- Tue Apr 03, 2012 5:31 am
#3284043
Courtesy of "MotorV8 Media"
Pembrey: March 31st/April 1st (Rounds 1 and 2 of BARC’s VTEC Challenge)
The rural South Wales circuit of Pembrey was the first venue to play host to the 2012 VTEC Challenge.
Over the weekend of 31st March and 1st April, rounds 1 and 2 of the series were held as part of an action packed weekend of racing.
Situated on the site of a former WW2 RAF airfield and latterly a disused chicken farm, the circuit at Pembrey came about in the early 1980’s.
Perched a few miles inland from the Welsh coast, and close to the famous Pendine Sands of land speed record fame, the circuit of Pembrey offers a track that combines the fast sections of “Park Straight” and “Speedway” to the slow complex corners of “Hatchet” and “Brooklands”.
VTEC Challenge:
Returning for a second season of close and exciting racing, the first event on the calendar is always a nervous affair. With another year of economic gloom forecast, the fact the series is so well supported on and off the track is a testament to its popularity, and to the skills of the organisers.
With prolific 2011 race winner Rich Voaden sidelined from the opening rounds, it was anyone’s guess as to who would triumph.
With a large turn out of new drivers racing alongside last years competitors, everyone would be out to see who’s car was quickest come qualifying.
Stewart Hutchinson turned out his freshly rebuilt DC2 Integra to admiring glances throughout the paddock. Finished only hours before the event, the car really has to be seen to be appreciated, and everyone was keeping a close eye on it as it was prepared to hit the track.
Mark Chese carried on from where he left off last season, and drove the short journey from his home in Bristol to the circuit. A number of fellow HOT members followed suit and travelled from Swansea, Aldershot and Buxton in order to take part.
A first for 2012 is the entry of Mark Bennett. This is due to the fact that Marks S2000 is the first RWD car to take part in a VTC event.
A revised class structure for 2012 has seen a drop in the number of classes to 4:
Production 1600 (P16)
Production (P)
Tuner (T)
Super Tuner (ST)
Entrants:
01 Andy Smith Production Honda Accord Type R (ATR)
03 Tim Blowers Production Honda Integra Type R (DC5)
04 Mark Bennett Production Honda S2000
09 Chris Olive Super Tuner Honda Civic EK9
11 Dave Roberts Production 1600 Honda CRX
17 James Hammett Tuner Honda Civic EK4
26 Rob Williams Production Honda Civic (EP3)
64 Richard Chilton Production Honda Integra (DC2)
70 Michael Clark Production 1600 Honda Civic (EG6)
85 Stewart Hutchinson Tuner Honda Integra Type R
98 Mark Chese Production Honda Civic Type R (EP3)
Qualifying
With a relaxed timetable, the track had been subject to several hours of use, putting down some tyre rubber which would ultimately help grip levels. The only downside was that the same event was host to the UK truck racing championship, where the race tuned tractor units are famed for leaving oil, water and diesel deposits on the racing line.
With potentially tricky conditions, the drivers would need to exercise caution in order to set their fastest lap time, without disappearing off into the Welsh countryside!
With the call to all drivers announced over the tannoy, everyone headed to parc fermé in readiness for the session to start.
At the given time, the drivers were released and the fun commenced.
Rocketing out at the head of the pack was Andy Smith in his Accord Type R. Series sponsor Smith has transformed his Accord over the winter months into something resembling a Honda works touring car from the early 2000’s, with increased performance to match.
Also showing an increased pace was Dave Roberts, in his P16 CRX. Rebuilt and refreshed in a new shade of yellow, Dave and series organiser Mike Clark battled for class honours on the grid, with Dave the victor by 0.791 seconds. However due to overheating problems, Roberts cut short his session and returned to the paddock in an attempt to rectify the problem.
New to the series, and Chris Olive in his K20 powered EK9 put in progressively quicker lap times, and by the end of the session had placed an impressive 3rd overall.
On a new track, and with his car untested, Stewart Hutchinson rightly took things easy until everything was right. With time running out, Hutchinson pulled his fastest lap out of the bag and piped Smith to pole, which he had held until that point.
Pole: Stewart Hutchinson – 1.08.330
2nd: Andy Smith – 1.08.845
3rd: Chris Olive – 1.09.581
Following qualifying, despite setting the fastest time for pole, Stewart was unable to race due to noise issues. Not wanting to compromise the car in any way, it was withdrawn from the race, giving pole back to Andy Smith.
Race 1:
With only a short distance from parc fermé to the grid, everyone was soon lined up for the formation lap.
