Well what a day that was at Oulton ........ results here: http://www.tsl-timing.com/mgcc/2013/133653pcb.pdf The weather was actually dry and mostly sunny all day despite mid-week forecasts suggesting otherwise. Some stunning times set in quali on the Pirelli slicks from 8:30am. Sumpter emerging with a time just into the 1m 51's so taking pole, followed by 'Oulton Specialist' Carniel in his Boxster & then Bradshaw also in a Hartech Boxster - Morris bringing up the top four. Race 1. It took Bradshaw a couple of laps to re-assert his recent authority and he then went onto win comfortably by 5 seconds followed by Sumpter, Carniel, Slater, Morris & McAleer in very close order after battling race long. John McCullagh (968) maintained his dominance of Class 2, with Koeberle (968) coming home 2nd, Ings dropped to 4th when Toon snatched 3rd also in his 968. Whittle was the only DNF in race 1, he had rubbed a rim with someone at the first corner and his tyre valve was damaged giving him a puncture ....... I think they will be using the stubby size of tyre valve in future! Race 2. Two green flag laps were required due to some oil from the previous race. Bradshaw got off the line and emerged at the end of lap one as the clear leader, Carniel holding second place with a queue of folk behind eager to steal it from him. That is how it stayed for 11 of the 14 lap race distance but Carniel was then pushed off at Lodge by Slater to end his race - Slater ended up being excluded for that indiscretion. Meanwhile Sumpter lost his brake pedal, probably due to a faulty flare on a brake pipe and had to retire. Higgins was also an early retiree, believed to be due to a steering pump failure. So at the front Bradshaw won again, followed by Morris and McAleer who worked very hard to try and close the gap on Bradshaw. Duncan in a Class 1 968 had the most awkward of starts, he visited a lot of the grass at the first corner called 'Old Hall', skilfully avoided the barriers after being very close and joined the race in last place. John McCullagh won again as he challenged some of the Class 1 front runners, such was his pace. Koeberle stole 2nd place after a patient drive to catch and then overtake the fast starting Ings. Awards presented about 7 pm, then back on the M6 for everyone, homeward bound. Next races at the Britcar weekend at Silverstone on Sat/Sun 21st & 22nd September. Quali and 2 races on the Saturday, topped off by a third race on the Sunday morning before the Britcar 1000km race commences. See you there then .................
