Lewis but his efforts came to nought on lap 3 as smoke started to show as the GTV passed behind the pits. He would retire shortly after, as would Nick Sismey.

All this left Tim Lewis with a 4 second lead over Andy Page at the end of lap 4 with Anthony George already half a minute behind, such was the pace of the first two. Paul Lund had set some very quick laps to draw away from Nik Mantikas, the gap being 4.2 seconds by the end of lap 5 but Nik was now under pressure from James Burland who was lapping slightly quicker, as was Phil Astell.

Alastair Iles was having a lonely run (5th in F) while Alan Collett was going well again and challenging Graham Seager’s Class D 155 for 9th overall. There were other excellent battles going on to keep everyone entertained – Martin Jones and Simon Hampton, Nick Suiter and Mel Healey, Shaun Hazlewood versus Ray Foley and Richard Wilkins and Andy Inman!

Alan Collett blotted his copybook on lap 6 by going off at Dingle Dell while the gap between Nik Mantikas and James Burland seesawed to and fro. Phil Astell was finding it hard going to make progress but then he seemed to move up a gear, the lap times came down and he closed right in on James and Nik , as James himself was trying to get into second spot. Lap 9 it was all change as Phil Astell went past James and set his sights on Nik Mantikas. In the process, he set a sub 1’51” lap, the only class F driver to do so other than Paul Lund. Into the final lap the opportunity was there. Down into Graham Hill Bend Phil tried an ambitious move down the inside of Nik, perhaps not aware that they were about to be lapped by the leader Tim Lewis. Phil and Nik touched and in the ensuing confusion as Phil spun, Tim almost had to stop and then drive round Nik on the grass! Fortunately everyone could carry on although Phil Astell had lost his chance of a deserved 2nd place in F. Tim Lewis eventually crossed the line (to Adie’s relief no doubt!) 22 seconds clear of Andy Page with Anthony George 3rd, as at Oulton. Paul Lund took his first Class F win of the year, followed home by Nik Mantikas, James Burland (less than a second adrift), Phil Astell and Alastair Iles. 9th overall and winner of Class D was Graham Seager.

While all this was going on, the battles further down the field continued unabated, although we lost Simon Hampton on lap 8. The jousting over the final 4 laps between Martin Jones, Nick Suiter and Mel Healey was superb, this trio being separated by just 0.7” as they crossed the line, Nick being a surprised winner of Class E as he didn’t know of Chris Finch’s retirement. Ray Foley delighted himself by coming home ahead of Shaun Hazlewood while Andy Inman went ahead of Richard Wilkins at the halfway stage and stayed there. Tony Matthews had been hoping to move through the field after gearbox problems earlier in the day had left him way down the grid, and his time on lap 2 was encouraging but he then got bogged down and it was only towards the end that he got going quicker again, chasing home the remarkable Simon Scott in his Alfasud Sprint 1.5. Tony would be classified 2nd in class C.

Two lap records were broken during the race – Tim Lewis setting a new record Overall and for Class B while Graham Seager set a new best lap for a Class D car.

The Brands result left Anthony George as new Championship leader with 70 points, 14 clear of Andy Page and Nik Mantikas who shared 2nd place while Chris Finch had dropped to 4th.

“Indochine” Driver of the Day Awards went to Tim Lewis (A to D) and Martin Jones (E & F).

The Trofeo Biscione – a new award which replaces the Alfasud and Arese Trophies for an outstanding performance by a car built representing a model which entered production up to and including 1986 – went to Simon Scott with his Alfasud Sprint 1.5

Rounds 4 & 5 will take place at Ty-Croes, Anglesey over the weekend May 7 / 8.

Rounds 4 & 5 - Anglesey - Saturday 7th May & Sunday 8th May

It may seem a long way to go, but it is spectacular when you get there! The 1.057 mile Anglesey circuit sits on the Western side of the island, overlooking the Irish Sea with Snowdonia looming in the distance. Built within the confines of an old military installation the track itself is one that drivers regard as a challenge despite its short length, incorporating some rare changes in elevation and with both fast and medium speed corners plus a chicane and a tight hairpin. The last time we were there was August 2001 and we were hoping that the weather would again treat us kindly as the only drawback to Anglesey is the sea mist and, if it rains, you would rather be somewhere else !!

Usually for double header meetings, the result of the first race decides the grid for the second but on this occasion there was plenty of time for qualifying sessions on each day as well as two 20 minute races for everybody. The entry looked more promising in A to D this time with Paul Buckley and Ian Brookfield making their first appearances in Class A with 75 Turbo and 164 respectively, the return of Bob Godbold in Class B and a five car Class D entry with Roger Evans (GTV) and Graham Seager (155) being joined by the 75 3 litres of Peter Sloan, Andrew Bramah and newcomer Jim Dean. Favourites for overall victory, however, were Andy Page (Giulietta) and Tim Lewis (Alfasud Sprint). In E & F, Nik Mantikas (33 8v) was the undoubted favourite but after his forceful drive at Brands Hatch in round 3, Phil Astell (33 8v) was determined to make his mark. Graham Heels and Chris Finch also fancied their chances overall in their Class E cars.

