STOCK HATCH 2003 RESULTS

Mallory Race 1

Did not test this years car and it showed. Eight on the grid in the B Race. 4 106's out of 5 headed the practice times. New boys Dave Wright and Richard Horsey also find them selves in the B race.

B Race

I had a good start leaving Pinky in my wheel tracks. Stayed on the outside through Gerrards and ended the first lap third but it was short lived as a crash behind me had stopped the race. Richard Horsey was unlucky to get collected and was unable to continue.

The race was restarted and again I managed to be in third place by the end of the 1st lap. Tony Taylor was leading from Stewart Nind, but going into the hairpin Tony pushed on under heavy braking forcing Stewart to go wide. I nipped through to go into second. Tony made another late braking manouver into the hair pin and this time we went through Devil Elbow side by side. We kept this formation down the start finish straight and the way around Gerrards. Tony had the inside for the Esses but pushed on and I came past. I managed to put in a couple of quick laps and a occasional look in my mirror to see if Tony was catching I just kept it smooth. I took the win (hooray) with Tony second and Chris Fletcher third.

Dave Wright ( or known in Kent as Dave the Pikey I've bought all the 205's Wright)  Finished without a scratch 18th.

A Race

I don't know how but Glenn Stokes crashed with David Rowe in his Metro. Glenn said " that metro driver does not know how to drive". Now I am known for my tat and diplomacy so I had to put it in this site!!! I hope David never meets Glenn in a dark alley, well not in Glenn's usual trade anyway!!!. 

Tony Scarlet lead from the off followed by Pete Felix. blar blar blar The front two zoomed off into the distance. Oh a little passion in my writing I here you say, well they increased the weight and it had no effect.      Gordon improved his car and was still left for dead. Anyway Gordon finished a lonely third after Paul Taylor, Pete Morgan, Carl Townend and Gareth Wright battled it out for fourth place. Carl won the battle with Pete just behind him.

I can't believe I am going to say this but the person who made up the most places is...............Terry Roughton yes Terry (I crash every race) Roughton. And I did not here anybody complain about his driving after the race. Well done Terry.

John Waples came in 19th.   John has lots of good second hand XR2i spares if anybody needs any!

DONINGTON Race 2

Obviously I missed the action at the front as I only qualified 14th. I got a good start taking Matt Lewis, Simon Howard and Tibbsy off the line. Roger Neep in his first race slowed too much for Redgate and I got past him as well. I found myself behind Simon Hunt who car was as fast as mine and despite trying to pass him he defended well, but on lap four he pushed on McLeans which meant I could nip down the inside at Coppice. For the remainder of the race Simon tried to repass me and I tried to pass Gareth Wright and Glenn Stokes. The race was full of action and We all seemed to enjoy it.

The scrutinizers and Bill Gregory decided to seal all the top 12 finishers and as I finished 8th I was one of them. Looking forward to racing at brands on the 12th but have to strip my engine down after the race, so no early to bed then that evening.

Brands Hatch Race3

Heat 1

Heat 1 was won by Tony Taylor, followed very closely by Martin Boon, Phil Smith and Alastair Boulton. As Tony defended his line lap after lap, but did not get the best time so in the final he ended up on the back of the grid with the cars that finished behind him, in front!!. A good idea having two b races but to make them a qualifier race did not go down well with any of the competitors I spoke too.

Heat 2

I found myself on Pole for this race/qualifier. I had the notion that I could only go backwards and was not looking forward to the race. With most of my family coming to watch they expected a win and nothing else. Normally I am calm and relaxed sitting on the grid but with the starter holding us on the red lights forever my revs started to rise higher and higher. When the green light came I slipped the clutch and got a blinding start (much to my amazement). Into Paddock for the first time that Roger Neep had it all crossed up behind me and slowed the pack. I missed it as I had my eyes Shut. "Well it is a bit scary that corner". Around  Druids and Graham Hill Bend, a glance in my mirrors and nothing, "where was everybody". With the pack fighting for position I had cleared off. By the end of the second lap I had the biggest cheesy grin. I known I had secured a win as nobody would be able to catch up the huge lead I had. Bugger Red flags. Bugger Bugger. Michael Wright up side down in Paddock. um been there seen that DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT AGAIN.

