BRITISH SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP - REPORT ARCHIVE

Hillam champion after exciting finale at Combe

Event 17 at Castle Combe on 08/10/2022
Arriving at an unseasonally warm and sunny Combe the outcome of the 2022 British Sprint Championship remained in the balance. Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) held a ten point lead over Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) but, while Holmes could be dropping high scores Hillam would be dropping lower ones, so both drivers needed to go for wins. Making matters harder for Holmes was a sick engine that was only performing on seven cylinders but the team had taken steps to manage the problem including running only a single driver at the event.

Qualifying for the first Run Off saw Hillam well ahead, with what turned out to be FTD, of the two Mygale Ecoboosts of Pete Goulding and Graham Blackwell, the latter looking to hold on to his third place in the Championship. With only 11 British Sprint competitors present, qualifying was not going to be in doubt so Holmes took it easy to save his equipment.

Run Off one was a dramatic affair. Holmes, using all his experience hauled the smoky Lola around to set an impressive and winning time of 114.15s. The SBD Dallara team weren't employing any team tactics and Steve Broughton was desperate to take his first Run Off win of the season having got close a number of times. Running first, Broughton swept through Camp corner, only for the car to be unsettled by the bump at the apex which threw the Dallara into a lurid slide towards the Armco on the exit of the corner. Just missing the barrier, the car regained the track and continued down the start/finish straight backwards for a few hundred metres before being returned to the paddock. Fortunately there wasn't any damage to the car althought the team's single set of tyres had been compromised a little. Nevertheless, Hillam took to the track for his run and, despite being a second slower than Holmes with a 115.31s, it was enough for second place and a new class record. So, 25 points each but Holmes' lead reduced to three points.

Further back, Goulding took third, despite a loose front wing, with Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) next up. Blackwell's hopes received a setback when a rear pushrod bent out of shape through the first chicane and his spare was found to have been fitted with the wrong thread!

With the double lap format and a couple of incidents the organisers decided not to go for a fourth timed run so the third was to be the last run of the day and a shoot out between the two main protagonists. Holmes again nursed the big Lola around to take the win while Hillam did what was necessary with a fast, but controlled, run to take second place and the Championship by just two points in an exciting end to the season. Goulding again took third with Broughton, Bainbridge and Miles next up.

Blackwell was able to hold on to third place in the Championship ahead of Broughton and Goulding who overtook an under the weather Miles, for fifth. Grahame Harden (Radical PR06) had another good day, beating the other Radicals present, and finishing tenth in the Championship while Simon Wallis (OMS3000) set a couple of PBs and earned himself 11th place in the Championship.

Results:

Castle Combe, Great Western Sprint October 8th 2022

Bristol MC

SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 29 & 30

Run Off 1 (Round 29)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 114.15s
2. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 115.31s
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 117.17s
4. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 118.22s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 119.96s
6. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 121.26s
7. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 124.64s
8. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 129.29s
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 130.80s
10. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) FAIL

Run Off 2 (Round 30)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 113.53s
2. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 114.49s
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 115.78s
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 116.29s
5. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 116.88s
6. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 118.39s
7. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 119.34s
8. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 123.91s
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 128.47s
10. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 131.16s

Final British Sprint Championship 2022 positions:
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 442 points
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 440 points
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 420 points
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 416 points
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 414 points
6. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 411 points
7. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 367 points
7=. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 367 points
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 319 points
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 314 points
11. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 299 points
12. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 295 points
etc.
 

Matt Hillam, 2022 British Sprint champion (Chris Bennett)


Terry Holmes put up a tremendous fight (Chris Bennett)


Simon Wallis, 11th in the Championship (Chris Bennett)


Steve Miles hands Matt Hillam his number for 2023

Hillam closes in

Event 16 at Anglesey on 02/10/2022
Day two of Longton & District Motor Club's Anglesey Autumn Sprint was held over the 3.1Km International circuit and remained dry, if a little cool. Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) scored another pair of Run Off wins to sweep the week-end and close the gap to Championship leader, Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) to just 10 points leaving it all to play for at the season finale at Castle Combe.

The day didn't start well for Holmes as an oil seal blew out, along with the oil, during practice. Repairs were made, shared driver Graham Porrett decided to sit out the event and fingers were crossed.

Morning qualifying for the first Run Off saw Hillam ahead of outgoing Champion, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) who was having one of his most competitive week-ends of the season. Next up were Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara), Holmes and Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost). Following a good day on the Saturday, Grahame Harden (Radical PR06) missed the cut leaving Carole Torkington (OMS CF08 ) and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) as the final two qualifiers.

Hillam took the first Run Off but Holmes wasn't giving up easily and took second from Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara) with Miles, Goulding and Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) who was suffering from electronic throttle servo problems all week-end, filling the next positions.

Qualifying the for second Run Off was led by Hillam and Broughton (using all the track and taking Church without a lift) in the SBD Dallara following some more weight change adjustments over lunch with Miles, Blackwell and Goulding next up. Holmes, as he often does, took it easy in qualifying to look after his equipment and was sixth. Harden found some speed to qualify tenth at the expense of Wallis who just missed the cut.

In Run Off two Hillam completed his week-end sweep with another masterful run but Holmes found time to take second ahead of Broughton and keep his Championship hopes alive. Miles, Blackwell and Goulding rounded out the top six while John Loudon was still adjusting the the different characteristics of a 1.6t car engine compared with an 1100cc bike engine but pleased to be respectably close to the other two Mygale drivers. He was seventh despite a minor front wing problem. Further back Harden, Mark Anson (Jedi MK6), having his last event of the year and hoping to hang on to a number for 2023, and Torkington (a PB by a couple of seconds) were happy to add to their overall points totals.

On to Castle Combe for the 2022 SBD British Sprint Championship showdown.

