RACE NEWS

2014

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Date

12

05/10/2014 Snetterton MGCC 4 Hour Relay . .

The Super Sprites re-grouped for the event on the 200 circuit - John Hopwood (Frogeye), Mark Lister (Mk3 Sprite), Simon Page (Sebring replica) and Ian Hulett (WSM Sprite 401) with Richard Angood as Team Manager, supported by the WAGS who provided food, drinks and pit signalling services.
Mark broke a gearbox terminally during practice and the WSM developed a clutch problem, partially fixed for the first session and fully fixed for the second. The planned two 30 minute sessions each during the afternoon were increased to 40 mins with the loss of one car, and all went well until Simon broke a halfshaft towards the end of his second session, which increased John's and Ian's last stint by a few minutes. The race was run as both a handicap and a scratch race and the Super Sprites finished mid-field in both - picking up a class win with 16th o/a with 144 laps, the team registered a third consecutive award in the Relay.

27/09/2014 Snetterton AMOC . .

Glorious sunshine greeted the 'Equipe GTS' and HRDC grids, the latter including WSM202 with new owner Graham Robson at the wheel. The Woolmer Classic Engineering encampment also paraded a Sebring Sprite for Richard Woolmer entered in the 'Allstars' and a Standard Pennant for Graham and partner Hilton Persaud in the two-driver 45 minute 'Touring Greats' race.

Allstars Q - TVR, E-Type and Mustang filled the top four, but Woolmer's 5th was a stand-out and Robson's effort in WSM 202 in his first competitive pedal in 12th was encouraging for the WSM camp.

'Equipe' Q - MGB-mounted John Yea's reaction to setting pole ahead of Peter Foster's TR4 spoke volumes for the magnitude of the task. Nick Matthews was pleased with 3rd in his Healey 100/4 given the top five were within 2s of pole.

Allstars Race - The Sebring was swallowed off the line and deposited in 8th, while Robson caught others napping for 10th after lap one. A great tussle developed between Woolmer and Chris Scholey's XK120, but Robson's run was cut short with head gasket failure. Woolmer's tiddler got the Jag on lap 9 for 7th and caught Sean Rainford's 'Lumbertubs' Sprite on the last lap for 6th, earning Driver of the Race watch.

'Equipe' Race - Yea kept ahead as Foster's tardy start dropped him to 3rd, and the WSM MGB from the second row followed Yea through Riches for 1st and 2nd. Foster got in his stride to take both places inside one lap and Martyn Corfield in another 100/4 was ahead of Matthews example for 4th and 5th, until a mistake by the WSM at Murrays on lap 3 put both Healeys past. Foster could'nt shake off Yea all the way to the flag, while 3rd for Corfield was deserved after resisting race long pressure from Matthews and the recovering WSM.

Pit & Paddock

'Gentleman' Jack Sears in good form with daughter Suzanne . .

. . Smiles all round chez Woolmer

Music legend and WSM fan Chris Rea, piloting an A35 in the 'Allstars' . .

. . WSM 202 's Graham Robson catches up with WSM 402's Lorraine Noble-Thompson

Gongs abound at WCE . .

. . 16th for the Pennant team

Thanks to Lorraine Noble-Thompson for trackside photography

Results courtesy of tsl timing

24/08/2014 Oulton Park HSCC . .

The regenerated Gold Cup meeting, at perhaps Englands finest circuit, shrugged off inclement weather and served up a real treat for drivers and spectators while celebrating 60 years of the event at Oulton Park. The Super Tourers of the 1990's, and the big bangers in the Derek Bell Trophy that caters for F1, F2, Formula 5000 and Formula Atlantic, were highlights this week-end, but across the smorgasbord of grids there was something for everyone in the large crowds.

Saturday 23rd Historic Road Sports Qualifying - Series regular Justin Murphy (Ginetta G4) was quickest in a wet session, but three Elan's were sprinkled ominously amongst the top six, with Kevin Kivlochan's Morgan Plus 8 and Porsche 911 of last season's Roadsport champion John Shaw in the mix. The WSM MGB midfielded at 14th, happy enough on shiny new unscrubbed Dunlops.

