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Osborne and Langridge win in Wales Following the carnage at Oulton Park, it was a rather depleted field that made the journey to Pembrey for the season’s finale. It proved to be a worthwhile trip for Alex Osborne and Adrian Langridge though, as they shared the victory spoils. Langridge’s Mallock Mk23 secured pole for Saturday’s race during a damp session.”It felt really good, but if it dries I might become a mobile chicane,” he said. Newly crowned champion Daniel Gibson shared the front row in his Gem 008. “I could have gone quicker but hadn’t realised I had to,” he replied. Former Champion Alex Osborne was third quickest in the Young Drivers Scheme Mallock Mk28. “The wet helped, as it was leveller. We made some changes to the car after Oulton and it’s getting better,” he confirmed. Mike Evans’ Mallock Mk20 was alongside, “it was Ok but I wish the weather would make its mind up,” he said. Paul Gibson’s Gem completed a top five covered by only 0.664secs. Ian Crombie, Gareth Salter, Jason Money, Alex and Jamie Champkin and Paul Freeman completed the 11 car grid. “My front tyre went down when I braked at Brooklands, I did try to crawl round but had to stop,” explained Freeman. The track was dry for the race and fortunately there were no immediate casualties from qualifying. As the lights went out Osborne led the charge to Hatchets from Evans, Langridge, Daniel and Paul Gibson. Into Hatchets for the second time Langridge outbraked Evans for second, who then had Daniel Gibson poised, after he had taken father Paul. Money latched onto Salter to challenge for seventh, after both started to fall adrift of Crombie. Langridge made his first challenge for the lead at Hatchets on lap four. He nosed ahead briefly but ran wide on the exit and fell back to third behind Evans, as the top six continued to pull away. Alex Champkin was the first retirement, having given up the increasingly rough sounding Mallock. There were battles right through the field as Crombie was managing to stay with Paul Gibson to run nose to tail in fifth. Money grabbed seventh at Hatchets, while Dan Gibson began to press Langridge for third. Onto the Speedway straight for the sixth time Evans managed to get alongside Osborne, but the now Clio racer kept the door firmly shut and Evans had to fall in behind. It was Dan Gibson’s turn to challenge again at Hatchets on lap seven and for the next lap he was wheel to wheel with Langridge, but couldn’t quite make it count. But at Hatchets on lap nine, Langridge was alongside Evans again and Gibson Jnr did his best to make it three abreast. Although it was close between the top four, Osborne continued to keep his nose ahead. Two laps later both Osborne and Langridge overshot at Hatchets, Evans tried to pounce and nosed ahead into Spitfires, before contact with Langridge left him spinning and put Osborne back in front. “The back end of the car was very twitchy, I didn’t really have the pace to win so it was just defend, defend,” said Osborne. At the flag Osborne had rebuilt a lead of 2.347secs over Langridge, with Paul Gibson just doing enough to keep Crombie at bay for third, after Daniel had pitted. “I just wanted a clean race, there was just too much contact for me,” said Langridge. “I kept hitting the brakes to avoid contact with the varying degrees of weaving, then the big end went and I just lost power and pitted,” said Daniel Gibson. “I was running out of suspension travel at the rear and it was jumping about,” said Paul Gibson. “Well I got alongside Paul once, then nearly saw the grass and backed off. It was nice to look in the mirrors and see no one there though,” added fourth placed Crombie. Money closed in fifth towards the end and Freeman made it into sixth from lap 11. Jamie Champkin, and Salter both went the distance. “Jamie took me at Honda and then understeered off at Hatchets. I got back in front and went too fast into Brooklands and went off again myself,” explained Salter. Evans was still classified ninth after a pitstop. “I got hit when Adrian got between Alex and I had more momentum and had nosed in front and then got whacked by Adrian,” he explained. RESULTS
no other finishers. Fastest lap: Langridge 57.980s (90.39mph). Although Langridge secured his second pole of the weekend, he was sidelined before the end of qualifying, “The link on the rear axle broke,” he explained. Daniel Gibson was alongside again but he had problems too. “The throttle kept sticking,” he said. Evans and Paul Gibson shared the second row, with Money and Freeman on the third, Osborne and Crombie on the fourth and Jamie Champkin and Salter completing the grid, as Alex Champkin was unavailable. RACE TWO Evans made a blinding start to head Langridge into Hatchets, with Freeman, Daniel Gibson, Money and Osborne latched on behind. But Osborne was off at the paddock crossing and red flags were out. As Evans slowed though at Dibeni, he spun and was clipped by Langridge. “I had run wide and the front dropped down, so I pulled off rather than damage the car,” said Osborne. So it was a nine car restart and this time Langridge held his line and the lead, from Evans, Paul Gibson, Dan Gibson, Freeman, Crombie and Money. Langridge soon started to build a lead, as Evans was being chased down by the Gibson’s. Freeman was on his own but Crombie