Tag: CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship

Simon Allaway goes into the final race weekend of this years CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship with a six point lead over Carl Bennett, with a double-header and double points on offer.

Allaway has won all races other than two of the Anglesey races this season with his Lotus Esprit V8. He once again starts as the favourite for success at Oulton and has sewn up Class A already with the absence of Garry Wardle. Challenging Allaway in Class A are Ryan Nelson’s Ginetta G56 GTA, Jason Hennefer’s Ford Fiesta ST180 and Phil White’s BMW 325.

Bennett had dominated the last couple of rounds in Class D with his BMW M3. But having missed the last races, Chris Roberts is due back with his BMW M4 and mounts a serious challenge on Bennett’s title aspirations, and has still to play his joker. Class D is the best supported, with Zack Booth’s Renault Megane finally proving a glimpse of its pace at Anglesey and the return of Anthony Sullivan’s Mini JCW.

David Lawrence’s Seat Leon Cupra also proved a frontrunner on his CNC debut last time out at Oulton, while Marshal Groves’ Vauxhall Vectra could be a potential podium visitor too. David Jones’ Ford Focus, Andy Tate’s Renault Clio, Riccy Walker’s Mini and Paul Goodlad’s VW Scirocco will also be in contention, along with Jon Madoc-Jones’ BMW E46, Bob Claxton’s VW Golf GTi.

Class B has a number of drivers hoping to challenge Allaway for victory. The Modro brothers Connor and Alek in their Westfield’s have started to show results having solved their reliability issues. Alek is currently joint second in the class with Jamie Cryer’s Ginetta G20, but Bod Buckby’s Caterham leads the way by 16 points, but is the only one of the three to have played his joker.

Paul Masters’ Westfield has been out much this season after his early season engine failure, but will be out to finish the season on a high. Mark Primett’s Banks Europa, Simon Hutt’s BMW Z4 Silhouette, Deri Davies’ Darrian T90, Jon Price’s Vauxhall Tigra Silhouette and Baz Johnson’s Pontiac complete the class line-up.

While John Edwards-Parton’s Ford Fiesta XR2 is the only guaranteed starter again in Class C, Gary Warburton’s Mini Miglia is on the reserve list.

Up until fairly recently Paul Rotheroe’s Citroen Xsara VTS had led the Championship after dominating Class E. But a disastrous Anglesey cost him dearly and dropped him to fourth. His nearest challenger this weekend is likely to be Rob Phillips’ Honda Civic, while Cavan Taylor’s Renault Clio, Nick Haynes’ Ford Fiesta ST150 will be doing battle, along with shared cars for Georgina/William Bartlett (Renault Clio) and Richard/Matt Hibbert (Honda Civic Type R).

Rob Wakelin is due back out in his re-shelled Honda Civic to try and clinch Class F. But Jono Lee’s Mini Cooper and Helen Allen’s Ford Fiesta Zetec S are due to return too. Errol Taylor’s Toyota Yaris is also back out, while Louie Dobson is due to debut in a Honda Civic, having swapped from his Fiesta.

As well as Warburton, there are two other reserves, Tom Creswell with a Class A VW Golf TCR and Chris Coomer in a Class D Golf GTi.

Qualifying is at 8.45 on Saturday morning for 20 minutes, with race one at 11.25 and the finale at 15.40 both of 20 laps duration.

All the action can be viewed on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md9xtARVcIU

Points leader Simon Allaway heads a 33-car entry at Anglesey this weekend (August 30/31) as the CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Championship heads into its penultimate event of the season.

Unbeaten in all but one round this season, Allaway’s Lotus Esprit V8 has a seven-point advantage over Paul Rotheroe’s Citroen Xsara VTS, with Carl Bennett’s BMW M3 a further five points in arrears, with all three having played their double points jokers.

Class A is the best supported in North Wales, with Ric Wood posing the biggest threat, entered in one of his Ford Capri GAA’s. Ric’s brother Julian is back out again too, with the Kia Optima that he made his CNC Heads debut in a few years back. Garry Wardle is currently second in the class and fourth overall in the Championship, looking for an overall podium in his Audi A3 TCR.

Third in Class is Ryan Nelson, despite missing the latest rounds at Donington Park in his Ginetta G56 GTA. Philip White will hopefully have solved the problems that plagued his BMW 325 at Donington Park, similarly Zack Booth’s Renault Megane R26 which is yet to show its promise. Jason Hennefer’s Fiesta ST180 currently lies fourth in Class and joins Duncan Aukland’s returning Proton Putra and debutant Chris Harrison’s Escort RSR to compete the class.

It’s fairly close at the top of Class B with Bod Buckby’s Caterham leading the way, with a reduced margin of five points after missing Donington too. Jamie Cryer’s Ginetta G20 is his nearest challenger, but fourth in the table Alek Modro and brother Connor could be a threat for the class and the overall podium in their Westfield’s.

Having been close to the overall title himself last year Paul Masters returned to the championship at Donington Park earlier this month, for the first time since the Oulton Park opener. His Caterham should be at the front too, in probably the most competitive class.