Another restart, this time kept my revs down. Roger got about four feet in front but seemed to miss second and I was off. Pat Grove moved into second passing Roger on lap 6. I tried to remember not to look behind and put in some qualifier laps in so I could be up the grid in the Final. Took the win much to the delight of my Mum ( who could not stop herself kissing me in front of half the Paddock) Pat got second and Roger third.

Final

Paul Taylor headed the field with his Dad taking the final spot. I ended up in the middle. As far as I now everybody got round Paddock and even though I passed a few off the line I got hemmed in on the first lap as we bunched up in each corner. As the race unfolded I picked of Steve Drewery and with the exclusion of Gareth Wright I ended up 10th. Paul Taylor won with Pete Felix second and Gordon MacMillan third.

Post Race Stripping

Glenn Stokes got this wrong, bless. He was down to his boxers before he was told it was his engine that had to be stripped!! Mind you his engine looked hot when I peeked into his garage. ha ha .With nobody saying too much we will have to wait for the official report on who is legal and illegal. But I can tell you now mine was found LEGAL. I was worried as I did not build it and the engine builders had the biggest laugh as they wound me up telling me the cam was a rally cam for the 1.9 B******ds. When I told them it was all Legal they said they knew because they had been winding me up. B*****ds.

Snetterton next. Good track for my car, hopefully. Now Paul Taylor has sorted out his 106 it looks like he is odds on for the championship.

Snetterton Race 4

A Race

Had a stunning lap on lap8!!!!!!!!. Put me 5th on the grid. You have to laugh. Carl Townend put his 106xsi on pole with Craig Shepherd along side him.

With Paul Taylor having a flying start he led into the first corner. Pete Felix was soon behind him until lap 6 when Pete's drive shaft broke. I got a good start but got boxed in on the first few corners and let a hand full through. Found myself behind Martin Boon for the first half of the race and with cr*p brakes managed to hit his rear quarter under braking. I got past and Gareth Wright and Martin then fought tooth and nail to the finish, this let me get away and catch Steve Drewery. Just as I caught him the chequed flag came out. Paul Taylor cooked his engine and had to let Craig Shepherd through to win with Carl second. Paul took third with Paul (rolling rolling) McMillan taking fourth. I ended up 8th. The engine is still not right after that strip but hope to find the lost power for Donington.

B race

With Steve Groom snatching the lead from Gary Parkes we thought that would be it, but Gordon MacMillan who started on the last row stormed through to take the win. Well done Gordon taking his first winkers race.

Donington race 5

A Race

Even though I had again been to the tuners I still had a problem with my engine resulting in qualifying 14th. I got a fair start to the race but as the pack went round Redgate I was on the out side following Pat Grove. The cars on the inside suddenly swerved across the track making Pat go wide and I go into the kitty litter, I kept the power on and came out about 22nd. I then followed through the Craners and Old hair pin to Mcleans where Paul Sheehan had a side ways moment. I nipped down the inside at Coppice but thought better of it as Paul was still in front. Bang hit from the rear and then hit Paul. We carried on into the kitty litter with my car facing the right way I floored it and pulled myself out. Poor Paul was not so lucky.

As the race unfolded I picked my way past Mark Alden, the retiring Peter Felix, until I caught Alastair Boulton. We battled lap after lap until I got past. I then I chased after John Hemming but as we fought Alastair nipped past both of us!! I got past John and a lap later retook Alastair. Ran out of time to catch Dave Balding! Bugger I will never live it down. Dave Balding finishing in front of me. The shame, the shame.

Gordon Macmillan managed to get past Pete Felix and Paul Taylor to take a fantastic win. Pete Morgan also got through to take second with Paul McMillan, Gordon's dad taking third. I finished 18th.

B Race

Unfortunately while we was in Parc Ferma the B race was run. Johneturbo, I mean John Munday pushed hard and finished second. Tony Taylor took his first winkers race win and Stewart Nind was third.

