MGOC Race Reports

Natalie Butler leading a pack of chasing Maestro’s at Cadwell Park

ROUND 6: CADWELL PARK – 11TH MAY

After the long weekend meeting at Pembrey the drivers had two weekends off before heading off to the next race at Cadwell Park. The circuit is to be found hidden in the depths of the lovely Lincolnshire countryside a long way from anywhere, when asked where to find Cadwell one driver described it as being “somewhere between London and Norway”!!

The circuit is 2.17 miles long and very narrow in places but it is a real treat to drive with changing contours and some very tricky sections which will punish any mistake. It’s remote location means that it often suffers from depleted grids but a race at Cadwell is a real treat and well worth the long drive up the A1.

The Class B cars were first out with Championship leader Colin Simpson continuing to prove that a well prepared and well driven 1600 Maestro is every bit as quick as the Efi versions that have become dominant in recent years. With Pembrey winner Andy Campbell back in 5th place and David Mellor looking for his first win it was clear that a good start was vital.

Ian Johnsons Midget exiting the Moutain at Cadwell Park just ahead of John Kimber, Mick Hopkins and Ashley Barnes

It was Simpson who made the best start to lead ahead of Mellor and a fast starting Campbell. At the end of the opening lap there was an incident at the tight Barn corner which left Natalie Butler, who had qualified an excellent 5th, with some bent panels which lead to an unlucky retirement. The race was being dominated by Simpson who was driving an excellent controlled race from the front. A light shower livened up proceeding’s in the middle of the race as Mellor made a brave effort to catch the charging Simpson but it was all to no avail as Simpson took a stylish win by 1.78 seconds from Mellor with Campbell in third place. The point for fastest lap went to a delighted Narinder Golhar.

The Class A grid saw Terry Farman’s 1275 Midget on pole for the third succesive race just ahead of Mick Mercer’s similar car. Just behind these two were the MGB’s of Sean Valentine and Phil Gladman who was delighted to be mixing it with the front runners for the first time.

Mercer took the lead on the opening lap and with overtaking so difficult on the narrow track he must have felt confident of gaining his first win of the season over his arch rival and close friend Farman. The wily Farman had other ideas and emerged ahead of Mercer as the cars completed the lap with these two putting on a great show of controlled race driving just ahead of the similarly battling MGB’s of Valentine and Gladman who were waiting to pounce should the leaders get too exuberant. It was not to be and Farman went on to take his 5th win of the season leaving Mercer to take second place yet again, Valentine took third place just ahead of the Gladman who was delighted with 4th place which was his best ever result.

ROUND 7: CROFT – 1ST JUNE

Three weeks after Cadwell the drivers were faced with another long journey up the A1 to Darlington to the challenging Croft circuit. Since our last visit to Croft the circuit has been lengthened to 2.1 miles and has now been awarded rounds of the prestigious British Formula Three and British Touring Car Championship’s. Rather like Cadwell the long journey to Croft means that grids are often rather depleted but all of the leading drivers were there to enjoy another excellent day of all that is best in British club level motorsport.

The Class B grid consisted of 13 Maestro’s with an equal split between the carburetted 1600cc and 2 litre injected versions. Pole position was taken by the Efi car of the experienced Darryl Davis from current Class leader Colin Simpson’s ever reliable 1600 variant with Adrian Olsson’s Efi car just behind in third place.

Darrl Davis’s lurid pink Motorbuild Maestro preparing for action prior to winning the race at Croft

The race got under way with Davis taking the initial advantage ahead of Simpson and the chasing pack. Andy Campbell had a troubled practice following mid-week engine problems but put on a real charge to get up to challenge the leaders. After a good practice David Mellor dropped down the field following a mid-race spin but recovered well to chase the leading bunch. Davis appeared to be in control at the front and took the chequered flag by 1.53 secs from Simpson with Campbell driving well to take third place. The point for fastest lap went to Simpson for the sixth time this season to further strengthen his Championship lead.

Class A saw Simon Stanyer’s 1500 Midget on pole for the second time this season albeit just 0.06 secs ahead of the MGB of the rapidly improving Phil Gladman with Mick Mercer’s 1275 Midget just behind in third place. The on form Terry Farman was back in fourth place with a lot of work to do to keep up his recent run of success.

Colin Simpson with the laurel wreath after his first win of the 1997 season at Cadwell Park.

With some degree of inevitability it was Farman who made yet another storming start from the second row to lead the opening lap from Stanyer, Gladman and Valentine with Mercer dropping back to fifth place. On the fourth lap Stanyer hit the kerbs a little too hard and dropped down the order to eventual retirement with brake problems. Mercer was now on a charge moving up to 2nd place behind Farman, these two put on a superb race for the lead with Farman taking his fifth win of the season by the length of a bonnet from the unlucky Mercer who had to settle for the runner up spot yet again. After an excellent effort Gladman’s race ended on the 7th lap with a fuel pump problem elevating Valentine up to third in a repeat of the Cadwell result.