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mail your links to editorthegrid@yahoo.co.uk RADICAL UK CUP Derek Johnston and Stuart Moseley are Champions ROUNDS 15 &16, ROCKINGHAM With titles up for grabs still in both classes, there was a mixture of eager anticipation and nervous energy around the paddock, as the climax of a highly competitive season approached. It was the usual title protagonists at the front of the grid, with Terrence Woodward/Ross Kaiser’s SR8 heading Derek Johnston/Stuart Moseley by 1.081s. Ben/Michael Jackson lined up third with newcomer Cameron McDonald alongside in his SR8, not only making his Radical debut but his public race debut too. The leading Supersports class cars of Jamie Patterson (PR6) and Simon Dolan/Sam Hancock (SR3) made up the third row, with title aspirants Alex Kapadia/Daniel Laddiman third best. It was a blinding start from both front row men running side by side, flat out through Turn One, before Johnston grabbed the upper hand under braking for the Deene Hairpin. Jackson slotted into third and McDonald fourth. Johnston’s pace proved his undoing at Deene on the second lap, when he spun down to eighth and handed Jackson the chance to challenge Woodward for the lead. “I was trying too hard, but had been determined to have that first lap lead. I didn’t break early enough at the Hairpin and the tyres were too cold,” Johnston explained. Patterson and Kapadia shared a couple of early exchanges, but Johnston was recovering rapidly and took Dolan on lap four to break back into the top six. With Jeremy Ferguson and Nick Osborn off in separate incidents, there was a lap behind the safety car, but the green flag gave Jackson the impetus to push for the lead again. As Johnston managed to split the Supersports rivals, Kapadia lost ground in his quest to retake Patterson. But after Jackson finally made it by on lap nine, he started to open up a comfortable lead. “I went by on the Steel Straight, I knew I was psyching him out though,” said Jackson. Kapadia managed to retake Johnston at Tarzan and clawed his way back onto Pattison’s tail, while behind them Gary Kane’s SR4 had started to close after breaking clear of Simon Dolan. Jackson stayed out a lap longer than the rest, as they all started to head for the pitstops. It was Patterson that emerged with the lead, but after Kaiser took second into Turn One, he had the lead a lap later. Rather than close in on Patterson Laddiman started to lose ground in third. Kane took Michael Jackson for fourth, before Moseley began his climb through the order by taking Jackson and Hancock within a couple of laps. A number of stop go penalties affected the order, but Kaiser put his head down and went for the win, 44 seconds clear of a delighted Patterson at the flag. “It was a good race, no real problems. Derek got me at the start, I thought he was being brave and then he spun. I had a few mid race gear selection problems which cleared up, but then I thought about the championship. But it was very stressful for me watching Ross out there,” said Woodward. “I was having some fun out there, the PR6 is nearly a match for the SR8 around here, making time up on the twisty bits as the handling is so good. I particularly enjoyed that early dice with Alex, “said Patterson. Laddiman had already been caught by Moseley when he had to make his extra pit visit, but still took second in class behind Patterson. Hancock went clear in the closing laps after McDonald spun at the Brook Esses and collected the luckless Rob Wheldon. “I went for gap, he didn’t see me and rejoined into me,” said Wheldon. Kane was seventh after a late race duel with Nigel Greensall, while Andrew Ferguson/Nigel Redwood and Ian Simmonds both saw off Jackson’s challenge as they completed the top ten. Results race 1
Class winner: Patterson. Fastest lap: Kaiser 1m15.977s (91.92mph).