With the red lights out, the VTEC engines screamed into life, as everyone powered down “Park Straight”.
From pole, Smith held onto his lead down to the hairpin of “Hatchets” and straight away showed that his Accord is one formidable opponent for the season ahead.
With Olive leading the rest of the pack, everyone rounded the hairpin and gave chase. On cold tyres and pushing hard, Chese’s in the CTR found rear grip lacking and did well to hold on as the car got out of shape.
Already Smith was pulling out a lead as those behind him battled for position in class and overall.
Pushing hard, Chris in his EK9 locked up heavily under braking, which resulted in both front tyres going down to the carcass, and ending his race after 8 laps.
Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, Chese took up the reigns and slipped into 2nd place, which he held until the race finished.
Into 3rd, and Roberts in the CRX continued to stay with the more modern machinery until the overheating gremlins returned, forcing an early retirement.
Clark, Chilton and Williams had the fight of the day, vying for the same piece of tarmac lap after lap. A lock up by Williams promoted Chilton and Clarke who continued their battle until the Civic of Clark passed the DC2 of Chilton on lap 12.
Running his own race, James Hammett had a trouble free race and finished 6th overall in his first race.
Battling for position, were Tim Blowers and Mark Bennett in the S2000. Evenly matched, both Honda’s lap times dropped, with Blowers knocking off 3 seconds from his qualifying time.
Smith crossed the line untroubled, although without the VTEC working from half distance, Chese had closed the gap from 10 seconds to less than 5 as the chequered flag dropped.
1st: Andy Smith
2nd: Mark Chese
3rd: Mike Clark
Class wins were awarded to Andy Smith (P) Mike Clark (P16) James Hammett (T)
Fastest lap: Mark Chese 1.08.608
Race 2:
Race 2 took place on the Sunday, which allowed the drivers some time to sort out any issues following the first race.
Dave Roberts enlisted the help of Rich Voaden from Performance Autoworks in an attempt to resolve the overheating issues. With some modifications to the cooling system and some tweaks to the ECU, he was good to go.
New guy Rob Williams needed to fit a new clutch to his EP3 Type R, which was made all the more difficult as the part was at their base in Telford! A mercy dash saw the clutch arrive at Pembrey and fitted in time to race.
With Smith on pole for the start of race 2, Chese lined up alongside, with Clarke sat behind. As the lights were extinguished, it was Smith who again led the charge to “Hatchets”, with Chese loosing out to Clarke for 2nd place.
With the rest of the grid across the start/finish line for the first time, the racing got underway in earnest.
Already pulling away from the pack, Clark began to chase down Smith, whose Accord was showing signs of trouble as smoke trailed from the rear of the car.
Roberts CRX race ended after clawing his way back up to 5th following an incident with Tim Blowers and his DC5, and a separate coming together with one of the safety barriers. Combined with overheating issues again, and Dave’s race was run, but an early warning to those on track that this will be one to beat come Oulton.
Again, Chese, Williams and Chilton were racing hard and close for the entire event until Williams and Chese came together on the last but one lap causing Chese to drop from contention. Chilton capitalised on the pair’s mistake to move up to 2nd place, where he stayed as the race came to a close.
Benefiting from fresh tyres, Olive came through from the back row to carve through the grid and finish 4th. A great result for the novice and a sin of things to come.
A spin by Smith allowed Clark to come through and take the lead at half distance, and the little P16 DX Civic began to lap ahead of a recovering Smith, who looked to have spun on oil coming from a damaged sump gasket. With a cabin filling up with smoke, Smith pulled the stricken Accord off the circuit and into the pits, unable to complete the race.
Hammett again continued to race un-hindered and crossed the line in 5th overall and 1st in class.
Blowers and Bennett again raced cleanly throughout the race. FWD versus RWD, both showing the difference in cars being levelled by the new class structure. More will be seen of these two in months to come.
Comfortably out in front, Mike Clark took his first victory of the year, again showing a relatively standard car is capable of taking the win.
1st: Mike Clark
2nd: Richard Chilton
3rd: Robert Williams
Class wins were awarded to: Mike Clark (P16) Richard Chilton (P) James Hammett (T) Chris Olive (ST)
Fastest lap: 1.08.315 Chris Olive
Summary:
Another brilliant event comes to a close, with some great racing. The on track action was a battle of skill and nerve, with excellent close fought racing. The year ahead looks great.
The VTEC Challenge heads to Oulton Park in Cheshire for rounds 3 and 4 on the 19th May. Favoured by Hutchinson, Smith and Blowers, it’s one not to miss!