had Money breathing down his neck for sixth. After Dan Gibson shot past father Paul into Hatchets on lap four, Money finally got past Crombie who then had both Salter and Champkin closing. Although Evans had briefly consolidated his hold on second, Daniel started to close and was right on his tail through Dibeni a lap later, while Money continued his charge by reeling Freeman. Daniel made it into second as they arrived at Hatchets, while Crombie’s slide continued when Champkin went by too. But second was soon under threat again when Gibson Jnr started to slow and Evans got back in touch, only to spin at Dibeni on the ninth lap. “It kept sticking in gears and I was struggling. I didn’t know which gear I was going to get and then would grab a box of neutrals. The clutch had gone too,” said Daniel. Langridge held on for a fairly comfortable win, over 13 secs clear of Daniel Gibson. “It was a good clean race, I had taken it easy at the first start but on the second they slowed each other up and let me get away,” said Langridge. Evans managed to retain third, from Paul Gibson. “I had some wild slides especially through Honda, it was severe oversteer,” Evans explained. “We changed the settings and went the wrong way,” added Paul Gibson. Freeman survived in fifth after Money retired, leaving Champkin, Crombie and Salter to complete the finishers. RESULTS
no other finishers. Fastest lap: D.Gibson 59.991s (90.37mph). Issued by Peter Scherer for the Clubmans Register
Mike Evans benefits from Flag day at Oulton Park It was fourth time lucky at Oulton Park, when after three red flags there was finally a five lap race to complete an incident packed final round to this years championship. Mike Evans took a lights to flag victory, which was as much in relief as celebration. Reigning Champion Daniel Gibson remained favourite to take a second successive title, and took another step towards his target by securing pole with his Gem 008, but was only 0.329secs up on Evans’ trusty Mallock Mk20. With Barry Webb’s Mk23BW and Howard Payne’s Mk20B both within a 0.9secs of pole too, a close race was anticipated. 20 cars lined up initially for the, but a superb start from Evans was all in vain as a multiple shunt occurred before most of the field had reached Old Hall. Sideshow Bob Davis had gone for a closing gap and his Davis hit the side of Guy Parr’s Gem, lifting its rear into the air and almost rolling the car. Caught up in the following onslaught were Adrian Lester, Des Andrews, Jamie Champkin and Chris Hart. Of the six casualties only Hart made it to the grid for the restart. “I could see what was going to happen so I took the grass to escape it,” said Alex Osborne. “Don’t forget I am Renault Clio trained now, so you learn how to anticipate things,” he added. TAKE TWO Evans once again made an excellent start, with Payne slotting into second. Dan Gibson and Webb were locked together and although things appeared to be going Ok, red flags were flying again before a lap was completed. Gibson had got into third but Webb was on the grass into Island and collected his rival as he turned in. As is customary the race was moved to the end of the programme when hopefully tempers would have cooled. TAKE THREE 13 cars from an original 20 lined up for the third attempt. Evans made his third successive good start and headed Payne, Paul Freeman and Dan Gibson into Old Hall. Gibson had third down the Avenue and was into second by the end of the first lap. Payne was in third, from Osborne, Paul Gibson, Freeman, Michelle Haywood, Nigel Corry, Jason Money and Gareth Salter. But Gibson Jnr slid onto the grass at Old Hall and piled into the barrier. “I thought the Armco was hard but my Gem is even harder,” he said after nursing bruised ribs. It may have been his title over but it proved the opposite, as Payne had also crashed out too. “Alex Osborne and I went either side of Howard, but he moved and I had nowhere to go, “explained Paul Gibson, Red flags flew again but with Payne sidelined it meant Dan Gibson won his title by default. “I really didn’t want it like that. I wanted to win the title on the track, not because Howard couldn’t race. TAKE FOUR From a healthy 20 cars that lined up for the first start earlier in the day, we were down to 11 for the fourth attempt to run the race. As Evans sat alone on the front row of the grid, there was a complete void on row two, before Freeman and Haywood lined up on the third. His only concern being if the diff would take a fourth start. He needn’t have worried as he not only made a cracking get away, he eased himself clear for a lights to flag win by over seven seconds. “I was so relieved that nothing broke on that last start, I didn’t want to blow it again,” said Evans. Freeman, Haywood and Paul Gibson had followed Evans through Old Hall, but by the time they crested Hilltop Gibson was second with Osborne inches behind. Money made it a three way battle a lap later and Haywood did her best to join in too after taking Freeman on lap three. Gibson just held off from Osborne at the flag. But both Money and Haywood were in the mix too. Freeman dropped back to take sixth, with Corry seventh and both Brian Jordan and Gareth Barnett pipped Clive Lester on the last lap, relegating him to ninth. Salter completed the finishers. RESULTS
Fastest lap: Evans 1m28.876s (90.16mph).
