Silverstone National 16/17 October 2010 - Quick Report

Quality racing with huge grids gave the season a resounding send off at Silverstone. Saturday was the sort of weather that racers hate - constantly changing - but race one resulted in a win for Arty Cameron (1000 and overall), engime troubles long forgotten, with class wins for Gary Hill, and Pete Bragg. In the second race, overall victory went to Tristan Cliffe after a hard fought battle with polesitter Jeremy Timms, with the Classic race won by Lou Watts in his faithful Mark1 FVL. Nigel Davers took the 1600 class.

Sunday was possibly the best day we've had for months as regards weather, and the commentators rated the racing in the 1000/1400/1800 race as the best they'd seen this season. Arty Cameron, Chris Woodhouse and Dax Ward formed a 3 car snake which rarely had a gap between the cars of more than 3 metres. The racing was clean but furious, and eventually went Arty's way after numerous lead changes and after Roy Woodhouse had worn a 6 inch deep groove in the pitwall from pacing up and down. MSVR must be delighted at racing of this quality. Current 1400meister Gary Hill took that class, while there were no surprises in 1800 as Pete Bragg again took first with a new record.

The 2 litre race was red flagged after Richard Purcell spun at Becketts and then Kevin Mason ended alongside him with a damaged rear corner after tangling with a car he was lapping. With the race past the 3/4 point a red flag seemed a reasonable and safe decision, as a safety car would have achived little. Victory went, after a start to finish lead to Jeremy Timms. Nick Anstruther won Classic with a brilliant overall third, whilst outgoing 1600 champ Dave Parkisnon took victory in 1600 after Nigel Davers had a touch of spin fever.

Anthony Bishop, "the quiet man" of the 2 litre class, was a delighted if slightly surprised 3rd. A podium in your first year in this most competitive class is a great acheivement.

Whilst we had a few newcomers, to whom welcome, we must mention a new generation of the Catanzaro family as Dane appeared in a F Renault 1700, and we think Mono's youngest ever competitor appeared in the form of 16 year old American Austin Kimberly who first sat in a single seater on Friday and missed a podium by just over half a second.

So with the season over, let us now praise famous men, our champions (subject to official confirmation):

2000 - Tristan Cliffe, Dallara F398
Mono Classic - Jeremy Goodman, Ralt RT3
1800 - Peter Bragg, Mygale SJ00
1600 - Nigel Davers, Van Diemen RF89
1400 - Geoff Fern, TFR10
1000 - Arty Cameron, Jedi Mk4

Congratulations, gentlemen!

Actually, the season isn't really over because the prizegiving counts as part of the season. It's on Saturday 19th February 2011 at the Barcelo Daventry Hotel. See you there!

Full reports to follow, for full results click here.

P.S. Congratulations also to Mono 2000 runner Malcom Scott who made a fantastic recovery from his Croft shoulder injury and won at Mallory to clinch the 7** MC F4 championship.