Silverstone – 4/5th April 2026 Race Report, Images and Results

Posted on: April 10th 2026 • Posted in: Race Results

Silverstone National, Rounds 1 – 3

Qualifying and Race Entry

After the winter layoff the Sports 2000 Championship for 2026 commenced at Silverstone on the National Circuit. Many familiar faces returning for another year. New cars, new liveries and some new faces too. The Law family were taking a rest but that did not stop Ash Law dropping by to say hello to all his racing friends.
Having given himself a sabbatical last year, Tom Stoten was looking forward to a new season, the break having re-ignited his love of racing.
What was new for 2026? The Championship coming into line with MSUK regulations became a single Championship for both Duratec and Historic Pinto engined cars. The classes remained as before so there was plenty to compete for, both on the day and over the year.
David Williams purchased the Van Diemen RF94 of Grant Williams, being immediately quick in the car. Grant remaining in Britain before heading to Australia, was on hand to assist David during the testing and the season opening races.
Gary Gunn had been busy rebuilding and repainting the Gunn TS11 of the Ridge Brothers as well as Paul Trayhurn. Both cars looking resplendent in their new liveries. Lee Gorst after his run of races in a Citreon C1 has now progressed to partnering his father David in their MCR. David deciding against the Silverstone triple header for himself with Lee offering the additional drive to Mark Fletcher. Chris Snowdon entered for Silverstone a very sleek black Carbir. Patrick Clifton continuing in the Pinto class with the ex John Deane-Bowers Tiga SC85.
Last but by no means least on the list would be newcomer Matthew Harbot, his MCR having previously raced by Keith Mizen and Mike Turner.
The most welcome return to the SRCC was for Chloe’s Coffee Shop. With the Storm Dave passing through over the weekend she was pleased to be safely established in one of the garages providing hot coffee and a relaxed haven from Friday throughout the weekend.
Friday testing reduced reduced the 28 car entry by one, when David Houghton’s engine expired. David taking part in the event as Clive Hayes stepped down transferring David into his own MCR. John Iley in the University of Wales MCR also suffering engine problems, having blown a head gasket during the test.
The qualifying times on Saturday were headed by Michael Gibbins. Michael demonstrating quite quickly he would be the opening favourite for the title this year. However, qualifying demonstrated the opposition would be strong with a group of 6 cars all within less than a second of his qualifying time.
Consistently heading the following group were Mackenzie Walker and Richard Johnson. Mackenzie only 0.313 seconds slower at the end of the session. Richard Johnson slipped to 4th in the standings when James Barwell outqualified him by 4/100ths of a second on his penultimate lap.
Next behind Richard would be Ben Cater, his MCR immaculately rebuilt following his fire last season. Tim Tudor qualified 6th with David Williams in the Van Diemen completing the last of the 6 cars within one second of Michael.
8th on the grid would be newcomer Matthew Harbot, Paul Trayhurn 9th, who later identified why he was going progressively slower during the session. His rear hub had failed. Welding repairs were made to the car and Paul would take his place on the grid for the first race of the weekend. Roger Donnan completed the top 10.
Mike Fry in his Tiga SC79 headed the Historic Classes, with Simon Aldworth in the Lola T492 following just 0.371 seconds behind. Marc Noaro in his Tiga SC80 was 3rd quickest, 4th in the Historics and top class A runner was Chris Snowdon in the Carbir.

