BRITISH SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP - REPORT ARCHIVE

Colin's Championship & Heather's win as Calders dominate Anglesey

Event 15 at Anglesey on 02/10/2016

So Sunday and the final round of the Championship arrived, to be held on the International circuit and with a total change in weather from the day before to dry and sunny. Conferences were taking place concerning what had to happen to whom to achieve their desired objective. Colin Calder had, by the start of proceedings, achieved his unprecedented four consecutive SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship win, but on Sunday he became simply a “pawn”. If Heather Calder wanted second place she needed to win, with her father in second, and break the outright record at least once. She got the win (which, again with dropped points complicating the issue, lead her to equal John Graham’s total) but was three quarter’s of a second adrift from that elusive record (and the bonus point which would come with it) due to a slight departure on to some grass.

Other points of interest included Grahame Harden who achieved the British Sprint Championships widest smile of the weekend having achieved his objective of 12^th place and a permanent number for 2017. After three months absence as their engine was subject to tender loving care after Pembrey, Tony Jarvis and Martin Webb were at last, in Sunday’s event able to display their 2016 permanent numbers for the final time in seventh and eleventh places respectively. Another good run from Matt Carter secured his place as the top sports car in the Championship

Having already secured their permanent numbers for 2017 (which unusually they have been without during 2016), Terry Holmes and Graham Porrett''''s crank sensor failure proved not to be crucial in the overall standings. A final mention should be made of Carole Torkington, who had her most successful year in the British Sprint Championship with score of 13 points.

PP

Results:

Anglesey International October 2

MDA / L&DMC

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Round 15

1. Heather Calder (3.5 Gould-NME GR55) 73.33s
2. Colin Calder (3.5 Gould-NME GR55) 74.30s
3. John Graham (2.8 Gould-NME GR55B) 75.31s
4. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara F3) 78.59s
5. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 78.94s
6. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara F3) 79.52s
7. Tony Jarvis (2.0 Dallara - Cougar Power F399/00) 80.47s
8. Nick Algar (1.3s DJ Firehawk) 80.53s
9. Louise Calder (1.0 Jedi Mk1) 82.55s
10. Matt Carter (1.4 Radical PR6) 82.90s
11. Martin Webb (2.0 Dallara - Cougar Power F399/00) 83.15s
12. Jim Belt (3.0 Juno TR400) 84.86s

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship final standings:

1. Colin Calder 105pts
2. John Graham 101pts
3. Heather Calder 101pts
4. Terry Holmes 90pts
5. Steve Miles 82pts
6. Matt Hillam 79pts
7. Steve Broughton 67pts
8. Nick Algar 58pts
9. Matt Carter 54pts
10. Graham Porrett 44pts
11. Jim Belt 43pts
12. Grahame Harden 29pts

Heather Calder took her third win of the year at Anglesey (N Lambert)


Colin Calder can carry No.1 again next year (N Lambert)

Miles takes first Top Twelve win at Anglesey

Event 14 at Anglesey on 01/10/2016

The British Sprint Championship began its final weekend of 2016 with Colin Calder on top with John Graham and Heather Calder behind on equal points.

Ultimately on day one it went wrong for the Calder pairing as they were unable to take their part in the Top 12 Run Off as starter issues intervened, and even towing the car was unsuccessful, so it was work on the car into the evening (well until about midnight actually). For John Graham matters weren’t helped by changeable conditions in the Top 12 Run Off (it was drying) and every type of tyre was being used from wets, that most had used for most of the day, to intermediates to slicks which were used by Steve Miles, winning by some margin on his second run.

But Crucially, as it was to appear, his second place and ten points gave John Graham a couple of additional points in the Championship and close the gap to the leader as dropping points had long before become an issue for him.

PP

Results:

Anglesey National October 1

MDA / L&DMC

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Round 14

1. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 107.54s
2. John Graham (2.8 Gould-NME GR55B) 111.22s
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 113.05s
4. Matt Carter (1.4 Radical PR6) 113.24s
5. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara F3) 113.75s
6. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara F3) 114.89s
7. Louise Calder (1.0 Jedi Mk1) 115.44s
8. Grahame Harden (1.1 Jedi Mk 6) 116.70s
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 117.54s
10. Jim Belt (3.0 Juno TR400) 118.69s
11. Carole Torkington (1.6 OMS-SBD Suzuki CF08) 119.52s
12. Nick Algar (1.3s DJ Firehawk) 123.59s

A change to slicks for his final run gave Steve Miles the win (Neil Lambert)


Matt Carter prepares to set off for a fourth place finish (Neil Lambert)

Another win for Graham at Blyton

Event 13 at Blyton Park on 11/09/2016

For the second visit to this venue a different, double lap, format was used which presented everyone with a quite unique challenge. An added bonus was the quite beautiful weather present throughout the day. The timed runs experienced a few unfortunate incidents. Perhaps the saddest, from which he was left with irreparable damage, impacted on Martin Pickles when his right front stub axle broke and in the course of that incident his brake calliper mounting plate became severely bent leaving one corner pointing in a different direction to the other three. Terry Holmes had a much more severe incident, than many others, who also had them in the same Port Froid location at which the cars are both at high speed, but changing direction too. Fortunately despite the severity of his incident Holmes was able to recover to enjoy later runs. One other competitor who I shan’t embarrass by naming him lost one run to an inability to count the number of laps correctly!

