Llandow 13th May
We head to Llandow for our first Welsh sprint venue with a strong contingent of 14 Championship contenders. Despite heavy rain the day before, Saturday was dry, breezy and sunny. Once again the weather proved to be with us.
During the drivers briefing, we were informed that any drivers caught driving outside the White Line by the Marshalls on track, that the run in question would result in a failed time run, so a clean run was the necessity of the day.
The day kicked off with Rebekah Edwards in her VW Lupo fondly known as Dora, in the Roadgoing Series Production cars up to 1400cc, along with Martyn Davies in his Fiesta. Rebekah finished the day with a 98.39, some 8 seconds quicker than last year, so a new PB for both Rebekah and Dora. Martyn took the class win with a sterling time of 92.65
The next class to see WAMC Championship contenders sprint around the track, was the Roadgoing Series Production Cars over 1800cc up to 2600cc. Out of a competitive class of 10 cars, 50% was to be made up of WAMC contenders. We saw Eifion and Sioned Jones double drive their Audi Quatro S3, after a fail on his second practice, Eifion manged to put a good time of 96.02 in his first time run, which was to be his quickest of the day. Sioned finishing the day with a PB of 106.36, once again some 8 seconds quicker than last year, so a good day for the Jones’ all round. Gary Morgan having struggled to get down below 103.41 in the practice times before lunch in his Peugeot 206 GTi (slightly out powered in this class), managed to get a final timed run of 98.87, following on from Gary we had Wynne Morgan in his Williams Clio, once again improving with each and every run, getting down to a time of 91.93. Our very own Ben Burggraff managed to take the class win with a very impressive time of 84.51 in his Super Charged Lotus Elise, some 3 seconds clear of the 2nd placed car in the class, resulting in a new Target Time for 2018 for the Trident Championship.
Following on from the Roadgoing Series up to 2000cc class, we had the Roadgoing Series Productions cars over 2600cc, which was made up of a Porsche 911 Turbo, a Subaru Impreza Turbo and Gordon Hick in his Seat Leon Cupra. Not having the engine power of the two other cars, Gordon had to resign himself with a third in class, with a competitive timed run of 95.81, having received a failed time run due to overstepping the white lines !
The Modified Production Cars were next, firstly the 1400cc to 1800cc, which consisted of Martyn Ferris in his Renault 5 GT Turbo. Having contended with a few timing issues through the morning practice session and having to do a re-run, Martyn took the class win with an impressive time of 90.22, following on from the ‘up to 1800cc’, we saw Paul Meadows compete in the Modified Production cars over 1800cc, which consisted of some highly modified and powered cars. Similar to Gordon, and a few other contenders, Paul received a ‘failed’ first timed run, but not allowing that to deter him, he proved that he and his Peugeot 205 was a strong contender and came fourth with a great timed run 91.89, improving on last years’ time giving him a new PB.
Showing the guys how it’s done, in the Modified Specialist Production Cars was our 2016 Ladies Trident Championship Winner, Ms Charlotte Phelps. Having also received a ‘fail’ in her first time run, Charlotte provide she and her Westfield Megabusa were not be trifled with and put in a very impressive time of 82.73 on her last run, not only taking the class win, but also relegating her Dad to second place. Once again a PB for our third female Championship contender.
Out last female Championship contender for the day was Ms Alison Lock in her BL Mini. A good quality of Rally Cars were placed in Class D3 resulting in Alison’s Mini being outgunned but still put in a respectable time of 104.31 which was exceptional seeing as Alison had not only driven her car to track from Chard (some 110 miles and would have to ensure that she and the car could do the return journey), but also she had filled up her trusty Mini with a full tank of petrol, as her pit crew (namely Rob) had not been able to accompany her, so proving that if there is a will there is a way.
And so to our last two Championship contenders of the day; Andrew Bisping in his Renault Clio 200 and Rob Thomson in his Renault Clio 172. Not content with battling it out with Gary Morgan at Wiscombe last month, Rob now found himself battling it out with Andrew. It was a close battle between Andrew and Rob, with Rob securing a timed run of 91.27 with Andrew very close behind on 91.42 ! Look out Llys Y Fran !