Saturday E & F qualifying ended with Nikolaos Mantikas on pole with Graham Heels alongside him and Steve Foley (33 8v) happy to outpace Phil Astell with an electrically troubled Chris Finch and David Hughes (33 8v) next in line. In the race Nik led from start to finish but could never let up as Graham Heels chased him all the way and was only just over a second adrift as they crossed the line for the 22nd and final time. Phil Astell and Steve Foley were never more than a few lengths apart, with Chris Finch close behind until he had to retire just before half distance. Steve Foley’s challenge was thwarted by a misunderstanding and contact when lapping Sarah Heels but he still managed to keep his fourth place ahead of David Hughes at the finish. Andy Woodall took another 2nd in E ahead of Andy Inman who had enjoyed a race long battle with the Class F cars of Richard Wilkins (again!) and Mel Healey.

Andy Page ended at the top of the timesheets for Saturday’s A to D qualifying but the surprise alongside him on the front row was Bob Godbold, a mere 0.04” slower. A surprise because he never seemed to going that quickly! However, this consigned Tim Lewis (a broken driveshaft CV shortened his session) to the second row with Championship leader Anthony George. Ian Brookfield and Paul Buckley would line up on row 3 with Roger Evans leading D as expected despite horrendous grip problems at the hairpin. The race, in bright sunshine but with a cold wind, saw Andy Page gallop into the lead with Bob Godbold in pursuit but gradually losing ground. Tim Lewis seemed slow to get going and it took him until lap 5 to overtake Bob, by which time Andy was five seconds up the road. For the next five laps, Giulietta matched Sprint every inch of the way but Andy then had a couple of slower laps in traffic and in no time Tim was right on his tail. The next few laps were fascinating as Tim tried to find a way past the wily Mr Page. The gap was a mere 0.3” as they crossed the line at the end of lap 17. Desperate to get more drive out of the hairpin Tim took the risk of selecting first gear – bang” End of race, end of weekend as the gearbox broke, splitting the casing in the process. This left Andy to come home a comfortable 44” clear of Bob Godbold with Anthony George 3rd overall and winner of Class C. Roger Evans had been leading Class D but suddenly saw the oil pressure dive and decided to stop before major damage ensued, leaving the class win to Graham Seager’s 155 from Andrew Bramah and Peter Sloan.

A to D were first to qualify on Sunday morning and Andy Page, with 24 points from Saturday under his belt, seemed determined to go even quicker, even without Tim Lewis who, sadly, had returned home. His very last lap of the session was his quickest of the weekend so far, although still a fraction off Julian Birley’s lap record from 2001. Bob Godbold would again be on the front row with Anthony George and Paul Buckley on row 2, Ian Brookfield and Graham Seager making up row 3. Once again at the start, Andy Page lost no time in establishing a comfortable lead but unlike at Oulton he was going to keep putting in quick lap times, his 21st and 22nd laps (out of 24) still being in the 50s bracket and we wondered if a sub 50 might be on the cards. Bob Godbold suddenly found himself under pressure from a flying Anthony George and was demoted to third place for 4 laps mid race before he decided that it just wouldn’t do for a Class C 33 to beat a Class B car even it was being driven by the Championship leader! Bob eventually reasserted himself with some laps two seconds quicker, to come home for another 2nd overall and Class B win. Graham Seager drove well to finish 4th and take Class D with Ian Brookfield. Andrew Bramah, Chris Healey and Jim Dean next in line.

Bianco, in the shape of Harry White and Gethin Llewellyn, had worked hard to sort out Chris Finch’s 156 after its disappointing retirement from Saturday’s race and were rewarded by a Class E pole and a front row start alongside the once again dominant Nikolaos Mantikas. Graham Heels was consigned to row 2 this time with Phil Astell while Steve Foley and David Hughes would share row 3. A very satisfied 7th fastest was Richard Wilkins who seemed, at last, to be getting to grips with his ex Dean Spurr 33. He was just ahead of the closely matched 16v 33s of Martin Jones and Mel Healey, and the 156 of Andy Inman.

The first lap was to be a cliff-hanger as Chris Finch made one of his quick starts and led Nik Mantikas and Phil Astell up the hill and out of sight. When they returned Chris was just ahead but Nik thought there was a gap in the long right-hander after the hairpin – but there wasn’t really and he and Chris made contact from which Chris was lucky to catch the car although he lost out to both Nik and the closely following Phil Astell. Phil was determined not to let Nik get away this time and was to pressure him for 11 laps before an “off” at the longer corner after the pits and sump damage on a kerb dropped him 6 seconds back. Lap 14 and there was a big cloud of smoke from the yellow 33 as the engine cried enough. This left Nik Mantikas with a 14 second lead over Chris Finch who was coming under increasing pressure from David Hughes and Steve Foley. Nik came home to win after completing 22 laps, slowing dramatically on his final lap to cross the line 7 seconds clear of Chris Finch who was happy to win Class E. David Hughes was a happy 3rd (2nd in F) from Steve Foley and the battling Martin Jones and Mel Healey with Graham Heels the next finisher 7th (and 2nd in E) after running most of the race with only 3rd gear and lapping only a second or so off the pace in the process.

The “Indochine” Driver of the Weekend Awards went to Anthony George (A to D) and David Hughes (E & F).

Robin Eyre-Maunsell was awarded the Trofeo Biscione for his efforts on his first outing with the Avon Racing 75 Twin Spark.

Anthony George still leads the Championship overall from Andy Page and Nik Mantikas. Biggest move up the table at Anglesey was Graham Seager who leads Class D and moved from 10th overall to 4th. The full up to date table can be found by clicking onto the appropriate icon.

Round 6 takes place at Silverstone on Sunday, June 5.