A SUMMER SHOOTOUT BY THE ANGLESEY-SIDE
The MX-5 SuperCup will once again tackle one of the UK's most beautiful race tracks – Photo: Jon Elsey
Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside, don’t you? Well, in our case when we say seaside, we mean the magnificent Anglesey circuit in the picturesque surrounding of the coast of northern Wales. The full length International layout will test the drivers in terms of skill, racecraft and raw ability, as we start to move through the second half of the 2017 season. This meeting run by the BRSCC North Western Centre is set to feature 21 races full of action and excitement.
The most common car you’ll see on track this weekend will be a Mazda MX-5 as both of our championships for the superb little Japanese sports car hit the coast once again. The MX-5 Championship for Mk1 models boast an entry of some 45 cars at the time of writing this, with all of the usual suspect out to play. Will Blackwell-Chambers and Samuel Smith are two teammates that seem to be firmly locked into a battle for the title, with Oliver Allwood and Joshua Jackson their main concerns also. Right now, it looks likely to be a fatal 4-way for the championship crown, but any slip up from any of them could bring others directly behind them into play. This isn’t over, not by a long shot!
The same could also be said about the scrap for honours in the Mazda MX-5 SuperCup as Luke Herbert holds a rather slender 13 point lead over Tom Roche despite having scored more race victories. So far it looks like the contest for #1 lies solely between these two, but 3rd place is also looking likely to be a titanic fight all the way to the last race. Liam Murphy currently holds the coveted spot, however he’s being pursued by Jonathan Greensmith, Jack Harding, Brian Chandler and Ben Short with less than 100 points between them all. This year’s SuperCup has seen incredible levels of driving talent and superb action on every weekend. Anglesey will only be set to provide more of the same.
For those who love single seaters, another chapter is ready to be written in the Avon Tyres Northern Formula Ford 1600 Championship. Luciano Carvalho was able to take full advantage of Josh Smith’s mechanical woes last time at the away rounds at Donington Park, however Smith is still leader overall in Post ’89. Both will contest the same piece of tarmac alongside Matt Round-Garrido and Andrew Brickles, while the Pre ’90 contingent will be equally as interesting with Jaap Blijleven once again flying in from Holland to maintain his points lead overall and in class. Class D should also be a spectacle as Mario Sarchet faces off against Ivor Mairs and “Juicie Bruceie”.
What about the Toyo Tires Porsche Championship? Ed Hayes is still the man to beat in the Race Boxster class with a gap of 15 points over Adam Southgate, although the latter has shown he can give as good as he gets. Both have won races so far this season, with Richard Avery also making sure the pair of them haven’t escaped too far ahead. Meanwhile, the number of superlatives left to describe Pip Hammond’s domination of the 924 Class is starting to get incredibly close to zero. Hammond annihilated the competition at Castle Combe once again and has to be odds on for the class title, while in the Production Boxsters it’s Andrew Baker versus Matthew Harris once again.
One of the longest standing championships on our roster, the Electrovape.co.uk XR Challenge has always been a fantastic low cost championship for drivers to take their first steps into motor racing. Keeping both the much loved Ford Fiesta XR2 and Escort XR3i models in active competition, the action is always hard fought. In the XR2s, watch out for the likes of Mark Robinson, Greg Speight and Michael Heath, while Matthew Spencer will be fighting for XR3i honours.
Finally, there’s a guest appearance from our friends in the MGCC Cockshoot Cup. This championship caters to a variety of different MG models across a spectrum of classes. From the classic MG Midget to the more contemporary ZS, ZR and MGF machines, this is always a fun series to watch. The classes are designated based on tyres and modifications, so expect a real mix of cars competing for individual and overall glory.
As we’ve already said, we hope that this weekend’s weather is favourable and the spectacle will be just as enjoyable. Grab yourself a spot on the spectator banks for the day and enjoy some excellent club motorsport courtesy of the BRSCC. Plus, you’re on the coast with the Irish Sea as your backdrop – perfect!
Scott Woodwiss
