Mid June, Silverstone, Northamptonshire, the British Grand Prix? NO, but Round Three Of

Mid June, Silverstone, Northamptonshire, the British Grand Prix? NO, but round three of the Royal Air Force Motor Sports (RAFMSA) Race Challenge. After a month of racing elsewhere, and a number of incidents, the field for the event was somewhat depleted, but bolstered by associate members of the RAFMSA and competitors from the other services, there was still a reasonable grid of cars. With a break in his hectic schedule at Staff College, Wg Cdr Brian Watson brought the road legal mini as his usual car; the RAF Benevolent Fund Supported Mini was not yet ready from winter storage.

Also returning after his accident at Lydden Hill earlier in the year was SAC Adam Twine, now in a Locost after he decided not to rebuild the Clio. Also in another Locost, and new to the race challenge Lt Lewis Dallas represented the Royal Navy.

Not only does the RAFMSA involve race competitors, but also marshals. Sgt Paul Toppin and Sgt Karen Connolly from the RAFMSA Marshals were at Silverstone to proved vital coverage. Without the support of the marshals, all of who are volunteers, the RAFMSA Race Challenge would be unable to take place.

The race challenge would use the Silverstone National Circuit and with an average lap time of 1 minute 14 seconds, practice would be about 9 or 10 laps. Unfortunately after a couple of laps Lewis Dallas’s Locost cried enough and he had to return to the pits. Another casualty was the Peugeot 205 GTI of Flt Sgt Paul Waterhouse whose gear linkage broke leaving him stuck in third gear. After practice ‘Pole Position’ was held by Mr Ed Fuller in a Tiger Super Six, followed by Sqn Ldr Darren Howe (Golf GTI) and Flt Sgt John Davies in another Tiger.

Ian Fletcher now reacquainted with the Hornet Mk 2 was in an unusually low eighth place. But the RAFMSA Race Challenge is not about first past the flag; it’s a race of personal performance, so starting position is not so importance.

From the start it was clear that Ed Fuller was going to be the quickest car on the circuit and Darren Howe would have his work cut out to keep up. In the time between practice and the race Paul Waterhouse was only able to make temporary repairs to his gear linkage and it was always going to be a gamble as to how long it would last. Not long and again after 3 laps it failed, forcing his retirement. After only a couple of laps it was clear that Adam Twine in the Locost was also in trouble and even though he tried to nurse the car to the finish, mechanical problems would again force him out of a race. Another driver to suffer problems was Darren Howe; his Golf suffered fuel surge problems, although he did manage to get to the finish in 5th just ahead of Ian Fletcher, who had a race long battle with Capt Farard Darver (Army) in the BMW 318.

Ed Fuller took the chequered flag, but once the performance indexes were calculated the final results were:

1st Ian Fletcher. 2nd Ed Fuller. 3rd Farard Darver

Performance Index were also awarded to: Brian Watson. Sean Graham. John Davies. Chris Camp.

As race two wasn’t until Sunday those with problems had time to assess the damage and take the required action. The engine on Lewis Dallas’s Locost had seized solid and, as he had to return to Faslane decided to pack up and make an early start for home. Paul Waterhouse’s gear problem was diagnosed as a worn-out selector rod. Cpl Tim Mcgivern who just happened to be visiting had a replacement at RAF Wittering, which he was able to fit on the Sunday morning before race two.

Sgt Matt Preston, who normal drives in the race challenge, but is taking a sabbatical from driving, was on hand to assist with repairs where needed, unfortunately even his vast mechanical expertise was unable to repair the Locost of Adam Twine as the spares required were not available at the circuit. Hard luck Adam third time lucky. For race two a different format would be used. This would see cars set off at delayed start time and race to the flag 30 minutes later. Not a true handicap race, more a pursuit challenge. John Davies would lead them off with the others following at roughly 5 second intervals. As fastest from race one Ed Fuller would start 45 seconds behind John. Starting right at the back with a 2 lap advantage was Cpl Chris Camp from Army Motorsports. From the off Ed was flying and passed everyone to finish first on the road, unfortunately he has exceeded his handicap time and incurred a 30 second penalty this left the final results as:

1st Flt Sgt John Davies – Tiger Super Six. 2nd Cpl Chris Camp – Lexus IS200. 3rd Wg Cdr Brian Watson – Mini JCW.

For the next round the RAFMSA is going to Ty Croes circuit, Anglesey, 20/21 July 2013.