Issued by Peter Scherer for the Clubmans Register on September 29th, 2008
Lester wins as Gibson looses his nut! Adrian Lester’s Mallock secured another victory at Thruxton, after his race long duel with reigning champion Daniel Gibson, ended when the Gem had a wheel nut come loose in the closing laps. With qualifying taking place on a drying track, it came as no surprise that the pole went down to the final lap. Lester was in second, splitting the Gem’s of Dan and Paul Gibson, closely followed by the Mallock’s of Clive Wood, Adrian Langridge and Barry Webb, with all six covered by only 0.624secs. “I had pole for a while, but got caught in traffic towards the end and lost valuable time,” said Gibson Snr. “Pole was mine until the last lap, the car was performing well and it was very quick, but I was concerned when rain spots appeared on my visor,” Lester replied. But Wood reckoned he could have done better, “if I could learn to rive this thing it would better, good enough though,” he reckoned. On the other hand Langridge was delighted, “a new track for me, I spun into the Complex trying to overtake. But believe I had pole for a while too,” he said. “Yes I was on pole too, then I couldn’t get a clear lap when everyone went quicker and I inadvertently towed Daniel to his pole time,” said Webb. Down in seventh Howard Payne could see his championship hopes reducing, “the engine ran OK for about three laps and then wouldn’t pull and it started to smoke” he explained. Guy Par returned with the Gem development car, “it felt fantastic but not that quick,” he reckoned. Jason Money’s Dart and Paul Freeman’s Ardmore completed the top ten, with former Champion Alex Osborne making a one off return in 11th, with the Deserving Young Driver scheme Mallock. RACE There no casualties from qualifying, so all 17 cars made it to the grid on a now dry track.As the lights went out it was Wood that grabbed the early lead from Lester, but it was three abreast for third with Paul Gibson heading Payne, as poleman Daniel Gibson fell back. Lester had the lead into the chicane as Daniel made an ambitious lunge and almost got third. He had to back off and in the reshuffle it was Payne in third, from the Gibson duo and Barry Webb in sixth. As Payne started to threaten Wood for second, Daniel profited as they both ran wide into Cobb. Both Paul Gibson and Webb benefited too, before Wood slowed and headed for the pits. “When I went into the Complex on the second lap I thought I could slipstream Adrian. But I got sideways and went straight on at the next corner, only just keeping off the grass. Something was seriously wrong with the rear end,” Wood explained. With the top five in the clear, Langridge came charging through, and took Osborne and Bicknell on consecutive laps to hold sixth. It was getting close at the front as Lester came under increasing pressure and finally lost out to Gibson Jnr after a brave move around the outside into the chicane on lap five. Langridge also edged out Osborne for sixth, while Bicknell was struggling to keep Money back in his quest for eighth, leaving Champkin and Crombie nose to tail in tenth. The lead had started to grow a little, leaving Lester at the mercy of Gibson Snr. But Payne was in trouble and headed for the pits with a re-occurrence of his qualifying maladies. It was all starting to look settled, but Daniel Gibson's lead was not only disappearing rapidly but he began to struggle to make the finish. Lester hit the front again with a lap to go, and this time he stayed there, with Paul Gibson snatching second at the chicane on the last lap. “I had a problem with the back end and nursed the car through mid race. I knew I had the legs of Daniel on the run up Woodham Hill though,” said Lester. “My car was a dream to drive, but just not got the straightline speed,” added Gibson Snr. Although Daniel still took third he failed to complete his slowing down lap. “With about three laps to go a rear wheel nut came loose. It was only the clip that stopped it coming off, but it was so skittish especially on right handers. Every time I tried to brake it nearly swapped ends to,” he explained. Langridge claimed fourth towards the end when Webb slowed with a similar problem to Payne, he still managed to hold fifth though. “It started to smoke at the end of the straight and lost power. It had been good until then,” said Webb. Osborne withstood some late pressure to hold off Money for sixth. Crombie carved his way through to hold eighth from lap nine, after seeing off Champkin and Bicknell. “It was great fun, I had some good opportunities and took them. It was good watching the battles behind in my mirrors too,” said Crombie. Having slowed exiting the chicane and dropped well down, Parr came back to claim a late ninth, with Champkin completing the top ten. RESULTS
Fastest lap: Daniel Gibson 1m20.236s (105.70mph).
Issued by Peter Scherer for the Clubmans Register
Gibsons put Clubmans Cup in the Family way Middlesbrough father and son Paul and Daniel Gibson shared the honours at their local track, Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire. A dominant day for the two GEM drivers, in the ninth and 10th rounds of the BARC/Dunlop Clubmans Cup season. While the Gibson’s took all before them, Howard Payne secured a deserved second place in race one, just 1.4 seconds shy of Daniel at the chequered flag, while in the second, Paul Gibson headed his son home by just seven 10ths of a second, with Evans rounding out the podium. RACE ONE The Gibson’s controlled Saturday’s qualifying, with Daniel securing pole position for round nine by almost six 10ths of a second from Paul, who in turn was 0.875 seconds quicker than Mike Evans. Howard Payne, off the back of a very successful run at Silverstone last time out, lined up fifth. Payne got a great start passing all four cars ahead on the run to Clervaux, with fourth placed starter Webb also enjoying a good getaway to nestle in behind the leader. In contrast, the Gibson front-row had a nightmare start, with both drivers dropping places, while behind others came to grief at the first corner with ‘Sideshow’ Bob Davis, Adrian Langridge and Adrian Lester all crashing out. As the race entered lap two, the Gibson’s began to make amends for their tardy starts, and after Daniel passed his Dad he went on to take second position from Webb at the Hairpin, as Payne continued to set the pace. Webb’s involvement in the race soon ended though when his Mallock Mk 23 had an excursion on lap three. Problems also befell Evans’ Mallock Mk 20 on the fourth tour – he actually