Results:

Anglesey, International Circuit October 2nd 2022

Longton & District MC

SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 27 & 28

Run Off 1 (Round 27)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 75.99s
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 77.04s
3. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 77.33s
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 77.70s
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 77.82s
6. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 79.56s
7. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 79.88s
8. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 81.98s
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 82.22s
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 86.15s
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 86.30s
12. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 86.75s

Run Off 2 (Round 28)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 75.79s
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 77.06s
3. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 77.60s
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 77.82s
5. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 78.55s
6. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 80.16s
7. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 80.24s
8. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 80.71s
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 81.60s
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 83.35s
11. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 86.32s
12. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 86.65s

British Sprint Championship positions after round 28:
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 435 points
2. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 425 points
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 420 points
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 416 points
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 411 points
6. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 408 points
7. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 366 points
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 357 points
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 319 points
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 307 points
11. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 295 points
12. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 292 points
etc.

Terry Holmes fought on at Anglesey (Neil Lambert)


A good week-end for Grahame Harden (Neil Lambert)


John Loudon 'guesting' in the Mygale (Jane Loudon)


Steve Broughton wqas on the pace all week-end (Neil Lambert)

Hillam forges on at Anglesey

Event 15 at Anglesey on 01/10/2022
The first day of Longton & District Motor Club's Anglesey Autumn Sprint was held over 1 lap of  the 1.66Km National circuit and competitors were welcomed with a day of cool and blustery conditions but a 'green' track following torrential rain the day before.

Going in to the week-end, Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) held a small lead over Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) and reigning Champion, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96). A considerable distance further back was Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) but who was, significantly, yet to drop scores so a strong showing could catapult him into Championship contention.

Qualifying for the first Run Off confirmed that the battle for the Championship was definitely on with Hillam leading the way from Holmes and Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost). Further back, without an engine in his Force TA, John Loudon was sharing the Goulding Mygale, qualifying a strong 6th while Rob Tonge was making a Championship re-appearance in his Force TA, qualifying 8th. Steve Brown (Empire EVO 2) had to withdraw with electrical problems.

Run Off one saw Hillam assert his position from qualifying, taking the win by half a second from Steve Broughton, sharing the SBD Dallara, with Miles just a hundredth behind in third. As evidence of the close fight for the Championship Holmes was fourth just 0.06s adrift of Miles.

Qualification for the second Run Off again saw the SBD Dallara to the fore with Hillam leading Broughton, both drivers happy with the handling apart from a touch of oversteer, and the rest of the field largely holding position.

Most competitors found significant time improvements in Run Off two but it was Hillam, who completed the double to halve the deficit to Holmes from 89 to 42 points and establish himself as a credible contender for the Championship, although with four rounds still to go it would be close. Miles took second ahead of Holmes with PB and the three Mygales of Goulding, Blackwell and Loudon. Broughton, keen to score his first Run Off win of the season, was on a flyer with good sector times but a half spin at Church dropped him to the back of the field.

Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) came away with an eighth and tenth finish trying to conserve the last diff in the spares box.

Results:

Anglesey, National Circuit October 1st 2022

Longton & District MC

SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 25 & 26

Run Off 1 (Round 25)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 47.00s
2. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 47.48s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 47.49s
4. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 47.55s
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 47.99s
6. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 48.30s
7. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 49.32s
8. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 49.59s
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 50.77s
10. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 51.03s
11. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 51.32s
12. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 51.68s

Run Off 1 (Round 26)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 45.81s
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 46.68s
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 46.91s
4. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 48.15s
5. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 48.22s
6. John Loudon (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 49.05s
7. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 49.12s
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 49.97s
9. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 50.25s
10. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 51.31s
11. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 51.74s
12. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 53.51s

Matt Hillam was on fime form at Anglesey (Neil Lambert)


Rob Tonge was back in the Force TA (Neil Lambert)


Electrical problems for Steve Brown (Neil Lambert)


Steve Miles had a competitive week-end (Jane Loudon)

Hillam makes his bid at Blyton

Event 14 at Blyton Park on 25/09/2022
On Day 2 of Nottingham Sports Car Club's Blyton sprint, held on the Outer Circuit, Matt Hillam got his 2022 title bid back on track with a pair of Run Off wins. Although some way back in the table Matt and the SBD Dallara have yet to drop scores so a brace of wins moved him up the leader board and kept his title hopes alive.

The day thankfully turned out dry even if the morning was a little cool. Qualifying for the first Run Off saw Hillam decisively ahead of Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) and new Championship leader, Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra). Steve Brown's Empire EVO 2 was back running again and qualifed well in seventh and Nick Scott (Force TA) was happy to make the cut in twelth.

Run Off one saw the three top qulaifiers maintain their positions with Hillam taking a comfortable win and Goulding taking an extra point for a new class record. Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara) was fourth ahead of Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost), Brown and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) who was dropping fourth place scores and adopting a 'win or bust' approach. John Loudon (Force TA) was the leading 1100cc car while, winner from the previous day, Simon Bainbridge, posted a fail with a broken diff and was out for the day.

Afternoon qualifying for the second Run Off was an all Dallara affair with Hillam ahead of Broughton but not by much, from the two Mygales of Blackwell and Goulding. Loudon had his oil filter work loose leading to a loss of oil, possible engine damage and his premature withdrawal from the event.

In the second Run Off Hillam maintained his position to take his second win of the day with Blackwell next up from Holmes, putting in a typically competitive run when it all mattered. In the absence of Loudon, Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) was the fastest 1100cc car in ninth, demonstrating his preference for the Outer circuit, ahead of Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M).

