BTCC Launches as the Coronavirus disrupts motorsport

Coronavirus has halted a lot of sport across the country, but we still have plenty of news from our sponsored racers and riders…

Malcolm Wilson rally – review

CA1 Sport take maximum BTRDA points with Petch/ Wilkinson on Malcolm Wilson rally

Steve Petch/Michael Wilkinson kept up their winning ways from the Cambrian rally with another dominant BTRDA points win on the Malcolm Wilson Rally on Saturday March 14th. The pleasantly clement weather was in marked contrast to the driving snow and bitter winds of 2019 and this year the stages were in reasonably good condition.  

Petch/Wilkinson didn’t have it all their own way though, as the M Sport works duo of Adrien Fourmaux/Renaud Jamoul took a clean sweep of stage times as they were testing the new mark 2 Ford Fiesta R5 before the next round of the world rally championship. 

Although Petch/Wilkinson dropped 32 seconds to Formaux/Jamoul with a puncture on stage six, nevertheless they were a comfortable 29 seconds ahead of third placed Russ Thompson/Andy Murphy (Mitsubishi Evo 9). 

FUCHS-backed CA1 mechanics were also servicing for Tom Preston/Carl Williamson (Ford Fiesta WRC) had a trouble free day until they also punctured on stage six, and dropped 14 second to finish fifth overall.

Naylor/Lawrence share lead in Production Cup

Patrick Naylor/Ian Lawrence (Mitsubishi Evo 9) shared the Production Cup lead with Scott Faulkner at the end of the 45 stage miles on the Malcolm Wilson Rally as they swapped places from round one in north Wales.  It was a trying event for the Midlands duo, as Patrick relates:

“A bit of a drama filled day on the Malcolm Wilson. The second in class and ninth overall doesn't tell the whole story but we kept trying. We were level on time with two stages to go with first in class. Then we had intercom issues, caught the car in front who quickly let us past while we had a rear puncture picked up with two miles to go. We were fortunate to only drop five seconds. So with the second run through Greystoke to go we were determined to go for it but it wasn't to be because we picked up another puncture near the start on the front so just needed to get to the finish which we managed. Getting quite good at speedy wheel changes now like many others on the event!”

Despair for Joel/Wood on stage one

Ian Joel/Graeme Wood (Ford Escort Cosworth) had a day to forget on Saturday, as a stray, un-noted rock on the first stage damaged the rear suspension and bent the near side shock absorber.  Although they were able to move the car off the track, the damage was too severe for them to continue.  It was absolutely no consolation to find out afterwards that another three crews had also retired at that very same corner.

FUCHS Lubricants 1400 championship - BTRDA Bronze Star

Consistency in performance is paying off in spades for the top two crews in the FUCHS Lubricants Bronze Star.  Joint leaders at the end of the day Aaron Rix/Rob Cook (Ford Escort Mk2) and Richard Garnett/Rob Gilham (Nissan Micra) were fourth and first respectively in their different classes this time, but having both scored well on the Cambrian rally last time out, they now share the lead with 51, points each with a nice 20 point cushion back to Richard Jordan / James Gratton Smith (MG ZR)  in third place.

FUCHS Lubricants Classic Mini Challenge – LDV Donnington rally

The first round of the 2020 season was the LDV Donnington Rally run by Dukeries Motor Club on Sunday March 15^that Donnington race circuit next to East Midlands Airport. 

Jim Brindle demonstrated his years of experience with setting a time on the first stage over a minute faster than Martin Melling with Louise Thomas a further seven seconds behind.  Barry Stenhouse had to stop with electrical issues but was recovered and restarted on SS3. On SS2 Brindle pulled a further minute from Thomas with Melling spinning and dropping 31 seconds. On SS3 Barry Stenhouse matched time with Louise Thomas whilst Martin Melling was only six seconds behind them. Jim Brindle was still demonstrating his superiority with a cool one minute 22 second advantage on this test. 

After a two hour lunch halt to rearrange the tests for the afternoon runs, conditions improved and Louise Thomas went progressively faster leaving Martin Melling and Barry Stenhouse behind cementing her second place.  Steve Robinson was still pushing on and despite having lost fifth gear he was still getting close to Jim Brindle’s times. 

The final two tests saw all the Mini crews hold station with Brindle continuing to be fastest and Thomas second fastest. 

• 1st Overall Jim Brindle / James Squires 
• 2nd Overall Louise Thomas / Heidi Woodcock 
• 3rd Overall Martin Melling / Lewis Griffiths 
• 4th Overall Barry Stenhouse / Andy Hutchinson

The schedule for 2020 is

Erratum

Last week we gave incorrect details for Alfie Jeakins’ car – he is in fact running a Citroen Saxo in the Junior Saloon Car Championship.  Apologies.

BTCC launches

The annual BTCC season launch has taken place at Silverstone – but, unfortunately, without the usual hordes of spectators.

Nevertheless, the official pre-season test went ahead, giving FUCHS-backed Power Maxed Racing the opportunity to put the new-look car through its paces.

TOCA has since announced that the first three BTCC events at Donington Park, Brands Hatch and Silverstone have been postponed.

Scotty proves too hotty at Little Silver

Despite the weather causing many races to be cancelled at Little Silver, newest Team Green recruit Cullen Scott did manage to compete – and he got off to a flying start, taking the overall win at round one of the ACU British Motocross Championship.

Rounds two and three of the championship at Hawkstone Park and Lyng will not go ahead as planned because of COVID-19, organisers have confirmed.

Huddy back behind the wheel

Karting ace Marcus Hudson, part of the FUCHS Silkolene stable, is back behind the wheel after the winter break.

Marcus, looking smart in his new race suit, completed some laps in pre-season testing at Fulbeck Kart Club.

Jacko confident

Lee Jackson, of the FUCHS Silkolene-backed Massingberd-Mundy Kawasaki team, says he is feeling confident ahead of his return to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship grid.

Speaking to the championship’s official website, he said: “We completed five days on track at Monteblanco and Jerez and everything felt really positive. It was great to get back out on a Superbike after a three-year break, learn my trade, learn the new Kawasaki Superbike ZX-10R, and it was a positive five days so thanks to the FS3 team and all my mechanics for their hard work.”