IN THIS ISSUE Longton's provisional championship winners Anglesey the club review Anglesey - report and pictures Provisional 2016 calendar Longton's annual dinner A DOUBLE FOR DICKERSON AS HE WINS LONGTON'S NORTHERN SPEED CHAMPIONSHIP AGAIN October 2015 Issue 58 Bulletin Editor: Geoff Ward Email: editor@longton-dmc.co.uk Tel: 01772617260 Bradley Dickerson (above) has done it again! Subject to confirmation the rapid Jedi driver has won the Longton Northern Speed Championship for the second year in a row. Such has been his domination of Class 5A thoughout the year that he didn't even need to come to Anglesey to defend his lead, which after the final round was 17.7 points ahead of his nearest rival. Second went to Roger Fish in his Honda S2000 after a season-long class battle with the closely-matched Martin Rowe which meant they were usually mere fractions of points apart. Just 2.2 points behind Roger was the ever-present Russell Thorpe in his Renault 5 Turbo, AKA Doris. Martin Rowe came in fourth in his Honda S2000, despite pipping Roger on both days at Anglesey. The rest of the top ten were: Fifth: Robbie Birrell (Radical Prosport); Sixth: Eve Whitehead (RBS8); Seventh: Charles Hargreaves (Ford Escort Mk2); Eighth: Colin Duncalf (MG ZR); Ninth: David Welton (TVR Tasmin); Tenth: Brian Walker (Brytech DP2000). The Longton Speed Series again subject to confirmation - saw victory go to Darren Jones in his Porsche who had shown a clean pair of heels to most of the 21 scorers in this increasingly-popular championship. Second, 5.4 points adrift, went to Phil Nelson in his historic Hawke DL2B Formula Ford and third was claimed by British Sprint Championship contender Nick Algar (DJ Firehawk).
ANGLESEY IN RETROSPECT SOME THOUGHTS FROM THE EDITOR Longton's new-look Anglesey event on October 3 and 4 provided high levels of excitement for drivers and quite a bit of frustration as well. The new circuits seemed to be well received, especially the thrilling Sunday layout through the Corkscrew, The downside was that a large entry combined with the length of the courses meant a total of only three runs on both days with long waits in the paddock inbetween. Whilst the time on track was quite high it was clearly a less than satisfactory experience for many. Longton has led the way in providing slickly-run, value-for-money events. So ending up with two timed runs on Saturday and only one on Sunday was disappointing for the organisers, as well as competitors. The club's committee has already reviewed the situation, with attention to feedback from drivers, and continues to consider the lessons learned and it would be wrong to pre-judge the conclusions. However, it is pretty clear there was a mismatch between the number of entries and the time it would take to run complex and long two-lappers. Cutting the number of entries in future is not a simple matter not only does that disbar some competitors but it also has financial implications given the high cost of hiring the circuit and running events there. Other issues that need to be considered are ways of speeding up the runs and 'downtime' after incidents, the number of cars on circuit and layouts used. Although further analysis is still needed, the time taken up by top 12 runs offs cut to only one each day does not seem to have been a major factor. The club's review will continue for the next few weeks, so if you have any comments or ideas (preferably constructive!) please feel free to get in touch with any of the appropriate officials (contact details on the club website). - Geoff Ward A CHALLENGE FOR DRIVERS TWO NEW LAYOUTS AND ONLY LIMITED RUNS TO GET IT RIGHT Report and pictures by DENISE MOORE The final rounds of Longton s Northern Speed Championship and Sprint Series at Anglesey were marked by a couple of firsts for the Club a double lapper on the Saturday utilising the National Circuit and, a double lapper on the Sunday encompassing the International Circuit and the Corkscrew from the Coastal Circuit. With an entry of 130 for Saturday and 136 for Sunday, fitting everything in, including the top twelve run-off for the British Sprint Championships, was going to be a tall order! Saturday dawned fine and dry but we had already lost three competitors, a double drive had to pull out at the last minute and the unfortunate Geoff Cowell, whose trailer and HiTech single seater were stolen from his Blackpool driveway. This left 127 drivers to battle it out through the day. Practice was marked by some overenthusiasm on the part of quite a few drivers, who found that Rocket should be approached with a little more caution! Stephen Norton in his yellow MG F Trophy was one of the first to find this out, having to brake hard enough to leave a trail of smoke to get round the bend at the top. But he did manage to keep it almost on the racing line, unlike Craig Spooner, in his Westfield SEiW, and Alexander Wilsdon in the blue Radical PR6, who both overshot into the run-off area.