Elsewhere, 2023 Champion Ian Bamber was back for the first time since winning his title at Donington Park. His big winged Ginetta G20 had issues however, so will hopefully be on song this weekend. Mark Primett finally got his Banks Lotus Europa working there too, after problem after problem this season. Simon Hutt’s BMW Z4 Silhouette is entered too, provided he has replaced his blown engine.
Bennett’s BMW should consolidate his Class D lead with second placed Chris Roberts absent. Anthony Sullivan‘s Mini JCW was absent from Donington Park, but will be expected to take a class podium, while defending champion Steven Parker and his Ford Fiesta ST can never be discounted.

Jon Madoc-Jones’s BMW 330 had engine issues last time out, which should be solved, while David Jones’ Ford Focus, Simon Graveley’s VW Golf Gti and Andy Tate’s Renault Clio Gen 4 are in the mix too.

Rotheroe has four challengers in Class E. Louie Dobson’s Fiesta ST150 is currently second in Class but will have Nick Haynes’ similar car joining him this weekend. Cavan Taylor’s Renault Clio joins them again, along with Stuart Wright’s Ford Focus and the Bartlett Clio, shared by Georgina and William.

Class F leader Rob Wakelin is fourth in the championship, but his Honda Civic will be on reduced points as only Helen Allen’s Fiesta Zetec S joins him.

Qualifying at Anglesey is scheduled to take place at 11:39 on Saturday morning with race one at 15:00 later that afternoon. Race two is on Sunday morning at 11:37 with the finale at 14:46.

With four wins from five races, Simon Allaway is certainly the man to beat in his Lotus Esprit V8. The former Champions only non success was at Anglesey, when he damaged a wheel after contact at the start with Ric Wood’s Volvo and failed to take the restart.

Current Championship leader is Paul Rotheroe, unbeaten so far in Class E, he as an eight point lead after playing his joker at Anglesey. Chris Roberts’ BMW M4 is second in the points, and like Allaway he has had four wins from five in Class D. He lost out to Carl Bennett’s BMW in race one at Anglesey, but had a fuel pressure issue all weekend.

In Class A Allaway has six challengers, headed by Gary Wardle’s Audi A3 TCR. Wardle took the Class win in round three at Anglesey when Allaway didn’t restart. Ryan Nelson is still getting used to his Ginetta G56 GTA, having changed from his JCW Mini over the winter, while Richard Blockley is out in a similar car. Ash Hicklin is continuing to develop his Bentley GT and had a few issues to sort at Anglesey. Philip White managed to stay out of trouble at Anglesey in his BMW, as did Jason Hennefer, after he had repaired his Fiesta ST180 following his shunt last time out at Oulton.

Allaway’s rivalry for outright victory is likely to come from Class B. Ben Roberts’ Locost 7 RR has already had an outright win, having come from the back of the grid to victory at Anglesey in round three. But it’s Bod Buckby’s Caterham currently leading the class, after beating Roberts in both rounds four and five at Anglesey, finishing second overall.

Both Connor and Alek Modro had issues with their Westfield Aero’s at Anglesey, if sorted they are likely to be challenging at the head of the class too. Jamie Cryer’s Ginetta G20 and Mark Primett’s Banks Lotus Europa had problems too last time out, but will hopefully be fighting fit this weekend. Jon Price’s Vauxhall Tigra and Baz Johnson’s Pontiac are also due to return, having missed Anglesey.

John Edwards-Parton’s Fiesta is due to make it’s seasonal debut in Class C, but as yet there are no more takers to challenge him.

The outcome of Class D could well depend on whether Chris Roberts gets a run, as he is on the reserve list. If not it’s likely to be Carl Bennett’s M3 E46 at the front. The two have been closely matched so far, a little too close at Anglesey on the last corner. Anthony Sullivan’s JCW Mini was missing from Anglesey, but was close to the pace of Roberts and Bennett’s BMW’s at Oulton, splitting the duo on the opening round. Championship sponsor Ric Wood is due out too in Class D with his Nissan Skyline, along with defending Champion Steven Parker’s Ford Fiesta ST. Matt Jones is out this weekend in his Dad’s Focus in this class.

Clive Dix will be hoping to continue the progress of his Mazda RX7, while novice Simon Graveley just wants to have a race and stay out of trouble with his Golf GTi. Two more VW’s are due to complete the class line-up, Octogenarian Bob Claxton’s Golf GTi and Paul Goodlad, who hopes to give his Scirocco its seasonal debut.

Can anyone beat Championship leader Paul Rotheroe’s Citroen Xsara VTS in Class E. There are six challengers, led by Julian Wood’s BMW Compact. Louie Dobson’s Fiesta is also up against the returning Cavan Taylor’s Renault Clio, while there are two shared cars, William and Georgina Bartlett in their Clio and Richard and Matt Hibbert’s Honda Civic Type R.

