RAY BELLM HEADS TOUR BRITANNIA COMPETITION CLASS
CHRISTIAN CHIARAVITA TOPS REGULARITY CREWS
RUDIGER FRIEDRICHS LEADS TOUR BRITANNIA OVERALL, ON INDEX
The inaugural Tour Britannia got underway early yesterday morning and, after the first leg of hard-fought and spectacular competition, the fight for category and overall honours is as fierce as anticipated. Former Group C World Champion, Ray Bellm, heads the competition category in his 1965 Ford GT40 while Frenchman Christian Chiaravita, a veteran of 14 Dakar events, has claimed the lead in the Touring-Regularity category in his BMW 3.0 CSI. And, in the hotly-contested Index of Performance classification, based on handicap, the 1932 Alvis of Germany’s Rudiger Friedrichs has taken a strong lead over Britain’s John Sheldon.
Early yesterday morning, Paddy Hopkirk, winner of the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally, flagged the crews off from Stratford-upon-Avon. From there, the crews headed directly to Belvoir Castle, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland for over one thousand years and a spectacular setting for the first timed section. After this, Cadwell Park, Britain’s ‘mini Nürburgring’, was the scene for the first races of the event, Grid One experiencing rain, while Grid Two brought bright sunshine, 28 degree temperatures and drying conditions. In contrast, crews then headed a few miles down the road to Manby for two separate blasts along the disused runways and perimeter tracks of the ex-RAF station. En route back to Stratford-upon-Avon for the overnight halt the final speed tests of the day were hosted at the ex-RAF base at Swinderby.
Overnight leader Bellm - with 10.9 seconds in hand - by no means took the honours in each competitive section; such was the level of competition. He, Howard Redhouse (Lotus 30), Adrian Newey (Ford GT40) and Porsche driver Nick Whale all claimed fastest times in today’s six competitive sections. In the first race of the event at Cadwell Park competition was fierce and while Howard Redhouse took the plaudits, a neck and neck battle ensured a thrilling fight to the chequered flag, with Redhouse leading from the outset after starting third on the grid behind pole-sitter Adrian Newey. Newey’s spins ultimately dropped him behind the leading trio of Redhouse, Bellm and Michael Schryver (Chevron B6) and the Briton - Technical Director at McLaren International - ultimately finished fourth. While monstrous V8 machinery claimed five of today’s section victories, Nick Whale’s more nimble Porsche 911 Carrera RS won the opening section at Belvoir Castle.
In the Touring-Regularity category, Christian Chiaravita has taken a 6.5 second lead in his 1972 BMW. The Frenchman won three sections today, including a perfect time in the second Swinderby stage this afternoon. He leads the highly-experienced regularity competitor, Abu Dhabi based Briton, John Ruston.
In the Index of Performance classification, where all Competition crews are eligible for overall Tour Britannia honours, German Rudiger Friedrichs has pulled out a 55.9 second lead over John Sheldon, multiple winner in this discipline and victor of many similar events in Europe.
Tuesday’s action kicks off at the motor industry’s test track, MIRA, before moving on to one of Britain’s newest and most impressive motor sport venues, Rockingham Motor Speedway. The Northamptonshire venue is set to provide a wealth of atmosphere and action for the crews, who will not only enjoy a challenging race track but warm hospitality in a blend of historic and modern surroundings. Crews will arrive at Rockingham Castle for morning coffee, taking in the ambience of this impressive royal fortress built by William the Conqueror. A sprint around the Corby venue will be followed by a race around the Rockingham International circuit. With no fewer than 12 different track configurations, Rockingham provides an unrivalled variety of layouts and, working in conjunction with the circuit management, Tour Britannia has elected to use a 2.4 mile track configuration with crews timed over eight laps. Lunch in the hospitality suites overlooking the circuit will also provide the opportunity to weigh up the competition.
