CATERHAMS STEAL THE SHOW AT SILVERSTONE
A bounty of silverware was on offer last weekend as some of club racing’s most fiercely contested championships enjoyed a fantastic weekend of racing at Silverstone.
For once, the lesser-powered Caterhams took centre stage and, despite the fact that this was still only their first or second season of racing, between them, the Roadsports and Academy cars produced six thrilling encounters, defined by an abundance of slipstreaming, late-braking and four-abreast corner taking.
Charlie Lower was the Roadsports man on a mission, needing to not only outscore championship leader Geoff Newman but requiring his rival to have a bad day in the process. Lower won twice, Newman once; both were Academy champions last year and it was fitting that they should now be fighting each other for supremacy. Lower gave his all but Newman remained (mostly) in control to earn the spoils.
While one of this year’s Academy titles had already been settled, the other could still be won or lost. Tom McEwing led the White group standings on paper but had to work hard to get past rival
Ben Timmons; the margin at the line being less than a tenth.
Both Mini grids had championships at stake. Andrew Jordan remained this year’s most winning Miglia driver, but earlier absences due to work commitments meant that he was out of contention for the main prize. Starting on pole for race one, the former British touring car ace soon found himself under attack from
Kane Astin and title contenders Aaron Smith and Rupert Deeth. What ensued was a magnificent display of slipstreaming and positioning, each of the frontrunners knowing that any loss of momentum might have them sent to the back. This was Jordan at his best; racing close, hard and fair while managing his tyres, and making sure to get himself perfectly placed for that last-lap assault on the lead, which he claimed.
Race two was all about the title. Smith needed a miracle; Deeth wasn’t going to oblige. Even the long drag along the Hanger Straight appeared frantic, but this time Astin had the pace to make it count, punching the air excitedly as he passed the flag with
Deeth close behind.
The other Jordan (Mike) was both the pacesetter and a contender in the Mini Se7ens. However, a broken driveshaft in race one, followed by a failed rocker arm in race two gave Connor O’Brien the green light to win twice and take the title.
Mikey Doble was also in double-winning form, juggling his time between here and Donington and doing all that was needed to secure the
BMW Compact Cup title at Silverstone. Not to be outdone, Elliot Lettis hit a hat-trick of wins in CityCar Cup.