Carole Torkington opened her account ion the Top 12 runs with a modest run, but poured it on in her second attempt to post by far her best time of the day. Graham Blackwell, in his first Top 12 Run Off, posted two closely matched times. Despite an improvement on his second run Grahame Harden was denied the time having ventured off the course with all 4 wheels, but his first run was sufficient for tenth spot. Jim Belt adopted his customary practice when the weather is warmer of relying on just one run whose time was well ahead of those behind him but some way distant from those ahead.

Next up was Graham Porrett who posted two solid safe runs. Matt Carter was one of those who posted an incident at Port Froid, albeit continuing at unabated speed, and appeared to be setting a significantly improved time but unfortunately spun just before the finish on his second run. Steve Broughton spun before the finish on his first run but managed a good, albeit not his best, second run while Nick Algar was a second further back despite suffering throttle cable incidents all day. Steve Miles seemed to be off his own pace, compared with his timed run times, but it was enough for 4^th spot. Having an incident on his second run Terry Holmes had to rely on his sparkling first run effort for 3^rd but was bettered by Matt Hillam whose 2^nd run was the top 2 litre car time all day. However nobody was able to approach John Graham’s final run time which left him quite simply in a class of his own.

Results:

Blyton Park September 11

MDA / L&DMC

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Round 13

1. John Graham (2.8 Gould-NME GR55B) 112.51s
2. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara F3) 115.51s
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 116.35s
4. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 117.80s
5. Nick Algar (1.3s DJ Firehawk) 119.68s
6. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara F3) 120.12s
7. Matt Carter (1.4 Radical PR6) 120.68s
8. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 122.69s
9. Jim Belt (3.0 Juno TR400) 125.70s
10. Grahame Harden (1.1 Jedi Mk 6) 129.63s
11. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Mountune)130.50s
12. Carole Torkington (1.6 OMS 25 SBD) 133.06s

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Points after Round 13:

1. Colin Calder 105pts

2= Heather Calder & John Graham 99pts

4. Terry Holmes 87

5. Steve Miles 78pts

6. Matt Hillam 75pts

7. Steve Broughton 60pts

8. Nick Algar 52pts

9. Matt Carter 49pts

10= Jim Belt & Graham Porrett 42pts

12. Simon Bainbridge 26pts

Graham's win moved him up to 2nd in the Championship (K Broughton)


Matt Hillam, 2nd in the SBD Dallara (K Broughton)

Another Calder double at Kirkistown

Event 12 at Kirkistown on 07/08/2016

The weather for the second day of the British Sprint Championship Kirkistown double header was windy but still warm and dry.

The Calder’s suffered issues with their rear wing mounting,but nonetheless the pair managed a closely fought one-two once again. Terry Holmes’ first Run Off Run was aborted with high oil temperature. Ultimately however, his second run was just insufficient to overcome John Graham coming up short by a by a tenth.

Both the two litre runners had an off each during their Run Offs. Nick Algar, having experienced brake issues over the weekend, suffered a throttle jamming on his opening Sunday run but retrieved matters with a record breaking second run. Steve Miles also broke the record on his Run Off opener but a little over enthusiasm on his second run meant he was unable to complete that one.

Jim Belt was satisfied with a single run, with a time not dissimilar to the Porrett pair. Harden completing his weekend with his best run of the day.

PP

Results:

Kirkistown August 7

500 MRCI

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Round 12

1. Colin Calder 103.63s
2. Heather Calder 104.84s
3. John Graham 108.50s
4. Terry Holmes 108.66s
5. Steve Miles 112.46s
6. Nick Algar 112.97s
7. Graham Porrett 118.30s
8. Jim Belt 119.46s
9. Grahame Harden 121.57s

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Points after Round 12:

1. Colin Calder 105pts
2. Heather Calder 99pts
3. John Graham 95pts
4. Terry Holmes 84pts
5. Steve Miles 77pts
6. Matt Hillam 63pts
7. Steve Broughton 53pts
8. Matt Carter 47pts
9. Nick Algar 44pts
10. Jim Belt 40pts
11. Graham Porrett 39pts
12. Simon Bainbridge 26pts

Terry Holmes climbed to fourth in the Championship (Tom Maxwell)


Matt Carter had a difficult week-end in the Radical (Tom Maxwell)

Calders back on top in Ireland

Event 11 at Kirkistown on 06/08/2016

The SBD British Sprint Championship were greeted to a delightful weekend in Northern Ireland, it being warm and sunny and dry on Saturday. The entry was supplemented by competitors from Southern Ireland as well as the usual local sprinters and were present in stronger numbers on Saturday as is customary.

