FJHRA “Silverline” Championship Round 10
We always love the Autumn Classic meeting at Castle Combe; a friendly atmosphere, helpful Circuit organisers, good hot breakfast, and for Team Rabagliati, that regular supper the night before at the Neeld Arms at Griddleton, reminiscing of long mornings spent decades ago at the pre chicane circuit on the RAC Norwich Union runs, with unlimited laps in Swallow Dorettis, Ogles et al.
A promising entry list for Round 10 of the 2025 ‘Silverline’ Championship was rather depleted by engine maladies and suspension breakages at Goodwood, although all of Adrian Russell, Stuart Roach, still in the Mk2, Martin Sheppard, also still in the Stanguellini, [but the De Tomaso, post a David Abbott refresh, is on the button’ too] and Duncan, were ready to go again. However, then Nathan Metcalfe in his Lotus 20 had a reoccurrence of his brake shoe failure in Friday testing, fortunately counterbalanced by late entries from Iain Rowley, back in his own 22, after having again sampled Erik Justesen’s similar car at Copenhagen; and Dave Wall in the familiar Team Roach Gemini II, rear suspension repaired after Goodwood.
Qualifying was early on Saturday morning, still dry, but slightly damp in the air, but the 8 am briefing was even earlier, the clerk noted for knowing both his circuit and his audience: full attendance nonetheless!!
Andrew and Michael Hibberd had been amongst the withdrawals, with customer preparation taking precedence, and both Eddie O’Kane in the purposeful Crossle 4F; and new to FJ and single seaters, Adrian Stevens, with the Hillwood-FIAT, were under their awning.
Paul Boulton may only have had one previous FJ outing in the ex-Dave Watkins Elfin, but he was very familiar with the Castle Combe circuit from Fiesta racing, and this showed!!! It was a surprised Nic Carlton-Smith who found himself pipped for pole by 2 / 10th s.!, with Stuart Roach close behind, and Adrian Russell fractionally adrift.
John Hutchison, Jnr, thankfully found a spare weekend from his BARC organisational duties, in the Envoy Mk 1 to nestle in behind Mark Woodhouse [Elva 100], but behind him, only a second adrift, an exceptional performance came from Dave Wall in the Mk II Gemini, even a smidgeon ahead of Eddie O’Kane’s Crossle 4F. Chris Wilks suffered a Rear suspension breakage in the unusual Deep Sanderson 104, but otherwise practice was trouble free.
Come race time, after an early lunch break, unfortunately Paul Boulton couldn’t capitalise on his stunning performance in qualifying, which gave him pole, as he got stuck in 3rd gear, but meanwhile Nic Carlton-Smith had made a faultless start and built up enough lead to simply enjoy driving his ‘Indy’ Lotus 20.
Behind him it was Stuart Roach drifting the corners in his Mk2 Alexis with Adrian Russell (Condor S II) catching back the ground on the straights until in traffic Adrian got the opportunity he needed and was through into second.
Next up, Sam Wilson was having his first ever front engined race in Justin Fleming’s Lola Mk2, in a race long trio on the tail of Iain Rowley (Lotus 22) who was 4th, whilst fending off Chris Porritt (Lotus 18), and all clear of Crispian Besley’s T56, and Mark Woodhouse (Elva100).
Dave Wall, having starred in practice, made up that extra second and more, in the race, lapping faster than John Hutchison, and just failing to catch him by less than 1/2 second.
Chris Wilks, with the aid of ever helpful Iain Rowley, had repaired the ‘Lawrencelink’ on his Deep Sanderson, enabling a trouble-free race, and then a clear gap to Martin Sheppard, and equally clear of Duncan, going well, with new wheel bearings, after a ‘miracle’ finish at Goodwood.
Poor Eddie broke gear linkage on the dummy grid, his race ended, but behind Duncan there was a race long scrap between the Hillwood, and Nick Powell in the fascinating Cooper T52 -Lancia; both Tom Waterfield, who took 3rd place at Goodwood Members in the Hillwood a few years ago, and Tim Ross, his normal patron, were seen taking much interest in the Juniors, and it was also good to see Jack Woodhouse, and baby! Jack was having a weekend off from the GP circuit, as no lover of Azerbaijan: and great to hear that he has renewed his race licence with a few races in the family 20/22 perhaps on the cards for next year.
The race finished just before the heavens opened, just in time for some, too late for others! So it was a wet podium for Nic, Adrian and Stuart, and Sarah decamped the class prize giving to the briefing tent with plenty of glassware and useful ‘Silverline’ goodies to dispense.
All in all, yet another fun day of FJ!
DCPR