Race 1

At the start it was Michael Gibbins who led away, Mackenzie Walker made a bad start slipping back 6th place with the best start being made by Ben Cater, who came through on lap 1 in second place with James Barwell in 3rd and Tim Tudor in 4th from 8th on the grid. 5th was Richard Johnson with Mackenzie in 6th place. In 7th place was David Williams in the first of the non MCR car, Roger Donnan was 8th leading his class, from Paul Trayhurn in the Gunn, Steve Ough rounding out the top 10.
The Historics field was being led by Simon Aldworth who missed third gear allowing Mike Fry to lead briefly from Marc Noaro. This lasted until the Maggots, Becketts complex, where Mathew Harbot was stranded on track having a spin on cold tyres. Thankfully everyone avoided the stricken car, but it did allow Simon Aldworth to slip past Mike Fry as he and Mike Noaro found a safe passage around Mathew. This also proved to be an interesting moment for Mike Turner too, as he and John Owen had shared that car originally when they started racing in Sports 2000. Mike being doubly grateful to avoid contact.
On lap 2 Marc Noaro slipped past Mike Fry to gain second place in the Historics. The order of the top places at the head of both fields remained established for a number of laps. At the head of the Duratecs Michael Gibbins extended his advantage over Ben Cater to 3.8 seconds. Mackenzie Walker overtook Richard Johnson for 5th place on lap 3 with the hapless John Iley retiring to the pit with a failed alternator.
On lap 6 Josh Needham who had been sitting in 16th place in his Van Diemen RF02 spun off at Copse, resulting in damage to the rear of the car luckily with no injury to Josh. The broken car was considered to be in an unsafe position and the safety car was called into operation whilst Josh’s car was lifted clear of the tyre wall.
After 3 laps the race was able to resume, with all the time advantages being negated. Michael Gibbins again led away for the restart of the race. Richard Johnson and Tim Tudor were behind Richard Cooke as they came to the control line. Tim misjudged the start passing Richard early, the error being caught with Tim receiving a three place penalty despite handing the place back to Richard.
The bunching of the field proved to be of advantage to Mackenzie Walker who overtook James Barwell on lap 12 to take third place. At Becketts both David Williams and Roger Donnan ran wide which allowed Paul Trayhurn through into 8th place. Roger running the widest of the two dropping from 8th to 12th place tucking in behind Tom Stoten.
The bunching of the pack had allowed Marc Noaro to get back onto Simon Aldworth’s tail. Simon able to make a good restart and pull away. Although he was grateful for catching Richard Cooke towards the end placing the lapped car between himself and the fast approaching Mike Fry who had moved into second place of the Historic race.
Mackenzie Walker running nearer the front was continuing to set personal best times closer to those of Michael Gibbins in the lead. On lap 15 Mackenzie moved into second place leaving Ben Cater with the final podium slot.
Having dropped back to 12th place Roger Donnan now had Peter Williams and Mike Turner snapping at his heels, with the recovering Matthew Harbot catching the trio too. On lap 16 Peter Williams passed Roger Donnan to claim 12th place.
As the lead trio entered the final stages of the race Mackenzie was lapping faster than the leader Michael Gibbins, reducing Michael’s lead of 2.765 seconds on lap 15 to 1.79 seconds at the flag. James Barwell on the final lap dropped back two places behind Richard Johnson and Tim Tudor on the road. Losing only one place after Tim’s penalty was imposed. The final order being a win for Michael Gibbins, with Mackenzie Walker second, Ben Cater third Richard Johnson 4th, James Barwell 5th, Paul Trayhurn 6th and winner of Class DB, David Williams was 9th and winner of Class B. Simon Aldworth was the overall winner of the Historic Classes. Mike Fry finished second in his only race of the weekend, with Chris Snowdon third overall and winner of Class A Historic. Patrick Clifton being the Historic Class B Winner.

Race 2

The grid for race 2 would be set from the 2nd fastest qualifying lap, with the front two rows being identical to race one. On row three the grid started to alter with David Williams lining up alongside Tim Tudor. Ben Cater shared Row 4 with Roger Donnan Ben starting behind David Williams. Steve Ough and Mathew Harbot completed the top 10. Mark Fletcher in the Gorst family MCR would start from 13th on the grid alongside Mike Turner. 15th place on the grid would be John Iley with a new battery and alternator.
Absent from the grid would be Josh Needham, whose car required a lot of repair work. Peter Williams who fired up his car in the garage on the Sunday morning only for it to sound like a box of broken Easter eggs rattling in the back rather than a race engine. The last absentee and the only significant change to the Historic grid would be the withdrawal of Mike Fry. Unfortunately his family had not got the memo he was supposed to be racing at the weekend and a wedding had been booked for that day. We are certain that Mike’s attendance was well received.
From the lights out it was another clean start for Michael Gibbins to lead into Copse, on this occasion Mackenzie Walker made an equally good start slotting into second place. Richard Johnson gaining a place to slot into 3rd with James Barwell 4th Ben Cater 5th and Tim Tudor 6th, that order remaining unchanged until the final lap.
David Williams dropped back to 8th place with Steve Ough, David Houghton, and Paul Trayhurn all gaining places. Marc Noaro a great start to lead the Historics race into Copes from Simon Aldworth and Chris Snowdon. Mathew Harbot did not complete a lap a lengthy session post race with assistance across the garages getting the car ready for race 3 when the problem was tracked down to suspect throttle bodies.
On lap 2 Patrick Clifton had a spin on cold tyres at Luffield and his car refused to restart. There was a brief safety car period whilst his car was pushed to safety. A frustrating end to Race 2 for the young driver who is getting closer to the times of the much more experienced drivers ahead of him.
David Williams run in the Van Diemen ended prematurely on lap 6 when he pulled off on approach to Maggotts the Rear Wheel having come loose.
David’s demise promoted David Houghton to 7th place with Roger Donnan in eighth place leading the Derek Bell Class from Steve Ough in 8th place. Tom Stoten in the first of the Gunn chassis was 9th with Mike Turner having a good run completing the top 10 placings.
John Iley’s earlier progress through the field was gradually reversing, having run as high as 12th place on the opening laps he was progressing back to be 16th by lap 11.
On lap 10 Marc Noaro ran wide at Copse which gave Simon Aldworth to retake the lead of the Historics, to compound his problems Marc proceeded to have a spin at Luffield dropping him behind Chris Snowdon who had been gaining on the two cars ahead of him.
On lap 13 Adrian Ridge pulled off the circuit on the Wellington when his throttle cable broke. As the race drew to its conclusion Mike Turner was enjoying a close race with Steve Ough and Tom Stoten. Mike being pleased to record the fastest lap for the class. John Owen and Andrew Noble were continuing their Class B battle from Race 1 which on this occasion was the class win.
The final twist to the result of this race would come on the final lap when Richard Johnson who had been in third place from lap 1 retired at Becketts on the very last lap. His alternator had failed leaving him with no battery giving James Barwell the final podium slot.
The result would the second win of the weekend for Michael Gibbins, second place to Mackenzie Walker, James Barwell 3rd, Ben Cater 4th Tim Tudor 5th, David Houghton 6th Roger Donnan 7th and winner of Class DB, Steve Ough 8th and second in Class DB, Tom Stoten 9th and Mike Turner 10th.
John Owen 12th place was the winner of Class B from Andrew Noble. Chris Snowdon came home 1st of the Historics with Class A win with Simon Aldworth second and winner of Class B, completing the podium for the Pinto engine cars was Marc Noaro.