RACE TWO Woodward started from pole again, but it was Johnston’s determination once more that gave him the early lead. Jackson almost made it past Woodward into Deene on the first lap, as the lead trio soon put daylight between themselves and fourth placed McDonald. As in race one Kapadia was quickly onto the tail of Patterson’s class leading PR6, but had to keep an eye on his mirrors too as Allen was not far behind. Into Deene for the fifth time Jackson shot past Woodward for second and pulled off a similarly successful manoeuvre on Johnston for the lead through Chapman, with Woodward almost following. “I think Derek let me by,” said Jackson. Kapadia’s pace began to slow to as Allen was all over the back of his RPM team mate, finally exchanging places on the sixth lap through Chapman. Having lost out to Kane, Roger Bromiley had Dolan closing on his ninth place, while Kane himself was right with Phil Hall’s SR8. Jackson’s lead was up to six seconds by the end of lap nine, with Woodward continuing to shadow Johnston for second, until Deene where he eased his SR8 ahead on the exit. Showing no sign of his lack of experience McDonald started to close on Johnston too, but as Allen chased after Patterson for fifth, it was all over for Kapadia/Laddiman’s title hopes, as their car came to a halt exiting Pif Paf, joining Hall in retirement. “After about three laps the engine temperature went through the roof, I short shifted to try and hold on, but then lost drive and it was over,” Kapadia explained. “I was so close to Alex, but after he went out I desperately wanted to catch Jamie and was only a bit behind when we made the stop,” added Allen. Although Jackson pitted with over 27 seconds in hand, it was Kaiser that emerged with the lead. Patterson, Moseley and McDonald soon demoted Jackson Snr, but Kaiser’s lead continued to grow. Although Moseley had started to close on Patterson, the Irish driver responded and eased himself clear again. Jeremy Ferguson moved up to sixth ay Deene on lap 22, but after Jackson spun at Brook, Hancock got by and started to close on Ferguson. The finish was expected to be dramatic with the title still on the line, but not the way it turned out. Kaiser had a huge impact with the Turn One Wall, but despite an estimated speed of 140mph, he was able to walk away. With the safety car scrambled the race was completed in formation, with Patterson taking overall victory and clinched the Supersports title, but second for Moseley was enough to crown Johnston 2008 Champion. “I t hasn’t really sunk in that I have won the championship, but it was one of the hardest races I have had,” said Johnston. “Derek did this one for himself, he led the race I didn’t,” added Moseley. “What a great way for me to finish the season, the car was great, to win the class the class was good, but winning overall is great. I will be back next year for sure,” Patterson concluded. A delighted McDonald completed the podium finishers , with Ferguson/Allen, Dolan/Hancock and Kane rounding off the top six.
Class winners: Johnston/Moseley. Fastest lap: Kaiser 1m15.775s (92.16mph).
Issued by Peter Scherer for Radical Sports Cars, September 29th, 2008.
ROUNDS 11 & 12, BRANDS HATCH Hat-trick for Woodward/ Kaiser and Johnston/Moseley For the third successive meeting it was honours even between season long rivals Terrence Woodward/Ross Kaiser and Derek Johnston/Stuart Moseley, with one win apiece at a Bank Holiday Brands Hatch. There was only 0.246s separating the lead pairs after qualifying, but it was Johnston/Moseley that secured pole. Woodward had gone solo during the session though, with Kaiser away racing at the Lausitzring. All 17 cars came through qualifying unscathed but there was drama in the assembly area when Jeremy Ferguson’s RPM SR3 had fuel leaking into the cockpit and was unable to take the start. Being first race of the day there was an air of anticipation, as the pacecar led the field round in preparation for the rolling start. The lights went out and Johnston headed the charge to Paddock, but Ben Jackson’s SR8 still managed to find a way through. Woodward slotted into third, from Daniel Laddiman, Jamie Patterson, Andrew Ferguson and Roger Bromiley. Simon Dolan spun and Phil Hall followed suit after a tap from James Saggers. “I was trying to avoid Simon,” said Hall. “It left me with nowhere to go,” Saggers replied after pitting with steering damage. The pace was unforgiving and it was Patterson first to make a move, taking Laddiman for fourth and the class lead on the third lap. Woodward was also sticking close to Johnston as Jackson continued to build on his lead. “I hadn’t planned to go for the lead so early, but when the gap appeared I had to take it,” said Jackson. Bromiley moved up to third in class when Andrew Ferguson’s SR3 started to lose pace, with Paul Thomas and Adrian Medeiros soon following. Laddiman was next come under threat as the flamboyant Bromiley continued to make progress. He wasn’t the only one however as the recovering Hall was flying through the field. “That’s probably the best I have ever driven, “he said. Woodward had bided his time, but sneaked inside Johnston on the 12th lap before consolidating second. With a little moisture in the air Paterson started to close on Johnston and on the 21st lap he not only took third but immediately pulled away. Woodward had also upped his pace and went for the lead at Druids. The resultant spin increased Jackson’s lead to nine seconds, but his recovery was completed before Paterson and Johnston arrived on the scene, but it was nose to tail between the trio for the next couple of laps. A safety car period to recover Simon Dolan’s SR3 from Druids coincided with the pitstop window opening, and