Results:

Blyton Park Outer September 25th 2022

NSCC

SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 23 & 24

Run Off 1 (Round 23)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 54.49s
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 55.36s
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 55.78s
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 55.82s
5. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 56.20s
6. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 57.67s
7. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 57.84s
8. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 58.75s
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 60.17s
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 62.78s
11. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 63.80s
12. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) FAIL

Run Off 2(Round 24)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 54.31s
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 55.62s
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 55.92s
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 55.96s
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 56.52s
6. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 56.87s
7. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 59.98s
8. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 61.02s
9. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 63.06s
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 63.11s
11. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 63.45s
12. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 64.47s

British Sprint Championship positions after round 24:
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 426 points
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 419 points
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 404 points
4. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 400 points
5. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 360 points
6. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 350 points
7. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 346 points
8. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 337 points
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 312 points
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 304 points
11. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 291 points
12. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 290 points
etc.

Hillam's day at Blyton (Kim Broughton)


A pair of Run Off apearances for Nick Scott (Kim Broughton)

Blackwell fights for the lead and Bainbridge takes a win

Event 13 at Blyton Park on 24/09/2022
Coming in to Round 21 of the 2022 British Sprint Championship at Blyton Park, Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) held a slender 5 point lead over his rivals, some of whom had yet to drop scores so his only strategy had to be go for wins. A win in the first Run Off was a good start but a poor run in the second, which saw Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) take his maiden win, allowed Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) take a six point lead in the Championship.

The Saturday rounds of the Nottingham Sports Car Club organised event were held on Blyton's Eastern circuit and the morning runs were held in cool and dry conditions. Qualifying for the first Run Off saw the SBD Dallara in the hands of Matt Hillam and Steve Broughton leading the way (and benefitting from new tyres) from Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) and Blackwell. Although Hillam was lying well down in the Championship table he hadn't taken in many rounds and was a dark horse for the overall honours at the end of the season. John Loudon (Force TA) qualified seventh with the two other 1100cc cars of Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) to qualify well in ninth and tenth.

The first Run Off was held in the dry with Blackwell just nicking the win from Hillam by three hundredths and, crucially, both bagging an extra point for a new class record. Next up were Holmes, Broughton and reigning Champion, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) with John Loudon (Force TA) sixth and a new class record. Bainbridge was eighth with a new class record while Grahame Harden (Radical PR06) found over two seconds from his qualifying time to take a good ninth.

As the afternoon arrive, so did the rain and both qualifying and Run Off runs were held in the wet. Holmes qualified at the front just ahead of Bainbridge whose SBR Crono always goes well in the wet, aided no doubt, by its aero advantages as well as its AVON wets. Miles was too cautious and almost missed the cut in tenth. DNFs were posted by Anson, who ended up with a very muddy car after a spin at the exist to Wiggler, and the perennially unlucky Steve Brown (Empire EVO 2).

The final Run Off of the day saw Bainbridge use his advantage to take hois first Run Off win of the season by two and a half seconds from Holmes, Broughton, Miles and Hillam - the temperature had dropped and the Pirelli runners were struggling to get heat into their tyres. Both Mygales had dropped back and it was left to Nick Scott (Force TA) and Graham Porrett (Lola Tegra) to take the final points.

Results:

Blyton Park Eastern September 24th 2022

NSCC

SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 21 & 22

Run Off 1 (Round 21)
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 59.85s
2. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 59.88s
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 61.24s
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 61.25s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 61.34s
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 61.76s
7. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 61.92s
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 63.44s
9. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 66.20s
10. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 67.08s
11. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 67.66s
12. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 68.56s

Run Off 2 (Round 22)
1. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 69.35s
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 72.83s
3. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 73.26s
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 73.65s
5. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 76.00s
6. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 77.81s
7. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 77.94s
8. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 79.72s
9. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 79.92s
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 81.33s
11. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 81.86s
12. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 82.02s

Simon Bainbridge was master of the wet at Blyton (Kim Broughton)


A win helped Graham Blackwell prolong his championship lead (Kim Broughton)

Robb's return at Knockhill

Event 12 at Knockhill on 04/09/2022
On a day of very mixed conditions, 2011 and 2012 British Sprint champion, Stewart Robb made a return at Knockhill in his Pilbeam MP88 to take a win in the second Run Off of the day after Terry Homes (Lola Tegra) took the first Run Off.

One observer descibed it as "a day of almost all 4 seasons, with biblical rain first thing, then damp by lunchtime and baking sun for the final run of the day! ". Running anti-clockwise on the demanding track, qualifying for the first Run Off was wet with Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) making full use of the car's downforce and its Avon wets to lead the field by a second from Holmes and John Loudon in his nimble 1100cc Force TA. The two championship front runners, Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF86) were next up followed by Robb, running a new floor at the event and playing himself in.

The first Run Off still needed wets and saw Holmes and Bainbridge reverse their qualifying positions while Miles found some form to take third, five hundredths ahead of Blackwell to reduce Blackwell's championship lead to just three points. Five seconds back were Robb, Loudon and Graham Porrett (Lola Tegra) all covered by half a second. Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M), Grahame Harden (Radical PR06) and Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) rounded out the top 10.

Qualifying for the second Run Off was dry with slicks all round and Holmes maintained his position at the top of the timing sheets ahead of Blackwell and an improving Robb. The final Run Off of the day was held in bright sunshine with, at least, a chance of some new records although it was only Loudon in a good fourth who managed it. But it was left to Robb to complete a successful return and win the Run Off by less than a tenth from Holmes. By coming third with Miles fifth, Blackwell increased his championship lead to five points. Bainbridge was back in sixth, the SBR Crono rebuilt with a new floor after the Shelsley incident, but not as competitve in the dry on its Michelin/Pirelli slick mix.

There are still ten rounds to go and Holmes has now crept up to third, just nine points off the championship lead, but with two low scores to drop is definitely a championship contender along with a couple of other competitors who are further down the leader board but having completed significantly fewer rounds. It could be close at the end.