Sunday 24th HRS Race - The Ginetta G4 of Patrick Ward-Booth (left) and E-Type of Robert Gate were first to shine in the dry conditions and scythed through from 21st and 20th respectively to challenge the Elans and Plus 8. Ward-Booth was sidelined after 6 laps with gremlins and the Kristy Brooks Elan succumbed to Gate for 6th. The lead battle was between the Elan of 5th placed qualifier David Tomlin (left), who caught and passed Murphy after 3 laps. Jonathan Stringer's nimble Lotus 7 S2 claimed a deserved 4th, while up front there was less than a second at the chequered between the bickering Elan and Ginetta, Kivlochan a lonely 3rd.

WSM fortunes were buoyed by a good start, aided to 11th by Peter Lanfranchi's E-Type parting the waves when the gantry lights went out - click on for first laps video - but not enough to fend off the De Tomaso Mangusta of Mike Eagles (pictured right courtesy of www.AE-Photography.co.uk.)

Pit & Paddock

IoM resident Justin Wilson - 4th season with Alfa Romeo Bertone on 70's Road Sports grid . .

Ex-WSM owner John Pearson with latest steed Chevron B17 F3 . .

Walk in the Oulton Park for ex-WSM owner Brian Arculus in the 50's Intermarque . .

'Tight' was the one word description afterwards . .

Circa 50 years since meeting Cable Junior ! Transpires also a visit to Leighton Buzzard in 1959 with father John culminated with DW-S taking the young Cable on the new M1 motorway in a Mk1 rally prepared Sprite.

Thanks to WSM S2 pilote Ian Hulett for schlepping up the M6 and back with the WSM MGB . .

MGB shod Tom Smith 17th overall in Guards GT amongst heavy metal . .

Serious musing by Culls, Pearsons and Hulett after minor mishap . .

Click on for Historic Roadsports results courtesy of MST Timing

Next race September 27th Equipe GTS at Snetterton

01/07/2014 Brands Hatch AMOC . .

The Archover sponsored 'Equipe' GTS races on the short Indy circuit on Saturday, and the dramatic Grand Prix loop on Sunday, were eagerly anticipated. The Kentish auditorium served up varied weather and exciting racing in equal measures, with mixed success for the WSM camp -

Q Indy - Jon Payne piloted the proven and rapid TR4 to pole, but Ian Hulett's close second in WSM401 was impressive and dampened the Elva, TVR, MGB and TR parade - the WSM MGB was nowhere near front running pace, perhaps regretting not filling Dunlop coffers for new L sections.

R1 - Hulett and 4th qualifier Rob Cull (TVR Grantura) got blistering starts as poleman Payne fell to 6th. For 4 laps the WSM held sway, but a safety car did for the underdog and Cull lead into lap10 with Payne making up positions and the TR pack closing fast. Payne lead on lap 11, bringing Pete Foster and John Andon in his wake, and although the Peter Barnard Elva Courier got past the WSM, battle raged from lap 22 until the flag for 5th and the WSM registered 3rd fastest lap to boot. Payne's margin was a comfortable 9 seconds, with Foster and Andon continuing their rivalry less than a second apart, and Cull a deserved 4th.

Q GP - Horsepower ruled but the rarely used GP circuit polarised top 9 times to within 3.5 seconds. TR's dominated, with Heritage chief John Yea the fastest MGB.

R2 - Brian White did'nt make the same mistake as Payne and lead from the lights, but Andon's demise after 2 laps placed fast starters Cull and Hulett in 2nd and 3rd until Foster got in his stride and mugged Hulett on lap 8, then Cull on 14. Chase-Gardener's Alfa GTA caught and passed the WSM MGB after 10 laps for 7th and the closest contest of the race ensued to the flag. Cull spun out on the last circuit for a Hulett podium, while Foster posted fastest lap in vain pursuit of a largely untroubled White.

Pit & Paddock

Next seasons suggested regulation changes may alter the 'Equipe' grid landscape via engine cc revisions - Class 2 for example to 1293cc and Class 4 to 1840cc - which may lead to fewer if any 'A' series-powered entries.

WSM202 owner Brian Arculus took 5th in a wet 50's Sports Car race in his Lotus Elite on Saturday, and 7th on Sunday.

Ex-WSM owner Tony Bianchi shared an MGB with Till Bechtolsheimer in the GT & Sports Car Cup to 20th on the GP circuit.

24/06/2014 Trophy Week-End At Silverstone . .

A successful foray to the Northamptonshire HQ for MG90 saw Class awards and Driver Of The Race accolades for WSM and Woolmer Classic Engineering. The 'Ecurie' GTS grid was particularly competitive again, bringing most of the hotshoes together for the largest grid of the season on the Grand Prix circuit.