virtually every car pitted at the earliest opportunity. As they peeled into the pitlane, Jackson led Woodward, from Patterson, Johnston and the closing Hall, with Medeiros, Laddiman, and Bromiley next up. There was another six laps behind the safety car before the race went green again. Patterson had the lead, from Thomas and Kaiser, but it became a mass charge to Paddock as the green flag was waved. There was one notable absentee as the Jackson car had failed to re-emerge. “It had gone really well until they found a radiator leak when we stopped,” said Ben. Patterson held his lead but Kaiser managed to snatch second, with Moseley taking to the grass as he tried to make progress, after they had briefly run four abreast. “I was behind Ross and he was behind another car onto the straight. I realised I might get held up, Ross went for the middle and got through, but the gap I went for closed,” said Moseley. A lap later Moseley stormed into second at Paddock, but was still three seconds down on Patterson. The PR6 driver pressed on regardless but he was no match for the straightline speed of the SR8 duo. Into Paddock for the 44th time Moseley had the lead, with Kaiser following a lap later. The gap held steady between the leaders, but it was Moseley/Johnston’s victory by 4.5secs. “I struggled a bit, but Terrence is getting so quick now,” said Kaiser. Paterson retained third and comfortably won the Supersports class. “The car was just great today, leading overall was nice but concentrating on the class was more important. I did get a little concerned when a car a lap down started to catch me,” Patterson explained. Alex Kapadia/Laddiman survived contact with Rob Wheldon at Graham Hill Bend to take second in class and fourth overall, while Paul Thomas’ SR3 and Jacob Greaves/Jonathan White completed the top six in their SR4, after Wheldon pitted with damaged steering. “I had been put on the grass at Druids challenging Paul Thomas, checked my mirrors and it was Ok, turned in at Surtees and Rob was there,” explained Kapadia. Race 1 Result
RACE TWO Being first race after the lunch break gave the spectators to take in the grid walk, which enabled them to not only inspect the Radical machinery on show, but chat with the drivers too. Although the SR3’s were nearer the SR8 times, it was the SR8’s of Johnston/Moseley and Woodward/Kaiser expected to fight for the overall honours again. Johnston managed to grab the early advantage over Woodward, with Bromiley, Laddiman, Dolan, Michael Jackson, Hall and Saggers nose to tail as they snaked up to Druids. Not surprisingly the lead pair soon powered their way clear, leaving Laddiman to chase down Bromiley for third. Hall took a place a lap and was in fourth by the end of lap three, after Laddiman exited Druids on the grass. A lap later Bromiley succumbed to Hall’s challenge too at Surtees, before Jackson spun out of sixth at Druids, under pressure from Saggers and Patterson. Woodward made his now customary closure on the lead around lap eight, to which Johnston briefly responded. Hall had consolidated third and Bromiley comfortably headed his class from Laddiman. Saggers was under pressure though with both Patterson and Jeremy Ferguson closing in. Patterson ousted Saggers on lap 12 and immediately closed on Laddiman, while back at the front Woodward had seized his chance and the lead into Surtees on lap 16. The Supersports class had become a three way fight between Bromiley, Laddiman and Patterson, but before they could challenge further the safety car was scrambled again. Michael Jackson had gone off quite heavily on the exit of Paddock. Although he was briefly knocked unconscious in the impact, he was declared fit and well after a hospital check. Returning to the circuit before the end of the day proving testament to the strength of the SR8 and not for the first time this year. After seven laps behind the safety car it was another mass pitstop for the driver changes. Another 14 laps followed before a six minute sprint to conclude the weekend. “I got delayed a bit behind Roger before the safety car. We made a perfect stop and then Alex got jumped rejoining,” said Laddiman. Hall/Osborn had problems when they stopped too. “It had flown at the start again,” said Hall. “Then it just wouldn’t restart and we lost loads of time,” Osborn added. From the green Wheldon burst into a 1.5secs lead over Patterson, with Woodward third. Moseley had been delayed when he stalled at the pit exit, and rejoined in 11th. It was a stirring fightback from Moseley though, fourth over the line by lap 42 and rapidly closing in on Patterson. Kaiser had second and time was still on his side in his quest for another victory. Wheldon held out for another lap, but had to surrender his lead in the end. Moseley came through for four laps remaining, but Wheldon still held onto third and a comfortable class victory. “I did think an overall win was on for a while and pushed like crazy. It just wasn’t enough of a gap in the end, but Roger had done so well to get me into that position,” said Wheldon. “This was even better than Combe, as we did it on pace. This is as good as it gets,” Bromiley enthused. “It was close when we rejoined. Stuart was being waved out before me. I stuck to the limit, he stalled at the light and I managed to pull away. I knew I had to push hard as he would be coming after me. It was important to maintain the gap, which we did,” said the victorious Kaiser. Patterson held off a closing Kapadia for second in class and fourth overall, with Saggers completing the top six. “I could have done better, but sat behind James Saggers too long early on,” said Patterson. Race 2 Results
Issued by Peter Scherer for Radical Sports Cars, August 26th, 2008.