Note: Thanks to John Stewart of FlatOutPhotogarphy for his usual excellent images

Results:

Knockhill anti clockwise Sept 4 2022

Knockhill Motorsport Club

SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 19 & 20

Run Off 1 (Round 19)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 98.53s
2. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 102.08s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 102.37s
4. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 102.42s
5. Stewart Robb (5.0 Pilbeam MP88-1 GV5) 107.20s
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 107.21s
7. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 107.60s
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 109.69s
9. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 110.70s
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 116.22s

Run Off 2 (Round 20)
1. Stewart Robb (5.0 Pilbeam MP88-1 GV5) 89.54s
2. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 89.63s
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 91.64s
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 93.06s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 93.17s
6. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 94.09s
7. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 94.93s
8. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 98.55s
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 100.12s
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 102.32s

British Sprint Championship positions after round 20:

1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 408 points
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 403 points
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 399 points
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 349 points
5. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 333 points
6. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 328 points
7. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 302 points
8. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 292 points
9. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 280 points
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 266 points
11. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 257 points
12. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 241 points
etc.

A successful outing for Robb's Pilbeam (John Stewart)


Bainbridge's Crono was quick in the wet (John Stewart)


Terry Holmes is a championship contender (John Stewart)


Graham Blackwell increases his championship lead (John Stewart)

Holmes bags a pair in N.Ireland

Event 10 at Kirkistown on 07/08/2022
For Day Two of the 500 MRCI organised sprint at Kirkistown, all ten British Sprint competitors who had made the trip were present for morning qualification after overnight repairs had been made to the Holmes/Porrett Lola and the Wallis OMS.

Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) led the qualifiers from championship contenders, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) and Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) with Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) back in seventh checking out his rebuilt suspension. It was clearly running fine as Holmes stormed to a first Run Off win ahead of Goulding, Miles and John Loudon (Force TA) the leading 1100cc runner. Blackwell was sixth after overshooting the chicane and bending a pushrod which was repaired for the following runs. Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) had his engine cover blow off and was red flagged.

Qualifying for the seond Run Off saw Goulding ahead of Blackwell with Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) finding time to take third.

The final Run Off of the week-end saw Holmes take a comfortable win ahead of Goulding, Bainbridge, Miles and Blackwell. The battle between Blackwell and Miles at the top of the leaderboard intensified with Miles leaving Kirkistown just four points adrift with six round left.

There were fewer quick locals present than on the day before but, nonetheless, Rob Dwane (1.3t OMS 25) took a stunning FTD with a 104.30s run.

Results:

Kirkistown August 7, 2022

500 MRCI

SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 17 & 18

Run Off One (Round 17)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 109.34s
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 111.08s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 112.70s
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 115.82s
5. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 117.33s
6. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 117.86s
7. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 118.43s
8. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 121.86s
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 124.08s
10. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) FAIL

Run Off One (Round 18)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 110.15s
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 111.92s
3. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 112.28s
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 113.68s
5. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 113.94s
6. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 115.66s
7. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 116.44s
8. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 118.98s
9. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 122.35s
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 123.34s

British Sprint Championship positions after round 18:

1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 383 points
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 379 points
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 350 points
4. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 328 points
5. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 319 points
6. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 302 points
7. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 269 points
8. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 264 points
9. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 259 points
10. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 257 points
11. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 241 points
12. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 231 points
etc.
 

Two second places for Pete Goulding (Jimmy Graham)


A fine podium for Simon Bainbridge (Jimmy Graham)


Rob Dwane was mighty fast in the OMS 25 (Jimmy Graham)


A good points haul for Graham Porrett (Jimmy Graham)

Holmes & Miles at Kirkistown day one

Event 9 at Kirkistown on 06/08/2022
Just ten British Sprint competitors made the long trip to Northern Ireland for the 500 Motor Racing Club of Irelan's traditional summer Kirkistown sprint week-end. As usual they were joined by a number of local 'hot shoes' keen to show the visitors that there were fast sprinters in these parts. They weren't wrong.

Using the one and a half mile 'traditional long circuit', qualifying for the first Run Off saw Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) comfortably ahead of the two Mygale Ecoboosts of Pete Goulding and Championship leader, Graham Blackwell with reigning Champion, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) next up.

The first Run Off was remarkable in that the first four maintained their qualifying positions with very similar times and gaps. John Loudon was the fastest 1100cc runner in fifth while Simon Baingbridge lost a lot of time to finish ninth and Simon Wallis posted a 'fail' due to a broken CV joint.

Qualifying for Run Off Two saw Goulding fractionally ahead of Miles with Blackwell, Porrett (Lola Tegra) and Bainbridge behind. Holmes was back in ninth after a lower shock absorber mounting bolt snapped. The Lola Tegra was out for the afternoon but enough parts were sourced to effect a repair for the following day.

The up and down day continued into Run Off Two when Miles (managing overheating issues) just outpaced Bainbridge by a couple of tenths to get his title defence back on track and a little closer to Blackwell who came home third. Loudon was fourth having sorted out some wheel bearing issues with the help of another competitor.

Goulding and Loudon both took an extra point for setting new class records.

And what of the locals? Rob Dwane in a 1.3t OMS 25 took FTD, with a 107.04 over three seconds ahead of Holmes while Tim Woodside (Pilbeam MP82) was only just pipped for third FTD by Goulding. Ryan McGimpsey also set some very competitive times in his enthusiastically driven 1.3 Jedi.

