Silverstone – 13/14th April 2024 Race Report, Images and Results

Posted on: April 22nd 2024 • Posted in: Race Results

Rounds 1, 2 and 3 – Silverstone National

After a long winter layoff the Sports 2000 season began at the Silverstone National circuit on 13th and 14th April. It was a far cry from the very wet MSVR launch day in March. After what seemed like an interminable period of rain, for the two days of racing at Silverstone it was warm, dry and a real opportunity for everyone to try out the new Hoosier Tyres.
With three races over the course of the weekend it was going to be a real test of the drivers and their cars. The entry for the event was superb with a final entry of 39 cars. As a group we welcomed many new faces.
Gavin Wills, having his first experience of closed wheel racing on a return to the cockpit after a 16 year layoff. He had purchased the Shrike formerly raced by Tim Jacobsen. This weekend being a shakedown to see what would need to be done to the car before mounting a full season challenge in 2025.
Rafe Higson in a Gunn TS14 was having his first ever race supported and coached by former competitor Tom Mills. The paddock scene was not unfamiliar to Rafe as he is the son of former competitor Mark Higson. Brothers, Adrian and Wayne Ridge were sharing a Gunn TS11 also being Novices having their first run.
Rollo Tomasi like Gavin Wills was another driver returning to the cockpit after a long layoff. Whilst having raced in Sports 2000 previously he had bought a new car, to him, for his return. Completing the newcomers was Ben Cater. Not entirely new to the paddock as he had previously tried out a Sports 2000 car. Ben a former Motor Bike racer, like Bryn Tootell comes from the ranks of Monoposto racing. Having been an F3 Champion with them.
As you will have noticed from the entry team Gunn had grown in size. Tom Stoten and Paul Trayhurn completing the list of Gunn competitors. In total there were five manufacturers represented in the Duratec classes, and 4 in the Historic Classes.
The Friday test was a busy day in more ways than one. Many took advantage of the pre-event test to scrub their new Hoosier Tyres. The procedure for preparing the tyres having been detailed in an information sheet produced by Hoosier and BMTR. Tamzyn Davis, was kept very busy catching up with everyone to scan and record the bar codes on their tyres. Aching feet and legs were noted on the Saturday.
Friday did dramatically reduce the entry for the races too. Peter Brouwer’s appearance in the UK was sadly brief as his engine blew on the Friday morning and he sadly headed back home. In two further incidents we lost four more cars. David Gorst, Paul Trayhurn, Richard Johnson and Nik Johnson. For the Johnson brothers the two accidents maybe the premature end of their season. In the case of Nik everyone in the community wishes him a speedy recovery following the injuries he sustained.
Josh Law’s team had to replace an engine overnight, and the University Team Car of Tim Tudor, had to have major repairs following an off avoiding another car in the early part of the test. This was to have a pronounced effect on the teams performance. But proved to be an excellent experience to bring the new batch of students together to bring the car to qualifying. Having to get a Bell Housing welded and a floor section repaired.
Colin Peach and his loyal team of Nick and Andy used the Friday night to set up the car on a flat floor. His lock up not being even. They made one final change before going out to qualify which was to get the Steering straight.
Saturday morning did not start well, when a chastening briefing reminded everyone of their responsibilities on track. The weekend itself produced everything we had come to expect from Sports 2000 racing. Three uninterrupted races that were exciting, fast, hard, clean with a few surprises too and a great community spirit and co-operation throughout.