Colin Calder continued his strong form with another victory. However, as is usual in 2016, daughter Heather continued her strong form, finishing second by a scant few tenths. Also closely matched were Terry Holmes and John Graham, again only a few tenths apart from each other, albeit a couple of seconds distant from the Calder clan.

Then came the pair of two litre Championship runners. Steve Miles, who has taken in every round so far this year, accompanied by past British Sprint Champion Nick Algar, who made one outing early in the season, close to home at Croft, but has competed at Anglesey & Knockhill since. Their two cars are terribly different. Miles’ Van Diemen chassis has been extensively developed throughout his ownership with the engine, gearbox and bodywork all receiving attention. By contrast, Nick Algar’s DJ Firehawk, powered by a supercharged Suzuki Hayabusa engine, is the second such model Algar has enjoyed during his career. The pair were separated by mere tenths, both setting times very adjacent to the two litre category record. These two were pursued by Terry Holmes’ co-driver Graham Porrett.

Then there were the two Sports Racing Cars with this time Jim Belt’s Jaguar engined Juno overcoming Matt Carter’s Radical PR6, the latter suffering issues with its differential which would ultimately over the weekend prove to be insuperable. Finally Grahame Harden’s Mk 6 Jedi took the last run off spot.

PP

Results:

Kirkistown August 6

500 MRCI

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Round 11

1. Colin Calder (3.5 Gould-NME GR55) 82.64s
2. Heather Calder (3.5 Gould-NME GR55) 83.23s
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra 90) 85.66s
4. John Graham (2.8 Gould-NME GR55B) 86.54s
5. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen-SBD RF96 mm16) 88.67s
6. Nick Algar (1.4s DJ Firehawk) 89.20s
7. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra 90) 93.11s
8. Jim Belt (3.0 Juno TR400) 95.04s
9. Matt Carter (1.4 Radical PR6) 97.20s
10. Grahame Harden (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 99.32s

Another victory for Colin Calder's Gould GR55 (Tom Maxwell)


A good fifth for Steve Miles' highly developed Van Diemen (Tom Maxwell)

Robb's winning return at Knockhill

Event 10 at Knockhill on 31/07/2016

Stewart Robb jnr built on his Saturday perfomance for the second day of the British Sprint Championship's Knockhill double header with a victory despite not having held an MSA Competition Licence for 4 years before this event! The previous day's winner, Heather Calder was unable to better third place on Sunday, troubled by tyre difficulties. Reigning champion Colin Calder improved to a second on day two while 2011 & 2012 Champion Stewart Robb repeated his fourth place from the day before.

Nick Algar wasn’t able to better eighth place spot on Sunday, being troubled with electrical issues throughout the day. John Graham improved one place to take fifth with his best time of the whole day as his final one. Another competitor to improve his placing was Terry Holmes, who was troubled for much of the day with electrical problems (eventually overcome) took sixth and sounding much healthier.

Matt Carter and Jim Belt continued their sports car battle, still a couple of seconds apart but with positions reversed to finish ninth and eleventh respectively and separated by Louise Calder, again the fastest 1000 competitor.

PP

Results:

Knockhill (clockwise) July 31

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Round 10

1. Stewart Robb jnr 84.20s
2. Colin Calder 84.46s
3. Heather Calder 84.91s
4. Stewart Robb 85.58s
5. John Graham 90.78s
6. Terry Holmes 91.47s
7. Steve Miles 94.39s
8. Nick Algar 96.00s
9. Matt Carter 98.08s
10. Louise Calder 98.96s
11. Jim Belt 100.83s
12. Graham Porrett 101.22s

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Points after Round 10:

1. Colin Calder 92pts
2. John Graham 91pts
3. Heather Calder 87pts
4. Steve Miles 73pts
5. Terry Holmes 70pts
6. Matt Hillam 63pts
7. Steve Broughton 53pts
8. Matt Carter 44pts
9. Jim Belt 32pts
10. Nick Algar 29pts
11. Graham Porrett 28pts
12. Simon Bainbridge 26pts

Stewart Robb jnr made a winning return at Knockhill (John Stewart)


Colin Calder took the Championship lead at Knockhill (John Stewart)

Heather Calder heads the V8s

Event 9 at Knockhill on 30/07/2016

The 2016 version of this weekend was greeted largely with far better weather than hitherto. The event was supported by an entry consisting of the 8 most recent British Sprint Champions but they were unable to monopolise the headlines.