ROUNDS NINE & TEN, DONINGTON PARK Woodward and Kaiser spin and win but only after Moseley and Johnston
Woodward started from pole and his SR8 led Ben Jackson into Redgate from the start. But Jackson pushed for the lead down the Craner Curves and went straight on at the Old Hairpin, collecting the tyre wall. Johnston slotted back in second and joined Woodward as they eased away from third place John Stanley. Bahrain based Bob George on his UK Cup debut soon got to grips with his SR8, taking Phil Hall and Ziad El Akabi for fourth on lap five. But it was soon all over for El Akabi as he pulled off at Schwantz curve, with a broken throttle cable. Woodward upped his pace after about seven laps but drama was just around the corner. Into Redgate for the 11th time the leader spun, after what appeared to be an altercation with a backmarker. “No the backmarker may have moved over a little, but I lost my brakes just before I spun and had been pumping them, “he explained. Johnston was left with over eight seconds in hand over Stanley, who had George rapidly closing in. Hall was up to fourth with SR3 class leader Alex Kapadia fifth and Richard Fearns SR8 sixth, after Jamie Patterson had slowed a few laps earlier. Although the gaps continued to open and close the order remained relatively unchanged until the pit stop window opened. An exception being Hall who had to make an early unscheduled stop. “We had a bit of a gear selection problem,” he explained. Fearns was the one to benefit, shooting into fourth having earlier charged past Kapadia. Johnston handed a comfortable lead to Moseley and barring mishaps looked unlikely to change. “I am slowly getting happier, my plan was stay near the lead today and I did,” he said. Gradually over the next 20 laps Moseley stamped his authority on the race. “It was all down to Derek really, all I had to do was drive around with no brakes and bring it home in one piece,” he said. “I told them on the radio the brakes were going, but they just thought I was whingeing as usual, Stuart didn’t believe me but he soon found out,” Johnston replied. Stanley/John Swift managed to consolidate their hold on second, after George had a few minor excursions at the Old Hairpin and slowed towards the end. “A little bit of off roading didn’t hurt anyone, but I got fuel surge towards the end,” he explained. Fearns slowed up too but still came home on fourth. Kapadia/Dan Laddiman were cruising in fifth having dominated the Supersports class, when they suffered a water pump failure. “It had been straight forward, just conserving the car and our class lead during my stint,” said Kapadia. Despite having run more than half of the race with a broken exhaust, Jeremy Ferguson/Ross Allen took the class spoils. “When it went we started to get terrible understeer and no grunt. I started to turn in more on the pace and the times picked up. I didn’t think we would finish though,” said Ferguson. Ross Kaiser was heading for the top six in the Woodward car until he crashed out after 30 laps. “I felt a judder as I powered out of Redgate and saw the rear tyre delaminate on the Craner Curves. I spun and fortunately the gravel at the Old Hairpin stopped me,” he explained. Simon Dolan/Sam Hancock completed the top six and secured second in class over Patterson, Andrew Ferguson/Nigel Redwood and Ian Simmonds, while Hall/Nick Osborn nursed their SR8 home10th with a slowly deflating rear tyre. Race 1 Results
Race 2
Woodward quickly upped his pace and more than doubled his lead. The order behind became relatively static, apart from Osborn closing on Michael Jackson for seventh. By the end of lap 16 Woodward’s lead was up to 16 secs and growing, while Andrew Ferguson headed pitwards with his engine off song. George made an impromptu pitstop just before the window opened, so lost time when he made his scheduled stop. Kaiser carried on where Woodward had left off, with Moseley and Stanley restored in their pre stop order. Fearns’ SR8 started to catch Patterson for sixth but had Hancock reeling them both in. There were a couple of exchanges, but Fearns had the power advantage over Hancock, and both gained when Patterson retired. “My brakes were beginning to fade and then the chain broke,” he said. Kaiser’s lead had grown to over 20 seconds when Moseley started to eat into it, Stanley went a lap down on the lead pairs but was still well established in third, while Ben Jackson came storming through the field and held fourth from lap 30. With just over 10 minutes to go the dramas began to unfold once more. Kaiser’s comfortable lead was looking under serious threat and on the final lap he almost stopped at McLeans. “I think were low on fuel and then there was a surge on the third to last lap. It cut out and then again at McLeans, so I just had to weave on the last lap and hope for the best,” he explained. The lead was down to 1.3 secs at the flag, with Moseley having hoped for one more lap. “I saw the last lap board for the car in front, but it was chequered for us,” said Moseley. Swift/Stanley completed a successful day with a second third place, “it’s been a good and reliable weekend for us,” they said. Ben Jackson brought the family SR8 home in fourth, “It was sliding a lot at the back end, but my turn to take on the damaged car, “he said. Kapadia/Laddiman finally got the reward for their class dominance with a victory and fifth overall, “I watched al the temperature gauges, tried to conserve the car, short shifted and worked out in my head how long was left,” said Laddiman. A gesticulating Hancock finally made it past Fearns for sixth and was second in the Supersports class, while Roger Bromiley/Rob Wheldon, Paul Steele and Hall/Osborn completed the top 10. Race 2 results