retired a lap later – but back at the front the race lead was about to change on lap four at Hawthorn, when Daniel Gibson shot past Payne. For the next few laps, the action abated somewhat with Daniel leading from Payne and Paul Gibson in third, Paul Freeman’s Ardmore was fourth, Jason Money’s Dart fifth position and Clive Wood rounding out the top six. But on lap seven of the 12, Reece Wood – who started down in 15th place – passed Michelle Hayward for seventh. Payne soon started to find a second wind and began to close down Daniel Gibson’s GEM 008 again, while behind, Wood produced a good move at Tower to take fifth position from Money. Wood actually started to pressurise fourth placed Freeman in double quick time but a mistake on lap nine dropped the Mallock Mk 28 back down to sixth. During the final three laps, Payne was there or thereabouts but couldn’t get within a second of Daniel Gibson, who went on to take his fifth victory of the campaign. Payne was runner-up, a full seven seconds ahead of Paul Gibson, with Freeman fourth, Wood fifth and Money in sixth place. Special mention to Phil Weaver for steering his Mallock Mk 27 to 10th place, having started on the last row of the grid in 19th position. “It didn’t quite go according to plan off the line”, said Daniel Gibson after the race, “We were unlucky at Silverstone but it’s good to get another win here. Fingers crossed, although I’m not counting any chickens yet as you don’t know what’s around the corner, we’re looking good in the championship.” RESULTS
Fastest lap: Daniel Gibson 1m26.520s (88.42mph). RACE TWO Daniel Gibson was on pole for the second race too, eight 10ths of a second faster than Paul, with Evans and Payne sharing row two, ahead of Clive Wood and Barry Webb. Evans made a great start from third on the grid, to grab the initial lead, while Payne came through from fourth to second as the Gibson’s, yet again, totally wasted their front-row starts. However, Gibson senior at least managed to get back into second place at Hawthorn while Daniel was down in sixth. At the end of the opening lap, Daniel grabbed fifth place from a fast-starting ‘Sideshow’ Bob, but into lap two the Davis T8 slowed and eventually retired at the end of the second tour. Payne moved back into second on lap two, ahead of Paul Gibson and maintained the position for several laps. But on the sixth tour the places reversed once again, and Daniel Gibson soon started to pressure third placed Payne, eventually gaining the place. Race leader Evans soaked up huge pressure as he continued to hold off the charging GEM 008s of the Gibson’s. But it all came undone at the hairpin on lap 10, when Paul Gibson went by and Daniel followed him through. The result remained the same with the long-time leader Evans relegated to third. Paul Gibson claimed his first win of the Clubmans Cup season, with Daniel second, Evans third and Langridge an incredible fourth – the latter having set the fastest lap of the race and also having started in his Mallock Mk 23 in 13th place on the grid. “I dived up the inside at the hairpin and that was it”, reflected Paul Gibson on his lap 10 pass for the lead, “We haven’t been able to get the starts right today but it worked out alright in the end. We’re proud to be associated with GEM.” The finish had been easily the closest of the two Clubmans encounters with just 1.7 seconds splitting the top four at the chequered flag. Championship leader Daniel Gibson added: “What a nightmare off the start again, it worked out in the end though. I’m over the moon for my Dad, especially for him to win here at Croft.” RESULTS
FL: Langridge 1m26.649s (88.28mph).
Published by Peter Scherer for the Clubmans Register
Payne closes in on Gibson in title chase Northampton’s Howard Payne enjoyed a highly successful outing at Silverstone National Circuit on Saturday, which concluded with the Mallock MK20B racer closing to within just two points of BARC/Dunlop Clubmans Cup series leader Daniel Gibson. Finishing runner-up to Gibson in round seven and then going on to win by some seven seconds in round eight, Payne also took the bonus point for fastest lap in the second encounter to claim the biggest haul of any driver. For Gibson, the Silverstone event was bittersweet to the say the least. Having been in a class of his own during the wet qualifying session, lapping up to 1.5 seconds faster than his nearest rivals, a potential double victory went awry, due to a stub-axle failure on the 10th lap of race two which sent him into retirement. Seeing his championship lead seriously eroded, the GEM 008 driver will undoubtedly be looking to re-assert his authority in the Clubmans Cup once again when the campaign resumes at Croft in North Yorkshire on 19th/20th July. RACE ONE Starting round seven alongside pole-sitter Gibson was Paul Freeman who made the best getaway in his Ardmore FR95B, leading through Copse for the first time, while Gibson made work for himself with a less than sparkling attempt to get off the line cleanly. The tricky track conditions, a result of persistent light rain throughout the morning, didn’t cause Gibson problems for long though as he mounted a rapid recovery. But ahead, Des Andrews was up to second place after a good start. Disappointingly though he failed to reach the heights he initially promised following a lap one spin at Luffield. Freeman held the lead until midway through lap four when Gibson made a decisive pass at Becketts, having already dispatched Payne from second. From that point on the championship leader was never headed. Freeman, meanwhile, slipped back to third when Payne made his way by on the fifth tour and that’s how the top three would finish. Andrews recovered to fourth after his opening lap misdemeanor, albeit some 17 seconds shy of third place, while Ian Crombie, Mike Evans, Barry Webb and Jamie Champkin rounded out the top eight. Lap eight was a turning point for Champkin and also Reece Wood when the pair made contact at Luffield while dueling over fourth position. Champkin’s Phantom was able to continue but Wood’s Mallock ended the race in the gravel on the outside of the corner. Such was Gibson’s dominance, once he had made his way into the lead, his best lap of 1m 09.049 seconds (85.45mph) was a full second better than anyone else could manage in the slippery conditions. “Really pleased with the win,” was how Gibson described his triumph, further extending his lead in the championship standings – misfortune would befall the reigning Champion less than four hours later. RESULTS
Fastest lap: Gibson 1m09.049s (85.45mph).