Saturday’s victor was Heather Calder, in the Calder Engineering backed Gould GR55, who set a best time of 82.07s to beat 2008 British Sprint Champion Stewart Robb jnr, despite the weather intervening to make both their second Top 12 Run Off opportunities meaningless by a sudden shower, so they passed by those opportunities. Robb jnr had comfortably headed the timesheets in qualifying despite having had little seat time in the Pilbeam MP88 in recent years. Reigning champion Colin Calder managed 3^rd place and the 2011 & 2012 Champion, Stewart Robb, picked up 4^th place with all of the top 4 runners breaking the existing track record in the process of their performances on Saturday, when the anticlockwise layout of the track was used.

2009 & 2010 British Sprint Champion Nick Algar, not to be undone despite using a much lower capacity car than his compatriots picked up a 5^th place spot, murdering the existing 2 litre class record in the process,while John Graham managed sixth.

Steve Miles managed a seventh place spot also bettering the existing two-litre record in the process and Terry Holmes managed an eighth place spot just ahead of Louise Calder, making an occasional British Sprint appearance, in the family Jedi MK1 and Graham Porrett in the Lola Tegra.

The two Sports Car contenders were closely matched and Jim Belt took eleventh with Matt Carter twelfth just a couple of seconds apart.

Colin Metcalfe gave his recently acquired OMS2000 its debut and rounding out the field was Scot, Eric Kiltie in his Caterham.

PP

Results:

Knockhill (anti clockwise) July 30

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Round 9

1. Heather Calder (3.5 Gould NME GR55) 82.07s
2. Stewart Robb jnr (4.0 Pilbeam MP88-Judd KV) 82.42s
3. Colin Calder (3.5 Gould NME GR55) 82.51s
4. Stewart Robb (4.0 Pilbeam MP88 – Judd KV) 83.27s
5. Nick Algar (1.4s DJ Firehawk) 87.95s
6. John Graham (2.8 Gould NME GR55B) 89.73s
7. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen SBD RF96 MM16) 89.83s
8. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra 90) 91.71s
9. Louise Calder (1.0 Jedi Mk1) 96.97s
10. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra 90) 97.62s
11. Jim Belt (3.0 Juno TR400) 98.13s
12. Matt Carter (1.4 Radical PR6) 100.12s

Heather Calder on her way to another Top 12 win (John Stewart)


Nick Algar's DJ Firehawk negotiates Knockhill's sweeps (John Stewart)

Father's (wet) Day at Anglesey

Event 8 at Anglesey on 19/06/2016

In a marked contrast to the day before, on Sunday it rained almost from start of play and steadily got heavier, such that after a tour of inspection just before 2.00pm by the Clerk of the Course and MSA Steward abandoned the meeting after a single timed run had been completed. This run determined the results of the event rather that the usual Top 12 Run Off.

Colin Calder did more than enough for the comfortable win on Sunday with John Graham (still running the borrowed front wing) a couple of seconds adrift in second place, and enough to take over the Championship lead) ahead of Saturday's victor, Heather Calder.

The works SBD pairing of Steve Broughton & Matt Hillam were rather less successful in Sunday’s wet conditions, Hillam managing a sixth place but Broughton only managed tenth spot. Steve Miles took a very laudable fourth position finish while Nick Algar failed to finish on the one timed run on Sunday.

Jim Belt managed a remarkable fifth on Sunday but Grahame Harden was running on slicks and wheel spinning in the uphill sections finishing up in ninth place but disappointed as a brand new wets was waiting! Carole Torkington finished top SBD employee in eighth making it one of her better weekend points hauls. Matt Carter effected some overnight repairs and came back strongly with a seventh place. Colin Metcalfe took the final (well earned) place in his Nissan Primera.