Issued by Peter Scherer for Radical Sports Cars, August 4th, 2008.- pictures Paul Williams
ROUNDS SEVEN & EIGHT, CASTLE COMBE Don't write off Johnston and Moseley ...or Woodwood and Kaiser Two of the leading crews had major dramas before race weekend even started, when Derek Johnston wrote his SR8 off exiting Camp and Terrence Woodward followed suit at Tower. Spare cars were readied with Johnston/Stuart Moseley in the El Akabi car and Woodward/Ross Kaiser in Swift/Stanley’s. Neither were excessively handicapped by the change as both took a race win. ..read report RACE 1 The Johnston/Moseley duo took pole for the first race, and had Ben/Michael Jackson alongside. Woodward/Kaiser headed row two, with Sam Hancock/Simon Dolan’s SR3, while row three was Dan Ladiman/Alex Kapadia, with Jamie Patterson alongside. Johnston grabbed the initial advantage from Jackson and Woodward, but into Tower for the second time Jackson went by and charged off into the distance. Kapadia chased down Hancock and Patterson to head the class and move into a clear fourth by lap six, taking both cars on consecutive laps. Woodward began to up his pace and challenge Johnston for second, but further back there was a noticeable absence. Both Patterson and Hancock had gone. “I went to overtake on the inside and thought he was letting me by, but he wasn’t,” said Hancock. “We were close and I had the line into Tower and he t boned me,” Patterson replied. Phil Hall’s SR8 moved up to fifth but had Rob Wheldon’s SR3 closing in, finally going by through Camp on lap 20, after Hall ran wide. Woodward’s charge had taken him into second at Camp too, some six laps earlier, leaving Johnston in the sights of Kapadia for third. Most crews pitted on the same lap, but Jackson stayed out until the very last to build on his lead. Kaiser/Woodward became the new leaders from Moseley/Johnston, with Bromiley/Wheldon third, from Allen/Ferguson. One notable absentee was the Ladiman/Kapadia car. “The engine went to 140 degrees so we had to pit with the engine cooked,” Ladiman explained. Kaiser continued to set a fair pace, but Moseley was quicker, and by lap 30 they were nose to tail. It took another three laps before the lead changed though, heading over Avon Rise. The lead grew and by the flag it was over 53 seconds. “If we didn’t have bad luck we wouldn’t have any,” reckoned Johnston despite their win. “We are delighted with that, after having a gearbox change just before the race and then getting stuck in gear,” said Woodward. “It went into neutral and then I got it to change down and it stayed in second,” added Kaiser after taking a well deserved second place. Bromiley was delighted with his third overall and class win, “My first ever Enduro class win, I am ecstatic. Rob did all the work, all I had to do was bring it home,” he said. Jeremy Ferguson/Ross Allen held onto fifth, “yeah that was Ok we had some pace today,” said Allen. Nick Osborn/Phil Hall had an entertaining duel with Ian Simmonds for fifth, which they eventually won, while Michael Jackson was left to struggle home brakeless in 10th with the former lead car. “They were almost gone when I handed over,” said Ben. Race 1 results
Class winners: Wheldon/Bromiley. Fastest lap: Johnston/Moseley 1m01.687s (107.96mph). RACE 2 The second race had to be restarted after an unsatisfactory start. As in race one Johnston led the field away from pole, with Jackson, Woodward and Kapadia in close formation, before Jackson snatched the lead and went for broke once more. Already out though was Hall, after being flagged off with an oil leak. Woodward started to shadow Johnston for second much earlier, as Kapadia started to lose ground on the SR8’s ahead. Behind them Jeremy Ferguson and Dolan were nose to tail, with Patterson a solitary fifth. Jackson was long gone by lap seven when Woodward took a look on Johnston’s inside at Camp. With Kapadia and Patterson continuing to run solo in fourth and fifth, Ferguson lost out to Dolan on lap six when his rear wing broke, before James Saggers, Bromiley, and Richard Fearns followed a lap later. It was three more laps before Woodward took the place, a carbon copy of his earlier attempt at Camp. Kapadia began to close on Johnston again and Paterson had Dolan closing in, But for Saggers it was all over when he spun into the tyre wall at Camp. “I could see Alex closing, but thought that my car was working well and he wasn’t going to get past,” said Johnston. Jackson was one of the first to pit this time, but stayed in the car for the second stint and re-emerged with a