Pembrey: March 31st/April 1st (Rounds 1 and 2 of BARC’s VTEC Challenge)
The rural South Wales circuit of Pembrey was the first venue to play host to the 2012 VTEC Challenge.
Over the weekend of 31st March and 1st April, rounds 1 and 2 of the series were held as part of an action packed weekend of racing.
Situated on the site of a former WW2 RAF airfield and latterly a disused chicken farm, the circuit at Pembrey came about in the early 1980’s.
Perched a few miles inland from the Welsh coast, and close to the famous Pendine Sands of land speed record fame, the circuit of Pembrey offers a track that combines the fast sections of “Park Straight” and “Speedway” to the slow complex corners of “Hatchet” and “Brooklands”.
VTEC Challenge:
Returning for a second season of close and exciting racing, the first event on the calendar is always a nervous affair. With another year of economic gloom forecast, the fact the series is so well supported on and off the track is a testament to its popularity, and to the skills of the organisers.
With prolific 2011 race winner Rich Voaden sidelined from the opening rounds, it was anyone’s guess as to who would triumph.
With a large turn out of new drivers racing alongside last years competitors, everyone would be out to see who’s car was quickest come qualifying.
Stewart Hutchinson turned out his freshly rebuilt DC2 Integra to admiring glances throughout the paddock. Finished only hours before the event, the car really has to be seen to be appreciated, and everyone was keeping a close eye on it as it was prepared to hit the track.
Mark Chese carried on from where he left off last season, and drove the short journey from his home in Bristol to the circuit. A number of fellow HOT members followed suit and travelled from Swansea, Aldershot and Buxton in order to take part.
A first for 2012 is the entry of Mark Bennett. This is due to the fact that Marks S2000 is the first RWD car to take part in a VTC event.
A revised class structure for 2012 has seen a drop in the number of classes to 4:
Production 1600 (P16)
Production (P)
Tuner (T)
Super Tuner (ST)
Entrants:
01 Andy Smith Production Honda Accord Type R (ATR)
03 Tim Blowers Production Honda Integra Type R (DC5)
04 Mark Bennett Production Honda S2000
09 Chris Olive Super Tuner Honda Civic EK9
11 Dave Roberts Production 1600 Honda CRX
17 James Hammett Tuner Honda Civic EK4
26 Rob Williams Production Honda Civic (EP3)
64 Richard Chilton Production Honda Integra (DC2)
70 Michael Clark Production 1600 Honda Civic (EG6)
85 Stewart Hutchinson Tuner Honda Integra Type R
98 Mark Chese Production Honda Civic Type R (EP3)
Qualifying
With a relaxed timetable, the track had been subject to several hours of use, putting down some tyre rubber which would ultimately help grip levels. The only downside was that the same event was host to the UK truck racing championship, where the race tuned tractor units are famed for leaving oil, water and diesel deposits on the racing line.
With potentially tricky conditions, the drivers would need to exercise caution in order to set their fastest lap time, without disappearing off into the Welsh countryside!
With the call to all drivers announced over the tannoy, everyone headed to parc fermé in readiness for the session to start.
At the given time, the drivers were released and the fun commenced.
Rocketing out at the head of the pack was Andy Smith in his Accord Type R. Series sponsor Smith has transformed his Accord over the winter months into something resembling a Honda works touring car from the early 2000’s, with increased performance to match.
Also showing an increased pace was Dave Roberts, in his P16 CRX. Rebuilt and refreshed in a new shade of yellow, Dave and series organiser Mike Clark battled for class honours on the grid, with Dave the victor by 0.791 seconds. However due to overheating problems, Roberts cut short his session and returned to the paddock in an attempt to rectify the problem.
New to the series, and Chris Olive in his K20 powered EK9 put in progressively quicker lap times, and by the end of the session had placed an impressive 3rd overall.
On a new track, and with his car untested, Stewart Hutchinson rightly took things easy until everything was right. With time running out, Hutchinson pulled his fastest lap out of the bag and piped Smith to pole, which he had held until that point.
Pole: Stewart Hutchinson – 1.08.330
2nd: Andy Smith – 1.08.845
3rd: Chris Olive – 1.09.581
Following qualifying, despite setting the fastest time for pole, Stewart was unable to race due to noise issues. Not wanting to compromise the car in any way, it was withdrawn from the race, giving pole back to Andy Smith.
Race 1:
With only a short distance from parc fermé to the grid, everyone was soon lined up for the formation lap.
