SILVERSTONE: BRSCC BY ELLIOT WOOD
A season of classic Caterham racing came to a close at Silverstone, with six drivers crowned on track with some of the most memorable races on the International layout.
The Supersport category was the closest, and most thrilling, with three drivers starting separated by only one point on dropped scores. Championship leader Timothy Dickens strengthened that lead with race one victory after a race-long battle with title rivals Mike Evans and Henry Heaton. Although all three drivers led, this was nothing compared to the championship-deciding race, in which the lead frequently changed twice a lap.
Whenever Evans led across the line, Dickens would pass him at Abbey, only to be demoted down the Hangar Straight. This brought Heaton and Ian Payne into play, and they ran 1-2 before Evans overtook both at once at Abbey.
Entering the last lap it was a still a four-car battle, but it was Evans who triumphed, followed closely by Dickens, Payne and Heaton.
“Any of us three on that last lap could’ve won the championship,” declared Supersport champion Evans. “I’m so lucky it was me. A gap opened up [at Abbey] and I just thought: ‘Now or never. Do or die.’”
Peter Walters won his title in the first Roadsport race by beating Jay Mccormack by the tiniest of margins. He had qualified a fraction ahead of the Irishman, who took revenge in the second race by 0.097 seconds.
The Seven 420R title battle was over before it had even begun, as Danny Winstanley opted against competing to avoid penalty points. This left Lee Wiggins to take a double victory in his swansong BRSCC Caterhams weekend.
Another driver to tactically withdraw was Lee Bristow, who held off Chris Rankin in the first Seven 310R race, skipped the second, and thus assured himself the title. Rankin controlled the second race.
The Academy races epitomised friendly rivalry, with drivers looking forward to reuniting in 2018 before the chequered flag had even fallen. Daniel French won the Green Group championship, with James Murphy taking an overdue first win. Andy Morgan was White Group champion after a seventh place finish, with Tom Grensinger the victor.
In the mixed-grid Academy Autumn Trophy, Tom Allen beat both Academy champions to win the first race. Graham Macdonald overcame Murphy to win the second.
Rob Watts couldn’t deny Russ Olivant the Seven 270R title despite two poor Olivant performances. In the first race, over-cautiousness put Olivant 10th, and he needed to finish seventh to become champion if Watts won the second race. Watts made it into the race lead, while Olivant spun his way down to 15th. Andrew Perry was too fast for Watts though, and he was then demoted to third by race one winner Alex Jordan. Olivant sealed the title in 11th.
In non-caterham racing, Mike Jenvey ended the first OSS race early after his engine blew up. A newly built engine secured the championship though and put him on the top step of the podium in the last race.
Simon Hill and Paul Blackburn (both VW Golf GTI Mk5s) were victorious in the two Production GTI encounters, while Chris Webb was crowned Mk2 champion.
Renault Clio drivers Nick Gwinnett and Tony Hunter won the two Track Attack Autumn Trophy races.