SILVERSTONE JUNE 19/20 RACE WEEKEND PREVIEW – FUN CUP ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Following their dominant performance in the opening round of the Fun Cup Endurance Championship at Donington Park, 2019 Champions Farquini Deott/Fabio Randaccio will be looking for further success in their UVio/Hofman’s Lotus car at Silverstone on Saturday.
Andy Bicknell/Harry Mailer showed good pace at Donington Park to finish second for Despatch Bay Express and with Mailer recognised as one of the quickest Fun Cup drivers around, they should be at the sharp end again too.
It was a maiden podium for the newly formed MJ Tec GITI at Donington too, with Mini racer Scott Jeffs teamed with experienced Fun Cup exponent and truck race winner Martin Gibson.
It wasn’t the best of starts though for defending Champions Team Olympian. The battling trio of Chris Dovell/Kristian Rose/Riley Phillips were heading for a podium place, until Phillips had to make a late splash and dash and dropped to fifth.
Mark Holme had Nigel Greensall subbing for Nick Nunn at Donington in the Team Viking car, they finished fourth, but Nick Nunn is back this weekend.
GCI’s Craig Butterworth/Ian Wood had a strong opening round to celebrate with a top six finish.
There’s only one MakeHappen Racing car this year, but Greg Evans/Stephen Walton will be hoping for the consistency that got them on the podium last year, while Neil Plimmer/Ben Pitch will be looking for the good fortune that so often seems to desert them.
Agua Caliente are one of the two car teams. Matt Hogg/Rob Perry share the 121 car, with Rob Croydon/Paul Turner in 207, having been ninth at Donington.
Fun Cup newcomers in last seasons finale, EDF Motorsports are another two car team, with Simon Coles/Kristian Prosser in 104 and Vlad Vassiliev/Matt Dorkings sharing 246. Coles and Prosser just missed out on the top 10 in the first round.
Luck was definitely not on the side of Enduro Motorsport at Donington though, Morgan Tillbrook/Marcus Clutton and Chris Weatherill/Jon Currie were both in trouble from early on.
Greensall Motorsport are another double entry, continuing their family theme. Brothers Paul and Ryan Lewis are in 125 and Simon Smeeth shares with sons Sam and Ted in the 263 car.
Nigel Greensall himself has a seat with the CCS Media team, sharing with Alan Honarmand and Bob Tomlinson.
Track Focused led overall in the early part of the Donington race, but whizz kid Teddy Wilson isn’t in their line-up this weekend, so it’s up to Sean Cooper/Mike McCollum/Neil Smith.
After their 10th in the first round, Team Greenheath’s Gary Bate/Simon Smith will be looking to move up the leaderboard again as will Colin Kingsnorth/Richard Webb in the Stobart Sport entry.
Former Praga racers Martyn Crompton/ Warren McKinlay debuted in the first round as Stand2 Motorsport, in deference to their military careers and the fact that 107’s Paul “Killer” Calladine and Alan Baldwin have entered as “We have no idea,” isn’t clear if that refers to the team or the drivers?
Tachosys with RAW Motorsports were first lap casualties at Donington. Alex Macleod is back, but with Clio UK Cup legend and Truck Racing ace Paul Rivett not on the entry, Alex has Radical racing brother John back to share.
GT Radial had two debutants in the first round, with Downhill Mountain Bike Champion Steve Peat and Isle of Man Legend John McGuinness joining Ellis Hadley. They are back for more at Silverstone to try and improve on 12th place.
JPR Black Widows only have two nominated drivers, with David “Scrappy” Clark and “Big Dom” Jackson. Steve “Snooker” Harris is not currently on the rota.
There is also a provisional entry for Max Bicknell, son of Andy. His Thetrack.Life – For Hire car ran at Donington too for Max’s debut.
Qualifying is at 9.50 on Saturday morning and the four hour race kicks off at 13.20.