Qualifying

34 cars took to the track that would establish the grid for the two Saturday races. The fastest time setting the grid for Race 1 and the second fastest time setting the grid for Race 2. 7 of the drivers had taken part in the morning open test session. For David Muse who had missed testing this was his opportunity to scrub in his Hoosier tyres.
For Colin Peach after a late night session completing the car this would be his final check before qualifying. It had been a reticent driver who was uncertain where his car would be. In qualifying it was Colin who was the first to top the timing sheets on lap 5 with a 58.5 second lap, with Ben Cater the only one to go into the 58 second bracket on that lap. As the session progressed the pair of pre-season favourites Michael Gibbins and Josh Law did push to the fore of the timing sheets, with Ben Cater 3rd and Colin Peach 4th. When Colin saw his pit board at the end of the session he was disappointed. He had not realised the position shown was overall rather than in class. No one had expected that over the winter.
Rollo Tomasi got off to a bad start pulling off at Maggotts failing to complete one lap of qualifying. The University of Wales car shared by Tim Tudor and Patrick Sherrington was having a number of issues too, being reported for having loose bodywork, which was the front splitter damaged on Friday causing problems. With time running out they managed to get Patrick Sherrington out after Tim had wrestled with the vibration in the car to qualify first. Patrick did record a quick lap 10 minutes into the session giving them 8th slot on the grid. Completing the session with 7 minutes still to run. After Qualifying, it was found the there was internal damage to the front section and they had to revert to an older front section to take part in the race
John Illey in the second University car recorded a 10th place starting position.Whilst having more running time the problems on Friday meant a lot of the planned development work for the car had to be postponed
A number of drivers did explore the limits of the track with ensuing penalties, none of them losing what would have been their fastest lap.
In the Historic Classes it was Gavin Wills in the Shrike that headed the timing sheets. Gavin one of the few who were running on Yokohamas. Having only recently taken delivery of the car and with this being a race test for the car he took advantage of the rubber that came as part of the package. Alongside Gavin, was Will Schryver. Will a very experienced competitor in Historic Racing had given his Royale a run at Silverstone last year proving to be very quick and a good match for the Hyetts. For this year he plans a full season. Preparing and running the car himself with the assistance of his son Freddie. I imagine it is history repeating itself as Will’s father Michael would have had his son with him at all the events until he was old enough to race himself. The Marc Naoro/Jon Harmer pairing being the first of the established runners with 3rd quickest time.
Both Duratec and Historic classes were very close in timings for their respective races. The top 6 in the Duratecs being covered by a second with the Top 3 Historics being covered by 3/tenths. Although the closest split was further back, Mike Fry pipping late entry Peter Needham by 1/1000th.
Simon Aldworth had a terrible session reporting both a rear brake issue along with Clutch problems. He used the Saturday morning test session to scrub the tyres and check the car. He did find brakes needed bleeding and he was getting tyre smoke from rubbing bodywork due to the wider tyres. In qualifying his clutch problem got worse. Luckily Chris Snowdon came down for the day and after a systems check a new Clutch was installed. With Simon electing to miss race one so that they did not have to rush any of the work.
Having set the grid everything would change at the end of the session. Josh Law had blown another engine. He was out of Race one, the Law team with permission from the Clerk and fellow competitors raced back to Essex to collect a spare car to hopefully start from the back of Race 2.

