CNC HEADS SPORTS/SALOON CHAMPIONSHIP – OULTON PARK- ROUND TWO PREVIEW

There will be another 30+ grid at Oulton Park on Saturday, for round two of the CNC Heads Sports Saloon Car Championship.

Paul Rose’s Saker heads the entry again, as the 2019 Champion seeks to add a second win to his seasons tally, after victory in the opening round. He is up against team mates Steve Harris and David Clark, both hoping for better fortunes than on their visit to Oulton in April.

Paul Woolfitt’s Lotus Exige had problems too last time out and is seeking to open his CNC seasons account. Having debuted at Cadwell last season, Andy Bicknell’s Ginetta G50 is becoming a regular, and was rewarded with fifth overall and second in class behind Rose at the season’s opener. Having brought his TVR Tuscan back out at Oulton in April, Guy Carter was third in class A and will be looking for more success too.

Former Champion Simon Allaway is due to be back too after a lengthy absence to rebuild his Lotus Esprit V8. He had hoped to return last season, but should be out on Saturday, after a recent shakedown at Blyton. Having more recently been seen in his Vauxhall Astra, John Seery is another returnee in his Westfield V8 and completes the Class A line-up.

Jon Woolfitt’s Spire GTR will be starting as favourite in Class B, after finishing second overall in the first round. Multiple Champion Paul Dobson can never be discounted though, with his Mazda powered Locost. Tim Foxlow’s Escort RSR will be looking for a class podium too, but he will have the Caterham C400 of the returning Roddie Paterson to deal with, as well as Chris Maries’ Honda Civic Type R and Patrick Smyth’s Lotus Elan.

In Class C Gary Warburton’s Mini Miglia came out on top in the first round, but having been absent in April both Danny Bird’s Spire and David Harvey’s Stuart Taylor Locosaki are back out will be vying for overall honours as well as class. Bruce Carter MG Midget completes the Class C quartet.

Garry Wardle’s Seat Cupra TCR starts as favourite in Class D, but Allan Davies’ BMW M3 is sure to be a threat. Andrew Smith’s VW Beetle had a few problems at Oulton in round one, which are hopefully sorted and will be hoping to see off any threats from David Jones’ Ford Focus, Riccy Walker’s Mini R56 JCW, Clive Dix’s Mazda RX7 and Bob Claxton’s VW Golf GTi.

Class E once again has the biggest entry, with defending Champion Jamie Cryer’s Ginetta G20 heading an eight car challenge. Paul Rotheroe’s Citroen Xsara was back out in the opening round after a couple of years off and came second, but look out too for Steven Parker’s BMW Compact, Connor Modro’s Ford Focus and Rob Phillips’ Honda Civic. Peter Koukoulas is out in his Toyota MR2, along with the Fiesta of Chris Maries Grandson Jake Johnson, and seasoned campaigner Don Hughes with his Peugeot 306 XSi.

Graeme Smith was on his own in the first round, but his Mazda MX5 is due to be joined by the Fiesta’s of David Bird and Helen Allen, along with Colin Flynn’s Mini Cooper, if he shows.

Qualifying is at 10.15 for 20 minutes and the race is 14.45 for 20 minutes plus one lap. The race is due to be live streamed, see www.barcnorthwestern.co.uk for details

Published by Peter Scherer for BARC North West, 10th June 2021