Q - As predicted, the Turner Mk2 of Mark Halstead topped qualifying ahead of Robi Bernberg's TVR Grantura and Tom Smith's MGB, while previous race winner Scott Quattlebaum in the Elva Courier was 21st after mechanical difficulties. Richard Woolmer lead the contest for bragging rights within the WCE camp in 9th with BXN, ahead of Ian Hulett (12th in WSM401), Jonathan Abecassis (14th Healey 100/4), WSM MGB 19th and Clive Cocks (36th WSM210).

Race One - Quattlebaum caught and passed second-placed Smith with one lap remaining, while Halstead was imperious up front with Bernberg's race finished after two laps. 18 year-old Woolmer's driving to 8th merited mention, the three race novice keeping a cool head whilst battling with (six hundred races and counting) Pete Foster in the TR4. Huletts progress in the dark silver WSM to 6th was rewarded with Driver of the Race and Class 2 winner, and all WSM's finished in rude health.

Race Two - With no Halstead, the Quattlebaum / Smith rivalry was key, although Hulett put the proverbial cat amongst pigeons taking 2nd from the start until Smith squeezed through, followed by Hulett's demise with a detached plug lead from 3rd after 4 laps. Woolmers drive under pressure from various MGB's caught the organisers eye for Driver of the Race, and garnered the Class 2 title. The WSM MGB got embroiled with John Andon's MGB for a hard earned 15th, and Quattlebaum made his transatlantic visit a memorable one via a three second margin to Smith at the chequered.

Pit & Paddock

Six hundred and counting . .

Cocks regained his race mojo as well as adding a second in Class pot to the mantlepiece collection.

Last seasons awards broke cover . .

WSM202 owner and eligibility marshall for 'Ecurie' GTS, Brian Arculus experienced a week-end of highs and lows - his Lotus Elite failed on Saturday after qualifying an impressive 5th for the 'Ecurie' races, but the Lotus Mk 9 brought home the bacon on Sunday in the Iconic 50's race by a 10 second margin.

WSM fans and prospective racers . .

Good to see Peter Hesz, Ian Grainger, Murray Henderson, David Howes, David Markham, Simon Page, Doug Samuels, Barry Sidery-Smith and Robert Waterhouse amongst others visiting the Woolmer Classic Engineering encampment.

WSM 402 S2 of Lorraine Noble-Thompson . .

Caught up with Vicki Dollimore - a contemporary at primary school and another family name associated with Leighton Buzzard over the years - who travels to many race meetings with partner Tim Cairns. Thankfully the 'yours and mine' scenario seems not to have played out in Class 2a, or Vicki is simply too kind to remind . . .

Click on for results courtesy of TSL Timing

Next races Brands Hatch with 'Equipe' GTS June 28th/29th for WSM's 401 and MGB

16/06/2014 MG90 . .

The largest gathering of WSM's since September 2012 is planned for the Silverstone MGCC event, with three originals alongside three Sanction 2 cars. Featured as the largest grid of the week-end, the first 'Ecurie' GTS race kicks off at 4pm on Saturday, and the second at 1.55pm on Sunday.

08/06/2014 BARC Harewood Hillclimb . .

The Yorkshire Centre meeting included Geoff Hill in the latest WSM Sanction 2. Although entered in Class C21 (Classic Racing and Sports Racing Cars which was won by a Brabham BT30), his competitive times would have headed up Class C20 for Classic Sports Cars, which included Porsche 911, Morgan Plus 8, Austin Healey 3000 and E-Type Jaguar. Thanks to Ian Kendall for the photograph.

07/06/2014 'Equipe' GTS AMOC Donington . .

From our East Midlands correspondent Ian Hulett -

Q - After a successful run on the rollers on Friday, Saturday dawned with indifferent weather. It rained before practice and again before the race but was drying for both. WSM 401 was 12th in practice after a problem in the collecting area - the Marshall said 10 minutes before the start but it was actually circa 60 seconds, hence was not helmeted or strapped in time and lost a lap or two.
R - Gordon Elwell in MEG199 was two rows ahead but bogged down when the lights went out and I arrived at Redgate in front of him. Circuit was damp and slippery particularly through Redgate and the Craner Curves. I made up a few places through overtaking (mainly on the brakes into the chicane) and as a result of others going off, and was up to 7th at the start of lap 11 when I dropped it at Redgate. The car went through 360 and then another 180 and the engine cut. As usual with a Sprite it would not restart and that was my race ended. Congratulations to Gordon -  he spun twice at Redgate and got away with it both times to win the class.

