After the most exciting season in its four-year history, all three 2005 John Cooper Challenge titles will be decided at Silverstone this weekend. Extra impetus has been given to those fighting for title honours, by the promise of a place at the MINI World Championships in Misano, Italy for the top two drivers in the Club and S-Classes.
The battle for the overall title, is a close three-way fight with Club Class Championship leader, Barney Craggs (33, Clapham) currently topping the table, a reward for his pace and consistency this season. S-Class title contenders Andy Sayle (46, Congleton) and Arthur Forster (37, Newcastle) are placed second and third respectively and have more than a mathematical chance of the overall title.
The S-Class title race has been dominated by experienced Northern duo Sayle and Forster, whose season long battle for honours is likely to hinge on the final race. Former Radical racer, Sayle currently leads the championship by a narrow six-point margin from garage owner Forster who has won seven of the ten Rounds completed so far. Advertising Agency owner, Sayle has won two Rounds and has been second five times, his hard won championship lead is by virtue of Sayle’s speed and consistency, which has seen him finish every round.
MINI factory quality specialist, James Loukes (24, Didcot) has been ultra-consistent this season, with six third place finishes and a lowest placing of fourth all season. Loukes is only 15 points behind the front two in the title race and a slip up from either in the final rounds, could see him booking his place in the MINI World Championship event in Misano, Italy. 16-year old Freddie Nordstrom, (Weybridge) is the JCC’s youngest competitor and has proved that age is no barrier to success. Nordstrom has been on the podium three times this year including a victory at Thruxton in Round Six.
The ever-competitive Club Class, has seen four different drivers take victory over the ten rounds, with the ebullient Barney Craggs being the most regular visitor to the top step. Craggs is leading the Club Class by a healthy twenty-six-point margin but the title is far from a forgone conclusion. The John Cooper Challenge’s points system rewards consistency, which along with four race wins has been the secret to Craggs success. However, should Craggs fail to finish or finish poorly on the unfamiliar International Silverstone layout, there are plenty of other drivers who will be snapping at his heels.
Second place in the Club Class championship standings is currently filled by 20-year old dreadlocked racing sensation, David Shepherd (Sandbach). The student racer has stunned everyone with his three victories and the novice has consistently shown impressive pace in qualifying and races. Third place man Rob Austin (43, Romsey) is only two points behind young-gun Shepherd which will ensure an intense positional battle in the final two rounds.