Llys Y Fran 14th May
With our first Welsh Sprint behind us, we head to the first Welsh Hillclimb event of the calendar. Nestled amongst picturesque views of the Preseli Hills and the Welsh Water-managed reservoir, Llys Y Fran is great setting for drivers and spectators alike. 16 Championship contenders were given a dry day, with a little bit of breeze thrown into the mix with a small amount of sunshine.
We started the day with the Standard Production Car Class, which meant that our trio of WAMC contenders namely Andrew Bisping, Rob Thomson and Gary Morgan were all back together battling it out amongst a class of 6 drivers. First timed run saw Andrew take the lead, followed by Rob and Gary, and this was to be how the day finished, with Andrew winning the class on 53.10, Rob followed close behind on 53.80 for 2nd in Class and Gary taking 3rd in class on 54.41. Great to see the Trident contenders taking the podium.
Following on was the Road Modified Saloon & Sports Cars up to 1400cc and this time Rebekah (and Dora) had the company of a previous Trident Championship Winner in her class namely Mr Huw Turner, in his distinct Mini. Having not competed last year on the Sprints & Hills, Huw quickly found his pace and took the Class win with an impressive time of 53.90, setting a new target time for 2018. Rebekah also had a great day, once again getting a PB of 57.17, so a productive weekend for both.
In the Road Modified Saloon & Sport Cars 1400cc to 2000cc we only had the one entry namely Wayne Morgan, apologies Wynne Morgan ! Wynne in his Williams Clio was amongst a class of 6 cars and managed a time of 52.85 which resulted in him coming 3rd.
Road Modified Saloons & Sports Cars over 2000cc saw a class of three cars, all being Trident Contenders, namely Gordon Hick (Seat Leon), Eifion Jones (Audi S3) and Anthony Bailey in his Ford Mk1 Escort. Anthony has navigated in the past, but this is his first year of competing in Sprints and Hillclimbs (both himself and the car). Having taken the Texaco corner on two wheels, a big sigh of relief fell upon the spectators when Anthony landed the car back on four wheels and continued on his way towards the finish line unperturbed.
So it was to be a 1st in class for Gordon with a 53.12, 2nd for Eifion with a 53.59 and 3rd for our new member Anthony (Spuddy) Bailey 54.50.
In the Modified Production Cars up to 1400cc, we saw Simon Howells in his Austin Mini battle it out Gavin Neate in his well-prepared Peugeot 106, not an easy task, but Simon produced a great time of 54.64, getting close to his PB for the hill.
In the Modified Production Cars 1400cc to 2000cc we have a class of 6 cars, of which 4 were Tridgent Contenders, so battle commenced with a mixture of past championship contenders, i.e Martyn Ferris (Renault 5) and Paul Meadows (Peugeot 205) and new championship contenders, namely Lloyd Bettinson in his Peugoet 106 Raylle and Frank Harris in his newly acquired Renault Clio 197 Sport (a last minute replacement for the Hillman Imp).
Continuing on where we left of yesterday at Llandow, we had Martyn and Paul fitting it out for 1st and 2nd within the class, with a hairs breath between the two of them again. The final result was 1st in class to Martyn Ferris having achieved a timed run of 51.92, with Paul Meadows hot on his tail for 2nd in class with a 51.95 ! This battle resulted in a new target time for 2018 !
A similar picture transpired between Lloyd and Frank within the class, Lloyd managing to secure a time of 53.93 with Frank on final time of 54.51
In the Modified Production Kit car class up to 1800cc, we once again had a battle between father and daughter, but unlike the day before Charlotte was unable to get 1st in class, resulting in her father taking the class win. Having settled for 2nd in class with an exceptional timed run of 49.56, this meant that Charlotte was to be included in the top 10 run off, the only lady driver to have done this. Not only did the day bring another PB for Charlotte, but she also secured the award for the Fastest Lady once again.
And lastly, we turned to the Rally Car class to see Sam Bacon in his Peugoet 106 competing in the Road Rally Cars up to 1600cc. Not deterred by a spot of mechanical issues lunch time, Sam put in a very competitive time of 56.37.
Pembrey awaits us now for a double header, with a mix of old and new track layout.