Rocket claimed other victims too, Mick Hayes in the GTM Libra oversteered out of the bend and ended up facing back down the hill and not long afterwards William Jarman in the Peugeot 205 GTi did exactly the same thing. Even some of the National A contenders didn t get it right, Alan Mugglestone in his shared drive SBD Dallara F3RB1 got the bend wrong and had to be manoeuvred back to face the right way, and Colin Metcalfe in his Nissan Primera slid before he even got to the turn and waltzed sideways past the marshal s post near the top of the hill. The Rocket complex was not the only part of the course to catch people out. Mark Schlanker in his yellow Westfield SEiW came off the hill too fast for the bend into the straight and ended up in the cones marking off the top of Corkscrew. New Sprint Champion Darren Jones in his Porsche On the limit: Craig Spooner's Westfield Colin Duncalf in his MG ZR Late braking: Stephen Norton in his MG F Trophy The first timed run started somewhat later than anticipated and went relatively smoothly in spite of a couple of DNF s and Tim Nunn in his Westfield sliding onto the grass after crossing the finish line. However, the session finished ominously late at 2.30pm, with just time for a snatched lunch break for the marshals and then we were straight into T2. The second timed run started well but then Lee Smith in his Westfield SEiW had his engine blow up coming down the straight on his second lap and had to park his stricken car on the grass to await recovery. Things were not much better for two of the double drives in the National A group. Craig Sampson managed to get a second timed run in but Mark Smith, also driving the SBD Reynard DB-Mk1, was unable to put in a run due to mechanical problems. Nick Algar in the DJ Firehawk also did not finish. Sadly another double-drive single seater, the Lola Tegra Judd driven by Terry Holmes and Graham Porrett, also only managed one T2 run before grinding to a halt with a terrible clattering due to a chewed up second gear.
These problems also affected the Top 12 Run-Off where both Mark Smith and Nick Algar had DNF s and due to lack of time the Run-Off was restricted to only one session. Colin Calder in his Gould GR55B retained his position at the top of the leader board. SATURDAY RESULTS National B Class SA: Colin Duncalf, 153.45; 1A: David Russell, 158.60; 1B: James Kerr, 130.11; 1C: Alan Sawyer, 130.97; 1D: Martin Rowe, 127.93; 1E: Darren Jones, 134.49; 1G: Paul Bond, 134.96; 2A: John Loudon, 112.82; 2B: John Hoyle, 109.86; 2C: David Birch: 121.91; 3A: Debbie Cooper, 155.56; 3B: Andy Larton, 122.46; 3E: David Welton, 134.95; 3G: Adrian Clinton-Watkins, 107.94; 3H: Terry Everall, 108.89; 4A: Alex Wilsden Jr., 106.47; 4B: Stephen Davis, 124.35; 5A: Eve Whitehead, 114.32; 5B: Geoff Ward, 120.48; 5E: Terry Graves, 98.67; L7C1: Robert Jacobs, 130.06; L7C2: Andrew Willoughby, 127.46; L7C3: Richard Price, 119.55; L7C4: Nigel Fox, 119.90; L7C5: James Thornton, 122.00. FTD Terry Graves 98.67 Best Lady Eve Whitehead 114.32 Best Novice Martin Harvey 118.55 SATURDAY RESULTS National A Class 3B: Colin Metcalfe, 127.66; 4A: Matt Carter, 105.38; 4B: Simon Bainbridge, 103.67; 5A: Bradley Hobday, 102.74; 5C: Bill Gouldthorpe, 107.02; 5D: Matt Hillam, 95.53; 5E: Colin Calder, 91.59. NOTE: All classes set new records on both Saturday and Sunday as this was the first time Longton had run these courses. Eve Whitehead in the 'Barry built' RBS8B Bill Gouldthorpe in his SBD OMS CF08 Debbie Cooper in her little Toyota VITZ and... Alan Sawyer's rather more powerful Subaru Impreza