Results:

Kirkistown August 6, 2022

500 MRCI

SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 15 & 16

Run Off One (Round 15)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 110.29s
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 112.20s
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 113.56s
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 114.63s
5. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 116.54s
6. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 117.95s
7. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 120.75s
8. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 132.28s
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 164.32s
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) fail

Run Off Two (Round 16)
1. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 113.03s
2. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 113.22s
3. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 114.27s
4. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 117.05s
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 117.63s
6. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 119.35s
7. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 123.40s

Holmes was in command until his suspension failed (Jimmy Graham)


A welcome win for Steve Miles (Jimmy Graham)


Tim Woodside's Pilbeamwent well (Jimmy Graham)


Ryan McGimpsey's Jedi bounces off the kerbs (Jimmy Graham)

Holmes & Hillam share Lydden spoils

Event 8 at Lydden Hill on 16/07/2022
The Ray Heal memorial sprint, organised by five southern motor clubs, at Lydden Hill was held during one of the hottest spells in living memory but mercifully Saturday July 16th in East Kent was cooler than the preceding (and indeed following) days so competitors didn't have extreme temperatures to deal with. One thing they did have to deal with though was a very dusty track (despite the venue's best efforts to sweep and clean) - a legacy of both Rallycross activities and the continuing works to upgrade the track, paddock and facilities.

Practice was largely uneventful except for those visiting Lydden for the first time and trying to get their heads around the camber and elevation changes - and for Steve Brown (Empire EVO 2)  who had the throttle stick open going around Chessons Drift and while this was quickly fixed other electronic issues and misfires would appear from time to time.

Qualifying for the first Run Off saw Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) a couple of tenths ahead of Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) with Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara) hot on their heels - benefitting from the Dallara's preference for warm conditions to get the tyres up to temperature. Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) was next up, fresh from a successful (with a PB) run out at Blyton the week before, with reigning British Sprint champion Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96), championship leader Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) and Simon Bainbridge, not so fresh from the 300+ mile journey down from the North East with the SBR Crono. Carole Torkington (OMS CF08) and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) were pleased to qualify 11th and 12th.

Run Off 1 saw Holmes and Hillam still tied together with Holmes taking the top spot by just 5 hundredths with Broughton nearly a second back in third. Blackwell (overcoming some old tyres and a fractured steering wheel(!)) improved to take fourth ahead of Miles, Goulding and Brown. John Loudon (Force TA) was the fastest 1100, half a second ahead of Chris Jones in a similar car - both were later to break Gary Thomas' twelve year old class record.

Qualifying for the second Run Off saw Hillam repeat his earlier effort, 0.8s ahead of Broughton after Holmes had a big spin coming out of Chessons and needing to be towed back. Brown put in a cracking effort for third, the car running as it should, half a second behind Broughton with Miles, Blackwell and Goulding next up. Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) was pleased to make the cut in the final qualifying position.

In the second Run Off (a standalone affair this time as the curfew was rapidly approaching) Hillam maintained his form to take the win and a new class record from Broughton and Miles who made a big improvement to finish 3 hundredths adrift and with a PB having found the rear brake bias to be well off its normal settings. Torkington completed a successful day with a PB and a sub 70s time for tenth place.

In the championship, Blackwell retained his lead with Miles staying 9 points behind and with Holmes another 25 points back.

Results:

Lydden Hill, July 16 2022

Borough 19 Motor Club
Maidstone & Mid Kent Motor Club
Tunbridge Wells Motor Club
Sevenoaks & District Motor Club
Lydden Hill Motorsport Club

SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 13 & 14

Run Off One (Round 13)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 65.88s
2. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 65.93s
3. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 66.89s
4. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 67.35s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 67.81s
6. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 68.09s
7. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 68.43s
8. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 69.04s
9. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 69.61s
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 70.88s
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 71.10s
12. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 97.03s

Run Off Two (Round 14)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 65.66s
2. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 66.19s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 66.22s
4. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 67.29s
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 67.54s
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 67.55s
7. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 67.83s
8. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 68.28s
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 69.20s
10. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 69.79s
11. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 70.69s
12. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 71.22s

British Sprint Championship positions after round 14
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 296 points
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 287 points
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 262 points
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 257 points
5. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 241 points
6. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 233 points
6=. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 233 points
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 225 points
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 203 points
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 193 points
11. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 188 points
12. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 184 points
etc.

A win and a spin for Terry Holmes (Kim Broughton)


A first and a second for Matt Hillam (Kim Broughton)


A fine third place for Steve Brown (Kim Broughton)


John Loudon plunges down Hairy Hill for a good result (Jane Loudon)

Holmes sweeps wet Pembrey

Event 7 at Pembrey on 05/06/2022
Day two of BARC Wales Summer Sprint at Pembrey started out wet and finished wet with brief interludes of a drier track. Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) stayed on his wet AVONs all day and completed his sweep of the week-end with two more Run Off wins.

Qualifying for the first Run Off saw Holmes well ahead of the rest with Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96), the car now performing properly with its rake put back to more normal levels, Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono), Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost), Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara on wet settings) and Chris Jones (Force TA). Carole Torkington (OMS CF08) and Mark Anson were pleased to make the Run Off in 11th and 12th places while Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) and Nick Scott (Force TA) both posted 'fails'.

By the time the first Run Off came around it had stopped raining and most of the field elected for slicks - except for Holmes who found 4 seconds from his qualifying run and emerged the winner by a couple of tenths from Steve Broughton, happy with the Dallara's handling in the changing conditions. The Dallara's other driver, Matt Hillam doesn't enjoy changing conditions and was down in eleventh. In third and fourth were Miles and Jones, the latter redeeming himself after a spin on Saturday although the car ended the run smoking and had to be taken back to the paddock for investigation. Next up were the Mygale Ecoboosts of Goulding and Blackwell ahead of John Loudon (Force TA). while Anson and Torkington reversed their qualifyfing positions in ninth and tenth.