PP

Results:

Anglesey National June 19

MAC/Chester MC

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Round 8

1. Colin Calder 115.23s
2. John Graham 117.58s
3. Heather Calder 118.22s
4. Steve Miles 118.96s
5. Jim Belt 120.55s
6. MattHillam 123.28s
7. Matt Carter 126.27s
8. Carole Torkington 126.53s
9. Grahame Harden 127.35s
10. Steve Broughton 128.02s
11. Richard Arrowsmith 129.25s
12. Colin Metcalfe (Nissan Primera) 139.33s

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Points after Round 8:

1. John Graham 76pts
2. Colin Calder 69pts
3. Steve Miles 65pts
4. Heather Calder 64pts
5. Matt Hillam 63pts
6. Terry Holmes 58pts
7. Steve Broughton 53pts
8. Matt Carter 39pts
9. Jim Belt 28pts
10. Simon Bainbridge 26pts
11. Graham Porrett 23pts
12. Nick Algar 15pts

Steve Miles found his new aero worked well in the wet (N Lambert)


Heather Calder was third on Sunday (N Lambert)

Calders back on song

Event 7 at Anglesey on 18/06/2016

Two contrasting days greeted the first 2016 visit to perhaps one of the British Sprint Championship’s competitors’ favourite circuits with Saturday enjoying quite delightful weather.

Wide smiles were being displayed by the Scottish members of the British Sprint Championship fraternity, the Calder family engine back to full working order. To demonstrate that fully Heather Calder secured the Top 12 Run Off win on Saturday win in the Calder Engineering backed Gould GR55. Father, Colin, was just over a quarter of a second away with John Graham third and most grateful for the loan of the Calder family spare front wing after damaging his when he had a small incident with the armco barrier just after the start on his 2^nd timed run.

The works SBD pairing of Steve Broughton & Matt Hillam managed a 5^th and 4^th placed finish. Steve Miles tied on best times with Broughton with Nick Algar was next up behind Miles.

Jim Belt finished as top sports car in eighth place and Grahame Harden was next finisher ahead of Carole Torkington. Richard Arrowsmith secured eleventh place despite a spin and having to push his car back on track on T1 but Matt Carter suffered an 'off' on his first Run Off effort and failed to finish.

PP

Results:

Anglesey International June 18

MAC/Chester MC

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Round 7

1. Heather Calder (3.5 Gould-NME GR55)73.62s
2. Colin Calder (3.5 Gould-NME GR55) 73.90s
3. John Graham (2.8 Gould-NME GR55B)76.16s
4. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara F3)77.76s
5. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara F3)78.68s
6. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96)78.68s
7. Nick Algar (1.3s DJ Firehawk)79.24s
8. Jim Belt (3.0 Juno TR400) 83.78s
9. Grahame Harden (1.1 Jedi Mk 6)85.28s
10. Carole Torkington (1.6 OMS CF08)87.04s
11. Richard Arrowsmith (1.0 Force PC) 88.80s
DNF Matt Carter (1.4 Radical PR6)

Colin Calder's Gould was working well at Anglesey (N Lambert)


Another lady in the Top 12 - Carole Torkington (N Lambert)

Graham goes one better

Event 6 at Pembrey on 05/06/2016

John Graham's development in his Gould continued throughout the weekend, ultimately concluding with a Run Off win, the weekend's FTD and his speech at Sunday's prizegiving. These must surely have been followed by a smile all the way home up the M5 & M6.

All three Gould mounted competitors showed a clear time improvement on Sunday and victory was snatched this time by John Graham by a tenth from Colin Calder. Heather Calder was in third spot a little way adrift of the top two on times and what she felt about that was clearly being demonstrated in her demeanour throughout the weekend.

Matt Hillam & Steve Broughton reversed their positions on Sunday but Steve Miles found a bunch of time to head both the works SBD drivers. Dave Cutliffe was unable to repeat his success from the day before as during Sunday practice both chain and the pulley upon which it is mounted broke imposing an intense work programme before Anglesey! Also busy will be Tony Jarvis and Martin Webb as they also struggled to come to grips with a problem throughout the weekend particularly as the car seemed unsure whether to behave or misbehave on each run.

Jim Belt was having to take more care on Sunday to avoid further driveshaft problems and Simon Bainbridge had an "interesting" Top 12 effort on Sunday, when I doubt any more than one gear was used!

The only other contender to make a Top 12 Run Off place was Grahame Harden. He managed to do so with a wide smile as he concluded his weekend with a personal best time.

PP

Results:

Pembrey June 5

BARC Wales

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Round 6

1.John Graham 88.68s
2.Colin Calder 88.78s
3.Heather Calder 90.87s
4.Terry Holmes 92.31s
5.Steve Miles 93.94s
6.Steve Broughton 95.38s
7.Matt Hillam 95.85s
8.Graham Porrett 99.19s
9.Matt Carter 100.61s
10.Jim Belt 101.95s
11.Grahame Harden (1.1 Jedi MK4) 105.16s
12.Simon Bainbridge 170.75s

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Points after Round 6:

1. Terry Holmes 58pts
2. John Graham 55pts
3. Steve Miles 49pts
4. Matt Hillam 47pts
5. Colin Calder 46pts
6= Steve Broughton 42pts
Heather Calder 42pts
8. Matt Carter 33pts
9. Simon Bainbridge 26pts
10. Graham Porrett 23pts
11. Jim Belt 15pts
12= Martin Webb 9pts
Nick Algar 9pts

