Oulton Park opened its 2011 racing season with some fantastic looking and sounding cars with alot of history: 1969 Cheverolet Camaro Z28, Austin Cooper S, Lotus Cortina, Formula Ford 1600, Chevron B8, Lola T70 Mk3B, Mclaren M1B (Ex-Julian Bronson), Lola T210, Ford GT40, Jaguar E-Type, Austin Healey 3000 Mk1 and many more. An added bonus of ex-F1 driver and F3000 champion Roberto Morena making an appearance for the first time at Oulton Park since 1982, made the day just a bit extra special.
Qualifying was a mixed affair for drivers. Engine's blowing up at Clay Hill and at Brittens. The #58 Mini of Marc Earnshaw spinning, not once, but twice at Brittens during the Pre-1966 Touring Car session. David Betts in his Ford Mustang didn't even complete a flying lap. While the World Sportscar Masters' session was interupted by a red flag to retrieve 2 cars in dangerous positions.
A few drivers faired better though. Mike Dowd and Jeremy Cooke took their Ford Mustang to pole by over a second in the Pre-1966 Touring Cars.
Neil Alberico took pole in the Formula Ford 1600 category by over a second which he converted to an 11 second win in the afternoon. Taking the Old Hall Trophy. The first time its been contested since 1986.
Mike Whitaker powered his TVR to pole position, over 3 seconds clear of 3rd place, with the Jaguar E-Type of Chris Scragg and John Bussel hot on his heals.
Russell Paterson in his Morgan dominated the 1970's Celebration Race, winning by 26.299 seconds ahead of the 2 yellow Porsche's who were involved in the only real on track battle with the #42 Ford Capri of Paul Pochciol who unfortunatly fell away after the first of the 2 Porches, Mark Bates, had over taken the Ford going into Lodge. He recovered to take 4th. Dominic Barnes provided much entertainment in qualifying in his MG B Roadster with his rather sideways approach to cornering, but alas he finished a lap down in 8th and last place.
The Pre-1966 Touring Car's provided some entertainment in the form of Henry Mann coming from 10th on the grid to win the race in his Ford Lotus Cortina by a comfortable margin of 7.156 seconds. The rest of the field was spread out throughout the duration of the race. Roberto Moreno, having a bit of fun in the Mini, provided some good racing in the early stages before blowing the engine by taking it over the limit of 7.5k revs to 11k.
The World Sportscar Masters and the Formula Ford 1600's saw some close racing despite the Sportscar race been dominated by the Minishaw brothers, Jason and Guy by the biggest margin of the day with a 44.207 second lead. Plus the aforementioned Neil Alberico in the Formula Ford 1600 race. The battle for podium positions provided the best chance for overtaking.
Hugh Colman held off the late charge and intentions of the Chevron B16 driven by Brian Casey and Greg Caton by just 0.115 seconds at the flag in the Sportscar race. In the Formula Fords, the only race which was threated by the rain although it didn't play a significant part, Samuel Carrington-Yates overtook Jamie Jardine around the outside going into the Hislops chicane in a brilliant overtaking manouvere. Despite Jardine's best efforts, they would stay nose to tail through to the chequered flag, seperated by just 0.120 seconds.
Incidents were few and far between, as can be expected with a series where the atmosphere is very friendly and relaxed in the pit lane and paddock amongst competitors and officials.
Marc Earnshaw was finding just where the limit is again, this time at Druids on lap 1 of the Pre-1966 Touring Car race but kept it altogether to finish in 7th, 1 lap down on the winner. Roy Stephenson wins the award for the loudest Mustang after his entire exhaust system fell off on the way upto Druids. And one of the oldest rules in motorsport was broken on the day - never take out your team mate. The 2 Jaguar E-type's running in the Gentleman Drivers Pre-1966 GT race had a run in together early in the race down the Avenue and into Cascades, which resulted in some damage. Jamie Boot survived to finish 3rd, whereas his team mate was a bit more unlucky and finished in 10th, 7 laps down after an unscheduled pitstop to remove loose debris and bodywork. Particularly dissapointing after such a good qualifying session.