Oulton Park Race 6

In qualifying I got put into the tyres by a unnamed driver but he drives a 205 which has the number 110 on it and you sing his first name at Christmas. His last name is the same as the little girls name in the nursery rhyme " Little miss ******* sat on a tuffet eating her curds away". Anyway Noel Moffitt did apologies. whoops did I let his name out . Repaired the car with the help of Dave Wright who donated lights, radiator, big hammer, etc to get me out.

As the top 10 in qualifying went straight into the A race I was 10th on the grid in the B race with line dancer Richard just in front of me. Off the line I slipped past the cars in front with Steve Groom to my right. Groom got tagged and I chased down the leaders. Twinkle toes Richard Kingsnorth was in front of me and despite my efforts he stayed in front until he made one mistake and I was past. Missed a gear at Deer Leap and Twinkle was back past. Finished the B race 5th.

A Race

With the grid being made up of the top 8 from both B races I ended up 20th on the grid. I got a blinding start and went past Twinkle toes  and Chris Cody. I then picked my way past until I caught Simon Hunt. We battled away and caught Martin Boon who was himself trying to pass a Nova. They both made a mistake and Simon shot through, I managed to get past the Nova but when I caught Martin he made his fiesta very wide, but I managed to squeeze past after a couple of laps. I then chased down Simon but run out of laps so I ended up 10th. Gordon Macmillan won from his dad Paul!

Cadwell Park Race 7

With my new tweaks to my car I went out in the last qualifying session and seemed to over take a constant stream of cars. My lap timer dropped on the floor meant I spent the back straight fumblerling around trying to locate it. With the amount of traffic I decided that it would be better to save my tyres and brakes for the race and came in. I qualified 4th much to my amazement.

At the start I got away and caught Pete Felix and Paul Taylor. Paul McMillan  was to my left so I stayed right, we went through Charlie's side by side but eventually Paul had to pull in behind. I managed to stay with Taylor and Felix for the first four laps until I had gear linkage problems and was dropping a couple of tenths per lap. I tried to be more precise with my gear changes instead of just slamming it in and this seemed to work as I started to catch Felix again. Taylor kept a 2 second gap between himself and Felix which was good enough to take the win. I finished 3rd with McMillan 4th and Carl Townend 5th.

Glen Stokes got one up the rear from Terry Roughton. I did not see this and I take it, it was on the track and nothing to do with the Friday night party!!! By the way great weed Glen, Thanks again from the OK corral 

Cadwell Park Race 8

In he B race Dave Balding held on for the win as John Munday stormed through the field to take 2nd. Richard (My Lord) Horsey came in 3rd with his best drive this year.

The start of the A race was marred with the contact between David Rowe and Gordon MacMillan. This spread to Pete Morgan getting collected and the following pack joining in. Luckily I was just in front so I missed it. Hope Pete is ok as his car was destroyed in the mayhem.

On the restart I followed Paul McMillan through Charlie's with Gareth Wright nipping down my inside. I then had a go back at Gareth at Park and this continued for another lap. I kept the pressure on until at Mansfield Gareth out braked himself and took to the grass, I shot through and Gareth came back on a couple of seconds down. Over the following laps he gradually got closer but I held on to take 5th, Pete Felix took the win with Carl Townend 2nd. Paul Taylor was 3rd and Paul McMillan 4th.

A bit of a surprise to be so high up in the field amongst all those 106's. A good weekend for me, not so good for others who have a lot of rebuilding to do.

Pembrey Race 9

The heat was won by Richard Kingsnorth whose side by side antics with Tony Taylor entertained the crowds. Tony slipped back to 4th allowing Trevor Corteil to take 2nd and Dave Balding 3rd.

The final saw Paul Taylor take a comfortable win from the impressive drive from Gareth Wright. 3rd went to Pete Felix, 4th was Glenn Stokes and I was 5th. Carl Townend got a tank slapper on the exit of the hairpin on the first lap and made contact with my near side door. He slipped behind Pete Morgan until the final laps where he retook the position.

Never mind the racing 18 of us legged it down to the beach for a refreshing swim then back for a shower before the bbq and party.

