SPRINTSBD MOTORSPORT MSA BRITISH SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP

In what turned out to be one of the most competitive championships for many years, Tony Eyles eventually netted his fourth title. The new Force-Opel V6 eventually proved fast and reliable with Eyles making the most of his chances to accumulate high scores and taking four victories. Tony Wiltshire finished runner-up for the second year in a row with his two-litre ex- BTCC Peugeot-powered Ralt despite failing to win a single run-off. Third spot was fought over right to the last round where Andy Platt, recovering lost ground after an engine blow-up earlier in the season, took victory thanks to arranging a shared drive with Allan Warburton in the Dallara-Opel V6. Roy Dawson switched from his 1.3-litre DJ Firehawk to a 4.0-litre Gould- Judd part-way through the year and, despite missing several rounds, just beat Terry Holmes for fourth place on countback.

Tracey Ashby took the Patsy Burt Trophy for the third season on the trot whilst the highly prized Foundation Cup for championship novices in up to two-litre cars went to Andy Platt. The Chester Motor Club event at Anglesey Racing Circuit was awarded the prestigious Les Edmunds Trophy for the best organised round of the season; whilst three drivers (Andy Platt, Stewart Robb and Roy Dawson) all took maiden championship victories. No less than seven different drivers won championship rounds which kept the battle for the permanent numbers for next season on the boil. Final highlight of the season was the return of sprinting to Snetterton after a break of nearly 20 years; thankfully the championship will be there again in 2006.

CHAMPIONSHIP:1. Tony Eyles 115pts2. Tony Wiltshire 99pts3. Andrew Platt 77pts4. Roy Dawson 71pts5. Terry Holmes 71pts6. Simon Ashby 65pts7. Steve Broughton 63pts8. John Sampson 57pts

2005 British Sprint Champion Tony Eyles:“I am delighted to take my fourth championship and I amlooking forward to defending the title. I felt that my midseasonform, where I won four out of five rounds, wasthe turning point in the fight for the title.”

Championship Co-ordinator Paul Parker:“In 2005 we've had the best support the Championshiphas seen for 15 years. We plan to build on that with aneven more attractive calendar of events in 2006."

DRAG RACINGMSA BRITISH DRAG RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

The MSA British Drag Racing Championship is for the Top Methanol class – dragsters and funny cars, with supercharged methanol-burning engines producing over 3500 HP. The top cars are capable of 0-100mph in less than one second and 0- 270 mph in 5.4 seconds over a quarter mile. The 2005 MSA British Drag Racing Championship was somewhat curtailed due to as yet unresolved issues surrounding one of the regular venues.

There was an encouraging increase in the number of entries from last year, with almost all teams making it to every round. New championshiprecords were set by Rob Turner and then Dave Wilson, and the others all achieved new personal bests. The championship was closely fought by messers Wilson (FIA European Champion 2003-2005) and Turner (seven times MSA British Drag Racing Champion), with either one capable of winning until right at the end, when Wilson red-lit himself out of contention in the first round of eliminations. Turner went on to take the championship title for an amazing eighth time, beating rookie racer John Parkinson who made the final in his first year in the class. The uncertainty surrounding one of the venues means that the schedule for next year is not yet confirmed. One positive note is that the round at the Santa Pod Racers Club Summer Nationals will be re-instated for 2006, which means there will be at least one more round than in 2005.

CHAMPIONSHIP:1. Rob Turner 234pts2. Dave Wilson 196pts3. Trevor Capewell 151pts4. Lindsay Deuchar 110pts5. Stephanie Milam 109pts6. John Parkinson 94pts7. Doug Ripley 54pts

2005 Drag Racing Champion Rob Turner:“The great thing about drag racing is that anything ispossible if you, your sponsors and your crew try hardenough. I never thought we would win this eight times, itproves that consistency and hard work do win races.“

Championship Co-ordinator Dave Alexander:“We’ve worked hard with the track owners and the MSAto develop the Championship and we continue to do so. Iam confident that we will have an even better year in2006 and provide competition of a calibre that more andmore people will want to see.”