SUNDAY: Brilliant sunshine and barely a breeze marked early Sunday morning and there were high hopes that we would get two Practice runs and two imed runs as well as the Top Twelve Run-Off in spite of the longer course of 5005 metres, because the conditions were so good. We had also lost a few drivers from the original number of runners due to mishaps and breakdowns the previous day. Things however, did not run as smoothly as hoped! Early in the first practice, David Warburton in the Caterham 7 broke down just above the Corkscrew and fluid spillage stopped play for about 15 minutes until it was cleared up and the driver and car were towed in, bringing a premature end to their day. About twenty minutes later, Robbie Birrel, running in John Moxham's Peugeot 205 LED, came to a halt in a cloud of steam. This brought everything to a standstill again for clean-up. It later transpired that the car had blown a head gasket another double drive sadly biting the dust. Further delay occurred when a competitor bumped the timing gear at the start line, which brought everything to a halt while it was set back up. Almost everyone remembered to turn right down the Corkscrew on the first lap, although a couple of drivers, Graham Porrett in the Lola Tegra Judd and Nick Algar in the DJ Firehawk missed the turn completely and just went straight on. The Corkscrew seemed to be enjoyed by all of the drivers (even those with their eyes mostly closed!) for the adrenaline rush especially when they got it somewhat wrong. Philip Thomas in the green Caterham S3 nearly ended up in the Recticel at the bottom curve of the Corkscrew, recovering it with mere inches to spare and a great shower of dust and gravel. Speed with comfort? Colin Smith's Toyota GT86 Speed without comfort? Jeffrey Smith's Caterham Second practice brought a few more racing incidents, Paul Bond in the Lotus Elise got it all wrong at Rocket and lost a lot of time although he made it to the finish. Westfield driver Adrian Clinton-Watkins also lost time when he got the Corkscrew very wrong and clipped the cushioning at the exit, although he too, carried on. Graham Porrett in the Lola Tegra Judd lost it completely near the end of his first lap and managed two fine 360 degree spins almost right in front of the end of the pit lane and semi-stranded himself on the grass. Just a few minutes later, Steve Broughton in the red SBD Dallara F3RB1 threw himself off the track after losing control coming off the bend into the coastal straight. By this time, it was evident that we would have time for only one timed run and one Top 12 Run Off, so the marsals grabbed a very quick lunch and then went back out again.
Far fewer mistakes (although some slightly dodgy moments) marred the timed runs Daniel Broomfield in the Toyota MR2 and Lee Smith in his Westfield SEiW both had DNF s. Geoff Ward in the Swift SC93F spun at the Rocket hairpin when the gear linkage broke, leaving the class win to Phil Nelson in the Hawke DL2B who only had to stay on the black stuff to take the Formula Ford Class. John Graham missed out on the British Sprint Championship Top 12 Run-Off by spinning his Gould in the Corkscrew and getting a DNF. Colin Calder again got the fastest time of 126.35 in his Gould GR55B. LDMC thanks all of the drivers who took part for their patience and constructive comments on how to improve this new event. Also thanks to all of the marshals and officials for all of their hard work both at this event and over the whole season. SUNDAY RESULTS National B Class SA: Colin Duncalf, 204.67; SB: Colin Smith, 184.96; 1A : David Russell, 205.10; 1B: James Kerr, 171.46; 1C: Alan Sawyer, 180.58; 1D: Martin Rowe, 170.61; 1E: Darren Jones, 182.43; 1G: Paul Bond, 183.60; 2A: John Loudon, 151.91; 2B: David Cleaver, 145.45; 2C: Matt Hillam, 160.01; 3B: Andy Larton, 162.20; 3E: David Welton, 184.93; 3G: Garry Bunn, 146.80; 3H: Tim Nunn, 146.06; 4A: Alex Wilsdon Jnr, 139.67; 4B: Marshall Rowland, 172.68; 5A: Ed Carter, 144.36; 5B: Phil Nelson, 158.93; L7C1: Clive Marsden, 171.00; L7C2: Mike Cocker, 169.07; L7C3: Jeffrey Smith, 157.89; L7C4: Nigel Fox, 158.60; L7C5: James Thornton, 167.25. FTD Alex Wilsdon Jnr 139.67 Best Lady Eve Whitehead 151.18 Best Novice Martin Harvey 156.78 SUNDAY RESULTS National A Class 3B: Colin Metcalfe, 169.58; 4A: Matt Carter, 139.17; 4B: Jim Belt, 138.76; 5A: Bradley Hobday, 135.26; 5C: Bill Gouldthorpe, 143.30; 5D: Alan Mugglestone, 126.85; 5E: Colin Calder, 124.56. British Sprint Champion Colin Calder in his Gould Alex Wilsdon Jnr in his rapid Radical PR6 Martin Rowe in his roadgoing Honda S2000 Tim Nunn in the Westfield Superblade