The final run of the day had to count as a Run Off and the rain had stated to fall again so it was onto wets for everyone. It eased a bit during the runs which menat that the early runners had the worst of the conditions but Holmes, who enjoys wet conditions, ran out an easy winner from Broughton and Goulding. Simon Bainbridge put in a strong run to get the big SBR Crono up to fourth ahead of Miles, Blackwell and Jones. Carole Torkington completed a successful week-end with an eleventh place result.

Results:

Pembrey, National Circuit, June 5th 2022

BARC Wales

SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 11 & 12

Run Off One (Round 11)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 100.46s
2. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 100.70s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 102.74s
4. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 103.97s
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 104.03s
6. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 105.10s
7. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 109.80s
8. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 114.98s
9. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 115.37s
10. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 116.44s
11. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 117.90s
12. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 122.97s

Run Off Two (Round 12)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 100.53s
2. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 102.08s
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 105.28s
4. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 105.91s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 106.42s
6. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 107.76s
7. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 110.12s
8. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 110.23s
9. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 111.78s
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 112.13s
11. Carole Torkington (1.5 OMS CF08) 112.62s
12. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 114.53s

British Sprint Championship positions after round 12
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 252 points
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 243 points
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 237 points
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 210 points
5. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 194 points
6. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 193 points
7. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 192 points
8. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 191 points
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 175 points
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 169 points
11. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 163 points
12. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 155 points
etc.

 

Two wins for Holmes in the wet (Kim Broughton)


Mark Anson, 9th in Run Off 1 (Kim Broughton)


A pair of seconds for Steve Broughton (Kim Broughton)


Two good scores for Grahame Harden's Radical (Kim Broughton)

Holmes wins at Pembrey

Event 6 at Pembrey on 04/06/2022
The 2022 BARC Wales Summer Sprint week-end began in dry and warm conditions but not without difficulties. Competitors had been expected to be running on the National circuit but with a few minutes before practice commenced it was confirmed that the Saturday event would be held on the Clubman track. The left right sequence between Paddock and Senna had another right turn on to the Rallycross track in the middle of the sequence which caught a lot of competitors out, spins, red flags and recoveries. Other drivers were struggling to find the pit lane entrance with the addition of several Rallycross exits off the back straight which led to further delays.

As a result of all this it was only possible to get in two timed runs and thus a single Top 12 Run Off.

Qualification for the first Run Off saw Terry Holmes, the Lola Tegra now running reliably and not giving its two drivers any problems, half a second ahead of Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara). Behind these two came Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara), Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost), Chris Jones (Force TA), Peter Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) all covered by a couple of seconds.

In the Run Off Holmes found a second to take a comfortable win from Blackwell, Hillam, Broughton, Goulding and Miles. Missing were Jones (a spin at Brooklands) and poor Steve Brown (Empire EVO2) who had a propshaft fail coming out of Honda, break a wishbone leaving him up against the pit wall by the start line. Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) just made the Run Off and had a spin but kept the car on track for tenth with the two fails.

Despite the limited running Blackwell, Hillam, Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) and Jones all manages to set new class records.

Reigning Champion, Steve Miles eventually found the reason for his sub par performance. Just before the event he removed the shock absorbers to repair a leak but got the settings wrong on re-installation leaving the front higher than the rear! Sorted for Sunday.

Results:

Pembrey, Clubmans Circuit, June 4th 2022

BARC Wales

SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 9 & 10

Run Off One (Round 9)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 102.27s
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 103.92s
3. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 104.22s
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 105.11s
5. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 106.81s
6. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 107.01s
7. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 107.10s
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 108.13s
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 110.06s
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 123.27s
11. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) FAIL
12. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) FAIL

Run Off Two (Round 10) Cancelled

 

A second place and class record for Graham Blackwell (Kim Broughton)


Third for Matt Hillam'ss Dallara (Kim Broughton)


John Loudon's Force TA took seventh (Jane Loudon)


Steve Miles celebrates the Jubilee (Kim Broughton)

Hillam's Blyton double

Event 5 at Blyton Park on 15/05/2022
The second day of the Longton & District Blyton Spring sprint week-end was held on the venue's tricky Outer circuit and saw Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) take a pair of fine wins in the car that had been repaired and rebuilt overnight.

Qualifying for the first Run Off saw Hillam well in command from Championship leader, Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) and the improving Steve Brown (Empire Evo 2). They were followed, at some distance, by Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96), Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara) and one of the Run Off winners from the previous day, Terry Holmes in the Lola Tegra.

In Run Off one, Blackwell pushed Hillam hard for the win and was only a couple of tenths adrift with Broughton taking third ahead of Brown (in his best result in the Empire), Miles and Holmes. Next up was Rob Tonge in the Force TA who also set a new Class record despite suffering from some gearbox potentiometer problems during the week-end..

Qualifying for the second Run Off saw Hillam maintain his position at the ehad of the bunch from Miles and Holmes.

Run Off two was a repeat of the first, at least for the top three runners with Hillam taking a more comfortable win by nearly a second from Blackwell and Broughton. The 1100cc runners, John Loudon (Force TA), Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) completed their successful week-ends in 6th, 9th and tenths all having scored well in each Run Off. Hillam, Blackwell and Loudon each gained a bonus point for a new Class record.

