FJHRA Silverline Championship Rounds 4&5
When a driver returns to the paddock exclaiming ‘that was fun!!!’ you know it’s been a good race!
The Brands Hatch GP circuit has always been a favourite for FJ drivers, but with its close proximity to the Channel, we were delighted to welcome our Belgian friends Lawrence de Bruyne (Cooper T65) and Arnold Herreman (Volpini) who towed across the waters. The Silverline Championship may be based in the UK, but we are really pleased to have increasing numbers of our ‘fly in’ continental drivers to join us, the ease of keeping a car in the UK and the shorter distances to travel, being an obvious attraction. With us this weekend were the Swiss; father-son Halusa and Buhofer teams, and Marco Zolin, together with our Italian Elva 200 duo, Valerio Leone and Giuseppe Felet, albeit Giuseppe currently a UK resident.
A delayed landing at Gatwick on Friday morning due to fog, made me wonder if I was back at the Nürburgring, but it soon cleared, and the heat certainly broke through. The trucks were already in place on arrival, and as the day progressed, the rest of the grid slotted into place in the paddock, and got themselves set up and scrutineered, by an efficient MRL team with Grant Wilson as guide and expert.
Seventeen cars headed out for the dedicated optional FJ free (paid) practice session on the Indy circuit mid-afternoon, and it was Callum Grant (Merlyn Mk 5/7) setting the pace, a second ahead of Alex Ames (Brabham BT6). It was fun to see young Toby Stevens in father Adrian’s Hillwood, and keeping it to himself to the end of session! While Andrew Hibberd was testing out the other Team car, Charles Cooks’ Nike.
A relaxed evening followed, with feet in the cool water of a paddling pool, seeing in the last of the day’s arrivals.
Qualifying
It was an 11am qualifying session for us, and what a sight the assembly area was; lined up like sardines were 42 fabulous looking FJ’s, the full range of history from 1958 – 1963 glistening in the sunshine, and as for their pilots lined up along the trackside fence for a group photo? Well, they were undoubtedly glistening in the heat!
It was a goosebumps moment as they all, bar Bernard Brock (Elva 100) who sadly didn’t make it past the gate, filed down the pit lane out onto Paddock Hill Bend, and relished the opportunity of 20 minutes of the curves and undulation of the magnificent Grand Prix circuit.
Arnold Herreman (Volpini) and Martin Sheppard (De Tomaso) were unfortunately very early retirements before completing even a single lap, both with engines that just wouldn’t rev, Martin Halusa found himself parked up facing the wrong way after just two laps, and just after completing his minimum three laps to qualifying, it was into the pits with a gearbox issue for Stuart Roach in his Alexis Mk 3. Then with seven minutes left remaining, there was an immediate red flag following a nasty accident for Charles Cook in his Nike. A brilliant response by the on-site medics brought welcome news, and his condition continues to improve.
The times prior to the stoppage were to set the grid, with Alex Ames on pole, and Callum Grant alongside, ahead of Lukas Halusa and Michael Hibberd, putting their Lotus 22’s on row 2. Class D was led by the Lotus 20s of Nathan Metcalfe and Nic Carlton-Smith, Keith Pickering was well ahead in his Class C2 rivals, as was Adrian Russell, who was fastest of the front engined cars in his Condor S II.
Race 1
It was a full grid of 38 that rolled around the GP circuit in perfect formation on their green flag lap, much to the admiration of race control, before taking their places for the standing start. Alex was first away, but as they exited Paddock Hill Bend it was Callum on the inside, and he was into the lead going into Druids. Also making a great start was Michael Hibberd, perhaps Lukas alongside him was happy just to get off the line at all, after having watched everyone avoid him stranded in p3 at Donington Park.
What a race followed! A shortened 15 minutes of absolutely thrilling racing!
Alex Ames kept his Brabham BT6 positioned in wait, ready to pounce on any opportunity that might arise to sneak past the red Merlyn, and unfortunately for Callum, having led the entire race, that moment came when he had to take to the grass in avoidance on the last lap, and Alex clinched the win.
Behind them Lukas was back ahead into third and was in the rare position of having a lonely race, but it was quite a different story behind him, as fourth to ninth positions were all absolutely determined to be in fourth, and provided some seriously entertaining racing in their pursuit of that. Michael Hibberd somehow managed to maintain his position throughout, but from his 8th position on the grid after his curtailed qualifying session, Stuart Roach found opportunities to slip through to fifth by the flag, with Nathan Metcalfe next, ahead of Rufus Flann and Philipp Buhofer (Lotus 27). Nic Carlton-Smith dropped off just at the end, when gearbox trouble arrived.
Richard Ferris enjoyed the company of not just one, but two other competitors in Class E2, with Duncan Ross having qualified well ahead in his Lynx T3, but unfortunately after going really well in the race, he retired on Lap 6. Lawrence de Bruyne (Cooper T65) did reach the chequered flag, after a fun race against Brands Hatch GP newcomer Martin McHugh (Lotus 20/22), but unfortunately the Cooper shed a vital bolt at the end, that put him out for the Sunday race.
The other class winners were as qualifying, Keith Pickering taking C2, and Adrian Russell B2, with Adrian Stevens in his Class A Hillwood crossing the line just 0.09” behind usual class companion Peter Fenichel, however with his Stanguellini loaded already for the US tour, he was borrowing the Cooper T52 of Jeremy Deeley.
Water pistols at prizegiving cooled down proceedings, before many of us headed to the MRL evening entertainment provided by Rick Parfitt Jnr and his band. A brilliant festival set, to a bouncing crowd!
Race 2
Just before midday it was another perfect approach to the grid; however, as the lights went out, Gary Thomas’ hand was up as his Kieft’s clutch had gone on the line. Instant avoiding action from those behind saw everyone safely through, and great efforts from race control and the marshals, had him cleared to safety behind the barrier before the leaders came round. And into the lead it had been Callum Grant with no hesitation, and Alex had Rufus Flann behind right on his heels. Michael Hibberd opted out of this race and handed his 22 to son Andrew to start from the back. Lukas Halusa regained third, and Rufus maintained fourth behind.
It was a more spaced-out race this time, with Roach and Metcalfe taking 5th and 6th, but another great drive from Spencer Shinner in the Speedsport Lola Mk 5A working his way up from 22nd to 8th, however Andrew Hibberd bettered that still, just pipping him to 7th.
There was plenty of fun being had behind between two of the sons, Lukas Buhofer (Brabham BT6) and Andreas Halusa (Lotus 22), and the fabulous sight of the trio of Cooper T56’s circulating together, a welcome return from Jeremy Deeley, keeping Crispian Besley very much on the edge of his rubber, and Marco Zolin holding on to them both. Another wonderful marque representation was the duo of Italian driven Elva 200’s, Valerio Leone leading from Giuseppe Felet. Last but not least, there was a great front engined battle at the rear between Adrian Stevens and Duncan.
Having led once again for most of the race, poor Callum had to settle for second, as the donut saver failed on the Merlyn, jamming the drive shaft, letting Alex through for the double. It was all smiles on the podium though from all three drivers, having thoroughly enjoyed 20 minutes of lights to flag action. The other class winners were Richard Ferris (E2), Stuart Roach (D2), Keith Pickering (C2), Adrian Russell (B2) and Adrian Stevens (A).
Next stop, the BRDC Classic at Silverstone in a month.
Sarah