Roy B

Hi there folks, Welcome back to another off season. As in previous years there’ll be a varied mix of things and places to have a look at. I'll do it in three sections: 1. F2 meetings 2. Out and About 3. Odds and Ends/Miscellaneous Section 1. F2's We start this week with a trip to the south-west for some early season F2 meetings, then head north to West Yorkshire to see what had been revealed by the drop in the water level during the summer at one of the many reservoirs in the area. Following this we’ll see what we can find in the Odds and Ends box before finishing with a look at the Blackpool Transport scene. Ok, let’s get going and head for Taunton. Taunton – Sunday 20th March 2022 The opening meeting of the new national season at Smeatharpe took place under clear blue skies with a very healthy turnout of both drivers and fans. SDH Transport had four DAF tractor units present in grade colours. Matt Stoneman's new RCE Lauren Stack's WRC Rebecca Smith Jessica Smith Junior Buster's new one Pre-meeting photo-shoot for the female young guns The DAFs joined in with the Grand Parade 40 cars raced in a two heat format with Dave Sansom (352) leading from flag to flag in the first 19 car race. Top 3: 352 542 27 The Semtex Kid took a victory lap on one of the DAFs Adam Pearce broke free from the 21 car field to win the second heat. Star grader Ben Borthwick (418) retired from this one after a tangle with Rebecca Smith (931). Top 3: 460 127 184 A 20 car field took to the track for the Consolation. Daz Purdy (259) led the opening stages until he spun around entering the back straight and was run into by two following cars who all hooked together. Harrison Bryant (91) took up the running, with a great battle for second place behind between Paul Moss (979) and Julian Coombes (828). Dave Simpson (208) spun in turn two right across the path of Moss who retired to the infield thumping his steering wheel in frustration. Coombes was then joined by Borthwick and Jessica Smith (390). Whilst Bryant secured the win, it was Borthwick who eventually came out on top for second with Smith following him home for an excellent third place. Top 3: 91 418 390 Dave Simpson's car took a hit to the side Hard up against the cab side The Final featured 28 out of the possible 30 starters and was soon brought under caution when Matt Stoneman (127) found himself turned around against the plating facing the oncoming traffic approaching at speed on the home straight. On the restart Sansom nipped past Matt Hatch (320) to claim the lead, but it was clear that 2013 World Champion James Rygor (783) was the fastest car on track and was slowly closing on the leader. As the last lap board was shown Rygor was within striking distance and heading into turn three he connected with Sansom’s rear bumper with sufficient force to move the yellow grader wide without taking either of them towards the fence. Rygor then had the line to snatch the lead on the drag race to the chequered flag, Sansom ruing his misfortune to lose the lead of a Final on the last bend. Top 3: 783 352 542 James Rygor won the MDP Services Trophy for the 3rd time The 28 car GN took place on a track that had become slippery after an earlier Banger race. Chaos reigned from the off within the star graders as they entered the home straight. Chris Mikulla (522) was sent into a spin with the car bouncing into the air as he tangled with Kieren Bradford (27), with Borthwick and Joe Marquand (789) also being caught up, the latter ramming the infield marker tyres at the end of the home straight. Sansom had again hit the front but for a time the race appeared to be a mirror of the Final, the time the chasing star grader was Stoneman. However, with the lack of grip Sansom looked to be the quicker of the two round the pit bend whilst Stoneman seemed to be able to close in at the Honiton bend. With his progress stalling, Stoneman had to make do with the runner spot behind Sansom to conclude a fine afternoon’s racing for the formula. Top 3: 352 127 736 Bristol – Easter Sunday 17th April 2022 This meeting was the traditional Easter Sunday F2 World Qualifying round. In addition to the local (and not so local… Cornwall is still 3hrs away) south-west drivers, there was a good showing of English drivers from the East and the North-West, together with a duo of Scotsmen. Gordon Moodie(7), a heat winner the previous evening at Cowdie was joined by Liam Rennie (3). Rob Mitchell (905), Aaron Vaight (184) and Phil Mann (53) came down from their bases north of the M62, while Jessica Smith (390) trekked across country from Essex, and Andrew Palmer (606) from Peterborough. Two good looking cars from Mark Gibbs, and Neil Hooper A Mercedes Arocs 3246LS from Plant Speed Fitted with a Fassi F545 crane The 37 cars present were split into two heats as they worked to qualify for the Gerry Dommett Trophy. Heats 1 & 2 were won by Tommy Farrell (667) and Gordon Moodie respectively. Harley Burns (992) made short work of the Consi as the lone red top, leading before halfway and taking a dominant win. Marc Rowe (526) led the opening half of the Final, underlining his current turn of speed. An early caution was required for medical attention to Tommy Farrell after a major coming together on the back straight. He was removed from the track by the medics in attendance, but to everyone’s relief was seen walking back to his transporter later in the meeting. Liam Rennie took up the running just after halfway in his stunning new car, but that lead was short lived as Steven Gilbert (542) muscled his way past with 7 to go. The top five places remained static for the remainder of the race as a red top benefit. Top 3: 542 783 3 The