Race 1

First race of the weekend was a little chaotic at the start. The troubles began for the University of Wales shared car with Patrick Sherrington at the wheel. Having fitted the replacement front wing following its morning dramas. Patrick ground to a sudden halt on the way to the assembly area. The students were able to quickly sprint across the paddock to their stricken car traced to an alternator and they had him restarted and in place for the departure to the grid.
An administration problem relaying the amended grid following Josh Law’s withdrawal. Meant a second formation lap for the cars and drivers once the cars were formed into their correct order. On the opening laps the front of the grid fell into grid order with Michael Gibbins leading from Ben Cater, Colin Peach Steve Ough, Tony Barwell, Tom Stoten with Patrick Sherington taking 7th place.
John Iley had a brief early spin, who in his attempt to pass Andy Chittenden found he lost grip at the front end due to aero wash. Luckily he was missed by Ash Law but John lost 9 places and had a long chase to try and catch Josh Needham and Andy Chittenden who he had been racing with.
In the Historic race the fight was on for the lead with Gavin Wills and Will Schryver opening a contest that would last across all three races of the weekend. Clive Steeper was lying third with Marc Noaro, Mike Fry and Peter Needham following in a close battle.
Where ever you looked down the field there was close racing, aside from the overall lead. Michael Gibbins appeared to have mastery of the race looking to start his championship defence with a comfortable win. Ben Cater in second place had extended a one second lead back to Colin Peach who was finding Steve Ough looming larger and nearer in his mirrors as the gap 3rd to 4th diminished as the race progressed.
John Owen became the 1st retirement on lap 7 pulling off at Maggotts with a broken drive shaft. His race had been blighted by an early spin on lap 2.
Lap 11 saw a major change in the race. Our erstwhile leader Michael Gibbins slowed when he found himself stuck in 3rd gear. Slowing and pulling aside to let Ben Cater past, it looked like the former Monoposto Champion was going to give his Sports 2000 entry a dream start as he took the lead. Just over 2 seconds clear of Colin Peach in second place.
What Ben did not realise was he would be the first to find the oil at Luffield left by Adrian Ridge when an oil line union came undone. The ensuing 180 degree spin luckily avoiding contact dropped him to 8th place handing the lead to an unsuspecting Colin Peach. Colin at the time thinking he was on for his first ever podium did not realise his battle with Steve Ough was for the lead, but with a chance of a podium. Colin raced tactically to keep Steve behind him.
Mike Turner was the other driver to spin on lap 11, this time not oil but a front suspension failure. Mike had been enjoying his return to racing having a great dice with Bryn Tootell, when he found himself staring at a large bank. Pulling across to Brooklands, some terrific work by the Marshals had his car cleared to the assembly gate in rapid time. This was helped in a long way by the drivers responding to the yellow flags whilst they were working at the side of the track.
Clive Steeper was another victim of the oil he had been enjoying a tight scrap with Marc Noaro. Marc retiring from the brush with an off that damaged the support frame for the front. All designed to keep Jon Harmer busy before his go in the car on the Sunday.
Will Schryver produced an excellent demonstration of drift as he caught his car when it snapped on the oil.
As Colin Peach fended off Steve Ough, behind them Tony Barwell was in a race with Patrick Sherrington. The 3rd place position briefly held by Patrick until he felt something wrong with the back of the car. He also eased to allow Tom Stoten in the Gunn passed too. Post race inspection of Patrick’s car finding some bolts missing in the plate connected to one of the lower wishbones.
Richard Cooke retired his American manufactured Carbir CS2 with overheating and the continually unfortunate Mark Hobbs was the last of the retirements. Mark who had been enjoying a good race with Mike Fry, retired with a broken crank on Lap 17. The engine failure ending his participation in the event.
A very surprised Colin Peach arrived in the pit lane at the end of the race to be told he was the Race Winner. In the excitement he had not noticed passing Michael Gibbins. Steve Ough and Tony Barwell completing the Podium places. Steve Ough also claiming top honours in the Derek Bell Class from Roger Donnan and Peter Williams. Will Schryver claimed the top honours in the Historics, from Gavin Wills and late entry Peter Needham. Joining Will and Gavin as Class Winners was Mike Fry who had enjoyed a race long scrap with Mike Dodd.

Race 2

The race 2 grid was formed from the competitors second fastest lap in qualifying. Which meant the front of the grid looked very much like the Race 1 grid. At the back, after a rush to Essex and back, followed by a race to get the car scrutineered was Josh Law. On the back of the Historic Grid was Simon Aldworth his car now race ready after some sterling work from Chris Snowdon. Almost joining him was Gavin Wills. The first race had thrown up a number of problems with the car including a leaking exhaust gasket. He managed to get the car back together just in time. Arriving at the assembly area with just 90 seconds to spare.
Rollo Tomasi, was not so fortunate. His car refused to start in the assembly area and he started at the very back alongside Simon Aldworth. He had a number of teething problems with the car, among them a raised floor which was creating a Speedboat effect coupled with Brake Bias issues led to a lot of uncertainty for the driver.
With his gearbox repaired Michael Gibbins led at the end of lap one, but it was an adrenaline fired Colin Peach in second place from Ben Cater in 3rd. Tom Stoten was 4th Steve Ough 5th with the fast starting Tim Tudor in his wheel tracks from 9th on the grid. Team mate John Iley had not cleared the line so well dropping a place from his grid start to 11th.
Rafe Higson on lap 1 found Copse to be challenging when he had a quick spin rejoining as the Historic pack entered following their delayed start. Rafe keeping close to the inside and not impeding the progress of the field.
Gavin Wills was leading the Historic race with Marc Noaro in 2nd place Mike Dodd 3rd and Clive Steeper 4th Will Schryver being someway back in 5th.
On lap 3 it was Steve Ough moving up to 4th behind Ben Cater a lap later Tom Stoten had dropped a further place as Tim Tudor’s forward progression continued. On lap 5 Ben Cater moved up to 2nd place behind Michael Gibbins. From the back of the grid Justin Law was up to 6th place but unfortunately he was continually recording track limit reports. Gavin Wills was extending his lead in the Historics Class from Mike Dodd and Will Schryver.
On lap 9 Josh Law moved up into 3rd place behind Ben Cater and the podium battlers from Race One were together again Steve Ough shadowing Colin Peach. Will Schryver had displaced Mike Dodd in the Historics to be second behind Gavin Wills. As the focus tended to be on the front of the grid back in the pack ,there was some great racing going on. With Peter Williams, Andy Chittenden, Ash Law and Roger Donnan having a great dice. In turn both John Owen and Mike Turner were having better runs following their race one disappointments running in 15th and 16th places respectively.
On lap 13 Ben Cater was unable to hold back the irrepressible force that was Josh Law. He was now second with what was to become a wounded MCR in the lead. Michael Gibbins had lost the clutch. Whilst driving quickly he could not respond to Josh’s charge if he became close enough to challenge. Josh though was providing himself with an inbuilt handicap as he started to receive time penalties for track limit infringements. On lap 14 Josh received a 5 second penalty and on lap 18 he received a further 10 second penalty. Josh finishing the race just 3 seconds behind Michael but after penalties were applied he finished 4th, promoting Ben Cater to second place and that man who had not previously been on the podium until his win in race one Colin Peach finishing 3rd and claiming his second podium of the weekend.
Peter Needham was the first of the retirements on lap 17. He felt the engine vibrating and decided to retire before further damage. Wayne Ridge taking his stint in the family Gunn retired on lap 19 along with Tom Stoten who retired to the pits and Steve Ough who pulled off at Copse.
The Final result being the win for Michael Gibbins, Ben Cater 2nd with Colin Peach 3rd. Peter Williams was the Derek Bell winner with Roger Donnan 2nd and Mike Turner 3rd. Gavin Wills claimed his 1st win in the Historic Sports 2000 from Will Schryver and Mike Dodd 3rd each winning their class.

