BOXING DAYS MEANS IT’S TIME FOR PLUM PUDDING

Motorsport on Boxing Day – who says the festive period is when racing stops?! – Photo: Chris Valentine

Unlike traditional race meetings where the grid for a race is set by the fastest times in a qualifying session, those who are unfamiliar with the process involved for this event may be a little surprised as to how the starting order is determined for both categories. Instead of setting the fastest lap time, the Plum Pudding Races do away with qualifying sessions and form the grid based on chronological order of entry. Therefore, the earlier the drivers placed their entry the higher up the grid they start for Race 1! Race 2’s grid is a complete reversal of the Race 1 result.

There’s a healthy entry in the Saloon Car contingent with a wonderful diverse mix of makes and models on display. It’s a pair of Fords on the front row of the grid with pole position taken by Brands Hatch favourite Rod Birley in his trusty Ford Escort WRC, as he bids to end the year on the magical number of 600 career wins. BRSCC Fiesta Championship frontrunner faithful brings his Class D Ford Fiesta Zetec S out to play to line up alongside. Drivers that will also be worth keeping an eye on will include Wayne Ward’s ScoobyClinic Subaru Impreza, Steven Barnard’s spaceframe Audi TT, Andy Thompson’s ex-BTCC SEAT Toledo and the rapid Lidsey siblings Brett and Tyler. Tyler is back in his Renault Clio Cup car, while Brett elects for a Ford Fiesta ST as his chosen mount.

As for the Sports Cars, it’s a smaller field but one that’s not short on quality. Half the entry is dominated by various specifications of Caterham, with the fastest of the lot undoubtedly being Mark Drain’s R300. There are also 3 sports prototypes making the trip to Mallory in the form of Dave Porter’s Radical, Philip Hart’s Mallock and Ray Rowan’s Pilbeam. Our own pair of Mazda MX-5 championships are also represented thanks to Ivan Leary’s Mk1 model and Jake Bailey’s newly acquired Mk3 SuperCup racer, the latter undoubtedly using this meeting as an early shakedown before his 2017 campaign.

The weather conditions are set to be cold but dry with a sunny Winter’s day expected for Boxing Day and a high temperature of 6 degrees – sounds just about right for this time of year! You can find a full breakdown of the weather forecast via the Met Office here – MALLORY PARK WEATHER.

Plus, the final instructions, timetable, supplementary regulations and entry list can be found here – PLUM PUDDING RACES.

Scott Woodwiss