lead intact over Kaiser, Ladiman, Patterson, Moseley, Hancock and Wheldon. But the leaders pace had started to reduce and Kaiser closed in to go side by side through Camp on lap 28 to lead into Quarry. Within a couple of laps the lead was up to 13 seconds, but Moseley was carving through too and was up to third by lap 30. Ladiman was a solid fourth but Patterson had to vacate fifth with a rear puncture, promoting Hancock and Bromiley into the top six. Kaiser was pressing on regardless, as Moseley hunted down Jackson, taking four seconds a lap off the former leaders lap times. They did almost a lap side by side before Moseley claimed the place into Bobbies around the outside. Despite his customary late charge, Moseley was unable to threaten Kaiser, who secured victory by just over 18 seconds. “I couldn’t push it too much, it felt like the clutch was slipping,” said Moseley. “We made a big change for the second race, the electronics for the paddleshift and the springs. I took my time getting past Derek in the first stint, as I thought oh no not in borrowed cars,” said Woodward. “It was hard catching Ben he was very defensive,” Kaiser added. Jackson managed to hold onto third, “it was getting steadily worse, the handling in particular,” he said. Ladiman should have been fourth and a class winner, but he slowed dramatically with a lap to go. “It just seemed to lose power, I don’t know whether it was fuel or what. But I feel gutted for the team that worked so hard changing the engine between races,” he said. They only lost one place which gave Bromiley/Wheldon another podium as class winners. Hancock suffered a rear wing breakage and went off in the closing laps, which left Andrew Ferguson/Nigel Redwood to pick up sixth. Jeremy Ferguson/Allen were seventh, while Steele, Simmonds and Medeiros/Laughran completed the top ten. Race 2 Results
Class winners: Wheldon/Laughran. Fastest lap: Johnston/Mosley 1m01.363s (108.53mph).
Issued by Peter Scherer for Radical Sports Cars, July 21st, 2008.
ROUNDS FIVE & SIX, CROFT Terrence Woodward and Ross Kaiser made it five successive wins, with a fine double victory at Croft. RACE 1 The 360 Racing SR8 took pole by 1 ½ secs over Ben Jackson’s similar car, while Simon Dolan/Sam Hancock headed the SR3’s from Alex Kapadia/Dan Laddiman. It was Jackson that gained the upperhand over Woodward as they arrived at Clervaux for the first time, with Nigel Redwood, Kapadia, Hancock and Jeremy Ferguson in formation behind. Kapadia had already made it past Redwood, and Hancock followed as they braked for Tower on the second lap. From the back Derek Johnston was pushing hard to gain ground in his rebuilt SR8, following a big off at the Jim Clark Esses on the first lap of qualifying. But a spin at the Complex reversed his early progress. While Jackson and Woodward continued to pull away, Hancock started to tow Redwood back towards third placed Kapadia. But by lap 10 it was closing up at the front again too, with Woodward looking increasingly menacing. “I was learning all the time by watching where Ben was quicker,” said Woodward. Johnston had settled again and worked his way past Ferguson for sixth by lap eight, before reeling in Redwood. A couple of attacks into Tower were repelled, before the safety car was scrambled when Jackson ground to a halt on the back straight with an electrical fault. The whole field took the opportunity to make their compulsory stop on the same lap, and it was Laddiman then that took over the lead, from Dolan, Andrew Ferguson, Jamie Patterson, Colin Noble and Kaiser. There was one more lap before the green and Kaiser was straight on the pace and onto Laddiman’s tail. Through the Clark Esses the SR3 had no answer to the SR8 and Kaiser was soon clear. Ross Allen wasted no time in chasing down Dolan too, before snatching fifth into Clervaux then closing in on Noble. While Kaiser and Laddiman continued to look relatively safe in first and second, there was all to play for behind. Andrew Fergusson was next to challenge Dolan, after both had been swamped by Johnston. Allen continued his charge too, taking Patterson for third at Clervaux on lap 28. Johnston tried to follow but Patterson kept the door firmly shut, which allowed Noble to close in again. While Kaiser cruised through the final laps to take a comfortable win, Laddiman found his hold on second drastically reduced by Allen at the flag. “It was just a case of getting through the SR3’s and nursing it home,” Kaiser reckoned. “I couldn’t see Ross closing on me, but they made me push on from the pitwall,” said Laddiman. “Well we are finally starting to show what we can do,” Allen replied. Patterson not only saw off Johnston to retain fourth, but Noble reclaimed fifth too. “Everything went alright, it was hard work and I am exhausted,” said Patterson. “the handling was a bit loose at the back, but the boys did a magnificent job to get me on the grid at all,” said Johnston. Jamie kept blocking me though, I think he thought I was Colin Noble challenging for a class position,” he added. Johnston was still second in the SR8 class, with Ziad and Ragdan El Akabi second from seventh overall.