Results:

Blyton Part, Outer Circuit, May 15th 2022

L&DMC

SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 7 & 8

Run Off 1 (Round 7)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 55.69s
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 55.88s
3. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 56.38s
4. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 57.29s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 57.60s
6. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 57.68s
7. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 58.52s
8. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 58.91s
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 59.12s
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 60.06s
11. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 60.83s
12. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 61.51s

Run Off 2 (Round 8)
1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 54.65s
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 55.59s
3. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 55.76s
4. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 56.06s
5. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 56.11s
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 58.17s
7. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 58.71s
8. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 58.85s
9. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 59.79s
10. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 59.91s
11. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 60.85s
12. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) fail

British Sprint Championship positions after round 8
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 187 points
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 179 points
3. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 162 points
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 140 points
5. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 139 points
5=. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 139 points
7. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 138 points
8. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 127 points
8=. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 127 points
8=. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 127 points
11. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 123 points
12. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 120 points

Matt Hillam, unstoppable at Blyton (Kim Broughton)


Simon Bainbridge in the SBR Crono (Anthony Mitchell)


Steve Brown, committed in the Empire (Anthony Mitchell)


Steve Miles lies second in the Championship (Anthony Mitchell)

Blackwell moves ahead at Blyton

Event 4 at Blyton Park on 14/05/2022
The first day of the Longton & District Blyton Spring sprint week-end was held in fine conditions on the venue's Eastern circuit and saw Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) take a win in the first Run Off and move into the lead of the 2022 British Sprint Championship.

The first drama of the day didn't take long to unfold for the SBD Dallara team as Matt Hillam completed his practice run with smoke appearing from the back of the car. Further investigation revealed a 'foreign body' trapped against an idler pulley with smoke coming from friction against the cam belt. New parts were needed so John Hughes offered to undertake the 8 hour round trip back to base while the rest of the team took the car apart and removed the engine in the Blyton 'hanger'. Amazingly by 8pm all was well and the team ready for the following day. It was going to be worth it.....

Qualifying for the first Run Off was an all Mygale affair with Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) leading the way from Blackwell by half a second from reigning champion Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96, running a new high downforce rear wing) and Rob Tonge, who put in a cracking run in his 1.4 Busa powered Force TA.

The first Run Off saw the leading Mygales swap places with Blackwell taking the win by the narrowest of margins (0.03s and a new record) from Goulding. Miles was third ahead of Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra). The big Lola was running a new exhaust and was set for a trouble free week-end for a change (not even 'taking the engine cover off' at the end of the day). Tonge maintained his strong pace to take fifth from the leading 1100cc runner, John Loudon (Force TA) and Steve Brown (Empire Evo 2). Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) was running an unusual tyre choice - Pirellis at the back and Michelins on the front - but a Fail in the first Run Off cost him a good result.

Qaulifying for the second Run Off saw Goulding post a Fail after "kissing the apex tyre wall at Bishops" although with a front wheel bent back against the cockpit and brake lines ripped off it seemed a bit more of a 'full on snog' quipped another competitor! This left Holmes to qualify quickest ahead of Blackwell, Miles, Tonge and a recovering Bainbridge. Graham Porrett (Lola Tegra) made the cut after finding more that three and a half seconds over his earlier attempt.

Holmes continued to chip away at his times and, improving by a second from the first Run Off, saw him take the win in the second Run Off. Blackwell couldn't repeat his earlier time and took second place ahead of Miles, Tonge and Bainbridge. Next up were Brown, Loudon and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M). Such was the overall improvement in times that Bainbridge, Tonge and Loudon all set new Class records.

Results:

Blyton Part, Eastern Circuit, May 14th 2022

L&DMC

SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 5 & 6

Run Off 1 (Round 5)
1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 60.00s
2. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 60.03s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 61.14s
4. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 61.55s
5. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 62.25s
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 62.56s
7. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 63.18s
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 64.01s
9. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 65.89s
10. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 65.97s
11. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 68.12s
12. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) FAIL

Run Off 2 (Round 6)
1. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 60.47s
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 60.92s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 61.08s
4. Robert Tonge (1.4 Force TA) 62.22s
5. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 62.32s
6. Steven Brown (1.3s Empire Evo2) 62.77s
7. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 63.07s
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 65.05s
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 65.12s
10. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 66.69s
11. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 67.53s
12. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) FAIL

British Sprint Championship positions after round 6

1. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 138 points
2. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 136 points
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 127 points
4. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 121 points
5. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 102 points
6. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 100 points
7. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 96 points
7=. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 96 points
9. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 94 points
9=. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 94 points
11. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 88 points
12. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 87 points

A win and the championship lead for Graham Blackwell (Anthony Mitchell)


A trouble free day and a win for Terry Holmes (Anthony Mitchell)


A pair of excellent results for Rob Tonge (Anthony Mitchell)


Fastest 1100 and a new record for John Loudon (Anthony Mitchell)

Hillam's double at Anglesey International

Event 3 at Anglesey on 03/04/2022
The second day of L&DMC's Spring Anglesey sprint dawned clear but very cold with overnight teperatures dropping well below freezing and competitors in tents were taking a while to warm up - themselves not the cars!

Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) led the qualifiers for the first Run Off by nearly a second from reigning Champion, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) followed by Graham Blackwell and Pete Goulding in the Mygale Ecoboosts. Next up was Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara) who was suffering from severe neck pain after a kerb incident testing at Llandow followed by the V8 powered pair of Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) and Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono). Chris Jones' Force was running without its engine cover to try and mitigate excessive inlet air temperatures but a spin at the first corner destroyed the starter motor and he had to be towed back - it was replaced and he would re-appear later. Steve Brown also completed a run without an engine cover but the difference was - he started with one! No serious gamage though.

The first Run Off was a Dallara/Mygale affair with Hillam taking the win by half a second from Blackwell (new class record), Goulding and Broughton. Steve Brown (Empire EVO 2) and Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) had their cars going well in seventh and eight places.

Qualifying for the second Run Off saw Broughton ahead of Miles, Hillam and Goulding. Then came Blackwell and Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) a couple of tenths apart. Jones was back in seventh, still in familiarisation mode, ahead of Wallis and Graham Porrett (Lola Tegra). Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) and Grahame Harden (Radical PR6) made the cut in 11th and 12th places.

