SPRINT LEADERS REPORTS

Shaw and Goulding out in front at Blyton

Sunday was overcast and cooler around the Outer layout of the track; it was suggested the sun might have hitched a ride back to Hampshire with the Mockfords who retired with a faulty clutch!

Over in the single-seater area, there was a definite flurry of weather app checking, everyone wanting to get proceedings underway as soon as possible.

Steve Broughton put in a cracking 55.53s to set the benchmark for the Leaders Championship points for the day.

Everyone seemed to be in a rush to get to the cafe for lunch, with most BSC cars setting their best times on T2. Duncan Barnes and Grahame Harden made great improvements on their first run times, breaking to 60s barrier, and Christopher Price getting some valuable Challenge Cup points with his two runs in the No1 car.

Ex racer, including a spell in HSCC Formula Ford, Jonathan Baines was going well in his Clio although being scored against a rapid Exige presented a stiff challenge. The Bramalls were struggling with fading brakes all day but this didn't stop Matt from setting good times to score well.

By T4, the top seven were all very tight, with only 2.5secs between first place Pete Goulding, and 6th placed John Loudon with Goulding 15 points clear of Shaw who was a single point in front of Harden. Another cracking weekend for all competitors in the Leaders championship, with plenty of points to start making thing interesting as we head in to June with two double headers at Pembrey and Mallory Park.

By the end of the day, everyone was keen to get their cars packed away before the weather changed. Whether you had a dry or a wet run home depended on the direction you were travelling, but the wet weather stayed away from the circuit, so praise to Longton again for the successful sun dance!

As always, a huge thanks to the Orange Army, officials and to the Longton and District Motor Club for their slick organisation.

Hannah Mockford

A busy Blyton Weekend in the Sprint Leaders Championship

Saturday at Blyton started cold and overcast, with the threat of a spattering of rain looming over competitors. With most cars on slick tyres, a few furrowed brows could been as competitors walked the Eastern layout of the circuit, as dark clouds loomed. However, as soon as first practice got underway, the rain clouds took the hint and headed off.

Nevertheless, the Sprint Leaders tin tops all headed out with slight trepidation, fearful of a damp and cold track, meaning that everyone set safe first run times. However, as soon as the timed runs started, drivers were more confident around the twisty, technical track and the times started to fall.

A few mis-adventures made for some erroneous times and provided entertainment for the spectators, including Dave Mockford who took a slight course deviation!

As the day progressed, the track dried out and after lunch, we were blessed with glorious sunshine. Thankfully, the well-run event meant that drivers didn’t end up sat in hot cars for too long and everyone had the chance to take no fewer than six timed laps.

Chris Hancox in the blue Clio 172 steadily chipped away at his times all day, while Jonathan Baines kept consistently in the 79/80seconds bracket to take the class win.

Glen Shaw in the Nissan 350 managed to get into the 75s after a slight blip in T3, while Matt Bramhall took the honours over his Father, Chris, with a class win in the shared Caterham Seven.

Chris Bennett had a blinding last run, smashing the 80 sec barrier with a 76.65s run.

Dave Mockford in the green Maestro managed to redeem himself after his earlier excursion, taking a class win for Leaders points along with setting a new Longton and HSA Speed record into the bargain!

Steve Brown in the Empire Evo went well but a broken exhaust header prevented him from competing on the Sunday.

It proved to be a very good day for Stephen Miles too, who gained three stamps on his card with a 2nd fastest time overall, a new personal best, and smashing the 2-litre national record — great result! Notable times also came from Glen Shaw and Anthony Earl, who broke LDMC class records in their respective classes.
 

Hannah Mockford