QUOTES FROM THE CREWS
#1 John Ruston/Jeremy Haylock (GB/GB) – Talbot 105
“It’s been a really good day. All of us in the Regularity category made a bit of a mess of the first test but we were pleased to drop only 0.3 seconds at Cadwell. The roads have been great and it’s turning out to be a fantastic event.”
#3 Kurt Engelhorn/Raul Contreras (CH/E) – Jaguar XK 150S
“Belvoir Castle was a fantastic stage in a beautiful setting. Cadwell was very good, even though we had to learn the track quite quickly. But, we’ve had help from other competitors too, which is nice. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed the day. The whole event is very interesting and we’ve had a good time.”
#4 Michael Campbell/Robin Widdows (GB/GB) – Bentley Derby Special
“Can you believe that a couple of 1960s racers have never been to Cadwell? We loved it though; it’s a great fun circuit. And the marshals have been the most enthusiastic and friendly bunch we have ever encountered in our combined 80 years of motorsport.”
#7 Martin Emmison/Edwin Emmison (GB/GB) – AC Cobra
“Our target time in Touring-Regularity was a bit slow for Cadwell, but it was great fun.”
#12 Rudiger Friedrichs/Wolfgang Kalf (D/D) – Alvis Speed 20 S.A.
“I’ve never raced at Cadwell and in fact only done a couple of races at the Nürburgring and Goodwood. Cadwell is the mini Nürburgring, very challenging, and in the wet it was very slippery and the car sideways all the time. It’s been a fantastic first day, we’re really really enjoyed it; it certainly paid off us coming over from Germany. It’s my first time on race circuits in the UK and Cadwell is fantastic. Our only problem has been a leaking water pump, but we should be okay.”
#14 Gareth Burnett/Ed McDonough (GB/USA) – Talbot 105
“So far, we’ve found it to be a wonderful event, a great circuit, excellent stages and brilliant road sections. A top event!”
#15 Nick Finburgh/Ollie Crosthwaite (GB/GB) – Jaguar C-Type
“No problems, other than us!”
#20 Amnon Needham/Dermot Healy (GB/GB) – Lotus Europa TC Special
“Cadwell was a fantastic race but we lost third and fifth gears intermittently. The gearbox was really tightening during the race so Barrie Williams got past us; I just didn’t have enough time to catch him. Everything’s been marvellous, but I’m no rally driver and not knowing where I’m going is not my thing!”
#21 Barrie Williams/Alan Newton (GB/GB) – MGB
“I’ve raced at Cadwell many times and it’s good to make the old girl work hard! We had a slow start off the line, possibly due to the fuel boiling in the carburettor. Amnon Needham drove a great race, we had a good battle, and I gave it everything. The driver, co-driver and car have all been overheating today though!”
#22 David Betts/Caroline Betts (GB/GB) – Shelby GT350
“I haven’t raced at Cadwell Park for 30 years. It’s a hard circuit for us because the car is big and heavy, and corners are tight. I spun twice in practice, but learnt the lesson and the race went well. Today’s been excellent; we’ve loved the whole experience during our first event of this type.”
#23 Doug Allen/Richard Lugg (USA/GB) – Ford Mustang
“It’s my first time racing at Cadwell Park; I’d never even heard of it before! It’s a challenging circuit but a lot of fun, a wonderful place. Sometimes it’s narrow, but you can still pass, so it’s quite an unusual circuit. The car was sliding beautifully in the wet and the whole experience was delightful.”
#26 Mike Smith/John Howells (GB/GB) – Ford Escort
“Belvoir was the first rally stage I have done in my life. We took it 7/10ths, but it was good. We were catching the Mustang the whole way through Cadwell, but the car is just a Ford Escort not a V8 Mustang, so it’s a bit difficult!”
