Silverstone – 19/20th April 2025 Race Report, Video, Images and Results

Posted on: April 29th 2025 • Posted in: Race Results

Rounds 1 and 2 – Silverstone National

Qualifying and Race Entry

The Easter Weekend at Silverstone saw the Sports 2000 cars emerge from their winter burrows to hop into action for a new season. There was an entry of 34 cars, 21coming from the Duratec classes and 13 from the Historics.
Sadly there were some withdrawals Mike Turner had problems with his oil pressure in testing, Andrew Noble withdrew and Chris Snowdon was taken ill at the circuit bringing the entry down to 31.
The pre-qualifying dramas did not end there for the enthusiastic group of competitors. Josh Law’s team had to race back and collect the team car from last year which fortunately had not been sold when the new car developed problems. Michael Gibbins was experiencing the very familiar problem in the paddock of alternator failure, accompanied by a clutch issue. This would be something the team would be working with throughout the weekend.
John Owen had potential oil leak. James Barwell had a car that was overheating in testing, Colin Peach was very grateful of the garages for the first event as he continued to complete the pre-season rebuilding of the car prior to going out on track.
This being Silverstone and the first event of the year there has to be a University of Wales story. The students must have the most exhaustive education in the Motor Sport world. New team first time out rebuild the new rear bodywork on John Iley’s car when it collapsed in testing. The team finished work at 4.00 a.m. of the race morning.
Aside from the University having a new team of students within the Paddock there were some other people that were new. Having his first ever Motor Race in the ex Mira Feyerabend Tiga SC79 was Patrick Clifton. Patrick coming to the Championship as a complete novice learning at every circuit.
At the opposite end of the scale Marcus Weller joins the Championship in the Historic B class, sharing with William Schryver in the Royale RP37. Marcus has partnered Will over the years in the Schryver family Shapecraft Elan, formerly racing in the early part of the millenium in a Formula Ford.
The next thing you will observe is that the Championship has new sponsors in the form of Ancaster Leisure Services and JSE-Systems of Lincolnshire. Finally perhaps the most important new feature. The lovely Pink Ladies who work so hard to provide refreshments at race events will be joined by Chloe’s Club Coffee the space being provided by Surf & Turf Instant Shelters. This provides the in place for teams & drivers to collect and reflect upon the world.
To add a touch of drama to the Saturday morning qualifying there was some light rain. Nothing sufficient to require wets but enough to ensure everyone kept on line to achieve a time.
The early pace setters were Richard Johnson, Ben Cater and Paul Trayhurn in the Duratec classes whilst in the Historic Classes Nik Johnson and Will Schryver set the pace throughout the session.
Michael Gibbins was the first find a sub minute time in Duratecs, Tim Tudor also had been finding pace after a spin. Saving his times until late in the day Josh Law renewed the battle that has lasted for seasons placing himself on pole position by one tenth of a second from Michael Gibbins. Paul Trayhurn, Richard Johnson and Ben Cater completing a top six covered by just one second.
Nik Johnson, Lola T88/90 headed the Historics by half a second from Will Schryver and Marcus Weller, Royale RP37, and Marc Noaro, Tiga SC80 each topping their respective classes.
John Iley had a difficult session with an unexplained misfire when going round right hand bends, a real disadvantage at Silverstone with so many right turns. Peter Needham had a shortened qualifying session when the steering arm broke on his Van Diemen going into Copse. Something of a focussing moment not to be recommended. Paul Stevenson retired to the side of the circuit early in the session too.

All was set for the new season.