Run Off 2 was a battle between the two Dallara drivers following some major changes over the lunch break. Broughton was on a great run and ahead of Hillam for much of the lap but lost vital time understeering in one corner and was edged out by Hillam by 6 hundredths. Broughton's consolation was a 4 point lead in the Championship however. Sharing third place were Chris Jones, who put in a storming run to lower the class record by a second and a half, and Blackwell who completed the week-end equal fourth in the Championship. Steve Miles admitted to trying too hard and getting first gear at the banked hairpin and dropping a second as a result leaving him a disappointed fifth.

Results:

Anglesey, International Circuit, April 3rd 2022

L&DMC

SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 3 & 4

Run Off 1 (Round 3)

1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 76.85s
2. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 77.35s
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 77.80s
4. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 78.02s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 78.09s
6. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 79.58s
7. Steven Brown (1.3t Empire Evo2) 80.10s
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 82.32s
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 83.55s
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 84.32s
11. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 84.56s
12. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 84.72s

Run Off 2 (Round 4)

1. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 76.72s
2. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 76.78s
3= Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 78.42s
     Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 78.42s
5. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 78.65s
6. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 78.81s
7. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 79.03s
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 82.80s
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 83.22s
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 84.61s
11. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 85.45s
12. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 86.39s

British Sprint Championship positions after round 4

1. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 94 points
2= Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 90 points
    Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 90 points
4= Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 88 points
    Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 88 points
6. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 74 points
7= Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 67 points
    Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 67 points
9. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 66 points
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 64 points
11= John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 60 points
      Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 60 points

A pair of Run Off wins for Matt Hillam (Kim Broughton)


Chris Jones took an impressive third (=) (Neil Lambert)


A consistent week-end for Graham Blackwell (Neil Lambert)


Simo Wallis made both Run Offs (Neil Lambert)

Goulding and Miles share honours at Anglesey

Event 2 at Anglesey on 02/04/2022

Following the removal of the Cadwell Park round from the 2022 SBD Motorsport UK HSA British Sprint Championship calendar the opening rounds became the Anglesey Spring sprint week-end on April 2 & 3.

Most of the championship regulars were present with a few changes to report. Series champion, Steve Miles, hadn't updated the highly developed Van Diemen RF96 much over the winter break but had invested in a new trailer fitted out with all the mod cons. The SBD Dallara of Steve Broughton and Matt Hillam appeared with a host of new aero appendages following some intensive development work, a new big bore, short stroke XE motor and smaller tyres. John Loudon had swapped his Force PT for a new Force TA decked out in the colours of his sponsor, Laser Tools. The Force TA of Chris Bennett and Chris Jones was making a re-appearance having finally managed to get the car running reliably.

The Saturday morning welcomed competitors with steady rain which only just abated as practice commenced on the National circuit. It remained cold and damp for qualifying for the first Run Off by which time many runners had already managed at least one spin. With everyone on wet tyres it was two AVON shod runners that led the qualifiers with Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) ahead of Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono). Next up were Jones, Miles and Graham Porrett (Lola Tegra).

By the time Run Off 1 came around it was time for slicks and the times tumbled. Pete Goulding had the Mygale Ecoboost going well and took the win by 0.7s from Broughton and Miles who were separated by 4 hundredths. Next up was Jones running old (like three and a half years) tyres by over a second from Holmes and Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost). Then came Porrett, Bainbridge and Hillam (not as comfortable with the Dallara handling as Broughton) with Grahame Harden (Radical PR6), Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) and Nick Scott (Force TA) rounding out the Top 12.

Qualifying for the second Run Off saw Miles, Goulding and Jones at the top of the time sheet. Loudon, Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) and Steve Brown (Empire EVO 2) made the cut at the expense of Anson, Scott and Porrett.

The second Run Off featured the same four drivers in the top places and was won by Miles, a couple of tenths ahead of Broughton followed by Goulding and Jones. Further back Steve Brown was eleventh and suffering gear selection problems while Terry Holmes had a big spin coming out of Seamans and had to be towed back.

Results:

Anglesey, National Circuit, April 2nd 2022

L&DMC

SBD Motorsport UK British Sprint Championship Rounds 1 & 2

Run Off 1 (Round 1)

1. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 48.37s
2. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 49.10s
3. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 49.14s
4. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 49.93s
5. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) 51.13s
6. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 51.32s
7. Graham Porrett (3.5 Lola Tegra T90) 52.67s
8. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 53.04s
9. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 53.51s
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 55.62s
11. Mark Anson (1.1 Jedi Mk6) 55.99s
12. Nicholas Scott (1.6 Force TA) 59.79s

Run Off 2 (Round 2)

1. Stephen Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96mm) 47.83s
2. Steve Broughton (2.0 Dallara F399) 48.09s
3. Peter Goulding (1.6t Mygale FF 200) 48.35s
4. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 49.14s
5. Matthew Hillam (2.0 Dallara F399) 49.20s
6. Graham Blackwell (1.6t Mygale Ecoboost) 49.23s
7. John Loudon (1.1 Force TA) 50.58s
8. Simon Wallis (1.1 OMS 3000M) 50.78s
9. Simon Bainbridge (4.2t SBR Crono) 52.22s
10. Grahame Harden (1.3 Radical PR6) 53.31s
11. Steven Brown (1.3t Empire Evo2) 72.74s
12. Terry Holmes (3.5 Lola Tegra Judd) DNF

Reigning champion, Steve Miles, began 2022 with a win (Neil Lambert)


John Loudon's new Force TA in wet practice (Neil Lambert)


Despite the conditions Steve Broughton scored a pair of 2nd places (Kim Broughton)


No time for the scenery as Pete Goulding takes a win (Neil Lambert)