This proved to be a good decision, as practice was extended and with the weather improving, Saturday qualification was dry with the weather set fair for Sunday.
2WD were up first this time and Oliver Whittleston continued his 2025 qualification dominance taking TQ in all 3 rounds. Craig Chilvers lined up 2nd and round 1 winner, Mark Higgins completed the top 3. With only one final, Oliver started on pole and never looked under threat driving a consistent and solid race on a very difficult track to take the win by 1 lap over the rest of the field. After some early close racing between Craig and Mark, it was Craig who managed to secure 2nd with Mark completing the podium Paul Diver took maximum points in the southern championship with Jason Mander claiming bragging rights over his Dad, Barry who finished 2nd and 3rd in the regional championship respectively.
In 4WD, qualifying saw 3 different TQs in the 3 rounds of qualification with Tommy Chung, Ian Oddie and Dave Parish all taking a round win but it was Tommy Chung who secured pole in the main final from Ian Oddie and Leon Satchell in P3. The semi final started the afternoon finals and it was Andy Knight who claim the win after 20 mins from 5th on the grid. Solid drives from pole sitter Neil Young and youngest Jake Faulkner secured them the 2 other bump up spots into the main final. The main final got underway just after 3pm, and Leon Satchell was setting the early pace before having to retire the car just after half distance giving the lead back to Tommy. With Ian Oddie pushing hard to close the gap to the leader the final phases saw some exceptionally close racing between Tommy, Ian and Karl Norris. A small mistake from Ian on the last lap gave Tommy the win, Ian claiming P2 and Karl Norris completing the podium. Well done also to Harry Middleton who took the regional championship top spot with Dave Parish and Neil Young rounding up the top 3.
The last final of the weekend was Short Course. After some close qualifying between the top drivers it was junior Alfie-Jack Shilcock lining up on pole, with reigning European champion Tayler Letchford in P2 and another junior Zach Whittleston starting in 3rd. Alfie got away well before a small mistake giving the lead to Taylor. Zach getting a tag from behind halted his progress as he dropped to the back of the field. Alfie battling hard with Tayler managed to regain the lead before Taylor had to retire his car due to a loose exhaust. Meanwhile Zach was making his way back through the pack with Jack Keatley pushing hard in 2nd. Jack and Zach traded places before Jack broke away to chase down Alfie but the lead was just to a little too much. After 30 mins, just 9 seconds split the top 3 who were 2 laps up on the rest of the field. Alfie claimed his 2nd win of the season with Jack P2 and Zach P3.
Earlier in the day Andrew Stephenson took the win in the semi final from junior Jake Humphreys and welsh maestro Simon Godney. In the regional championship, Jack Keatley took maximum points from Patrick Vice in P2 and Kian Williams in P3.
Our next round is now at Nene Valley Raceway on 17th and 18th May 2025.