RACE TWO In time for the second Silverstone National encounter, conditions had improved and with the track drying lap times were significantly quicker than during the first of the day’s two Clubmans Cup races. The front row of the grid was a family affair, Gibson junior taking pole position again a full 1.5 seconds faster than father Paul who was the best of the rest. Neither made good starts though and were helpless to prevent Payne from nipping through into the lead from third on the grid. Freeman, who started fourth, moved up into second, while fifth placed qualifier Adrian Lester also made his intentions clear early on by challenging hard into Becketts on the opening lap, taking second from Freeman. Into lap two, Payne led Lester with Daniel Gibson third and Freeman pushed down to fourth place. Gibson began to apply serious pressure to Lester but the Mallock driver didn’t capitulate. However, he eventually had to concede the position on the fourth tour as they headed out of Becketts along Club Straight. Further behind, Evans had made a stunning start to the race and by lap four he was up into the top five having started down in 14th place on the grid. By lap six, he was in a position to challenge for third and duly the made the position his by passing Lester. It soon became clear Lester had car troubles and after losing ground on a lap-by-lap basis, he eventually retired to the pits on his 13th lap. Back at the front, Daniel Gibson continued to reel in race leader Payne, while Evans also closed in third place. Evans’ progress looked for a split-second to be coming to an end on lap eight, when he went slightly wide at the exit of Brooklands but he recovered well without losing a place. As the race entered lap 10, Payne was no longer under the close attention of Daniel Gibson and it soon became clear why – the championship leader forced to slow into retirement, after a broken left-rear stub axle robbed him of a possible winning double. Payne went on to win by seven seconds with Evans an outstanding second, scything his way through from the seventh row of the grid. “I’m obviously very pleased to win and with Dan (Gibson) failing to score it’s very good news for my championship”, said Payne. Paul Gibson took the final podium spot in third, Adrian Langridge was fourth – a terrific run from eighth on the grid – Freeman was fifth and Wood sixth. Andrews took the chequered flag in seventh place, Sideshow Bob Davis was eighth in his distinctive Davis T8, Jason Money took ninth at the wheel of his Dart S16 and Marcus Bicknell brought his Mallock home in 10th place.
RESULTS
FL: Payne 1m01.928s (95.27mph). Issued by Peter Scherer for the Clubmans Register
Red flag brings joy to Langridge! Daniel Gibson and Adrian Langridge shared the spoils at a dry and sunny Brands Hatch over the weekend. While Gibson extended his lead at the head of the points table, Langridge had equal cause to celebrate as this was his maiden race win in a career that so far embraces only around a dozen races.
Howard Payne and Adrian Lester were his closest rivals in qualifying, and they too were below Eagling’s benchmark. Of note was Paul Gibson who was running an evolution set-up on the rear of his GEM 008, but found it too stiff, while fellow GEM driver Guy Parr gave Glenn Eagling’s crew a major clear up job after beaching the car in the gravel at Paddock. More annoying though was that during the recovery, the rear wing stays were ripped out. RACE ONE This was pretty straightforward for Gibson who, although initially outdragged by Payne, slipped through up the inside into Druids and was never headed again. Payne kept up the pursuit racelong and was just 1.16s adrift at the flag. The pair traded fastest lap several times, and although unable to match the sort of pace he had done in qualifying, it was Gibson who rewrote the record books with a 49.219s run on lap nine. ‘I had to keep an eye on the mirrors and wouldn’t really have wanted to go much faster’ he admitted. “A cracker of a race, but not enough overtaking,” responded Payne, who enjoyed a very comfortable cushion to third place man Lester. The top three held station throughout, while, the battle for the next placings really came alive in the final quarter of the race, with Langridge taking fourth after a spirited tussle with Reece Wood, settled only on the penultimate lap and by just 0.6 seconds. Paul Gibson was just behind Wood, the Middlesbrough man making stealthy progress in the closing stages to complete the top six. But the man who really shone at Brands, as at Snetterton was ‘Sideshow Bob’ Davis, who having qualified his self built car tenth fastest, then slipped to eleventh before staging a fine comeback to seventh. OK, so ‘Sideshow’ lost sixth place to Gibson on the final lap, but his earlier passing manoeuvres, including on Barry Webb at Druids and Guy Parr at Graham Hill Bend, show just how much the car is improving. “I had a number of issues with the car originally and with conditions as they’ve been, hadn’t made the progress I’d hoped. I’ve moved forward this weekend though,” said Davis. If any more proof was needed, it came with an around-the outside (!) pass on Marcus Bicknell at Paddock Hill Bend on lap six. Bicknell, Parr and Webb completed the top ten in a race where all 21 starters made it to the finish. RESULTS CLUBMANS CUP, RACE ONE (17 LAPS)
Fastest lap .Gibson 49.219s (87.67mph) Record.
RACE TWO With second best times in qualifying setting the order for this, the line up looked pretty familiar, except that Langridge was third quickest ahead of Lester, while the Parr GEM wasn’t on the amended grid sheet. When the starting lights went out, Gibson made a sluggish getaway and car after car shot past the pole sitter. Langridge made a superb start from row two to grab the lead ahead of Lester and Payne, with Gibson salvaging fourth by the end of lap one. Now began a typical Gibson charge and two laps later, Payne became his first victim when Gibson shoehorned his way through up the inside at Clearways. Lester held on to second until lap seven, when he too fell victim to the recovering pole sitter. By the time that Gibson had made it through to second, there was a tantalizing 1.64s gap to race leader Langridge, and the prospect of a cracking duel to come. He eroded a fraction of that on lap eight, but Langridge then responded by increasing his pace. Behind the front four, things were really hotting up with Sideshow Bob enjoying his best placing yet in fifth, which he’d taken at the expense of Paul Gibson. But Gibson Snr fought back and, on lap 11 and wrested the place with a forceful move down into Graham Hill Bend. The contact threw Davis out of his stride and he was slow out of the corner. Just moments later, Bicknell went spinning along Cooper Straight following a touch with Davis. But it proved academic as the race was stopped shortly after with Davis firmly beached in the gravel exiting Clark Curve, after he understeered off. With 11 of the planned 17 laps completed, a result was declared with Langridge (who took the fastest lap) winning ahead of D.Gibson, Lester and Payne. Paul Gibson (much happier with a softer set-up on the rear) filled fifth spot just ahead of Wood, Bicknell and Webb, while a detached Jamie Champkin and Paul Freeman rounded out the top ten. “It feels fantastic to take my first ever victory,” said an elated Langridge who, having had time to reflect, later opined “I feel a bit deflated by getting the result under red flags”. Meanwhile, Sideshow Bob sought out Bicknell to apologise for taking him out in the incident on Cooper Straight, the pair exchanging smiles and a hug. RESULTS RACE TWO (10 LAPS)
