The second half of the Wiscombe Park season got underway with the Five Clubs meeting.
The main focus of the weekend was Rounds 7 and 8 of the Tillicoultry Quarries Wiscombe Park Championship. The Championship has been finely balanced all season, with Plymouth motor engineer Ian Ingleheart / Westfield SE Cosworth holding a narrow lead from Steve Wareham / Morris Mini.
The 2022 form of both drivers has been exceptional, and they again, both won their Classes, so the position at the top of the table remained unchanged, with just one round remaining.
The rally car class is always a crowd pleaser, and it was a close battle between Tim Porter – Darrian T90 - 43.58s - just pipping John Simpson – Ford Escort Mk2 - 43.75s.
On Saturday, the battle for the Fastest Time of the Day went to Andrew Forsyth in his OMS CF04 with a time of 36.93s. The closest challenger to Andrew’s performance was Tony Wiltshire in his Ralt RT34 with a 37.18s. During the first timed runs, both drivers set identical times – 38.15s.
The weekend also marked the Gilbern Owners Club celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the first Gilbern to compete at Wiscombe Park. Gilbern cars were hand-built in Wales during the 60’s and 70’s and have become much sought-after classics, and thanks to the Jones brothers – Mark and Christopher – a new Gilbern hill record was set. A great way to mark this special Anniversary.
Mark in his Gilbern Genie and Christopher in his Gilbern Invader Mk3, traded times through their three runs – Mark, on his third run, setting a new record time - a 46.28s run. The previous record of 47.08s was set by Nigel Ellis in 1995.
Unfortunately, the weather rather spoilt proceedings on Sunday, with the morning drizzle getting heavier as the day progressed. Despite the conditions, Saturday’s star performers – Messrs Ingleheart, Wareham and Forsyth again led the way, and set Class winning times.
The members of the NHCA were in action on both days on their motorbikes and sidecars. North-Devon based, nine times British Champion, Paul Jeffery set the Fastest Time of the Day with a 42.59s on Saturday riding a Honda CR. In Sunday’s rain affected competition, it was Peter Short/ KTM who took the honours with a time of 44.26s.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here