The Parkinson Line.....looking forward to the new 1600 season

With little time to go before the opening round of the 2011 champiosnhip, 1600 front runner David Parkinson has taken time away from his CFD* work and intensive wind tunnel programme to write a preview.

Jeremy Timms has seen the light.

Hallelujah.

Jeremy, the 1600 championship winner in 2004, has been campaigning successfully in Mono 2000 for several years now in his fast but not always reliable Dallara. This car has now been sold and an 89 Van Dieman purchased along with a 1600 ex Hughes motor. Jeremy hasn’t yet paid his subscription so I don’t know if he’s just being tight with the cash or hasn’t yet got the car ready. But I expect to see him out shortly.Welcome to Jeremy on his return to the premier class. You know it makes sense.

Geoff Fern, the 2005/6 & 7 1600 champion, will contest the 2000 classic and the 1400 in 2011. But he’s purchased a Formula Vauxhall and tells me that he hopes to race in the 1600 class at least once before the end of the season.

Because of his wedding and honeymoon etc, Ewen Sergison has said that he will not race at all in the 2011 season. But the last time I spoke to him he advised that he might come out in the Eddie Guest Lola at one meeting to check the car out for Eddie. This is at a meeting that Eddie can’t make due to other commitments.

Nigel Davers, the reigning Champion will be defending his title this year and will take some beating.

I, the very lucky 2009 champion, will be back for another bash.

Richard Evans tells me that his Formula Renault 1700 has had a complete strip this winter. The engine has been rebuilt by a specialist so the whole package should be better and he’s looking to do better the third in the championship that he attained in 2010.

Joe Venor has had his engine rebuilt and I think the chassis has had a look at as well, so Joe should have a better package this year.

Dane Catanzaro is entered in his very nice looking Renault. Dane had his first race at the last meeting of the year in 2010 at Silverstone and put in a very creditable performance. He is one of the at least three young men who will contest the Nova award this year.

Tim Watts is another young Nova competitor. He’s related to Lou of 2 litre fame and is a dark horse for the 1600 championship. Another young gun. Makes you sick. A warm welcome to the Monoposto club Tim.

Michael Wilkinson is entered once more in his Formula Renault. This is the car that is run by the Milton Keynes college and hopefully we will see more of him and his students this year. They had some difficulties with various rules and regulations last year pertaining to youngsters.

Eddie Guest will be hopefully running at most meeting in his classic Lola and as normal will be a welcome addition to the paddock.

Jonathan Baggott, one of my fellow directors, and responsible for the Stoneleigh show, will contest the championship in the AW1 once again. This car, built and driven by Adrian Wright, still holds the lap record on the Silverstone National circuit if I remember correctly.

Andrew Sweet is another newcomer who will contest the Nova award. I don’t know anything about him but welcome to the Monoposto club Andrew. I’ll get some details from him at Snetterton.

Last but not least of the registered competitors is Tony Davies. The Welshman is a very fast driver in his Renault but is valued more for his stories in the paddock. If he asks if you’re going for breakfast, it’s best to ensure he’s got money. Whatever clothes he’s wearing, his money is always in the others. That’s how you get to be a millionaire.

There might be further competitors who have registered after I got the list. Apologies if you’re one of them and have been missed.

Swelling the above ranks will also be a number of guest drivers who we will entertain throughout the season.

So 2011 is shaping up to be a good year for the 1600 premier class.

David Parkinson

*CFD = cake, food and dinner.

A random selection of illustrations:

Eddie Guest, Lola

Joe Venor, also Lola

Micheal Wilkinson, Swift FR94

Champion Nigel Davers

Dane Catanzaro

Pictures: Andrew Cliffe, Graham Easter