Round 8 - Oulton Park (4 hrs)

TDI Classification

Car 106, Track Torque Racing, took the end of season honours at the Oulton Park 4 hour race. After a great race with no damage, they were delighted to take the victory.

First time Fun Cup race winner, Henry Dawes, said: “On a sadder note, myself, James and I am sure everyone involved in racing, were shocked and saddened to hear of the news from Las Vegas. We would, therefore, like to dedicate the win to Dan Wheldon and his friends and family."

For Neil Plimmer and Geoff Fawcett in Team Honeywell, car 147, it was always going to be a special weekend with over 200 guests attending the final race of the year and a possible championship victory on the cards. Their plan was to put aside any thoughts about

a championship and approach the race as they would any other. They knew they would have a battle on their hands against JPR/Racelogic in car 101 and the Track Torque boys in 211, both of whom could have possibly scuppered Honeywell’s championship victory.

Neil Plimmer, said: “The rolling start worked well and the intensity of the opening laps was more like a FF1600 scrap, as petrol and diesel cars scrambled around the glorious Oulton circuit.”

He added: “Joachim from JPR/Racelogic was all over me at the start and as the front 8 car pack ran three abreast, engine temperature became a concern and so I ran a tactical race to the first pit window, as 101 dropped away. We were gutted when Racelogic hit engine problems, which took them out of the equation, but the race pace of car 211 gave us some concern as the countdown to the end began.”

An accidental clash with Mark Burton in 207 Spirit Fitness, who was suffering from a puncture, made the importance of a trouble free run all too clear! A constant challenge came from Track Torque 106, which was flying and logging smooth, consistent laps. As the four hour mark drew nearer, the championship became a reality and although a podium would suffice, Fawcett had aspirations for a race win and made an unsuccessful, heart stopping, last lap attempt at Cascades, where he spun along Lakeside and then followed car 106 to their well deserved first win.

Neil Plimmer, said: “We were so happy that we managed to do enough to take the championship victory! To all our fellow competitors, who genuinely offered their congratulations afterwards, it has been a privilege and pleasure to race with you

every month.”

He added: “To Roxie, Paul and Anna, thank you for another brilliant season. Thank you also to our Clerk, Julian Floyd, who did a brilliant job again! Finally I’d like to say a massive thank you to Little Rick from JPR Group, for his prep, set up and providing us a car to get the job done. Thanks, also, to Scott from JPR for his help and sportsmanship.”

Chris Hart and Tim Hartland took home the 3rd place trophy, after a strong, competitive year for the 211 car.

Nigel Greensall, in the JPR/Racelogic car, set the fastest lap, with a 2:02.675.

Petrol Classification

Petrol class font runners John Bullough, James Somerton and Will Pembroke sealed another victory at Oulton in their JPR/Ecurie Escargot car, after a great year demonstrating their strength in the petrol class.

Behind them in the petrol sequential JPR car, was Lawrence Howlett and Damian Hudes.

Lawrence Howlett, recalled: “Wow, the sequential car transforms the Fun Cup car into a serious bit of kit. The gearing is perfect for Oulton Park too. In testing we managed to put together a 2:03:5, which was not far off the quickest diesels, proving the sequential is certainly the way forward.”

He added: “We had a fantastic race, with ups and downs, but John our mechanic was great, especially with a quick tyre change after a puncture. The last stint saw Beacon Racing, car 49, approximately 44 seconds ahead of us, which I managed to claw back and passed them with 5 laps to go. It was a real fight for 2nd place! I’m ecstatic about next year’s championship and can’t wait to get back into the seat.”

Alan and Rory Brown, plus Jonathan Cobb in the Beacon Racing 49 car, were not confident of a strong finish unless the track was wet! But, they had a good grid draw and Jonathan Cobb had a great first session.

In the second stint, Alan Brown was hit from behind and lost a little time and a splitter, but fortunately there was no serious damage. The fourth session was fairly tumultuous, with a great deal of safety car activity and some of the competition suffering minor problems.

To their great surprise, despite not getting below a 2 minute and 7 second lap time, they started the 6th and final session in 2nd place, far behind JPR/Ecurie Escargot, but not so far ahead of the JPR/Sequential, car 99. They knew 99 was much faster than them and it soon became clear that Rory Brown would not be able to resist Howlett, who was catching him by 3 or 4 seconds a lap. So, it was Howlett who forced them down to the 3rd and final step of the podium!

The fastest petrol lap was set by Lawrence Howlett in the JPR/Sequential, car 99. He placed a 2.04.432.

Massive congratulations, also, to Jolly Roger Racing, who didn’t make the podium, but won the petrol championship. It has been a fantastic year for drivers Mark Jaffray, Andrew Beverley, Ben Gill, Mike Humphreys and Simon Isbister.