RESULT RACE 1
Class winners: Woodward/Kaiser; Kapadia/Laddiman. Fastest lap: Woodward/Kaiser 1m17.595s (98.59mph). RACE 2 Woodward started from pole again in race two, but with Jackson missing it was Kapadia’s SR3 applying the initial pressure. Out of Hawthorn he even tried for the lead until a touch with the grass forced him to back off briefly. “I thought it was best to back off in that situation,” he said. Patterson had third but was unable to shake off Allen, while Dolan started to become established in fifth. But Phil Hall’s SR8 made up ground and squeezed past Dolan into Clervaux on the third lap. John Hewitt closed in too after Johnston charged past them both. Woodward and Kapadia were well away, with Allen consolidating third after taking Patterson through Sunny. Johnston was also looking to progress further and had Hall in his sights a lap later. Apart from Allen and Patterson everyone else pitted on the same lap, Woodward from Kapadia and Johnston in third after ousting Allen into Sunny six laps earlier. One who didn’t quite make the stop was Hall, who coasted out of the Hairpin to a smokey halt from a healthy sixth. As in race one Laddiman led for a couple of laps as Kaiser rejoined after his longer stop, but was till in second. “We had to bump start it after the starter failed,” said Kaiser. Patterson’s hopes were dashed when he had to pit again with a puncture, Redwood had also been delayed when James Saggers spun at the Hairpin. Johnston and Noble both fought their way past Jeremy Ferguson for third and fourth after he ran wide at Sunny, while Rob Wheldon started to close too. At the front though Kaiser was through to lead from the Complex on lap 27. Although the lead pair were well way, the rest were getting closer again, as Redwood closed in on Wheldon who was already closing on Ferguson, while Hancock had them all in his sights too, but was a lap adrift after Dolan had to change the rear bodywork and wing. It was Redwood that made the first move taking Wheldon on the 25th lap. Three laps later he had taken Ferguson too, while Hancock followed at the expense of Wheldon. Kaiser completed the remaining laps with relative ease to complete a second double win of the year with Woodward. “Great, and now I am even giving Ross a run for his money on times too,” said the victorious Woodward. Although Laddiman retained second again and another class win, his pace slowed towards the end. “It had started to cut out. It felt like a plug lead maybe,” he said. “An awesome weekend for us though,” added partner Kapadia. Johnston held onto to third, “I am pleased with that but worn out too and my neck aches,” he said after driving solo while partner Stuart Moseley was away at Le Mans. Noble was second in class with fourth overall, “a bit lonely and I could still see Derek. Not bad though me in an SR3 compared to an SR8,” he said. Redwood held onto fifth for the last nine laps, with Wheldon claiming sixth from Ferguson at the Complex with six laps to go. RESULT
Issued by Peter Scherer for Radical Sports Cars, June 16th, 2008.
Wheldon wins with Woodward ROUNDS ONE & TWO, SNETTERTON
Woodward and Kaiser SR8 - pic Paul Williams Rob Wheldon and Jonathan Wright took the victory spoils in the opening UK Cup round, after the race was red flagged when Michael Jackson crashed heavily at Coram. But they had to settle for second in race two, when Terence Woodward secured a debut SR8 win with the help of ex Enduro/Biduro Champion Ross Kaiser. Race 1 With the polesitting car of Woodward/Kaiser missing with gearbox problems, Ben Jackson made the best of the start and led a trio of SR8’s into Riches. It was a terrific and hard fought opening lap, with Wheldon darting ahead into the Esses, as Johnston sat and observed in third. Over the line at the end of the lap it was side by side before Wheldon nosed ahead into Riches once more. Jackson continued to give Wheldon a hard time until, he spun at Coram on the second lap and rejoined over the grass at Russell, still in second place A lap later Johnston spun at Russell too and dropped to fourth behind Hall., as he fought to regain his momentum. But it was from plain sailing for Wheldon, despite having an increasing lead. “I caught my foot between the brake and throttle at Sear and spun it,” he explained. Jackson was back in front and Johnston was poised to rechallenge Hall again for third, while behind them Sam Hancock headed Alex Kapadia for fifth and first of the Supersport class, with Jamie Paterson and John Hewitt battling for third. The safety car was called out David Garratt’s SR3 stalled at Russell. Jackson dived for the pits with a puncture without losing a lap and from the green flag Wheldon flew and had a 1.8sec lead over Hall into Riches, before Johnston grabbed second into the Esses. Within a couple of laps Jackson was back to fourth too behind Hall. Wheldon’s lead was up to six seconds when he lost it again on 12th lap and handed Johnston the lead. “It was a wheel on the kerb,” he said. Jackson followed as they both shot past Hall again, and by lap 15 Wheldon took the lead yet again. Hall had crashed out at Riches moving Hancock was up to fourth, but his advantage came under serious threat from Kapadia as the pit stop window approached. Of the leaders only Wheldon, Jackson and Hancock stayed out as the rest made their stops at the first opportunity. Jackson handed to father Michael who retained the lead for his first lap, before contact at Coram sent him heavily into the tyre wall. Although the safety car kept the cars circulating for another three laps, with Jackson Snr still in the car, the race was red flagged. “I got hit going into the corner, obviously I am very angry about it,” said Jackson after emerging unhurt. Wheldon/Wright were declared the victors over Johnston/Moseley, with Dolan/Hancock third. Kapadia/Laddiman had to settle for second in class and fourth overall. “I will have Sam another time,” Kapadia promised. “I was just playing,” Hancock reckoned. Hewitt/James Saggers and Patterson completed the top six, with Jeremy Ferguson/Ross Allen charging back to seventh after a problems in the opening laps. Colin Noble held onto eighth, with Ian Simmonds/Roger Bromiley and Paul Steele completing the top ten.