John Graham took an impressive win over the Calders (K Broughton)


Grahame Harden made the Top 12 with the Jedi (K Broughton)

Goulds to the fore as Graham splits the Calders

Event 5 at Pembrey on 04/06/2016

Father, Colin, and daughter, Heather, Calder achieved the results they did despite their car misbehaving throughout the weekend. This was something of a mirror of what had taken place a fortnight earlier when they made their 2016 season debut. Their times were, after all, some significant number of seconds away from their best times in ideal conditions, which Colin was at pains to emphasise existed throughout the weekend. It was pleasing to see that Terry Holmes and Graham Porrett had overcome their issues from a fortnight before and now all 8 cylinders were now in full working order.

The top 3 demonstrated the development in times achieved over the course of the weekend. Colin Calder taking Saturday's win just under a couple of tenths clear of John Graham. Heather Calder was in third spot a little way adrift of the top two on times.

The works SBD pairing of Matt Hillam & Steve Broughton finished in that order on Saturday and there was a great deal of suspension tinkering taking pace throughout the weekend although judging by the times it was difficult to determine what benefits were being accrued. Steve Miles finished behind the pair on Saturday, which also saw the reappearance of Dave Cutcliffe who was setting encouraging times with a finish just adrift of Steve Miles.

Two members of the Sports Libre fraternity in Matt Carter and Jim Belt battled away throughout the weekend to break their Category record, unsuccessfully as it transpired. Not helping matters was Jim Belt breaking a driveshaft end on Saturday. Simon Bainbridge, their third compatriot, suffered with lost gears for much of the weekend, producing some astonishing times given the limited range of gears he was employing. However ultimately a shredded drive belt rather added insult to injury.

PP

Results:

Pembrey June 4

BARC Wales

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Round 5

1.Colin Calder (3.5 Gould-NME GR55) 90.11s
2.John Graham (2.8 Gould-NME GR55C) 90.28s
3.Heather Calder (3.5 Gould-NME GR55)92.08s
4. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 92.78s
5. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara F3) 94.20s
6. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara F3) 95.84s
7.Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 96.23s
8.Dave Cutcliffe (1.3t Van Diemen 93M) 98.39s
9. Matt Carter (1.4 Radical PR6) 100.66s
10. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 100.83s
11.Jim Belt (3.0 Juno TR400) 101.67s
12.Tony Jarvis (2.0 Dallara- Cougar Power F399/00) 107.70s

Another win for Colin Calder at Pembrey (K Broughton)


Dave Cutliffe made a welcome and successful return at Pembrey (K Broughton)

Colin Calder out front at Snetterton

Event 4 at Snetterton on 22/05/2016

For the second part of the Snetterton Sprint double header the Calders were still struggling with gear change issues but father, Colin found a couple of seconds from his previous day''s time to take the Top 12 Run Off victory from an on form John Graham who is now really getting to grips with the car and set a new PB.

Heather Calder was third, unable to match her time from the previous day while Terry Holmes had an utterly appalling start on his first Top 12 run, followed by a spin shortly afterwards. However, on his second run he at least managed a points paying finish albeit back in sixth to maintain his championship lead.

The two litre tussle between the SBD powered Dallara of Matt Hillam and the similarly powered Van Diemen of Steve Miles continued but with the positions reversed from the day before, Hillam getting very close to the two litre record in the process.

As on the Saturday the Sports Libre squad followed with Bainbridge leading Carter and Belt in 7th, 9th and 11th places respectively. All three are becoming a competition in themselves alone and appear to be enjoying the process! The final points were taken by Grahame Harden in his ''new'' Jedi MK4 (recently built up from boxes of parts which had sat in his garage for a few years) after a slow start to the week-end.

The Jarvis/Webb Dallara failed to appear after suffering from very mysterious electrical problems after initially fixing a faulty throttle position sensor. The team were preparing themselves for the tedious job of a wiring loom check back at base.