Race 3

After the frenzy of testing, qualifying and two races preceding the Final Race on Sunday morning, there was a relatively relaxed build up to the end of the weekend. Following his engine vibration Peter Needham withdrew from race 3. Whilst the Noaro/Harmer pairing had been out in the evening looking for the silencer box that had been shed during the second race. Mike Fry had offered them a new one. Which would require some surgery. As luck would have it the missing component was reported to be at Copse in the nick of time and major work become a more simple repair for Jon to finally get to race the car on Sunday.
Adrian Ridge would have his second drive in the brothers, Gunn car and Tim Tudor was all fired up for the final run in the University of Wales car. With two good finishes Tim was looking to end his weekend on a high and had a gear ratio change put in overnight. With his best grid position of the weekend starting 5th he was well placed for a run into Copse Corner. It had been a baptism of fire for the students but they had responded well to the challenges and both cars were ready for the Final push.
Josh Law finally had a chance to take a race to Michael Gibbins. Starting in 4th on the inside line for Copse his only problem could be the experienced Ben Cater ahead of him. Michael’s team had sorted out the clutch so a clash of the current cream was on the cards.
The formation lap created a new set of challenges for Tim Tudor. Third and Fourth gears were backwards meaning the car was not shifting in its usual order. Understanding the problem. Tim felt he could overcome the handicap and still have a competitive race to end the weekend.
At the end of lap 1 it was indeed Michael Gibbins who led from Josh Law. Michael had left the grid like a hare from a trap and was soon building an unpredicted lead over his rival Josh.
Ben Cater was initially 3rd, but a fired up Colin Peach overtook him on lap 3 and the pair whilst dropping back from the lead pair were having a race of their own. This final race proving to be the closest with the most consistent dicing of the weekend. Despite his issues Tim Tudor had maintained his 5th place starting position, although he had probably expected to be involved with the dice ahead involving Colin and Ben.
Starting from the penultimate row of the grid following his race 2 retirement, Steve Ough was on a charge, gaining 7 places on the first lap. Following him two place back was Tom Stoten who had started at the very back of the Duratec grid.
In the Historic Class, Will Schryver led from Gavin Wills and Jon Harmer. These three quickly forming a breakaway trio whose battle would last the entire race.
Clive Steeper had a bit of a cushion in 4th place from Mike Fry and Mike Dodd who had another great tussle.
As Tim Tudor battled with his gear selection issues he was gradually being caught by a five car train headed by Andy Chittenden, with Josh Needham, Ash Law, and the rapid Steve Ough who was drawing ever closer.
On lap 9 the order began to change. Josh Needham was the first to slip past Tim Tudor, but Tim slipped back on the inside at Copse which forced Josh wide dropping him some positions in the train lining up the struggling Tim Tudor. Brooklands always a favourite overtaking point was the next attack. Both Andy Chittenden and Ash Law going for a late braking manoeuvre. Whilst Tim only lost position to Ash at Brooklands he was unable to resist Andy Chittenden at Copse.