Class winners: Dolan/Hancock. Fastest lap: Wright/Wheldon 1m04/153s (109.53mph). Race 2 It was a somewhat messy start as the field approached the lights for the rolling getaway in race two. Woodward led the first few yards before running wide, as Johnston charged ahead at Riches. “I was on brand new slicks, they still had the stickers on. I just ran wide and concentrated on staying on,” said Woodward. Wheldon followed into Sear, but Johnston was doing his best to make full use of his wets on the damp track. Dolan managed a spin at Riches too, but everyone else managed to survive the opener. Wheldon stuck with Johnston as Woodward started to fall back. Allen was up in fourth and led the Supersports class, from Noble, Patterson, Simmonds, Saggers, Andrew Ferguson and Steele. On the fourth lap Johnston slowed and dropped to fourth, before heading for the pits. “I thought it was the tyres as I had spun. But when I came in they found a slash in the gearbox. I still had all the gears but there was oil going everywhere,” he explained. Wheldon was left with a comfortable lead over Woodward, with Allen a clear in third ahead of Noble and Patterson, with Saggers and Simmonds close for sixth after an earlier exchange. Patterson continued to close on Noble and made it into fourth at Riches on lap eight. Further down the order Laddiman was flying after an earlier spin and was up seventh by the end of lap eight, and closing on Saggers. Wheldon’s lead continued to grow, ready to hand a comfortable lead over to Wright. The rest of the field stayed finally dormant until the stops too, apart from Saggers making it past Noble for fifth into Sear as Laddiman closed and Andrew Ferguson fell off at Riches. Wright continued to lead but once Kaiser had settled (it took one lap), the lead came down rapidly. Patterson got ahead of Jeremy Ferguson initially but within a couple of laps Ferguson to back to challenge for third. Although Hewitt was setting a steady pace in fifth, Kapadia was also closing in, as was Hancock after a sterling first stint from team mate Dolan. After threatening for a couple of laps Kaiser made the decisive move at the end of Revetts straight on lap 33, before pulling out a 25 second plus victory margin for himself and Woodward. “That was just what we needed after missing the first race. I had a couple of looks at Jonathan before I got by, he was very quick,” said Kaiser. Wheldon/Wright retained a safe second, and Patterson held onto third and the class win, after Ferguson had to pit with a couple of laps to go. “I was alongside Patterson when the gearbox just went bang in fourth gear,” he explained. Kapadia was also a late casualty, “the output shaft broke, There was a slight vibration when I took over and then it broke.” he said. Hewitt/Saggers therefore claimed fourth and second in class from Dolan/Hancock, after they demoted Noble with eight laps to go. Steele held onto seventh despite a late pit stop, Hall/Osborn were eighth having started from the pit lane, and despite retiring Ferguson/Allen were still classified ninth ahead of David Garratt/Robert Tusting.
Class winner; Patterson. Fastest lap: Woodward/Kaiser 1m03/312s (110.99mph).
Issued by Peter Scherer for Radical Sports Cars, April 28th, 2008.
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Terrence
Woodward and Ross Kaiser managed to outpace close rivals Derek Johnston
and Stuart Moseley (pictured right) in both races, but misfortune
struck them again, so it was honours even with one win apiece, just
like Castle Combe.
With
his car repaired again Woodward headed Johnston and El Akabi in the
charge to Redgate from the rolling start in race two, with Swift joining
them in the second lap break. George began to establish himself in fifth
from Kapadia. But for the second time El Akabi’s race was shortlived,
leaving co driver Michael Vergers without a drive all weekend. “We had a
hydraulic problem and I couldn’t gears,” he said. Jeremy Ferguson was
also an early pit visitor in his SR3, “it threw all the water out,” he
explained.