Phil Nelson in his Formula Ford Hawke DL2B Andy Larton in his newly-built Peugeot 106 David Welton in the mighty TVR Tasmin Richard Price in his Caterham 7 A RECORD-BREAKING WEEKEND FOR COLIN CALDER AS HE WINS IN THE BRITISH SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP AGAIN By PAUL PARKER, organiser of the SBD British Sprint Championship The Anglesey weekend enabled Colin Calder to accumulate an impressive set of records. First, he became the all time leader in the number of British Sprint Championship outright wins at 33. It has taken almost 20 years for the previous record to be beaten. In addition he acquired, with his 2015 Championship win, a consecutive years' hat trick of SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship titles. That has happened only once before and that was almost 40 years ago! Finally, and I think this may be the one of which Colin is proudest. He holds the outright records at all of the courses on which the British Sprint Championship runs, except one which I believe he has avoided travelling to until now, Lydden Hill in Kent (from Thurso in the very northern edge of Scotland where he lives for a one day meeting there, my route planner suggests it is 726 miles - each way!) He, of course, is the father of two very quick daughters. Heather, who has shared the Gould GR55 with her dad (and the Gould GR37 before that), was unable to come with the family to Anglesey. She is in the midst of writing her dissertation for her Masters degree and, like her father, is an engineer. She lives in Aberdeen and works for an offshore oil company there. Like her father, she has a thorough technical understanding of complex machinery and can carry out much of the work on the car. Louise was at Anglesey and has won the competition car section of the Scottish Sprint Championship this year. In the Top 12 Run Off on Sunday she set an equal time to that of Bradley Hobday and no other driver in an 1100cc car has got anywhere near him this year! There is perhaps (Colin keeps suggesting this will happen... I ll believe it when I see it) a future for both girls to beat him?
LONGTON S NORTHERN SPEED CHAMPIONSHIP 2016 DRAFT CALENDAR AND PROVISIONAL DATES - there is a high possibility that some of these dates and events may change, so treat as indicative only Best 10 events from 21 to count Date Day Venue Type Club 10 th April Sun Three Sisters (course tba) Sprint Longton & DMC 30 th April Sat Aintree Sprint Liverpool MC 1 st May Sun Oliver s Mount Hillclimb Auto 66 2 nd May Mon (BH) Oliver s Mount Hillclimb Auto 66 14 th May Sat Curborough Sprint British M/Sport Marshals Club 30 th May Mon (BH) Blyton Park Sprint York MC 5 th June Sun Harewood Hillclimb BARC (Yorks) 11 th June Sat Barbon Manor Hillclimb Liverpool MC 25 th June Sat Aintree Sprint Liverpool MC 3 rd July Sun Three Sisters (course tba) Sprint Longton & DMC 9 th July Sat Blyton Park Sprint Westfield SCC 10 th July Sun Blyton Park Sprint Westfield SCC 30 th July Sat Three Sisters (course tba) Sprint Longton & DMC 31 st July Sun Three Sisters (course tba) Sprint Longton & DMC 14 th Aug Sun Scammonden Dam Hillclimb Pendle DMC 21 st Aug Sun Oliver s Mount Hillclimb Auto 66 28 th Aug Sun Harewood Hillclimb BARC (Yorks) 3 rd Sept Sat Aintree Sprint Liverpool MC 18 th Sept Sun Harewood Hillclimb BARC (Yorks) 1 st Oct Sat Anglesey (course tba) Sprint Longton & DMC 2 nd Oct Sun Anglesey (course tba) Sprint Longton & DMC LONGTON SPRINT SERIES 4 events from 6 to count Separate Trophies & Awards! Date Day Venue Type Club 10 th April Sun Three Sisters (course tba) Sprint Longton & DMC 3 rd July Sun Three Sisters (course tba) Sprint Longton & DMC 30 th July Sat Three Sisters (course tba) Sprint Longton & DMC 31 st July Sun Three Sisters (course tba) Sprint Longton & DMC 1 st Oct Sat Anglesey (course tba) Sprint Longton & DMC 2 nd Oct Sun Anglesey (course tba) Sprint Longton & DMC FULL REGULATIONS WILL BE PUBLISHED ON THE CLUB S WEBSITE www.longton-dmc.co.uk on receipt of MSA Championship Permit No. Tbc. To register your interest email Eric Leadbetter (Championship Co-ordinator) on ericleadbetter@yahoo.co.uk
DIARY DATE LONGTON'S ANNUAL DINNER AND AWARDS Longton and Districts Motor Club's annual dinner and awards evening will be at Barton Grange, just north of Preston on Saturday, January 16, 2016. There will be more details and a booking form in the next Bulletin. ENDS