Click on for results

Next races June 21st/22nd Silverstone GP at MGLive with 'Ecurie' GTS

11/05/2014 Oulton Fosters Downpour . .

The popular Cheshire circuit hosted AMOC and some erratic weather, but the combination heralded good racing. The 'Equipe' GTS grid was a little light in number compared to the first round at Silverstone in April, although throwing up some unusual results in qualifying with rain strengthening as the session started.

Q - Brian White dominated by a massive 10 second margin in one of the six TR4's on show, with three Triumphs amongst the first four.

R - White's start from pole carried the WSM MGB with him into second place, but ex-airline pilot Pete Foster took half a lap to put the record straight and set off after the disappearing White. Richard McKoen slipped past the WSM at Hislops and David Reed's Aston Martin DB2 upset the applecart with a great run to third. After 10 laps, White's second mechanical demise in two races opened a cavernous door for Foster who ambled to the flag, while McKoen was glad to see chequered with a quickening Reed looming large. Novice Nick Mountford continued the leap up the learning curve with an excellent 5th, while Andrew Mitchell deserved plaudits for a Class 3 win and besting some heavier metal in his Alfa Giulia.

Pit & Paddock

Delivery driver, cook, mechanic and car washer - thats not the one in the yellow hat . .

Bad influence - thank goodness Friday night was nothing like Saturday's . .

Click on for results

Photographs courtesy of Noel O'Reilly (copyright King) and Dave Brassington of AMOC

Next race June 7th Donington with 'Equipe' GTS

28/04/2014 Manx Classic . .

Blessed for the second year in succession with fair weather, the three legs of Mann enticed an oversubscribed entry from near and far. The Grandstand Sprint brought spectators out in numbers on Thursday, and although not without incident, the organisers produced another rabbit out of the hat with the successful Creg Willey's course debut on Friday. The Saturday finale on the UK's longest hillclimb was slightly blighted by off-course excursions which ate into admin time, but thankfully injuries were minor.Ten entries in Class 2a included a Spitfire, WSM, Cooper S, Sprite's and Midgets, and local taxi-driver and Mini hot shoe Dave Musgrove (53) still holds sway, albeit with a narrower margin than ever on all three challenges. Class 7a for Sports Libre cars included WSM 405, which ran well on its competition debut. Off-piste at Mylchreests on Saturday evening, the competitor and marshall concensus seemed to be upbeat about 2015 bringing more of the same . .

Click on for results

Next race at Oulton Park 11th May with AMOC 'Equipe' GTS

05/04/2014 Silverstone Hors D'Ouevres . .

AMOC's first race meeting of 2014 kicked off in style when leading lights from the British Touring Car Championship and Endurance Racing world enjoyed a ‘busman’s holiday’ sharing historic racing cars with family and friends. BTCC champ Andrew Jordan shared an Austin A40 with father and saloon car racer Mike Jordan in the HRDC ‘Touring Greats’ race, and was battling with Le Mans racer Darren Turner who shared Desmond Smail’s similar car. All three featured in the main battles of the 45 minute race, with the duo of Neil Brown and Richard Dutton victorious in their Austin A35.

Q - Triumph TR4's dominated the top three in 'Equipe' GTS practice, with Brian White toppling usual suspects John Andon and Pete Foster, while the WSM MGB endured a lack lustre practice for 19th and Nick Mountford was pleased to be starting his TR4 in only his fifth race from 11th.

R - White lead convincingly until 11th lap retirement, which opened the stage to TR4 rivals Foster and Andon. Foster prevailed by 2 seconds at the chequered after a mighty tussle, but a possible yellow flag infringement clouded results. The WSM MGB started two rows off the back, although placed 12th after one lap, but found progress harder while embroiled with the Alfa Romeo GTA of Chase-Gardener, TR4 of Nick Mountford and MGB of Bolderson Snr - that said, a more enjoyable scrap would be hard to find for just 9th place.

Pit & Paddock

WSM202 owner Brian Arculus had a good run to 9th in the HRDC Touring Greats in his Hillman Minx Ex-WSM 205 racer

Mike White (right) and pal Tony Cowley were welcome guests

Budding young racer Christian joins the select roster of WSM drivers

Andon may inherit black and white if Foster missed some yellow

Pre-tyre pressure check after practice

Click on for results

Click on for video

WSM at Manx Classic April 28th