THE CATERHAM CAVALCADE REACHES OULTON
Sir Chris Hoy will be bidding to score a big result in his last appearance of the season in a Caterham 310R at his local circuit – Photo: SnappyRacers
The ever enigmatic Oulton Park in Cheshire is one of our favourite circuits to visit, which is why we tend to come here so frequently! On this occasion, it’s all about one car, as Caterham Motorsport descend onto the lakeside circuit fresh from their 60th anniversary celebrations at the Caterham Festival at Donington Park. The title battles in all 5 championships here are set to continue in earnest.
Pete Walters has been in scintillating form of late in the Avon Tyres Caterham Roadsport Championship, as he heads here to Oulton Park with an 11 point lead over second placed Tom John, however he wouldn’t win a race last time out at Donington. Those honours went to Jay McCormack and a surprised Geoff Price after the top 7 drivers in race 2 were penalised for infringements of the now sidelined Code 60 rules. Nonetheless McCormack, Ben Gillias and Caroline Everett are amongst names to watch as they fight it out for the podium places.
It should be even more frantic amongst the ALACO Motorsport Logistics Caterham Seven 270R Championship, as Russ Olivant took a significant step towards putting one over perennial rival Daniel Quintero at Donington. Columbian driver Quintero had a nightmare weekend, only coming away with 12 points and ending his second race in the gravel trap at Fogarty Esses, leaving Olivant to pick up two race wins, a fastest lap and the points lead. Alex Jordan’s incredible consistency within the top 10 this season leaves him 2nd, while more drivers are queuing up behind to take advantage. Expect the likes of Alan Cooper, Rob Watts, William Lloyd, Andrew Perry and Chris Aubrey to all be amongst the frontrunners.
It continues to be close within the ITC Compliance Caterham Supersport Championship ranks as the class and its cars near the end of their competition life. Mike Evans looks to be on course to become the last ever Supersport champion, as he has at least finished inside the top 5 in every single race so far. Dan Gore sits 2nd some 21 points back with a multitude of fastest laps to his name this year, while Tim Dickens also has 3 race wins so far this year and holds 3rd. Henry Heaton and Christian Szaruta look as though they’ll be the only other realistic threats to the crown, whilst Alastair Weaver and Adam Croft will also be ones to watch.
The star name in the ITC Compliance Caterham Seven 310R Championship will once again be 6-time Olympic gold medal winning cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, racing on his local track and one he’s very familiar with at the wheel of a Caterham. This meeting ends his trio of guest appearances and he’ll be hoping to go out with a top result. Meanwhile in the points table, Lee Bristow holds a slender 5 point advantage over Steve McCulley, while there’s a 3 way tie currently taking place between double Donington winner Chris Rankin, Alexander Koeberle and Lee Collins for 3rd place. Also, be sure to keep an eye on both James Beardwell and Alistair Calvert to mix it up at the front too.
Undoubtedly the fastest action of the day will come from the rapid Avon Tyres Caterham Seven 420R Championship, which was dubbed as putting on the best races of the Caterham Festival at Donington. The nail-biting wheel to wheel races were simply electric with title rivals Danny Winstanley and Lee Wiggins taking a win apiece in two of the most incredible races of the season so far. While these two have taken the lion’s share of the victories so far this year, there are plenty of drivers waiting to step up and snatch one for themselves. In fact, Jack Sales was merely two corners away from doing so before being cruelly denied at Donington. He’ll be on the hunt for redemption, while this weekend could spell the best chances for the likes of Jack Brown, Stephen Nuttall, William Smith, Matt Dyer, John Byrne and Anthony Barnes to all get in on the act. Watch out for this lot – they may just steal the show all over again!
We’re hoping that the weather holds up even though it’s early August, with the early weather forecast suggesting it will stay dry with a hint of sunshine. Nevertheless, the Caterhams always deliver a fantastic spectacle whatever the weather. If you’ve never seen them race before, strap yourself in for a race day full of non-stop action from start to finish!
Scott Woodwiss
