FINALS FUN AT THE PARK
Tom McArthur (pictured) will bid to seal FF1600 Northern honours today – Photo: bournephoto.co.uk
In what will be the quietest (in theory) of our 3 race meetings this weekend, Oulton Park in Cheshire will host another of our Finals Weekends, which sees Fun Cup, Formula Ford 1600s and TVRs hustle their way around the International circuit for one last time this year before the shutters come down on 2015.
The Beetle-esque silhouettes of the Fun Cup have one more endurance test before they can break for the off season, however it’s a 4 hour test that stands between them. The team with the advantage are Team Sherardize after they blitzed the field last time at Anglesey with the added help of British GT racer Phil Keen. On this occasion, Marcus Clutton and Peter Belshaw will have to make do without him, however they should be able to continue as a strong runner in and around the top 5. Team RaceLogic are odds on to clinch the title come the end of the day with a 52 point lead coming into the weekend. Eco Racing, Scuderia XCat, Geometric and Holden Hawthorns will be prepared for some top 5 shuffling in the points, so all will hope for trouble free weekends. After another amazing season, Fun Cup will sure want to celebrate as only they know how.
Another championship which has begun something of a revival is the Avon Tyres Formula Ford 1600s. The Northern Championship is the last one to settle after the Triple Crown and the National. Tom McArthur tops Post ’89 from sibling David and 3rd placed Douglas Crosbie, while National Pre ’90 champion Matthew Cowley heads season long rivals Jamie Jardine and Jaap Blijleven. Some drivers will be using this weekend as preparation and extra track time before the Formula Ford Festival next weekend and beyond into 2016, where grids could be set to swell thanks to the National championship’s tie up with the Mazda Road To Indy next year.
Third and finally, but certainly no less valuable, the best of British heads west with the final race of the year for the Dunlop TVR Challenge. Newly crowned champ Alex Champkin will want to complete his year with a victory or at least a podium visit. Last time out at Mallory Park, an epic duel between the three Class A+ Sagaris entertained the crowds, however only one of them will be in attendance with Tim Davis representing. Also, Class A contains nothing but the enigmatic fan favourites – the Tuscan Challenge cars, so look for Ivor Watson, Hugh Marshall, Christopher Ridge and Darren Smith. TVR is very much flavour of the month, as plans for both a return to Le Mans and a national one make series are being mooted by TVR’s new owner Les Edgar. Hopefully, this will help add a few more entries to the Challenge for next year!
So, what about the weather forecast? Well, as with Silverstone and Donington it is going to be a bit chilly. Temperatures will fluctuate between 8 and 12 degrees all weekend, so it’s very much the kind of conditions where a coat and possibly a scarf will be required. Still, a cold but dry track should help the drivers push a little bit harder come qualifying and the race. A full forecast is at OULTON PARK WEATHER.
Also, the final instructions, provisional timetable and entry lists, including a separate list for FunCup, is situated at OULTON PARK RACEDAY.
Scott Woodwiss