Three out of the four Class F runners have taken a win this season already. Rob Wakelin cleaned up at Anglesey in the ex Dave Green Honda Civic, while Helen Allen’s Fiesta and Jonty Lee’s Mini Cooper had a win each at Oulton. Lee lost out in the points at Anglesey with a blown engine, while completing the class is Errol Taylor, who may have a new engine in his Toyota Yaris.

Apart from Chris Roberts there are four other reserves and all from Class D. Oliver Thomas’ Subaru Impreza, Ralph Underwood’s TR7 V8, Steve Rowles’ Audi TT and Marshall Groves’ Vauxhall Vectra.

Qualifying is at 8.30, with race one at 11.10 and the second at 2.55, each 20 minutes duration.

This weekends opening round of the CNC Heads Sports Saloon Car Championship boasts a massive 47-car entry; with defending Champion Steven Parker heading the entry in his Ford Fiesta ST – but there is healthy competition in most of the classes.

Simon Allaway’s mighty Lotus Esprit V8 heads class A. The overall Champion back in 2013, Simon will be looking for a podium finish this weekend. Garry Wardle was last years Class A Champion. He is entered in his Audi A3 TCR car, but is well-known for turning up with something entirely different.

A Championship debutant at Cadwell last year, Ryan Nelson has changed his Class D Mini for a Ginetta G56 and joins Class A too this weekend. Thomas Frankland is another newcomer to Class A, as his Renault 5GT Turbo was in Class B last year. He has a new engine this term, a 1781 turbo. Championship debutant Ash Hicklin will be one to watch, with his Bentley GT. He has previously raced a Radical in 750MC Bikesports.

After a few years away, it’s a welcome back to the fastest breadman in the North West, Jason Hennefer. A former XR racer, he has been out in the Fiesta Championship and returns in an ST180 Fiesta. Piers Grange is due out in his Ford Escort 2.6, as his RSR Turbo isn’t ready yet. Richard Blockley, Dad of Fiesta Junior Billy makes his championship debut in another Ginetta G56A and completing the class is returnee Wayne Spiller, having swapped his Mazda for a Seat Leon.

Most of Class B are returnee’s from last season, with the top seven from last years final standings. Champion Paul Masters is back with his Westfield Wide Body, to renew his rivalry with class runner-up Connor Modro’s Westfield Aero and they will be up against Bod Buckby’s Caterham and former double Champion Jamie Cryer’s Ginetta G20. Roddie Paterson’s Caterham will be vying for overall victory too as will Ben Roberts’ Locost 7, both having visited the top step of the podium.

If all is well with Mark Primett’s Banks Lotus Europa he should be another strong contender, but with Deri Davies’ Darrian T90 and Rob Wakelin’s Peugeot 205, joined by Alek Modro now in a Westfield Aeo too, competition for the Class will be intense. Tim Foxlow’s Escort RSR is back too and he is joined by newcomers Jon Price in a Vauxhall Tigra and Baz Johnson in his Pontiac Coupe.

With no starters due in Class C, Champion Parker has plenty of rivals to challenge him in Class D. Riccy Walker and Clive Dix were second and third in class last year, and both return with their respective Mini F56 and Mazda RX7, but Marshall Groves’ Vauxhall Vectra should be a challenger again too, along with Philip White’s BMW. Fiesta racer Sam Beckett swaps to an Audi TT to make his Championship debut and newcomers Simon Graveley, Carl Bennett and Anthony Sullivan make their debuts in a VW Golf Gti, BMW M3 E46 and Mini JCW.

Paul Goodlad hopes to be back with his VW Scirocco, if the car s ready and seasoned campaigners Bob Claxton and John Madoc-Jones are due out in their VW Golf Gti and BMW E46 330. The Class is completed by George Foxlow, son of Tim, out in his Fiesta Challenge ST240.

As well as winning Class E last year at his first attempt, Lee Bull only just missed out on the overall title with a late retirement in the last race at Oulton. He’s back with his Renault Clio, but will have some stiff competition from Paul Rotheroe, who returned to the Championship last year with his Citroen Xsara VTS to take second in the Class. Julian Wood, brother of Championship sponsor Ric is back with ex Steven Parker BMW Compact, along with Matthew Jones in his Ford Focus.

Cavan Taylor joined the championship too last season as a relative novice with his Renault Clio and Louie Dobson, son of former Champion Paul, had his first race ever at Anglesey last season and returns with his Fiesta ST150. Nick Haynes joins in too in another Fiesta ST150, while two shared cars complete the class. William and Georgina Bartlett in a Renault Clio and Richard and Matt Hibbert with a Honda Civic Type R.

There are three entries in Class F too, with two novices challenging Champion Helen Allen’s Ford Fiesta Zetec S. Errol Taylor has a Toyota Yaris T Sport and Jonathan Lee a Mini Cooper.

Classes A & B qualify from 9.25 and race at 12.05 and 15.25 and Classes D,E & F qualify at 10.25, with races at 12.40 and 16.40. All four races are of 20 minutes duration.