John Cooper Challenge Non-Championship Round - Brands Hatch - 10 July 2005
Brands Hatch was the venue for the inaugural Darren Needham MemorialTrophy on Sunday, where spectators were treated to an incredible race.2002 JCC Champion Steve Meli (39, Balham) marked his return to thechampionship by chalking up an impressive victory in the S-Class.Similarly in the Club Class 2004 JCC Champion Gary Robertshaw (30,Newcastle) proved his championship was no flash in the pan, taking anarrow victory over 2005 championship leader Barney Craggs (33,Clapham).
The race featured champions from 2002, 2003 and 2004 ensuring that thecrowd were treated to plenty of the ultra close racing the John CooperChallenge is famed for. The non-championship round was organised inmemory of 2004 JCC competitor Darren Needham who tragically lost hislife at Silverstone last year.
The race took place with the blessing and backing of the Needham familyand both Meli and Robertshaw were awarded a holiday for two from theirJames Villa Holidays business.
S-ClassSteve Meli took to the track in the 210bhp Works MINI Cooper S of 2005championship front-runner Arthur Forster and immediately looked at home.The 2002 champion set a searing pace in qualifying setting the fastesttime by an astonishing eight tenths of a second. From the start of therace Meli looked comfortable despite an early attempt to pass by MarkSpeller (20, Nazeing). The two former champions went into Paddock Hillside by side with both determined to win. Meli fended Speller off andthen started to pull away from the 2003 Champion.
An incident that resulted in the safety car being deployed allowed thepack to close up removing Meli's lead. Speller tried to get the jump onMeli on the restart behind the safety car, but his anticipation wasrather premature and he accelerated as Meli lifted. Speller's carcollided with the rear of Meli's and Meli got back on the gas,propelling him clear where he stayed until the end. Speller waschallenged for second by schoolboy racer Freddie Nordstrom (16,Weybridge) who mounted a strong challenge but then retired at the halfway point with steering damage.
JCC debutant Tim Creighton marked his impressive debut in the serieswith a hard fought third place. Afterwards a delighted Meli commented:
"It was great to be back out there again after a couple of years away. Iwant to thank Arthur (Forster) for lending me the car it was anopportunity not to be missed. I think this has further tempted me toreturn to fight it out again in 2006.
I think everyone enjoyed it today and it was good to see so manyfamiliar faces in the paddock."
Club ClassThe ever-competitive Club Class was given extra impetus by the inclusionof 2004 Club Class champion Gary Robertshaw and 2005 S-ClassChampionship contender Arthur Forster. Barney Craggs had shown inqualifying why he currently leads the Club Class points table puttinghis 133 bhp Works MINI Cooper on pole position. Forster brought his oldracecar out of retirement to compete in the Club Class and put his caron second position despite his old-spec car being down on power.
Craggs got a fantastic start even overhauling two slow starting S-Classcars. Craggs soon had the determined Forster passing him in abanzai-passing manoeuvre. Craggs soon worked his way back past showingimpressive race craft and began to pull out a lead. A safety carincident brought the pack close together and the increasingly tacticallyaware Craggs managed to anticipate the safety car leaving the trackperfectly and pulled out a four-car lead.
With Forster fading as the horsepower deficit started to show,Robertshaw was soon speeding up behind Craggs. The ice-cool formerchampion had managed to protect his tyres slightly better from theincredible afternoon heat. Robertshaw made his move through Clearwayspulling alongside and then just managing to get in front of the Londoneras they plunged into Paddock Hill bend. Robertshaw held of a determinedfight back from Craggs to claim the victory with Forster hanging on forthird. Afterwards Robertshaw commented:
"It was a fantastic race and it really has made me realise how much Imiss the John Cooper Challenge. You never know, I could even be back outthere again next year.
It was a great day for everyone and a fitting tribute to Darren and I amsure the spectators enjoyed the heat, even if it was a bit much underthree layers of Nomex."
Rounds 9 & 10 of the 2005 John Cooper Challenge will take place over theweekend of 17/18 September at Mondello Park in Ireland.