If you missed the action, then dont worry because the Top Hat and Masters Historic racing series recently secured a deal with Motors TV on Sky. The season opener will recieve a dedicated one-hour show showing highlights from the day, including the cars, the drivers and, of course, the on track action. A transmission date of April 8th is the provisional date, so stay tuned to your TV guides for any updates.
Photos from the day can be seen on here shortly. Stay tuned to the website and/or RSS feed for updates.
Qualifying was a mixed affair for drivers. Engine's blowing up at Clay Hill and at Brittens. The #58 Mini of Marc Earnshaw spinning, not once, but twice at Brittens during the Pre-1966 Touring Car session. David Betts in his Ford Mustang didn't even complete a flying lap. While the World Sportscar Masters' session was interupted by a red flag to retrieve 2 cars in dangerous positions.
A few drivers faired better though. Mike Dowd and Jeremy Cooke took their Ford Mustang to pole by over a second in the Pre-1966 Touring Cars.
Neil Alberico took pole in the Formula Ford 1600 category by over a second which he converted to an 11 second win in the afternoon. Taking the Old Hall Trophy. The first time its been contested since 1986.
Mike Whitaker powered his TVR to pole position, over 3 seconds clear of 3rd place, with the Jaguar E-Type of Chris Scragg and John Bussel hot on his heals.
Russell Paterson in his Morgan dominated the 1970's Celebration Race, winning by 26.299 seconds ahead of the 2 yellow Porsche's who were involved in the only real on track battle with the #42 Ford Capri of Paul Pochciol who unfortunatly fell away after the first of the 2 Porches, Mark Bates, had over taken the Ford going into Lodge. He recovered to take 4th. Dominic Barnes provided much entertainment in qualifying in his MG B Roadster with his rather sideways approach to cornering, but alas he finished a lap down in 8th and last place.
The Pre-1966 Touring Car's provided some entertainment in the form of Henry Mann coming from 10th on the grid to win the race in his Ford Lotus Cortina by a comfortable margin of 7.156 seconds. The rest of the field was spread out throughout the duration of the race. Roberto Moreno, having a bit of fun in the Mini, provided some good racing in the early stages before blowing the engine by taking it over the limit of 7.5k revs to 11k.
The World Sportscar Masters and the Formula Ford 1600's saw some close racing despite the Sportscar race been dominated by the Minishaw brothers, Jason and Guy by the biggest margin of the day with a 44.207 second lead. Plus the aforementioned Neil Alberico in the Formula Ford 1600 race. The battle for podium positions provided the best chance for overtaking.
Hugh Colman held off the late charge and intentions of the Chevron B16 driven by Brian Casey and Greg Caton by just 0.115 seconds at the flag in the Sportscar race. In the Formula Fords, the only race which was threated by the rain although it didn't play a significant part, Samuel Carrington-Yates overtook Jamie Jardine around the outside going into the Hislops chicane in a brilliant overtaking manouvere. Despite Jardine's best efforts, they would stay nose to tail through to the chequered flag, seperated by just 0.120 seconds.
Incidents were few and far between, as can be expected with a series where the atmosphere is very friendly and relaxed in the pit lane and paddock amongst competitors and officials.
Marc Earnshaw was finding just where the limit is again, this time at Druids on lap 1 of the Pre-1966 Touring Car race but kept it altogether to finish in 7th, 1 lap down on the winner. Roy Stephenson wins the award for the loudest Mustang after his entire exhaust system fell off on the way upto Druids. And one of the oldest rules in motorsport was broken on the day - never take out your team mate. The 2 Jaguar E-type's running in the Gentleman Drivers Pre-1966 GT race had a run in together early in the race down the Avenue and into Cascades, which resulted in some damage. Jamie Boot survived to finish 3rd, whereas his team mate was a bit more unlucky and finished in 10th, 7 laps down after an unscheduled pitstop to remove loose debris and bodywork. Particularly dissapointing after such a good qualifying session.
If you missed the action, then dont worry because the Top Hat and Masters Historic racing series recently secured a deal with Motors TV on Sky. The season opener will recieve a dedicated one-hour show showing highlights from the day, including the cars, the drivers and, of course, the on track action. A transmission date of April 8th is the provisional date, so stay tuned to your TV guides for any updates.
Photos from the day can be seen on here shortly. Stay tuned to the website and/or RSS feed for updates.