Results:

Snetterton 100 May 22

Borough 19 Motor Club

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Round 4

1. Colin Calder – 77.45secs
2. John Graham – 78.83secs
3. Heather Calder – 79.46secs
4. Matt Hillam 80.50secs
5. Steve Miles – 81.48secs
6. Terry Holmes 81.97secs
7. Simon Bainbridge – 83.91secs
8. Steve Broughton – 84.60secs
9. Matt Carter – 84.80secs
10. Graham Porrett – 85.07secs
11. Jim Belt – 85.56secs
12. Grahame Harden (1.1 Jedi Mk4) 90.76secs

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Points after Round 4:

1. Terry Holmes 40pts
2. Steve Miles 35pts
3. Matt Hillam 33pts
4. John Graham 32pts
5. Steve Broughton 28pts
6= Matt Carter 25pts
Simon Bainbridge 25pts
8. Colin Calder 23pts
9. Heather Calder 22 pts
10. Graham Porrett 15pts
11. Jim Belt 10pts
12= Martin Webb 9pts
Nick Algar 9pts

Colin Calder returned to the winners circle at Snetterton (A Leivers)


Matt Hillam took an excellent fourth in the SBD Dallara (A Leivers)

Another Championship win for Heather Calder

Event 3 at Snetterton on 21/05/2016

Sprinting’s annual visit to East Anglia’s premier venue at Snetterton was accompanied by pleasurable weather conditions all weekend. This year’s event was the Calder family’s inaugural outing in 2016, and what a display! On the Saturday, victory was taken comfortably by daughter Heather, a full second ahead of father, Colin, in the Calder Engineering backed Gould GR55. These performance were achieved despite gear change issues, overcome only by early upchanges. Another V8 competitor struggling with a recalcitrant car was Terry Holmes, despite which he managed to secure 3^rd spot.

John Graham however appeared to demonstrate no negative feelings following a first timed run spin and went on to secure fourth spot.

Behind these V8s was a two litre tussle between the SBD powered Dallara of Matt Hillam and the similarly powered Van Diemen of Steve Miles. These two battled hard Miles pipping Hillam by mere hundredths. Behind these two came the Sports Libre fraternity and the old record for this category was steadily being taken apart. Various numbers of seconds were being taken off the old record on Saturday by Jim Belt, Matt Carter and Simon Bainbridge (who had bent a gear selector fork which needed to be re-welded) in the course of their securing 8^th, 10^th and 7^th spots.

Nick Algar had been on the pace in practice with the DJ Firehawk but a supercharger failure meant his week-end was over before it had really started.

Results:

Snetterton 100 May 21

Borough 19 Motor Club

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Round 3

1. Heather Calder (3.5 Gould-NME GR55) 78.46secs
2. Colin Calder (3.5 Gould-NME GR55) 79.45secs
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 80.00secs
4. John Graham (2.8 Gould-NME GR55B) 80.44secs
5. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 82.47secs
6. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara F3) 82.55secs
7. Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono V8) 83.29secs
8. Jim Belt (3.0 Juno TR400) 85.18secs
9. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara F3) 85.66secs
10. Matt Carter (1.4 Radical PR6) 86.22secs
11. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 86.23secs
12. Tony Jarvis (2.0 Dallara- Cougar Power F399/00) No time

Heather Calder took the big Gould to another Top 12 victory (Andy Leivers)


Terry Holmes took his third podium of the year (A Leivers)

Graham and Holmes in close Croft battle

Event 2 at Croft on 28/03/2016

An early Easter this year lead to rather cold, albeit at least dry, weather conditions when it mattered. This unfortunately produced low track temperatures and consequentially that impacted negatively on times.

Practice was wet and had a couple of highlights. John Graham’s team creating their own set of intermediates, lightly cutting a set of slicks before running. Mike Manning was producing some wonderful launches, just as he did in his rally cross days, but unfortunately “did” a turbo bringing his day to an early conclusion.

During the timed runs Graham Blackwell amply demonstrated what a steep learning pattern he is on, moving from the Fiesta he had before to a 2013 Mygale, of which this appears to be the third example I have seen in the last year. Mark Anson too was experiencing a change of car category, moving from a Westfield to an OMS 2000M. Unfortunately it managed to shed a rear wing endplate creating more work for John Hansell before his next outing.

On his first appearance of the season John Graham managed to start his year the right way with a win. He was pressed hard by Castle Combe victor Terry Holmes, both drivers really turning it on during their second Top 12 Runs, this was perhaps to be expected of the two prime championship candidates. These two were pursued by a phalanx of 2 litre cars with Steve Miles grabbing the final podium spot, with past champion Nick Algar in hot pursuit, mere hundredths dividing the pair. Behind them came the Steve Broughton/Matt Hillam pairing a little way back.

Then came a battling Sports Libre pair, with Simon Bainbridge just taking a single run, battling with an out of balance propshaft, in his quite unique SBR Crono to overcome Radical mounted Aussie Matt Carter.

Martin Webb, together with non qualifying partner Tony Jarvis, were battling with traction control issues but nonetheless managed to collect a few points. New to the Championship in his Imagination PH1 Mark Dempster was delighted to qualify and secure his first points.

Graham Porrett from the outside appeared to be on the pace, but the time clock seemed not to concur with that judgement. Jim Belt most unfortunately broke a driveshaft approaching the start line for his Top 12 opener, so didn’t get to run.