triumphant Gilbert team. Peter ‘The Undertaker’ Gilbert on the left almost cracking a smile! With a virtual carbon copy front end to the damaged 667 car the Jack Cave (801) team start the repairs. Marc Rowe finished the meeting with some reward for his turn of the speed on the day, taking third place in a lower-grade dominated GN behind Harrison Bryant (91) and Dan Kent (976) Taunton – Easter Monday 18th April 2022 Just three days on from the Good Friday evening fixture here the F2’s were back again. A couple of extras that were not there on the Friday were Andrew Palmer (606) and Harley Burns (992). The eventual 37 car entry at the end of a busy weekend was most welcome. A new one for Ben Spence The colour grey for Adam Pearce Heat 1: The opening stages saw Jack Prosser (844) and Daz Purdy (259) tangle on turn four with them both continuing to collide down the home straight. Prosser then spun and was collected by Harrison Bryant (91). Dave Sansom (352) had built up a big lead by the drop of the chequered. Behind, Steven Gilbert (542) went for an attack on Dale Moon (302) for second, but Moon was able to ride out the hit to maintain his position. Top 3: 352 302 783 Heat 2: The second heat required a full restart after chaos broke out on the home straight as Jamie Jones (915) clambered on top of a couple of low graders. Josh Weare (736) also got involved and as the chasing pack went in all directions to avoid the incident Richard Swales (162) was turned around and collected by the pack behind. That caused significant damage to the car and Swales exited the cab heavily winded. When the race got back underway Leah-Nicole Sealy (475), in only her second F2 meeting, drove a controlled race to take her maiden win. She had only made her debut three days prior on Good Friday. The teenager’s achievement was warmly recognised by the crowd. Top 3: 475 915 127 Consolation: As the race began a heavy rain shower passed overhead and as such the drivers struggled for grip having started the race with dry race set-ups. Bryant was the early leader but as he entered the second half of the race the back marking traffic proved an insurmountable obstacle and eventually Ben Goddard (895) found a way past for the win. Top 3: 895 91 53 Final: The Final saw the track mainly dry although very greasy on the outside line. 29 of the 30 qualifiers gridded. Sealy spun out early on but she was in good company as a large pile-up developed between turns three and four claiming Burns, James Rygor (783) and Matt Stoneman (127) amongst them. Charlie Lobb (988) navigated his way to the front managing to avoid a spirited last bend lunge by Paul Rice (890). Lobb had also won the Final at the Good Friday meeting here. Top 3: 988 890 542 GN: 28 cars took to the grid and once again Sansom headed the field, but he had Rygor closing in. The pit bend was proving difficult to navigate with a number of stationary cars scattered around. The pivotal moment came as Rygor looked to be within striking distance but lost grip and headed into the group of stranded cars and out of the race. An untroubled Sansom cruised home for the victory. Top 3: 352 542 127 St Day – Sunday 1st May 2022 At the United Downs Raceway new grades were in force. The headline changes affecting West Country drivers centred on Dave Sansom (352) and Charlie Lobb (988). A Good Friday Final win at Smeatharpe was enough to propel Lobb to red for the first time. This was Sansom's first appearance in the star grade since the summer of 1994. A Good Friday Final win at Smeatharpe was enough to propel Lobb to red for the first time. A couple who had fallen down the grades were Ben Borthwick (418) down amongst the blues, and a drop to yellow for Ben Goddard (895). Welcome regular visitors from the north-west were Phil Mann (53), and Aaron Vaight (184) who won the Final at the opening St Day meeting back in February. 26 cars turned out in pretty wet conditions. Borthwick and Paul Moss (979) won the opening two heats, with Borthwick looking odds on to win the third until an unforced spin left Steven Gilbert (542) to take the victory. The Final saw a chaotic opening half with cars spinning and tangling at various points around the raceway. Paul Rice (890) benefitted from a mid-race stoppage, after which he launched a charge for the lead. Rice went on to win from Joe Marquand (689) and Aaron Vaight. James Rygor (783) won the GN. Results top 3’s: Heat 1 418 979 542 Heat 2 979 35 689 Heat 3 542 352 184 Final 890 689 184 GN 783 689 35 Bristol – Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May 2022 The latest masterpiece from the Wrench workshops made its debut at this meeting. Luke had the help of Jon Palmer (24) for the day Shane Hector was in the much older WRC#18 Daz Purdy 13 cars took the green flag for the first heat, but after two complete restarts there were just eight runners left with Paul Moss (979) taking up an unassailable lead. Top 3: 979 895 542 Moss is too far ahead for the others to catch him in the second heat. Top 3: 979 783 542 The third looks like a shootout between James Rygor (783) and the returning Luke Wrench (560) until the former National Series Champion’s new car suffers mechanical woes leaving the 2013 World Champion to claim the chequered flag. Top 3: 783 976 127 A pile-up in the Final sees an early stoppage. The restart does not get much further before another yellow flag is needed this time for Josh Weare (736) in the turnstile bend plating. As the race finally builds to its conclusion Rygor forces his way past Moss to take top honours. Moss and Matt Stoneman (127) round out the top three. Stoneman wins the GN. Top 3: 127 542 560 Section 2. Out and About follows below:

Pics in the gallery folks

Final Focus: 132 leads away. A big pile up in turn 2 starts the race off on the opener. 219 and 343 crash out in turn 1. 84 and 318 are carving through the field. The engine note of these two sounding superb. 195 stopped on the exit of turn 2 gets collected by 568. All ok. Caution for stranded cars. 318 fires it up the inside of 84 on the restart. 84 sends 16 sideways through turn 3. 350, 161 and 37 come to grief in turn 1. Caution flags. The restart sees a spectacular turn 1 battle with 8, 16, 84 and 318 all going for the same piece of track. Tom comes out first, with Speaky last! 68 and 324 clash exiting turn 1. 132 is in the lead. 175 fires 392 hard into turn 3. 84 now in 2nd. 5 to go has the Hitman in to the top spot. The last lap sees 8 go for a big last bender on 132, but she bounces off and lays a big smokescreen as she recovers from the ensuing spin. That's it for this year folks. Have a good winter everyone. Back from the King's Lynn 2023 season opener. In the meantime join me for the Off Season out and abouts which return next week 👍

Heat Three Happenings: 86 leads away. The opening lap sees 84 give 318 a hurry up hit into turn 1. Rob takes on 16 into turn 3. 68, 16 battle with 318 through turn 1 next time around. 536 is leading. With 1 to go 381 puts a top class move on 536 entering turn 1 with a super hit to the back corner which spins Ben out mid-turn. Tyrone takes the win 👍

Heat Two Happenings: 132 leads away. 560 and 526 spin out in turn 3. 21 moves through the field with good use of the front end. 43 goes around in turn 4. 536 has set sail up front for the win.

Pit News: 84 - Tom checking out the distributor cap and leads. 68 - Left rear links bent and shocker u/s. H6 (326) - Prop-shaft removed.

Heat One Happenings: 132 leads away. 532, 68 and H6 crash out in turn 3. 172 and 298 tangle in turn 1. 226 runs in the back. 157 pots 324 into the stationary turn 3 cars. Caution. 132 heads the restart. 84 up to third at this early stage of the race. 318 fires 175 into turn 3. 84 takes the lead from 132. As Tom takes the win 219 hits a backstraight infield marker tyre and comes to an abrupt stop.

Pit News: 350 - Porta power on the right rear corner. 489 - Front right corner cut off and right nerf rail bent up. 8 - Welding front right corner. Shocker top mount sheared off.