#27 John Day/Charles Reynolds (GB/GB) – Alpine Renault A110
“Belvoir was interesting; that and the road sections brought back memories of the old times on the RAC Rally. It’s been a lovely and enjoyable day touring Lincolnshire and for me, Swinderby is in memory of our friend David Williams. So much club rallying has taken place here and he was a great club rallier. ” (Charles Reynolds)
#29 Derek Hood/Wil Arif (GB/GB) – AC Cobra Mk II 289
“That was my first time at Cadwell and it was fun, but difficult. Today has been wonderful, no complaints and we’re trying hard.”
#40 Ray Bellm/Paul Lanzante (GB/GB) – Ford GT40
“We’ve had a gear selection problem since the start. I’ve never raced Cadwell before and it is like the Nürburgring. The circuit is narrow but there’s still the opportunity to overtake. This car’s power always beats its handling though. In general, the event is living up to the expectations Fred (Gallagher) and I had back when we first came up with this idea back in 2003 on the East African Safari Rally and it’s been great so far. There’s a great spirit among the crews and I can just see that all the hill climbs, Rockingham and Silverstone will be equally good.”
#41 Adrian Newey/Dean Lanzante (GB/GB) – Ford GT40
“Generally it’s been a good day, despite a couple of spins. We’ve really enjoyed it and although it feels like it’s been a long day, it’s been a good one.”
#44 Robi Bernberg/Steve Winter (GB/GB) – Porsche 911 GTS
“I’ve only ever raced at Cadwell in the wet, but it would be better in the dry. I lost first gear at the start of the race and waved at the marshals to alert them, but eventually I managed to select it. It’s difficult breaking downhill, because the Porsche is lighter at the front. Today’s been great though, really good with lovely roads and scenery.”
#46 Howard Redhouse/Richard Shaw (IRL/GB) – Lotus 30
“From third on the grid at Cadwell we took the lead at the start and there was big pressure during the first lap, but after that I pulled out a few seconds advantage and didn’t go mad. It was good crack, I really enjoyed it. It’s been a really good day and everything’s going to plan at the moment.”
#48 John Sheldon/Lesley Stevens (GB/GB) – Lotus Elan
“We’re waiting for the more twisty stuff where our 1600cc engine should be at less of a disadvantage to the V8s. It’s great to see an event like this in England; we’ve been waiting for it for years.”
#52 Richard Meins/Desmond Smaill (GB/GB) – Ford GT40
“The start at Cadwell was good and I was going steadily for a good position, but there was a massive oil leak from another car, I couldn’t see anything and spun.”
#53 Michael Schryver/Simon Hadfield (GB/GB) – Chevron B6
“Adrian Newey braked very early in the Hall Bends (Cadwell Park) and it was either dive down the inside or hit him. I dived in, had a moment and then he spun.”
#57 Nick Whale/Sally Wood (GB/GB) – Porsche 911 Carrera RS
“We spun at Cadwell, but otherwise it’s been a good day.”
#58 Bill Wykeham/David Fitzsimons (GB/NZ) – Porsche Carrera 2.7 RS
“It’s been a good day, although we got balked by the Invicta at Swinderby and lost a few seconds.”
#59 Nick Faure/Mary Faure (GB/GB) – Porsche 911
“It’s been very hot, but everything is okay. Racing in the wet is better for me, as it gives us more of a chance to compete with the big boys.”
#66 Richard Lloyd/Alan Rivers (GB/GB) – Chevrolet Camaro
“At 02:00 hrs this morning the situation looked doom-filled, as the car - a replica of the James Hunt 1973 Camaro - has never even run before as we only got it from the States 30 days ago. We decided to make some temporary fixes to keep us going today, but the fuel pump came from my Spitfire and it was fine for the road sections and stages, but not the circuit, so we didn’t race there. We’ll change the fuel pump tonight though.”
#74 Ned Spieker/Norman Thersby (USA/GB) – Ferrari 250 GT SWB
“It was a real experience being at Belvoir Castle; what a place! It’s been a long but really enjoyable day and we’re learning a lot about rallying and timing, which is quite complicated. Cadwell was new to me, but very exciting especially with the wet spots. After five or six laps I really got into it and just wanted to keep going!”