Gibson and Payne share the spoils at a wet Snetterton Rain clouds appear to be following the Clubmans Cup competitors around the country with both races at the Snetterton blighted by inclement weather. Honours were even at the end of racing with previous winners, Daniel Gibson and Howard Payne, taking a victory apiece after passing each other in the process. The single qualifying session, held in the wet set both grids with reigning champion Gibson setting the pace throughout the session. “That was not to bad – still lots left, he said.” Which if true would make challenging Daniel difficult. Payne was leading the chase but in the latter stages was demoted to fourth by a flying Mike Evans and Adrian Lester. Evans happily reported his new high down-force nose was working well, but a late spin and the resultant fuel pick up problem hinder further progress. Lester was feeling much happier in his Mk36 than at Rockingham, when it had proved almost impossible to drive in the wet. For Payne fourth was ‘disappointing’ having set a scintillating 72.7sec lap in dry testing the previous evening. Marcus Bicknell was showing all his wet weather skills with fifth place on the grid, followed by the second GEM of Paul Gibson, who set the sixth best time on the final lap. “I didn’t wake up until the end,” was his excuse! A first lap spin and a broken nose late in the session kept Adrian Langridge down in seventh, with Jamie Champkin pleased to be next up, while Barry Webb was ninth. “Predictably slow in the conditions,” he said. Ian Crombie completed the top ten with Paul Freeman next after a spin at Russell. Reece Wood followed, still unable to get to grips with the Mk27 after two days of testing. Clive Wood described 17th as ‘rubbish’ while Jason Money took the Avalan 3 out for a few laps after a wheel fell off his Dart in testing. “The car has impressive high speed handling but the brakes aren’t quite right,” he explained. After a spin he parked and took no further part in proceedings. Making his racing debut was Alex Champkin, in the recently purchased Mallock EXB of Adrian Lester. “I’ve never driven in the wet so I’m pleased to be in touch with the rest of the grid,” was his response. The track was only slightly damp as the grid formed up for the opening race, but light rain started to fall as soon as the starting lights went out. Evans made the best start with Payne slotting into second place as the younger Gibson, who has still not quite got grips with starting the GEM, next with Lester and the pack following. “I made a good exit out of Sear but Howard just blew past me,” explained Evans. Langridge got a run on Neil Bevan down the back straight, but then saw Webb trying to pass on the other side going into the Esses. “I was surprised to see him there, said Langridge”. The inevitable clash saw Langridge spin and but Webb was out too. Champkin Snr pitted for a cautionary inspection after taking to the grass at the opening corner in his Phantom, “avoiding a pile up,” he reckoned. But Alex got no further than Riches on lap two when he spun off into the field. Gibson soon passed Evans and than went for the lead on lap three at the Esses. “He went by on the outside of the first part. It was a good move and to be fair I couldn’t keep with him,” explained Payne. Meanwhile Reece Wood was flying in the conditions and steadily moved up the order, unseating Lester for third on the fifth lap. The pair exchanged places a few times in the following laps before Wood’s progress was stopped when he clipped a puddle at Riches corner and joined Alex Champkin in the field. Meanwhile the man on the move was Sideshow Bob Davis who carved his way up the order to do battle with Bicknell and Paul Gibson. When Bicknells exhaust broke Davis went by and he then forced his way by the Gibson Snr for fifth. Thereafter he chased after the Payne, Lester, Evans train and just caught them by the flag, setting the fastest lap in the process. A few laps more and a podium could finish would have beckoned. Langridge recovered to eighth with Clive Wood and Bevan completing the top ten. RACE TWO It was a guessing game on set-up, as it had been in the first, this time on grooved rubber. Daniel Gibson made a good start in the GEM and led away with Evans, Payne and Lester behind, while the fast starting Bicknell had nowhere to good and had to slot into fifth. Payne took Evans down the Revett Straight but was put back to third with a daring move around the outside of the Esses on the following lap. Payne mirrored the manoeuvre on the third lap and then set off after the leader. Time and again Payne, in his 30 year old car, would try for the lead, at the Esses, Riches and Sear but Gibson’s defences remained secure. That was until the he found a way past at the Esses on the tenth lap and then flew around Coram, which saw the following Gibson very nearly run out of road. Payne then controlled the remaining laps to take victory with Evans down in the third. “I couldn’t hang onto to them,” he admitted on the podium. “It was a great race” said the winner. “We were both sideways though the Esses side by side when I went for the lead, but didn’t touch,” he added. “I just couldn’t catch him” responded Gibson. Lester’s fine weekend ended on the back straight with fuel pump failure leaving Bicknell to come home in fourth place. Freeman was going well in the early laps but his Ardmore was demoted back to seventh at the finish by both Langridge and Paul Gibson, the latter spinning at Russell. Bevan was much happier with race two and eighth place while Crombie was delighted to steal ninth place off Webb on the final lap. This time “old wets” stopped Bob from repeating his fabulous first race charge and he had to settle for 12th behind Reece Wood, whose late spin dropped him out of the top ten. Clive Wood, Richard Gilmour and Brian Jordan finished ahead of new boy Alex Champkin, the 18 year old “enjoying it immensely”.