Pembrey race 10

Paul Taylor made a small mistake into the hairpin from the off which Pete Felix said thanks very much and went through into the lead. Paul chased him to the finish but had to settle for 2nd as there was no way past. I managed to get past Craig Sheppard whose car did not seem to have a lot of power. Gareth Wright hit the rumble strip at Honda Curve and broke his drive shaft, this put me into 4th with a gap to 5th. Carl got past Craig and over the next four laps he gradually reeled me in. I then spent the rest of the race defending my position giving Carl just enough space to get round the corners but not enough to over take me. I am sure Carl would tell you I only zigged one way and never zagged. This meant Carl had to go the long way around me and for 5 or so laps this did not work. On the last lap he managed to get side by side out of the hairpin which we continued to stay for half way around the circuit, eventually he got past and finished 4th with me just behind him.

The day was marred again with a competitor throwing his dummy out and accusing others of cheating. This thought crosses our mind about other competitors but later on you find out that they had not cheated and have developed there car. At the time I am writing this he may have been right but those that throw stones etc must insure there car is 100% legal.

I once had a friend who had to drop me in it after we found some holes on my car which should not have been there. He and I were both surprised when we discovered this, but it did not stop him telling all to win the championship. He said he would not have done this normally but it was the only way to take the championship. I think, as most of the other competitors that you should win because of your driving skills not who can tell the most tales!

It has been reported to me that people think that I have put Gordon's engine in my car or have a dodgy gearbox etc. I have and will continue to offer my car for any body to drive and if they still think its illegal they put your money up and be prepared to lose it.

Mallory Park race 11

Had to do the qualifying race due to my poor qualifying run. Second on the grid but first into Gerrards at the start. Tom Blamire followed me through to chase me for the whole race. Pole man Terry ( crasher ) Roughton came in third with Simon Howard in fourth.

Simon Hunt won the other heat after changing places with Roger Neep. Pete Morgan held off Chris Cody to take third.

With it raining on and off we spent most of the afternoon looking at the skies trying to work out which tyre to run. I opted for dry's and lined up with the track wet but not flooded. At the off I managed to get past a few others but Gerrards was a bit slippery so I held station. I caught Simon Hunt who had shot past on the start and overtook him as I did to Paul Tibbs, Hilary Howlett I caught Gordon Macmillan and overtook him on the outside of Gerrards then came Pete Morgan. He seemed to be going fast then very slow, so passing him was not to difficult. Pete gave my rear bumper a little nudge and I went into Richard Kingsnorth. Richard shot to the right and I went through. In the mean time Roger Neep was also following through the field and finished the race 10th. On the last lap at the hairpin my throttle had a mind of its own and would either be full on or off. As I went into the hairpin it was full open and on the exit it had shut. I pulled into the Bus Stop and after the last car had gone through I limped across the line. When the result sheets where out I was shown as a DNF which I appealed against. After stumping up £60.00 and making a formal protest I had to see the officials and proved my point. Justice was done and I was put back on the result sheet.

Pete Felix had not got a good start and came in fourth Gareth Wright took his first ever Stock Hatch race win followed by Carl Townend. Paul Taylor came in third so the championship is now down to 1 point.

Silverstone race 12

Had problems with gearbox before I arrived at Silverstone but found another problem with the new box. Got Dave Wright to bring me up another which we changed on Saturday and the car was ready.

I was 13th on the grid and got away cleanly. Matt Lewis got boxed in behind Steve Forster as we went into Copse. I went around the outside of them both and carried the speed into Beckets. The front runners where a squabbling and losing speed so I drove straight past. A late brake into Brooklands and I was 5th!. Carl Townend got a better drive out of Luffield so I dropped a place. Gareth Wright stuck to the back of my car for the rest of the race and the only incident I got involved with was when Carl tried to pass Paul Taylor they went down the back straight side by side but had lost speed though Beckets. I came out of Beckets about 10mph faster so I decided to give Paul a little push. When I hit his back end I catapulted him back into 4th but it was short lived as Carl pasted him on the next lap. Finished 6th with Paul McMillan taking the win from Gordon Macmillan

