BRSCC’S BELGIAN EXCURSION


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The Mazda MX-5s touch down onto European soil for the first time this weekend – Photo: Jon Elsey

Usually around this time of the year, many start to think about heading off on their summer holidays. However, when you’re a racing driver it’s usually tricky to leave the race track behind, especially when you’re in the middle of a championship battle. Thankfully this weekend will hopefully cater to both needs, as the BRSCC makes what is now becoming its annual sojourn on to the continent for the Eurofest race weekend, this year seeing a return to the mighty Zolder in Belgium.

Caterham Motorsport once again join us as they have done in the past few years, bringing all of their championships along for the ride, bar both classes in the Academy. Beginning with the Avon Tyres Roadsport Championship, last year’s Academy champion Rui Ferreira had an impressive run at Anglesey to take a win in the second race after Russ Olivant had done likewise in the first. Ferreira heads Olivant by 3 points in the title race, with Daniel Quintero, Lee Collins & Rob Watts all giving chase in the fight for 3rd. In fact, Quintero would be 2nd had he not been hampered with a 9 point penalty earlier in the season. All 5 are out in force this weekend, so expect sparks to fly between them amongst the rest of the pack.

While the field this season is slightly depleted in the Avon Tyres Tracksport Championship, this by no means has meant the quality has gone the same way. With Alistair Calvert once again absent, it gives Anthony Barnes another prime chance to remain at the top of the table. However, Daniel Bremner had everyone talking after Anglesey as he managed two incredible results, which included one of the best battles of the year so far between himself and Barnes. Each driver shared a win apiece last time, however the likes of Damian Milkins, Andy Ebdon, Richard Lambert are likely to be their closest competition.

If quantity is what you’re after in a grid, you won’t go wrong with the ITC Compliance Supersport Championship. Their grid is the largest featured this weekend and there is definitely quality to match the numbers. It is becoming unfathomably close between William Smith and Henry Heaton at the top with just a point separating the pair. Keeping them company will be Jack Brown, Christian Szaruta, Chris Hutchinson, Andres Sinclair et al as they all vie to make the head of the standings. We shouldn’t count out reigning Tracksport champion Tim Dickens either, who has suffered a less than satisfactory start to like in the Supersport division and will driving harder than ever to make up lost ground.

Finally on the Caterham front, the BookaTrack.com Superlight R300-S Championship sees the fastest of the Seven’s incarnations do battle in a field that has increased in size this season. Lee Wiggins appears to be in the middle of something of a breakout year as he took a win at Anglesey in the first race, followed by a top step visit for Aaron Head in the second. Despite this, there is a plethora of top drivers al vying to be #1, including Stephen Nuttall, Danny Winstanley, Jon Mortimer, Jack Sales, Danny Killeen and veteran Clive Richards to name a few.

Elsewhere in the paddock there are championships that are venturing onto European shores, two of which being our pair of MX-5 series. The Mazda MX-5 Championship for Mk1s will see a continuation of the duel that’s brewing between former champion Tom Roche and his surprise chief rival in Oliver Allwood. Simon Baldwin is also along for the trip, as well as Clive Powles, Simon Goddard, Paul Tucker and Paul Maguire to name a few. Despite only approx. 20 cars making the trip, the quality is still there.

Speaking of which, it’s the same story with the MX-5 SuperCup for the Mk3s. Title race leader Alan Henderson has elected not to head to Belgium, giving his chief rivals a prime chance to steal some points from him. We know that Tom Roche is in attendance doing double duty, but also in the mix will be James Blake-Baldwin, Jonathan Greensmith and Liam Murphy for sure. The SuperCup always produces a stellar race, no matter how many cars may be in attendance.

The Alfa Romeo Championship mostly has its Twin Spark contingent heading to Belgium, with pretty much most of if not all the top contenders ready to mix it up. Youngster Tom Hill will be determined for more victories, but he’s sure to be pressed all the way by Andy Hancock, Paul Plant, Dave Messenger, Stephen Potts and more. There’s only one Power Trophy car in the mix, however Ray Foley will certainly enjoy some time in the spotlight out in front. There’s also an addition to the field in the form of an invitational competitor, as Herbert Burgmayr brings his V6 75 out to play too.

Last but certainly by no means least we have a combined grid for our pair of Teekay Couplings Production GTis – the Mk2 Championship and the Mk5 Series. Chris Webb and Chris Baguley should be the top drivers in the 16v Class of the Mk2s while Paul Cowland and Wesley Chatterton will go blow for blow in the 8Vs. Over in the Mk5s, the top men are expected to be Andy Baylie, Josh Johnson and James Howlison after their exceptional battles at Rockingham. This should be an interesting one to watch.

Looking at the weather, it appears rather confusing. While the temperatures are set to be as high as 25 degrees meaning anyone there will definitely be a need for sunglasses, at the same time an umbrella is also going to be needed. There’s set to be thunderstorms at around 1pm on both days, meaning that the afternoon’s running on each is certainly going to be made all the more interesting on a wet track! For a full breakdown of the forecast, you can take a look via AccuWeather.com here – ZOLDER WEATHER.

Also, the final instructions, timetable and entry for this weekend can be found here – ZOLDER EUROFEST WEEKEND.

Scott Woodwiss


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