|
SILVERSTONE – The 2006 Season Opener
|
|
|
|
|
David Spencer gets all crossed up at Copse only to be joined by Paul Ashton in the background who seems to be looking for the road back to Banbury!
|
|
What a first day to the 2006 DMP Metro Championship Cup! The track was very wet for the qualifying session early in the morning but the sunshine belied the treachery of getting the wrong line, especially through Copse corner.
This did not stop everyone trying hard and pushing the cars to the limits, especially No. 6 Dave Spencer who managed a few diversions onto the run off at Copse. The qualifying session drew a lot of spectators and some of the more spectacular spins gave out some gasps from those watching as Paul Ashton and Eric Evans illustrated just how unforgiving this corner was for anyone taking the wrong line or not managing to find grip.
The newcomer Jon Flanigan made his mark straight away by making it to pole position with Simon White a close second. The front grid consisted of Jon and Simon with David Javes. The second row was Chris Harris and Rob Manser; Third was Rob Campbell, Barry Lake and Paul Ashton; Fourth row was David Spencer and Tony Howe; Tony Dowler, Richard Garrard, and Dave Heasman on the fifth row, with Iain Patterson and Eric Evans making up the sixth and Steve Carter on the final row.
Richard Garrard, Iain Patterson and Barry Lake, to name but a few, had severe engine problems in the qualifying session and worked hard on the cars during the interval between qualifying and the race.
The weather despite being sunny with a cold wind kept threatening more rain and it was with some relief all round that some fairly menacing clouds kept right on going to give a clear and rain-free afternoon. The track had dried out well and everything promised a very exciting race.
From second on the grid Simon White got off to a good start taking the lead into Copse with Jon Flanigan catching and overtaking Simon to take a commanding lead over the next few laps. Eric Evans at the back of the grid made a cracking start moving up three places only to have his enthusiasm curbed when he span out of Brooklands, narrowly missing the Fire car.
All drivers got away well and safely and the race ensued with good racing and overtaking going on throughout the grid. Richard Garrard’s car gave out on lap 6 and some of the problems experienced during the qualifying laps returned to haunt those in the race with all but Richard completing the race.
The fastest laps by class
|
|
|
|
Barry Lake finished 7th overall and 5th in class.
|
Eric Evans on one of his
better trips around Copse!
|
|
|
|
|
Steve Carter making a slight detour but getting back to continue his challenge to Dave Heasman in car No. 20.
|
|
Class C
Jon Flanigan 1:13.830secs
Class B
Rob Manser 1:16.419
Class A
Iain Patterson 1:19.027
The winners were
Class A
Iain Patterson
Class B
Rob Manse
Rob Campell
Paul Ashton
Class C
Jon Flanigan
Simon White
David Javes
Well done to all who took part and thanks for a good day’s racing. Looking forward to seeing you all at Cadwell Park on 22 April Entries close on
|