PP

Results:

Croft March 28

Darlington & District Motor Club

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Round 2

1. John Graham (2.8 Gould-NME GR55B) 70.07s
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 70.65s
3. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 72.24s
4. Nick Algar (1.3s DJ Firehawk) 72.31s
5. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara F3) 73.39s
6. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara F3) 74.76s
7. Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono V8) 74.81s
8. Matt Carter (1.3 Radical PR6) 75.93s
9. Martin Webb (2.0 Dallara- Cougar Power F399/00) 78.61s
10. Mark Dempster (2.0 Imagination PH1) 79.77s
11. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 81.41s

DNS Jim Belt (3.0 Juno TR400)

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Points after Round 2:

1. Terry Holmes 23pts
2= Steve Broughton 19pts
Steve Miles 19pts
4. Matt Hillam 17pts
5. Matt Carter 14pts
6. John Graham 12pts
7= Simon Bainbridge 10pts
Graham Porrett 10pts
9= Martin Webb 9pts
Nick Algar 9pts
11.Tony Jarvis 6pts
12.Mark Dempster 3pts

John Graham on his way to a win at Croft (Tony Todd photography)


Mark Dempster scored on his first appearance (Tony Todd photography)

A masterful drive from Holmes

Event 1 at Castle Combe on 19/03/2016

A dry but cold day greeted competitors for the 2016 SBD British Sprint Championship opener. With such an early start to the season, some competitors were unready. However those entered showed themselves to be held back in their times only by track temperature. Fastest in the timed runs was Steve Broughton in the SBD F3 Dallara, its chassis now showing the benefits of the work conducted on it over the last year, exemplified by co-driver, Matt Hillam, who was in 3^rd spot. The other car filling out the top four was the Terry Holmes/Graham Porrett Lola Tegra. Just behind these was local man, Dave Cutcliffe, with his Van Diemen. However, when it came to the Top 12 Run Off he was unable to complete either run! Both Matt Carter and Steve Miles were both showing good speed, during their timed runs despite Carter experiencing a ‘fuelling problem’ during practice and Miles having to adjust to increased aero grip following work at Oxford Brookes University. They were mixing it with the Tony Jarvis/ Martin Webb Dallara and close by the Simon Bainbridge SBR Crono had one good run, having shed one of its doors on its first run. At the bottom of the qualifiers were a returning Grahame Harden, once again Jedi mounted, and Carole Torkington driving the SBD OMS alone for the early season events.

Bainbridge was troubled by the loss of a few gears, because of a problem in the gearchange mechanism on his opener in the Top 12 and and unfortunately had to return it to the trailer. Torkington showed good improvement on her opener, but the exhaust became detached during the 2^nd run so brought that to a close. Harden, surprised even that he had qualified for the Top 12, showed a good advance on his final run to capture 9^th spot. Having had their engine rebuilt over the winter both Tony Jarvis and Martin Webb were experiencing niggles with it. This was ultimately discovered to be a faulty throttle position sensor. So were both disappointed with their 7^th & 8^th placed finishes. An ultimate 1.1 second improvement on his 2^nd Top 12 run was enough to secure Matt Carter 6^th spot. But 5th place was taken by Graham Porrett, whose times unfortunately seemed to suffer after his 2^nd timed run “off” earlier. Steve Miles, who captured 4^th spot, was puzzled by the 2^nd of his Run Off times, thinking it much better. 3^rd place was taken by Matt Hillam, who showed time improvements during the day. His co-driver Steve Broughton concluded as runner-up, although a winning time was perhaps beyond him? The winner with a characteristic Top 12 performance was Terry Holmes, his times in both runs beyond anything the opposition could approach - a masterful drive.

Results:

Castle Combe March 19

Bristol Motor Club

SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Round 1

1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 114.84s
2. Steve Broughton (2.0 SBD Dallara F3) 117.63s
3. Matt Hillam (2.0 SBD Dallara F3) 119.00s
4. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) 119.72s
5. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 122.08s
6. Matt Carter (1.3 Radical PR6) 122.96s
7. Tony Jarvis (2.0 Dallara- Cougar Power F399/00) 127.84s
8. Martin Webb (2.0 Dallara- Cougar Power F399/00) 129.61s
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2 SBR Crono V8) 138.22s
10. Grahame Harden (1.0 Jedi Mk 6) 138.74s
11. Carole Torkington (1.6 SBD OMS CF08) 139.98s

DNF Dave Cutcliffe (1.3t Van Diemen DC93M)

Terry Holmes enjoys Combe's open spaces (Jack Flash Photography)


Simon Bainbridge made the Run Off in the Crono (Jack Flash Photography)