Dunlop Clubmans Cup – Race One
Pole: Daniel Gibson 1m 24.783s (82.88mph). Fastest lap: Davis 1m 19.545s (88.34mph). Race Two
Pole: Daniel Gibson 1m 25.025 (82.65mph). Fastest lap: Howard Payne 1m 19.990s (87.84mph).
by Peter Scherer for the Clubmans Register on May 27th, 2008.
Rockingham Payne prevails Howard Payne and Daniel Gibson were never more than a length apart, as they duelled for supremacy at a wet and greasy Rockingham. Gibson nosed ahead a couple of times, but Payne proved unbeatable in the end. After giving the Gem 008 its maiden victory at Oulton Park, Daniel Gibson took pole again 1.180secs clear of Adrian Langridge’s Mallock Mk23. “I am very happy with that. We had new runner and we are still learning,” said the poleman. “I was on the limiter in fourth on the straights, so we need a different diff. I am still learning the lines, but never really satisfied. I just plan to finish,” Langridge replied. Paul Gibson’s Gem headed row two. I didn’t have new rubber like Dan, so I had a little bit of understeer,” he said. In his first race for seven years Neil Bevan lined up fourth. “I had done a test at Mallory and the pre-race test at Rockingham, otherwise nothing since 2002. I wasted time at the start of the session, backing off,” he commented. Howard Payne was disappointed with his time in fifth. “Not as quick as testing. I dropped back but couldn’t find a clear lap,” he said. “As well it can be,” said Barry Webb lining up along side. Next up was Jason Money’s Dart, “I didn’t get a clear lap either,” he commented. Last years Championship runner up Adrian Lester made his first appearance of the year with his more modified Mallock Mk35. “The car is working well, it’s just the driver that’s rusty and overdriving it,” he said. Reece Wood was also a seasonal debutant, having changed to the ex Peter Richings/Daniel Gibson Mk27 Mallock. “I went off, half way through a left hander it snapped away from me,” he explained. Mike Evans was down in 10th after spluttering into the pits, “it was an engine sensor playing up,” he confirmed. Jamie Champkin’s Phantom was losing out with the wrong diff. “I was on the limiter and they just drove past me,” he said. Chris Hart made another comeback with the ex Adrian Brown Mk18B, I had a bit of a fuel pick up problem,” he said. “Lovely, everything is good,” said 13th placed Marcus Bicknell, while Richard Gilmour is still looking for pace in his Mallock. Ian Crombie only got three laps when the rear undertray came adrift and Sideshow Bob Davis struggled with a blocked fuel filter. RACE There were no casualties and so all 16 lined up for a wet race. But Money had to start from the pitlane after the Dart refused to start. Payne’s disappointment from qualifying soon became irrelevant after a lightning start gave him the lead through Turn One. Daniel Gibson slotted into second with Langridge third, until Payne went wide at Deene. Langridge tried to seize his chance, dived ahead only to fall off at Yentwood. “I just locked up,” he reckoned. Payne and Daniel Gibson soon started to ease themselves clear, while Evans made third his own after another fast start. Wood’s early hold on fourth was soon under pressure from Paul Gibson, but the second Gem slipped to fifth ay Deene as Bicknell shot by. Daniel Gibson started to show the nose of his car to Payne, as they circulated in close formation. Evans could only sit in wait, as he was unable to stick with the lead pairs pace on this occasion. But Bicknell’s charge continued and after taking Tarzan side by side with Wood on lap four, he took fourth into the Brook Esses. But Wood fought back and reclaimed his place after Bicknell went high through Turn One. It may have been close at the front but fourth continued to hot up. Bicknell shot past Wood at the Esses again on lap five and Webb took Paul Gibson for sixth, as it all started to close up. Payne had already taken a wide line at Tarzan “looking for grip.” But into the Esses for the sixth time he was crossed up and Gibson Jnr darted past. Bicknell also dropped to ninth after an off at Deene, while Gibson Snr and Webb shared a couple of exchanges for fifth. A lap later Payne was back in charge through Gracelands, with Gibson Jnr powerless to defend. Wood still had fourth but had become the head of a six car train. Gibson Snr grabbed fourth at the Esses on lap eight, then lost out to Wood at Deene, only to take it back yet again within yards. Their duel had played into Bicknell’s hands, mounting a swift recovery and followed through the order by Money, after Webb started to lose ground. Gibson Jnr tried everything he could to displace Payne, running side by side on a number of occasions. At the flag Payne was 0.815secs in front, for a hard fought but well deserved victory. “I know I made a good start, found myself in the lead and can’t remember the rest,” said Payne. “Howard just drove out of his skin. I threw everything at him. I had masses of understeer and couldn’t use the power,” Gibson Jnr replied. Evans spent virtually the whole race on his own in third, “I had a good first lap, but knew I wasn’t going to catch them,” he said. Bicknell’s recovery took him back to fourth from lap 10. “An extremely amusing race, I have got confidence in the car again after going for more downforce. I enjoyed getting fourth so much, knew I couldn’t get Mike. So fell off and did it all again,” he reckoned. Bevan grabbed a late fifth, aided by Paul Gibson’s late spin. “That was a really good battle in traffic. I was in second gear at the start, had to use both hands and lost places,” he explained. Money’s charge from the back netted sixth, and Wood was relieved to reach the finish in seventh. “I tried all sorts of things but couldn’t remedy it. It was understeering over the back of the circuit, tried another gear and was sliding all over the place,” he explained. Champkin also went by before Gibson Snr recovered. “We ran it way to stiff for the conditions, Dan’s car too,” said Gibson Snr. Hart completed the top ten, “just nice having time in the car,” he said. Davis, Crombie and Gilmour completed the finishers, Gilmour celebrating his 59th birthday. Webb spun out with a couple of laps to go after struggling for grip throughout, and Lester departed on the third lap, “ I pitched the car round at Yentwood and caught Jason Money as I tried to recover, taking my nose off,” said Lester.