Race 1

From the outset Michael Gibbins led Josh Law, the pair running in close company, Richard Johnson stayed with them for a lap before easing back into a comfortable third place with Paul Trayhurn in 4th.
Andrew Butler was an early retirement pulling into the pits at the end of lap one. In the Historic class Marcus Weller in the Royale was fending off the attentions of Nic Johnson, with Marc Noaro in 3rd place and Simon Aldworth close in his wheel tracks.
As early as lap 4 the lappery had begun the top 3 getting through quickly. Ben Cater was able to make use of the track space deposing Paul Trayhurn for 4th place following in 5th would be James Barwell who lost the place a lap later to Tim Tudor.
In the historics Marcus Weller was still leading Nik Johnson, but in third place was Mike Fry with Simon Aldworth 4th and Marc Noaro back in 5th place. Colin Peach had moved up to 10th place finding some better pace than those ahead of him. Lap 8 and Nik Johnson made his move to head the Historic Race a lead he was not to lose.
With the order of the first three set in both Duratecs and Historics for the end of the race. Attention dropped further down the order. A big field and large speed differentails on a relatively short circuit meant that lappery would come into play. With a busy race track there were some reports of contact nothing deliberate or damaging, more about competitors getting their race heads up to speed. Tim Tudor passed Ben Cater on lap 14 to move into 4th place. Colin Peach after an early solid run found himself slipping down the order as his tyres deteriorated. Roger Donnan was also slipping back for the same reason.
Aside from Andrew Butler and Paul Stevenson there was just one more retirement Andreas Floth retired on lap 18. The first wins of the new season going to Michael Gibbins and Nik Johnson. Nik also claiming a new lap record.
Paul Trayhurn finished 6th in his Gunn TS11 winning the DB Class from Roger Donnan and Steve Ough. Class B winner would be Colin Peach, with Josh Needham 2nd and Grant Gibson 3rd.
Nik Johnson was the overall winner of the Historics setting a new lap record, Marcus Weller was second overall and 1st in class B, 3rd overall Peter Needham, 2nd in Historic Class A, 4th overall and class C winner Simon Aldworth.

Race 2

A sunny Sunday morning with a race before lunch and a gentle run home to tuck into all those Easter eggs. All cars and drivers were ready for a better run in race 2.
On the formation lap that was a report of debris on the circuit, looked like it could have been an exhaust. All cleared. For Michael Gibbins and Josh Law it looked like being a repeat of the first race. With Michael extending an early lead which soon stretched to 3 seconds. Tim Tudor had made a good start to take 3rd place from Richard Johnson, Ben Cater was 5th with James Barwell completing the top 6. In the Historic Race Will Schryver was in the driving seat of the Royale this time, Nik Johnson in his Lola was 2nd, Simon Aldworth 3rd with Mike Fry 4th. Will losing that lead position to Nik on the following lap. At the end of the first lap John Owen pulled into the pits to retire fuel pump problems.
On lap 4 it would be a fuel pump shutting off at Becketts that caused Mike Fry to retire. The only good thing about that Mike was able to coast into a safe area and the race continued uninterrupted. Roger Donnan had gained one place on his starting position passing Ash Law at the start. On lap 8 Colin Peach was called into the pits to have damage to his rear bodywork sorted. Colin’s day got worse when clutch problems developed leaving him to finish 2 laps down 25th overall but third in class. The previous lap Paul Stevenson had pitted to retire. The race had settled everyone was in their race rhythm until lap 11 when James Barwell had a spin at Maggotts and was unable to drive out of the gravel trap.
A safety car was called with Michael Gibbins and Josh Law acting as the control cars until the safety car was able to become the lead car. As always the pack was well disciplined and the Marshals were able to quickly recover James’ car after 4 laps.
At the restart the lead cars made a clean getaway, those following had a problem when the Safety Car lights failed to clear giving the leaders a big time advantage. Tim Tudor had Paul Trayhurn and Richard Johnson in close company with David Houghton giving them both some close attention.
On lap 21 as Michael Gibbins approached the entry to Brooklands the Rear wishbone failed. He managed to bring the car safely to rest without further damage. Tim Tudor moved into 2nd place with Paul Trayhurn elevated to 3rd place overall and 1st in class. Richard Johnson came home 4th, David Houghton 5th with Ben Cater rounding out the top 6. The remaining class positions Ash Law 7th, Roger Donnan 8th Overall, 2nd in DB class followed in 9th by Peter Williams 3rd in DB class.
Class B Winner Josh Needham was 11tth with class rival Grant Gibson 12th and second in class, Colin Peach in 25th finishing 3rd in class.
The Historic overall winner was Nik Johnson winner of Class A and also Driver of the Day. Will Schryver 2nd Overall, Class B winner, 3rd overall and 2nd in class B Peter Needham. Simon Aldworth was the winner of Historic Class C.
The prize presentations were made by Club Chairman Nick Bates, with trophies created by Andrew Belcher of Didit-Prints. The next event will be at Brands Hatch on the Grand Prix circuit. Where battle will recommence.

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