FOGGY FINALS AT DONINGTON

It was an incident packed weekend at the BRSCC Finals meeting at Donington Park, where the weather was as unpredictable as the racing! Saturday remained dry and cloudy but Sunday morning was blighted by thick fog that would not budge, resulting in the start being delayed by almost four hours! This meant that the officials had to make some quick adjustments to the schedule so thanks to all the marshals, competitors & spectators for their patience.

Onto the racing, which produced seven 2012 BRSCC champions; Wayne Schofield’s Suzuki Cappuccino was the toast of the Arrowpak Euro Saloons paddock. His ‘class’ win in each race, coupled with Andy Robinson’s failure to finish the final outing meant the Rochdale driver took the title in his debut season. Gary Prebble’s Class A Mitsubishi Evo RS was the winner of both races.

In the battle of the Alfashop Alfas, Derbyshire’s Roger Evans carried the day in his 147 GTA. His title rival, Neil Smith, did all that was asked of him, winning both races but it wasn’t enough to close the points gap on Roger who scored two Class C wins.

In the Logson Group Porsche Championship, title favourite Rick Styrin emphatically delivered winning all three races to take the Race Spec Boxster crown by thirty-nine points from Gerry Taylor. Alastair Kirkham did what was required to take the 924 title, which he has led all clear. However, the star performer in the 924s was debutant Henry Sharpe who scored an impressive hat-trick of class wins.

2011 OSS champion, Tony Sinclair, did all he could to retain his title, claiming victory in both outings. Nevertheless, leader Darcy Smith picked up the points he needed in his Radical SR4 to depose Sinclair, despite a DNF in the first race. Doug Hart was consistent in securing two second place finishes.

Two of the highlights of the weekend were the night races for both the Super Mighty Minis and the standard Mighty Minis. Kelvin Fletcher won the night race and Jonathan Lewis was the first ‘standard’ Mighty Mini across the line in Sunday’s race, which was amalgamated with the Supers. Sunday’s combined race was of little interest to Chris Slade, who was celebrating retaining his title courtesy of an eighth place finish in the dark of Saturday night.

Arriving at Donington, Gary Patterson had been the points leader in the Supers, but he came a cropper in the night race to hand the initiative to Chris Morgan, who took second place behind Elliot Stafford. In Sunday’s showdown, Morgan again came second to Stafford and that was enough for Morgan to claim the Supers title. Patterson put in a valiant performance to take third, but it wasn’t enough. Sadly, experienced Supers campaigner Dave Rees was hospitalised after suffering a broken leg in the final race but he’s already threatening to back for 2013 – good luck for a speedy recovery Dave!

Richard Mitcham is the long since confirmed 2012 Formula Jedi champion and his absence gave the opportunity for others to shine. Runcorn’s Lee Morgan grasped the opportunity winning both races with James Maclachlan and Matthew Bett following him home each time.

Caterham Academy Group 1 champion, Alex Gurr, rounded his successful season off in style, winning both Caterham Autumn Trophy races. Matt Dyer was second in each and Pete Fortune and Nigel Board shared the final step of the podium.

In the Honda VTEC Challenge, Simon Cribley and Robert Burkinshaw shared the honours with a win apiece, while Liam Morley won both Superkart races.