JACKSONDECIDES AGAINSTHAYESENTRY

Historicchampiontofocuson2019,asmoyersheadsfield

Newly-crowned Historic Formula Ford 1600 champion Cameron Jackson has decided against competing in the Walter Hayes Trophy this weekend after a recent test.

Jackson had planned to contest the Silverstone event in a Speedsport-run Van Diemen RF07 alongside fellow Historc Fford racer Ed Thurston, but has now decided to focus on developing the car for next year.

“We had a bit of a testing programme, had issues along the way, so we’ve not really been able to develop the car,” he said. “Myself and Mike [O’brien, Speedsport boss] made the decision not to do it. We don’t want to just make up the numbers, we want to prove we can get right on the pace.

“A couple of things went wrong, we had some engine issues, we ran out of time to get the car on the button. Last year, we did it and had some issues and struggled for pace, I don’t want to be in that position again. Those guys are running around in those cars all year and the teams are well versed, they have their set-ups and data and we’re starting from zero.

“I think the intention is to keep developing the car, race it a few times next year to prove its pace ahead of next year’s festival-type events at Brands and Silverstone.”

This year’s entry list is headed by 2017 winner Michael Moyers in his Kevin Mills-run Spectrum 011C. Moyers did not contest the Brands Hatch Festival a fortnight ago but will return to action at the Hayes after a partial season in the National Championship this year.

Other possible frontrunners who didn’t contest the Festival, but will be back for the Hayes, include Castle Combe champions Josh Fisher (Van Diemen JL14) and Roger Orgee (Spectrum 011C).

Festival winner Josh Smith will be looking to add to his success, while runner-up and National champion Niall Murray is not participating.

Other drivers to watch include three-time Hayes winner Joey Foster, along with past podium finishers Stuart Gough and Oliver White.

Scottish champion Ross Martin and 2016 Festival podium finisher Chris Middlehurst are both late entries for the Hayes and have yet to be assigned a heat.

Event organiser James Beckett says he’s “very pleased” with the numbers for this year’s event and expects the final total entry to top 100 cars, with it standing in the late 90s as MN closed for press.