RESULTS
Fastest lap: Payne 1m39.898s (70.22mph).
Clubmans Cup – Oulton Park Despite the horrendously wet conditions and a disappointing turn out, the brave spectators at Oulton Park were treated to a tremendous duel in the opening round of the Clubmans Cup. Local man Mike Evans was the favourite and it was all going his way, until a last lap spin gave defending Champion Daniel Gibson the win, a first for the new GEM chassis. It was still dry for the mornings qualifying session, which was dominated by Evans Mallock Mk20, taking pole by over a second from Howard Payne’s Mk20B. “We have got a few problems, minor though. A bit of a gearbox oil leak and some understeer. It would suit me if it stayed dry though,” said the poleman. “Mike was on new tyres like last year when he beat us too, but my car seems good to me,” Payne replied. A delighted Adrian Langridge was third best, having changed to the ex John Kelly Mallock Mk27 after his regular Mk23 had noise problems in testing. “It was all down to preparation and the lap dancing club in Chester the night before,” he reckoned. Sharing the second row was Jamie Champkin’s Phantom P94/08. “Very surprised, new tyres were great and apart from a bit of understeer it was good,” he said. Daniel Gibson was next in the brand new Gem 08 built by Glenn and Dan Eagling. “ A few dramas and the suspension needs reinforcing, It was built for a softy like Dan Eagling not animals like us,” said Dan. Jason Money’s Dart completed the top six, having made a few changes over the winter, including a new colour scheme. Down in seventh though Barry Webb was having all kinds of problems with his Mallock Mk23/03. “The camshaft seal keeps coming out, it did it in testing and again in qualifying,” he explained. Paul Gibson lined up eighth in the second Gem, “we had tested at Snetterton for a few laps and then 25 in testing here at Oulton. It’s the best brand new car out of the box I have ever driven,” he confirmed. Alongside Marcus Bicknell was back in his Mk26SG, the car used successfully last year by Reece Wood. “It’s lovely, great to drive and well engineered and set up by Martin Wood, so I have no excuses now,” he said. Although Paul Freeman’s Ardmore qualified tenth, he elected not to race. “it’s not working well, just doesn’t seem to suit these tyres,” he explained. Richard Gilmour was left still puzzling why his Mallock Mk18/25M is still nowhere near its pace of years gone by. Sideshow Bob Davis, in what he reckons is his last season of racing, had major problems with his Davis T8 too. “We had wet electrics in testing and the battery went flat, as well as gear selection problems. Had a new battery for qualifying and that went flat too,” he explained. Gareth Salter’s Mallock completed the qualifiers, but was far from happy. “I have man ‘flu,” he said and decided not to race. RACE The rain was pouring down and there was already standing water as the grid formed up, With neither Freeman nor Salter starting and Davis heading pitwards to retire on the green flag lap, it was 10 cars that finally took the start. Evans just held the lead from Payne, Langridge and Champkin, but it was all desperately close in the continuous ball of spray. But Daniel Gibson carved his way through and joined Evans in an opening lap break. Champkin was up to third, from Money, Langridge, Paul Gibson, Webb and Payne, who slowed considerably he past the pits. Bicknell and Gilmour were also in the hunt. As the lead duo continued to consolidate, Champkin spun out of third at Brittens. Money moved up and although Langridge was fourth, but he showed the muddy traces of a trip across the Brittens chicane. “I was trying to challenge Jason,” he explained By the end of lap three Dan Gibson was much closer to Evans and Money was able to relax a little after Langridge had gone off. “It was standing water at Druids, I just hit it and went off into the tyre wall,” he said. Webb had also spun and was out and it was becoming more a case of survival. But into Lodge for the fourth time it was nose to tail for the lead at Lodge. Gibson tried a dive on the inside of Old Hall which Evans defended successfully, but all the time Money was closing too. For the next three laps the trio closed and were covered by barely a second. But into Knickerbrook for the final time Evans was a fraction too late on the brakes, he spun and Gibson shot through to claim the win. “I tried to hold him off, just braked a tad too late and it went round on me,” said Evans. Money secured his first podium finish grabbing second before Evans recovered. “I was tempted to push. I tried hard but couldn’t really see if I closed up. So I just dropped back and waited for mistakes,” he explained. Paul Gibson retained fourth, “I was pushing in those conditions,” he said. Payne made slight inroads but was happy to make it home fifth. “I could have gone quicker but couldn’t see,” he said. A disappointed Champkin held onto sixth, “I just threw away a possible third with that early spin,” he said. Bicknell and Gilmour completed the finishers, “I couldn’t see at the start, settled into my pace and played with Jamie until I overcooked it at Knickerbrook,” said Bicknell. “I had a couple minor offs at Knickerbrook too, but decided to stay and collect some points,” said Gilmour. RESULTS 1 Daniel Gibson (Gem 008) 8 laps in 16m55.751s (76.32mph); 2 Jason Money (Dart S16) 16m57.050s; 3Mike Evans (Mallock Mk20); 4 Paul Gibson (Gem 008); 5 Howard Payne (Mallock Mk20B); 6 Jamie Champkin (Phantom P94/08); 7 Marcus Bicknell (Mallock Mk26SG); 8 Richard Gilmour (Mallock Mk18/25M); no other finishers. Fastest lap: Daniel Gibson 2m04/100s (78.09mph).
Submited by Peter Scherer.BARC
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