U25 Race Re-Cap: 489 leads away. 8, 350 and 343 get clattered into the turn 2 fence on lap 1. Caution to remove the cars. The restart sees 381 ride the kerb into turn 1 to take the lead from 489. 555 pulls off with a flat right rear. 147 and 132 put a combined hit in on 489 who whacks the turn 2 fence and remains there. 381 and 368 have broken clear up front. 20 hold off a fast charging 124 for a number of laps. The 124's rear left brake disc glowing. 381 has pulled away from 368 until with 2 to go the left rear tyre lets go putting Tyrone into a spin into turn 1. Callum takes the flag from 124 who makes a heroic try at a last bender but is way, way back and drifts wide through the turn.

Welcome to Skegness folks BTCC Race Re-call: 389 leads away. 326 and 544 tangle on the inside of the backstraight and remain there. 524 now leads. 47 piles 389 into turn 3, followed by 73 in turn 1. 73 tried a comeback hit but just missed. With 3 to go 47 catches 524 and hits him wide in turn 1 and heads for the chequered. All the lads had good speed and it would have been great to see them race the whole meeting.

Pics in the gallery folks

HS Summary: 136 leads away. 289 scatters the tyres along the backstraight on the opening lap. 345 rides up the inner wall on the homestraight with a train of cars pushing. Caution to help Jakey to safety. Shortly after the restart 21 goes for a spin in turn 2. 34 puts a hit in on 166 into turn 3 but ends up half spinning himself. Caution for a stranded 211 in turn 3. 78, 216 and 217 are the top 3. 216 and 78 drift wide in turn 1 which lets Lee through to the lead. 338 takes 555 to the homestraight concrete blocks and JJ spins out at the entrance to turn 1. 463 is stopped in the middle of turns 1 & 2 for the remainder of the race. Everyone has to make the decision to go inside or outside as they approach. 55 has a right rear let go with 2 to run. 78 jumps a tyre with 338 on the last lap. Congratulations to Tom on retaining the silver roof 👏 That's it folks. Back from Skegness 👍

Final Focus: 548 leads away. 84 on it from the get go. An attempt to shift 217 with a nerf hit came to nothing though. Next lap 217 puts a hit in on 212 into turn 3 which slows him slightly. 16 delayed by 21. Mat pulls off soon after. A turn 3 pile up involving 166, 212, 21, 545 and 45 brings out the caution. 93 leads off the restart with 217 and 84 in 5th and 6th. 84 gets past 217. Lee then lets rip with two spectacular hits on Tom. He straightlines it into turn 1 to make contact with the 84 rear corner, but eclipses this with a killer blow into turn 3 which has the 84 car facing the wrong way with a deflated front tyre. Caution to remove stranded cars. Lee gets a big cheer from the grandstand and encourages the crowd on. Restart has 93, 249 and 217 as the top 3. 55 and 21 tangle exiting turn 4. After getting by 249, and slowly closing on 93 the 217 car cruelly has a right rear tyre let go entering turn 1. Lee continues but obviously drops down the order. Sam takes the win.

Pit News: 555 - Front axle damaged, both front shockers u/s, and link bars bent. 364 - Assessing the rollover damage.

Consolation Catch Up: 424 leads away. 555 goes around in turn 3 coming to the green. 84 is pulling away from 515. 238 tangles with 268 in turn 2 bringing out the caution. On the restart 34 gives 289 a hurry up into turn 3 who connects with 351 which removes an engine bay panel from John's car. Caution for debris. The restart sees a huge 'payback from Sheffield' hit from 216 on 364 entering turn 3. Both bounce off the fence. 555 gets caught up in the melee and spins in avoidance. Caution. At halfway 84 has a small lead over 515. 364 catches the backstraight fence and gets launched into a roll. The car comes to rest right way up with flames coming from the engine bay. Caution to get Rob to safety. All ok. The restart sees 84 open up an immediate gap to 515 who is left to fend off a determined 216 until Jack gets a flat right front.

Pit News: 235 - Porta power on the right rear corner. 84 - Cleaning an accumulation of shale out of the left rear brake assy. 136 - Working on the front hub. 351 - Sledgehammer being used on the front left corner. 44 - Replacing right front upper link rod. 2 - Losing oil pressure.

Heat Two Happenings: 44 leads away. The left rear tyre parts company from the 84 car who gets black-flagged a few laps later. Stationary 44 and 351 create a chicane through turn 3. 515 suffers a flat right front and pulls off. 4 to go sees 55 through to the lead.