With the red lights out, the VTEC engines screamed into life, as everyone powered down “Park Straight”.
From pole, Smith held onto his lead down to the hairpin of “Hatchets” and straight away showed that his Accord is one formidable opponent for the season ahead.
With Olive leading the rest of the pack, everyone rounded the hairpin and gave chase. On cold tyres and pushing hard, Chese’s in the CTR found rear grip lacking and did well to hold on as the car got out of shape.
Already Smith was pulling out a lead as those behind him battled for position in class and overall.
Pushing hard, Chris in his EK9 locked up heavily under braking, which resulted in both front tyres going down to the carcass, and ending his race after 8 laps.
Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, Chese took up the reigns and slipped into 2nd place, which he held until the race finished.
Into 3rd, and Roberts in the CRX continued to stay with the more modern machinery until the overheating gremlins returned, forcing an early retirement.
Clark, Chilton and Williams had the fight of the day, vying for the same piece of tarmac lap after lap. A lock up by Williams promoted Chilton and Clarke who continued their battle until the Civic of Clark passed the DC2 of Chilton on lap 12.
Running his own race, James Hammett had a trouble free race and finished 6th overall in his first race.
Battling for position, were Tim Blowers and Mark Bennett in the S2000. Evenly matched, both Honda’s lap times dropped, with Blowers knocking off 3 seconds from his qualifying time.
Smith crossed the line untroubled, although without the VTEC working from half distance, Chese had closed the gap from 10 seconds to less than 5 as the chequered flag dropped.
1st: Andy Smith
2nd: Mark Chese
3rd: Mike Clark
Class wins were awarded to Andy Smith (P) Mike Clark (P16) James Hammett (T)
Fastest lap: Mark Chese 1.08.608
Race 2:
Race 2 took place on the Sunday, which allowed the drivers some time to sort out any issues following the first race.
Dave Roberts enlisted the help of Rich Voaden from Performance Autoworks in an attempt to resolve the overheating issues. With some modifications to the cooling system and some tweaks to the ECU, he was good to go.
New guy Rob Williams needed to fit a new clutch to his EP3 Type R, which was made all the more difficult as the part was at their base in Telford! A mercy dash saw the clutch arrive at Pembrey and fitted in time to race.
With Smith on pole for the start of race 2, Chese lined up alongside, with Clarke sat behind. As the lights were extinguished, it was Smith who again led the charge to “Hatchets”, with Chese loosing out to Clarke for 2nd place.
With the rest of the grid across the start/finish line for the first time, the racing got underway in earnest.
Already pulling away from the pack, Clark began to chase down Smith, whose Accord was showing signs of trouble as smoke trailed from the rear of the car.
Roberts CRX race ended after clawing his way back up to 5th following an incident with Tim Blowers and his DC5, and a separate coming together with one of the safety barriers. Combined with overheating issues again, and Dave’s race was run, but an early warning to those on track that this will be one to beat come Oulton.
Again, Chese, Williams and Chilton were racing hard and close for the entire event until Williams and Chese came together on the last but one lap causing Chese to drop from contention. Chilton capitalised on the pair’s mistake to move up to 2nd place, where he stayed as the race came to a close.
Benefiting from fresh tyres, Olive came through from the back row to carve through the grid and finish 4th. A great result for the novice and a sin of things to come.
A spin by Smith allowed Clark to come through and take the lead at half distance, and the little P16 DX Civic began to lap ahead of a recovering Smith, who looked to have spun on oil coming from a damaged sump gasket. With a cabin filling up with smoke, Smith pulled the stricken Accord off the circuit and into the pits, unable to complete the race.
Hammett again continued to race un-hindered and crossed the line in 5th overall and 1st in class.
Blowers and Bennett again raced cleanly throughout the race. FWD versus RWD, both showing the difference in cars being levelled by the new class structure. More will be seen of these two in months to come.
Comfortably out in front, Mike Clark took his first victory of the year, again showing a relatively standard car is capable of taking the win.
1st: Mike Clark
2nd: Richard Chilton
3rd: Robert Williams
Class wins were awarded to: Mike Clark (P16) Richard Chilton (P) James Hammett (T) Chris Olive (ST)
Fastest lap: 1.08.315 Chris Olive
Summary:
Another brilliant event comes to a close, with some great racing. The on track action was a battle of skill and nerve, with excellent close fought racing. The year ahead looks great.
The VTEC Challenge heads to Oulton Park in Cheshire for rounds 3 and 4 on the 19th May. Favoured by Hutchinson, Smith and Blowers, it’s one not to miss!
