The Pace Ward MLR Sprint Series kicked off its 2013 season this weekend, with round one of the Mitsubishi Lancer Register organised series taking place on Saturday 27th April at Snetterton. After a full day of competition, punctuated by a heavy downpour, it was Kenny Brookes who topped the overall MLR leaderboard driving his Evo V.
Using Snetterton's 100 circuit, the inaugural event in this year's seven-round calendar attracted a full entry of 40 Mitsubishi Evolutions across the series' four classes: Class A for road cars; Class B for fast road cars; Class C for super-road/track cars and Class D for cars with unlimited modifications. However, regulations dictate that whatever the category, all cars must be road legal.
Saturday commenced with the customary sighting lap, which was swiftly followed by the first of the timed practice runs. Fastest out of the blocks was Logan Black, who set a respectable 46.90s in his Evo VII. As it transpired he ended the practice runs third behind Anthony Lidster (Evo VI) and then Paul Allin (Evo V), who was the first of the Class C runners and clearly signaling his intentions to the super-road/track category.
Ben Casement was justifying his journey from the Isle of Man by putting his Evo IX at the top of the Class B standings, whilst Nick Handbury in his Evo IX was showing signs of things to come in Class A. However, notable by their absence from the top-10 at this point were Class D and B front-runners, Kenny Brookes and Lee Whitfield respectively, who were obviously saving their best for the afternoon's competitive runs.
As it turned out, the morning's proceedings were brought to an abrupt halt when nature intervened with a sudden and torrential downpour, the resulting track conditions forcing organisers to call an early lunch. Thankfully, the deluge didn't last long and the serious half of the day got underway slightly later than scheduled at 13.30.
The asphalt was still wet for the first of the competitive sessions and the indifferent levels of grip caught out a few of the early runners. Fastest on the first run was Gary Hayward, putting his Class D Evo VII through the timing beam at 50.30s, just 0.38s ahead of Brad Sheehan in his Evo IX.
Paul Allin continued to be the man to beat in Class C with a 51.57s, whilst at 53.00s Lee Whitfield was doing likewise in Class B and similarly Nick Handbury held top spot in Class A with an impressive 52.97s.
As the surface dried out, times began to tumble and, on the third competitive run, the track conditions were good enough to see Kenny Brookes set a 43.02s. He then went on to shave a further 0.78s on run five, which secured him the accolade of being the fastest Evo of the day.
The fifth attempt also provided the sweet spot for Paul Allin, who set his fastest time and clinched Class C in the process, with a 43.96s. For Lee Whitfield it was run six - the last of the day - that gave him his Class B FTD at 45.32s, whilst it was the fifth run for Nick Handbury that provided him with a time of 47.38s and Class A honours. However, he was pushed all the way by James Watson in an Evo VI, his closest rival in the standard car category.
Other notable performances came from Logan Black with a time of 42.79s, also on his fifth run. It was good enough to see him set the second-fastest Evo time, whereas Brad Sheehan used the sixth run to post his best of 42.97s and claim third place overall.
"What a great event! The car ran flawlessly all day and, as a result, I took the Evo FTD", said Kenny Brookes at the finish. "Thanks to Indigo-GT, Zen Performance, Race Developments, Ross Sport, CliveW and JonnyC - and his Dad - for all their support. Roll on Blyton!"
"Although it was a later than usual start to the Series for 2013, I couldn't have hoped for a better one", reported Darin Frow, series organiser. "We've had a very full field today, a fantastic variety of cars and massive enthusiasm from all the drivers. In fact the atmosphere in the paddock has only been rivalled by the competitiveness on track!
"It's great to see such incredible support from everyone and I'd like to thank the drivers, the MLR Team who manage the event and, of course, all our sponsors for making the Pace Ward MLR Sprint Series possible for what promises to be another enjoyable season."
Round two of the Pace Ward MLR Sprint Series takes place on 18th May at Blyton Park in Lincolnshire, with the course utilising the full 1.4-mile lap of the circuit.
The 2013 Pace Ward MLR Sprint Series is sponsored by: Pace Ward performance insurance, SuperPro suspension parts, AP Tuning, Ross Sport and HKS.