Welcome to Odsal folks. Heat One Happenings: 136 leads away. 338 spins it on the homestraight on the first lap. 389 gets out of shape next time around and finishes on his roof in turn 1. Caution. 548 heads the restart. 18 climbs over 78's bonnet in turn 2. 34 ends up underneath 211 on the exit of turn 2. Phoebe is left pointing skywards. Caution. 587 tries an inside move on 548 coming to the green who holds his line which forces Sam into the fence. The 587 car then rolls it with 364 piling in and finishing on top. Caution. 18 goes around in turn 3 and 217 is through into the lead. Lee takes an outside line around a backmarking 136 through turn 4 which momentarily slows him and allows 16 to close in. 217 gets held up by 78 which lets 16 through for the lead. From halfway the top two remain this way until the chequered.

Pics in the gallery folks 👍

HS Summary: 87 leads away. 501 and 25 tangle on the exit of turn 4 on the opening lap. A big pile up in turn 1 sees 157, 175, 345, 8, 5, 217 end up in a heap which brings out the yellow flags. 87 heads the field after the caution. 211 spins it and stops broadside in turn 1 on the resumption bringing out the caution. The restart sees 381 into the lead. Turn 1 claims a few on the greasy/oily surface. 16 spins out. 12, 2, 73 and 87 all slide into the fence. 217 drifts wide and hits the fence. 501 hits the fence hard followed by 524. 87 runs into the back. Caution flags. 515 heads the restart from 381 and 84. 16 pulls off with a flat front right. 166 up to 6th. 5 to go sees 515 extend his lead over the now 2nd placed 84 car to claim the win. That's it folks. Back from Odsal 👍

Pit News: 319 - Changing front left shock. 2 - Adjusting left rear shock. 498 - Removing a damaged front wing. 381 - Tyrone missed the Final owing to a broken lift pump. 464 - Distributor under investigation after the car kept cutting out in the Final. 217 - Changing alt.belt. 47 - Rear panhard rod to change. 157 - Suspecting a dodgy starter motor. Adam giving it a few clouts with a 2lb hammer.

Final Focus: 489 leads away. 157 and 498 clash into turn 3 on the opener and end up locked together losing laps. 175 and 25 pile in the next time around which separates the two cars. 25 hits the turn 1 fence with 47, 20 and 211 going in with him. 47 hits the turn 1 fence on the next lap which brings out the caution to help Simon to safety. 489 heads the restart. A lap down 20 sends 489 wide into turn 1 which costs Harrison the lead. After being passed by 84 in the first part of the race 515 takes the place back with an inside move into turn 1. 84 repasses on the next lap with Frankie getting the place back next time around. 217 is the next on the scene to challenge the 84 car until a close following 8 puts a big hit on Lee into turn 3. 84 is ahead of 515 again before a caution for a stranded 489 in turn 1. 166 heads the restart. Tom loses a place to 515 in turn 3 before taking it back entering the backstraight by easing Frankie wide who brushes the fence. 166, 84 and 515 are the top 3 and remain in this order to race end. All three are equally spaced out with just enough of a gap to prevent any last benders between them.

Pit News: 368 - Rear bumper sheared off and right rear shocker u/s. 524 - Adjusting torque rod.

Consolation Catch Up: 325 leads away. 381 passes his three fellow 'B' graders in one move. 501 and 11 spin in unison on the exit of turn 4. 524 goes around in turn 1. 381 is into the lead by halfway. 166 and 47 are the fast men from the back. Caution for a stranded 11 on the homestraight. On the restart 2nd placed 368 is slow to go which lets 166 and 47 through to chase the flying 381. 5 suffers a flat left rear. 20 sends 87 into turn 1 which sees Jason climb over the 339 front end. 381 holds on for the win from a close following 166. After the chequered has flown 498 fires 555 into turn 1 which collects 368 who makes hard contact with the fence. 211 also ends up spinning in avoidance.

Pit News: 501 - Steering cross link bent. 319 - Welding left rear bumper end. 555 - Adjusting left rear upper link. 87 - Adjusting right rear upper link. 8 - De-glazing front pads. 211 - Adjusting right rear bottom link. 498 - Altering front left shocker. 124 - Clutch release bearing stuck.