Race 3

With the grid for race 3 being established by the finishing order of race 2 a certain amount of the interest lay towards the rear of the grid. Richard Johnson would be starting from Row 7 14th on the grid, gaining a place through the withdrawal of John Iley’s University of Wales MCR. John’s lack of progress in Race 2 being due to the engine which had found to be in need of too much work.
All of the other cars with issues from Race 2 were back and ready to race. A lot of the work in the garage over the weekend seemingly shared by Gary Gunn, Grant Williams, Andy Catano and Chris Snowdon. Across the grid there appears to a very willing group looking to assist wherever they can to get everyone on track. Gary spending a lot of time with a loaned Mig Welder to ensure Adrian Ridge and Paul Trayhurn got through the weekend as well as sorting out a braking issue for Tom Stoten who had cracked front discs.
Michael Gibbins made it a perfect hat trick for this opening weekend. Once again leading from Pole position at the started never to be headed. Ben Cater did manage to get the better of Mackenzie Walker at the start holding him at bay for the first two laps before Mackenzie headed the chase to catch Michael Gibbins who had already built a gap.
Lee Gorst and Mathew Harbot both fell foul of the Maggotts, Becketts complex. Both retiring following contact.
From his 14th place starting position Richard Johnson was up to 7th place by lap 3. With Paul Trayhurn being the other obvious driver advancing through the pack coming up to ninth place from his 11th place starting position. James Barwell and Roger Donnan both having poor opening laps.
Simon Aldworth would be the next driver to have problems at Maggotts losing the lead of the Historics as he ran so wide at Becketts it looked it could be intending to join the Equipe racing taking place on the Silverstone International circuit. He did manage to find his way back join at the rear of the Historic pack.
Lap 6 Richard Johnson passed David Houghton for 6th place with Tim Tudor and the recovering James Barwell demoting Ben Cater to 5th place. On lap 7 Roger Donnan became the next spinner at Maggots. Roger managing not to get lost as badly as Simon resuming in 16th place last of the Duratec runners.
On the following lap Roger gained one place when John Owen pulled off the circuit with a blown engine. Lap 9 and Richard Johnson would pass Ben Cater for 5th positon. A position he would hold for one lap as he became the next driver to have a spin dropping him back to ninth place so that he could enjoy the battle once more. Whilst Richard settled into his race again, James Barwell reclaimed the final podium spot, with Tim Tudor in 4th place and Ben Cater returning to 5th place.
With the demise of John Owen, Andrew Noble would again be second in Class B this time behind the recovering Van Diemen of David Williams. Who had made progress up to 12th place following his rise from 16th on the grid.
Chris Snowdon who had started from the back of the grid following gear selection issues, had taken the lead of the Historic Race on lap 6 from Marc Noaro . Simon Aldworth taking second from Marc on lap 11 as he closed onto Chris for the win.
In the absence of laps behind the Safety Michael Gibbins, took his third victory of the weekend having completed 21 laps compared to the 20 of the previous two races. Michael’s advantage being 6.395 seconds back to Mackenzie Walker in second place and James Barwell in 3rd place. In terms of individual lap times the top 6 were covered by just 6/10ths of a second over a lap. The promise is there for Michael to have some tough competition during the season.
4th place went to Tim Tudor, with Richard Johnson after all his challenges coming through in 5th place Ben Cater 6th, David Houghton 7th, Steve Ough 8th and the winner of the DB class, David Williams winner of Class B in 9th and the first of the non MCR cars with Paul Trayhurn completing the top 10 and the first Gunn chassis home.
Chris Snowdon was the winner of the Historic Classes with Simon Aldworth 2nd and winner class C with Marc Noaro 3rd of the Historics Patrick Clifton winning Historic Class B.
Richard Johnson for his drive from the rear of the grid in the third race to an eventual 5th (despite his spin) place earned him the driver of the day.
Prizes were presented by club Chairman Nick Bates, and refreshments provided by the Pink Ladies in association with club Barista Chloe.
The Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit on the 2nd and 3rd May will be the venue for rounds 4 and 5 of this years Championship supporting the GT World Challenge.

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