Lydden Hill race 13

Had severe shaking to the steering in qualifying so I pulled off after 11 laps. Checked the car but could not find a problem. qualified 26th!! doh

8th on the grid for the second B race and had to get into at least 5th to be in the Final. Got a fair start and out powered two off the line, drove around the outside of Paul Tibbs in  Chessons, nipped down the inside of another car at the Devil elbow, found I was 4th on the 1st lap. Jonny Turbo soon caught me as I continued to have problems with the shaking. John tried to pass into the Devils Elbow but caught my rear quarter putting me into a slide. John dropped a place but soon overtook and was sniffing my arse. He managed to draw along side me as we dropped down Hairy Hill but I had the inside and John found the gravel! I kept looking for the chequered flag lap after lap as the drive shaft started to give up. Got into the hairpin for the last time "BANG" the drive shaft lets go. I roll down the hill hoping to hang on for 4th but Ian Laughton goes past and as I reach the line Paul tibbs and Jonny Turbo get past. BUGGER.

No A Race for me then, but just as well as it reminded me of a banger race as car where doing a lot more than gently rubbing!!!!

Gordon Macmillan in his 1.9 205 won from Paul McMillan's VTS Saxo.

Cadwell Park race 14

Pete Felix put in a quick lap to take pole from Paul McMillan. Paul Taylor lined up third with Carl Townend 4th on the grid. I had a gear linkage problem but ended up 11th with Gordon (nitrous) Macmillan just behind me 12th on the grid.

On the start I held my line as we went round Charlies. Terry Roughton defended his position as Gordon tried to nip down his inside and I shot past. Terry and I then spent the next five laps bumper to bumper as he tried to find a way past. Gordon held back and watched as we cooked our tyres and made his move past Terry as we exited Mansfield. Gordon made it stick and was soon on my arse!!!!!

Gordon found the widest 205 on the track as did Terry as I defended every corner making Gordon go the long way round. He had ago but it was fruitless as I continued to hold him off. We approached the Mountain where Carl was rejoining the track after a off. He shot off and joined the battle with Maurice Hayden and Glenn Stokes. Maurice made a mistake out off the last corner and got a wiggle on. He went one way, then the next. Finally spinning as Glenn tried to pass but poor Glenn collided with him and Carl hit the back of Glenn's car. As I came out of the corner the cars where still spinning and I just floored it through the opening.

The race was red flagged because of the crash. I ended up 6th as a competitor was found to have naughty parts on his car. Pete Felix won with Paul Taylor second.

The B races where entertaining and action packed. As my finger is getting tired can't be bothered to tell you about them. Jonny Turbo has done a report on the winkers race, so see his page.

Snetterton race 15

Fantastic qualifying lap by me on the final lap to get 3rd on the grid. Had to use grass, gravel, anything to shorten the track!! Russell's has now been renamed "Blumson corner" as I seem to have found the best line across it.

I hired the a 106 from Hilary Howlett. The 106 Xsi is a lot easier to drive than the 205 and it has great torque.

On the start I held my own and queued up to take the first corner only losing one place but as we approached Sears I looked in my door mirror and saw Paul McMillan locked up sliding down my inside at a rate of knots. I waited for him to shoot by straight into Craig Sheppard. Craig disappeared and Paul continued down the back straight with my 106 stuck to his back bumper. As we turned into the Esses Paul got a little sideways so I helped his half spin with a little tap. This did the job as Paul went onto the rumble strip and I tried to pass on the inside. Paul regained control and squeezed me to the inside of the track as we approached the Bomb Hole. I gave way and tried to stay with him but his car has far more power than mine and he was gone. As the laps went by Terry (old boy) Roughton went past on power as did Pete Morgan. I decided to slip stream Pete for the next five laps as when I stayed on his bumper I got dragged around a lot faster than If I was on my own. On the final lap Hilary Howlett joined us and as my car's owner I let him through finishing the race 8th. With Paul Taylor winning the race and Pete Felix had to settle for second.

Pete was later excluded from the results as he had his throttle body checked and it was found illegal. This is the same throttle body which has been on the car since Lydden where it was sealed.