Race report - Oulton Park - 2011
19 entries were listed in the programme for our two rounds at Oulton Park, returnees were Graham Ross and Colin Robertson, unfortunately the Koskela ‘family’ were unable to compete here otherwise we would have had a very respectable 22 starters, otherwise it was as per our Brands Hatch line up. Another MG dealer had been persuaded to part with his cash in return for his stickers on our cars (actually he gets a lot more than this !) so it was a pleasure to welcome Hopton Garage as our sponsor at this meeting.
Testing
Testing on the Friday saw 15 Trophy cars present, most booked to do the whole day which was dry and warm.
The morning sessions had generated best times of high 1m 57’s low 58’s.
Various problems arose during the day including a clutch repacement for Streather, a leaking sump gasket for Ross and the continuing clutch problems for Luti.
The afternooon sessions were 1.5 – 2 secs slower than in the morning. Makar accidentally ‘buzzed’ his engine resulting in the exhaust valves all kissing the pistons, however the offer of a ‘new’ 160 engine from Streather seemed to be the best option and this was accepted by the hard working Ali who proceeded to do the swap. Despite replacing the sump seal, Ross’s oil leak persisted and the car was lucky not to be put to bed early! Later the leak was found using a most unusual detection method ! (ask him!)
Qualifying
Ali got the Makar engine swap finished just in time for the Trophy qualifying which was the first of the day at 08:30. The damp/wet track prompted Bray, Ross and Robertson to opt for the slick front wet rear option, the remainder being on wets all round. The early leader was Luti on 2:07.8 in his first wet outing in the LE 500. The times started to tumble and the top positions changed many times as the leading bunch were in close proximity on the track. Streather went top only to be replaced immediately by Ross on 2:05.85. At three and a half minutes to go it was Bray, Streather, Ross, Luti, Cole, Robertson, Wetton and Wahlgren. This changed at the flag to Bray, Ross, Cole, Streather, Wetton and Luti, most achieving their best time on their final lap. Bray managed a 2:02.74 to take the first pole as the track dried. Class C pole went to Campbell in an excellent 2:09.7 beating two of the 190’s. Unfortunately Savage suffered with a dropped valve and had to withdraw.
Race 1
The first of the two Hopton MG sponsored Trophy races got underway at 11:42 on a very wet track following two green flag laps. A brilliant start by Luti saw him move from 6th to 2nd before the inevitable happened on the opening encounter going into Cascades where Campbell spun and was collected by Barnard. Wahlgren braked hard to avoid the action only to be punted by Walker into a spin which stuck him in the gravel, with Walker taking avoiding action. So at the end of lap one it was Bray from Luti, Cole, Ross and Robertson with Wahlgren still waiting to be pulled free. Campbell was out following the hit by Barnard with a deranged right rear and Walker pulled in after having hit Wahlgren and splitting his oil line leaving the rest to contend with his oil slick.
The front six held station until lap lap 4 when Ross spun out at Cascades dropping him back to 6th. Streather was suffering with screen misting problems hardly able to see where he was going, Wahlgren rejoined a lap down.
Luti made his move on lap 6 to take Bray at Old Hall a lead he held to the flag. Robertson and Streather swapped places twice on laps 6 & 7, Robertson taking 4th at the flag behind a consistent Cole who had run in 3rd for the entire race. Wetton’s excellent 5th place in qualifying didn’t improve as he went off at the chicane. In the class C race following the Cascades drama Makar took the initial lead which he held until the recovering Barnard got past on lap 4, Penfold keeping Makar honest in 3rd to the finish just 0.44s behind. Williams came home in 4th and Evans 5th.
Fastest laps Class A/B, Ross 2:08.615 on lap 8; Class C, Barnard 2:14.221 on lap 8.
Driver of the Race Oliver Barnard.
Race 2
Three cars were worked on in the break, Campbell fitted another rear beam, Walker by-passed his broken oil cooler and repaired the front of his car, as did Barnard.
Race 2 was at 16:33 with all the 190’s on slicks, bar Wetton who left wets on the rear. The threat of more rain disappeared and those that gambled on the dry set up won. Streather was on pole but dropped back at the start, the first change to the leaders came on lap 3 when Streather then took Bray to move into P2 going into Old Hall. Wetton was in on lap 3 and retired with brake fluid and oil dripping out. A much closer race evolved with the top 5/6 runners in close contention, at the half way point it was Luti, Streather, Bray, Ross and Cole. Streather made his move on lap 7 to take the lead from Luti which he held to the flag, Luti tried everything to regain his position but his clutch problems again took over. Bray held on to 3rd with Ross 2.6secs adrift in 4th, Cole 5th. Robertson and Jacques had enjoyed some close racing, Robertson having the best of it at the finish. The class C race was also close with Campbell showing that he will be a front runner in this category closely followed by Barnard and Penfold for the entire race. Williams came in a distant 4th, Makar having dropped completely out of contention on lap 8 having been better placed earlier in the race, Kitson and Evans completed the class finishers.
Fastest laps Class A/B, Streather 1:57.898 on lap 8; Class C Penfold with an excellent 2:05.428 on lap 5. Driver of the Race Andy Campbell.