BRSCC IS READY TO RUMBLE AT ROCKINGHAM
The OSS cars will certainly enjoy stretching their legs on Rockingham's Turn 1 banking – Photo: Dave Maries
For the first time this season, we take a trip to Corby in Northamptonshire as Rockingham Motor Speedway plays host to two days of tin-top and sportscar action in the International Super Sports Car Long Circuit. It’s incredible to think that we’ve already reached June, when some of our championships are now halfway through their season. That said, there’s plenty still to play for as title fights really begin to be defined.
One fight that’s starting to emerge is that which resides in the BRSCC Fiesta Championship, as drivers from 4 classes all battle for the chance to become overall champion and earn a test drive in a Motorbase BTCC Ford Focus touring car. So far Lewis Kent has emerged as the man in Class C that’s proved to be most consistent so far, however fellow race winners Danny Harrison, Simon Horrobin, Joshua & Samuel Watkins and Lee Dendy-Sadler will also be keen to continue their good form and close him down. This weekend will see Class C qualify and race separately, leaving Classes A, B & D to fight it out between them. Jamie White still leads Class D and overall and will wish to get back to winning ways after missing out last time at Silverstone.
Their younger compatriots in the Fiesta Junior Championship will also be ready to resume battle this weekend, with Jack Davidson so far looking fairly dominant after showing the rest of the pack a clean pair of heels at Silverstone. Lochlan Bearman comes here of the back of a Race 2 drive from 14th to 2nd that had the entire paddock talking about him, while Cadwell winner Nicholas Reeve returns to the scene of his FJC debut. The HillWood Motorsport pair of James Hillery and Scott Cansdale should also be strong, along with reigning champion Harry Gooding, James Waite and more.
After bursting into life back at Silverstone, the Excool BRSCC OSS Championship heads to Rockingham for its second meeting. With Duncan Williams, winner of two races last time out, not present this weekend, this should in theory leave the door open for 2015 champion Mike Jenvey to have a relatively trouble free weekend. That said, OSS always likes to throw up a surprise or two and drivers like Josh Smith, Paul Spencer and even former British GT champion Matt Manderson will all be on the look-out to capitalise on any slip up their fellow front runners may make. Get set for 3 races of true multi-chassis sports prototype racing!
The 4th and final BRSCC series here this weekend is the Alfa Romeo Championship that sees cars from both the Modified and Twin Spark Cup classes take part. 2015 champ Graham Seager is set to turn out against old foe Vincent Dubois in the Modified class, while Tom Hill is out again to continue his title defence in the Twin Spark Cup against the likes of Simon Cresswell, Andrew Bourke and Dave Messenger. It should be an interesting contest when the Alfas hit the banking at Turn 1.
Alongside our championships we also have 4 guest series making an appearance this weekend. Two of them make the long trip south from bonnie Scotland as our friends at SMRC come to Rockingham for their away day rounds. First off the Scottish BMW Championship will see action very much akin to our Nankang Tyre BMW Compact Cup, with all drivers competing in exactly the same cars as those found in the English equivalent. Frontrunner Steven Dailly must be a favourite as he bids to remind everyone how it’s done, while points leader Steven Goldie is here to defend his lead from Lee Elrick, Gary Clark and Cliff Harper, all of which are here this weekend too. It should be thrilling!
Also from the SMRC stable comes the Scottish Mini Cooper Cup, dedicated to giving those north of the border a chance to ply their craft in the humble BMW Mini Cooper. The majority of this year’s drivers have all made the trip down to Corby, including frontrunners Morgan Murray (points leader), Robbie Dalgleish, Dylan O’Donnell and Ian Munro. Also keep an eye on Dominic Wheatley, John Duncan, Mark Geraghty and Hannah Chapman too. Mini racing is also full of excitement and this weekend the Scots get to show how they strut their stuff on track.
Also from the north of the country, there’s also an appearance on Sunday from the incredibly eclectic Northern Saloon and Sportscar Championship from the Darlington & District Motor Club. Looking at the entry list, there really is a wonderful mixture of makes and models, including a very enticing Class A1 line-up. It features two Ginetta G50s, a Porsche Cayman GT4, a Chevrolet Corvette, a Renault Megane Trophy V8 and even a thunderous Ford Falcon V8 Supercar! Plus there all sorts of hatchbacks, saloons, sportscars and kit cars in the field, leaving you to pick a favourite and cheer them on for class victory!
Last but certainly not least, we’re pleased to welcome the Drayton Manor Park MG Metro Cup from the MG Car Club to proceedings this weekend as well. Giving the cheeky little Rover and MG Metros a home to race amongst its kind the racing is always superb and entertaining, so watching them tackle Rockingham should be an absolute blast. After two meetings, Jack Ashton leads Mike Williams with Lee Connell a fraction behind in 3rd while Andrew Ashton and Tony Connel complete the top 5, meaning 4 Team Purple Helmets cars amongst it. With a 20 car field expected, this should be an interesting pair of encounters to watch unfold.
So, plenty to look forward to and enjoy at Rockingham this weekend. Fingers crossed the weather does us all a favour and remains dry throughout. We’re all set to rock around The Rock for the first time this season at the BRSCC!
Scott Woodwiss