Unfortunately Steve Ough had taken the opportunity to follow Andy through at Copse as Tim had slipped wide, they made contact with damage to both cars. Tim ran wide onto the run off at Copse. Tim retiring on the following lap with damage to the side and front.
Steve Ough would retire on lap 14. He had broken the battery mount which was located on the side of the car. Entering the pit lane the car did shed its smoking Lithium battery which did cause some consternation in Race Control. But all ended well. Tim and Steve did review their accident with Terry Scannell the Clerk of the Course with no further action required.
Lap 10 saw a change in the order at the head of the Historics race. Gavin Wills still led but he now had Jon Harmer glued to his tail with Will Schryver remaining close. On lap 11 Mike Dodd would become the only retirement from the Historics race.
As the regrouped pack started lap 12 the order from 5th down was now Ash Law, Andy Chittenden, Peter Williams, Steve Ough, Josh Needham, Roger Donnan John Illey. Whilst all the excitement was taking place on track. Tom Stoten brought the Gunn into the pits at the end of lap 10. He did return to finish two laps down but he did set the 3rd fastest lap of the race. The Gunn and Tom are always quick, Gary Gunn is so close to having another car to mount a serious challenge at the head of the field. Bryn Tootell retired on the same lap. Coming into Brooklands he felt there was something wrong with the front end. Wisely he brought the car into the pits. Upon inspection a connecting rod to the steering had broken from its mountings.
Rafe Higson would be the next retirement on lap 15. Despite his non finish he did appear to have enjoyed his first outing with Sports 2000. As Rafe was retiring Will Schryver did get the better of the hard charging Jon Harmer to resolve the podium order for the Historics.
With all places now apparently set the last of the action would play out. In 5th place the group of 6 had stayed together following the demise of Tim Tudor and Steve Ough. For many laps Ash Law had stayed at the head of the group fending off Andy Chittenden from Peter Williams. On lap 19 Andy Chittenden was the first to move up the order displacing Ash, with on the following lap Peter Williams doing the same. Josh Needham after his earlier Copse excursion got to within half a second of Ash but in the end remained in place.
Behind them Roger Donnan who had been enjoying a dice with John Illey found himself alone for the closing laps. John in the University of Wales car found he was losing oil pressure and started to drop back. A detached oil line brought an end to John’s race. He swiftly pulling off at Copse when he detected the problem. It had been a long and challenging weekend for the batch of University students. They now have a lot of work to have the two cars ready to compete at Castle Combe on 6th May the Endurance round.
The Final surprise coming on the last lap when Josh Law pulled off the track to retire. Not the opening weekend anyone had expected. But Josh and the law team put a huge effort into their racing.
For Simon Aldworth in the Historics his weekend ended on a high note having enjoyed a good race with Mike Fry. Adrian Ridge was pleased to achieve a finish on the last race of their weekend but the Novices had enjoyed their first experience of racing.
The final results being a second win for Michael Gibbins, second place for Ben Cater and another 3rd place podium for Colin Peach. Peter Williams was the Derek Bell winner from Roger Donnan. The Historic podium completed with another win for Gavin Wills, William Schryver 2nd and Jon Harmer 3rd. Again all class winners.
The awards at the end of the meeting were hosted by Nick Bates, with Maureen acting as his assistant. Colin Peach earned a huge cheer for being presented with Driver of the Day. The whole weekend being beyond his wildest expectations. Mike Turner was very satisfied with his performance and is now looking forward to a season of racing with Sports 2000.
The other winner from this weekend was the performance of the Hoosier tyres. There were many positive comments relating to the new rubber. Yes you had to be sensible scrubbing them in, but after that the performance was consistent throughout the weekend. With many reporting their best laps coming at the end of the last race.
After the terrible opening to the season with the incidents on Friday everyone left feeling positive, having enjoyed a good weekend’s racing amongst friends and competitors. The strong spirit of support and camaraderie being very much in evidence throughout the whole event.

My thanks to everyone who contributed either at or post the races with information to compile this report.

Many thanks to Alan Jones for this report.

Full results are available via the Results Page. Here

Race Images

Many thanks to Kevin Gibson of KJG Photograpy for these Images from the event. To view the full set or purchase copies visit https://www.kjgphotography.co.uk