CNC Heads Sports/Saloon Car Championship – Rounds 13 & 14 – Oulton Preview

This weekend sees the final rounds of the CNC Heads Sports Saloon Car Championship at Oulton Park and titles, both overall and classes to be settled. It’s fantastic to see the first capacity grid of the year too, having beaten the previous best of 28 at Donington Park.

The season has been dominated by Jon Woolfitt’s Spire GTR and he currently has a three-point lead over Graeme Smith’s Mazda MX5, with reigning Champion Jamie Cryer’s Ginetta G20 a further 24 points down in third.

Class A includes joint class leaders, with Guy Carter’s TVR Tuscan battling it out with Richard Rudd in the ex-Piers Grange Mk1 Escort Turbo. Grange is out too in his Escort Mk2, while Andrew Southcott is sure to be at the sharp end in his MG Midget Lenham. Championship sponsor Ric Wood has entered his Holden Commodore this weekend, but will be joined on the grid by twin brother Julian, making his race debut in the Kia Optima, raced by Ric at Donington a year or two ago. Garry Wardle is back to with his Seat Cupra TCR, while Peter Smith returns to the Championship too with his Renault Megane.

Woolfitt already has Class B sewn up, but there is still a battle for second. Tim Foxlow’s Escort RSR has a 14-point advantage at the moment, over Rob Wakelin’s Peugeot 205, but Wakelin has yet to play his double points joker. Roddie Paterson is coming South with his Caterham C400 and Mark Primett’s Banks Europa is back too, after missing Anglesey. Following his impressive debut at Anglesey, Arron Armiger will have a bit more competition this weekend for his Vauxhall Tigra. Richard Hall’s Caterham was another to miss Anglesey, while Ben Roberts is due back with his BMW M3, having blown the engine last time out. Connor Modro’s Ginetta G40 will also be vying for a class podium, while Colin Robinson’s Escort and David Green’s Honda Civic complete the class.

Although Class C has struggled for entries all year, there is still a title to be settled. Bod Buckby’s Caterham has a five-point cushion over Connor Harvey’s similar car. Harvey made his race debut at Anglesey and both drivers had an interesting duel, but Harvey still has a joker to play and championship debutant Jon Curry could play a part too in his Caterham.

As well as heading Class D Ric Walker’s Mini R56 JCW is fourth in the overall championship and still to play his joker. Oliver Thomas’ Impreza is due to return, along with David Jones’ Ford Focus and Ian Burrows’ Toyota Celica.

Although Cryer has a 19-point lead over Ian Bamber’s G20 in Class E, Bamber hasn’t played his joker. The fight should be between the two of them, but Steven Parker’s BMW Compact could be in there too. Matthew Jones debuted his Focus at the last Oulton round and he is joined by the returning Ginetta G20 of Tony Harman and hopefully Peter Koukoulas’ Toyota, after he had engine problems at Anglesey. There two debutants in Class E too, with 2CV racer Mike Storey in his Renault Clio and MG regular Maddy Maguire with her ZR, plus Rob Phillips is down as first reserve in his Honda Civic.

Graeme Smith has already sealed Class F, but is in contention for the overall title too. He has Helen and Brian Allen in their Ford’s Puma and Fiesta joining him, but could have a fight on his hands with Don Hughes’ VW Golf.

Today’s races are sponsored by long time competitor Iain Gorrie who has supported many competitors over the years with his Motor Engineering business in Blackpool

Qualifying is for 20 minutes from 9.40, with race one at 12.20 and the second at 15.15, each 20 minutes plus one lap.

Published by Peter Scherer for BARC North West, October 11th 2022