SVRA (Sportscar Vintage Racing Association)

Groups 3 & 4. The top 4 places in Group 4 were Lotus Elevens.

2nd Brian MacEachern (OH) FWB First in Class 4

7th Glenn Stephens (GA) FWE First in Class 4

Bruce Miller (CA) FWB Second in Class 4

Ed Nigro (CA) FWB Third in Class 4

Richard Goldsmith and George Barber also furnished cars for a photo shoot with Vintage Motorsport.

Groups 5 & 7

10th Travis Engen Lotus 23 First in Class 5FM

Photos and other info: Click here

Gold Cup Races. Tons of 7s, Elans, Europas, and Elevens in attendance, along with a Lotus 51 Formula Ford and a Lotus23.

Elevens and a 17 were campaigned in Group D (along with Allards, Healey Silverstones, Jags, and Corvettes!).  Unfortunately Hank Giffen's 17 didn't make the start.   Baxter Phillips Eleven FWB was on his way to 1st in class and third or fourth overall when he got a flat. (Reported by Chris Tchorznicki as due to a to a staple puncturing the tube!).   He was classified 9th and last, but still won Class D3 (up to 1500cc).

The 1220cc class got a bit easier when Harvey Seigel's Lola (FWE) had a brake problem. Speaking of brake problems, I discovered that those little triangular keepers on the calipers really do something.  During practice, mine fell off in the roller coaster and the brake pads ejected.  When I got to HogPen the pedal went to the floor!  A nifty spin and some alert driving by my competitors and I ducked a bullet.  Never did find those brand new pads!

I finished first in my Eleven FWE in class D2, and 4th overall.   Nick Grewal Eleven FWE was second in class D2, 5th overall.

On Sunday I had a heck of a dice with Connie Nyholm in her brand new 550hp Allard. She outdragged me at the start and obviously I couldn't get her on the straight so I had to find a way around in the Esses without getting squashed like a little aluminium bug.

Results: http://www.virclub.com/vir/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=113&Itemid=155

Pictures: http://www.virclub.com/vir/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=38

A series for historic sportsracing cars.

Class A  Cars over 1.5 litres, built between Jan 1st 1954 and Dec 31st 1960.  Those with Coventry Climax engines may not exceed 2 litres.

Class B  Cars up to 1.5 litres, built between Jan 1st 1954 and Dec 31st 1960.

Class C  Cars of any engine capacity, built between Jan 1st 1947 and Dec 31st 1955.

Class D  Cars up to 1.1 litres, built between Jan 1st 1954 and Dec 31st 1960.

Class T  Trophy class for non-registered competitors in cars which are in period but outside of classes A to D.

Round 1

1st April

Graeme Dodd was triumphant in round one of the 2006 BRDC Historic Sportscar Championship. Driving a Cooper-Monaco, Dodd dominated the race - leading from start to finish, and he also qualified his 1998cc car on pole position for the fifteen-minute race.

Reigning champion, Philip Walker (Lotus 15) finished second, despite a quick spin at Luffield during the closing stages,

with Barry Cannell (Willment-Climax) performing well to take third and the final podium placing.

Peter Horsman (Lotus 17) was the winner of Class B, Ben Eastick (Jaguar D Type) won Class C and Jamie McIntyre (Rejo) won Class D.

Result (14 laps):
1. Graeme Dodd (Cooper Monaco)
2. Philip Walker (Lotus 15)
3. Barry Cannell (Willment Climax)
4. Peter Horsman (Lotus 17)
5. Jamie McIntyre (Rejo MkIV)
6. John Clark (Lola Mk1)
7. Tony Wood (Lister Jaguar)
8. Ben Eastick (Jaguar D Type)
9. Rupert Wood (Widi MkII)
10. Andrew Garner (Lister Jaguar)
11. John Pearson (Lister Jaguar)
12. Chris Keen (Kurtis 500s)
13. Jim Woodley (Lotus 17)
Retired
Les Ely (Cooper Bobtail)
John Harper (Cooper Monaco)
Stephen Gibson (Lister Jaguar)
DNS
Sidney Hoole (Cooper Monaco)
Barry Wood (RGS Atalanta)

Result:
1. Gary Pearson (Lister Jaguar)
2. Graeme Dodd (Cooper Monaco)
3. Philip Walker (Lotus 11)
4. Peter Horsman (Lotus 17)
5. Barry Cannell (Willment Climax)
6. Rupert Whyte (Lotus 11)
7. Stephen Gibson (Lister Jaguar)
8. John Pearson (Lister Jaguar)
9. Andrew Garner (Lister Jaguar)
10. Ben Eastick (Jaguar D Type)
11. Nigel Webb (Jaguar XK120)
12. John Clark (Lola Mk1)
13. Chris Keen (Kurtis 500s)
Not classified:
Barry Wood (RGS Atalanta)
DNS:
Tony Wood (Lister Jaguar)

Fastest Lap: Graeme Dodd (Cooper Monaco) 1:38.268/71.70mph

Round 4

PEARSON WINS - DODD EXTENDS LEAD

Gary Pearson won round four of the BRDC Historic Sportscar Championship at a sun-drenched Brands Hatch, Kent, at the wheel of a Lister Jaguar.

In dominant fashion, Pearson clocked the fastest time in qualifying, and then led the race from start to finish to score his second success of the 2006 season.

The BRG Lister Jaguar crossed the finishline 1.694 seconds ahead of second-placed John Harper (Cooper Monaco) and third-placed driver, Graeme Dodd (Cooper Monaco).

Despite suffering gearbox problems, Dodd's third position was enough to see him extend his championship lead to a margin of twenty points over the Class C leader, Ben Eastick (Jaguar D Type).

Philip Walker, driving his Lotus 11, won Class B for 1500cc machines, Eastick took Class C awards for the older cars, and Jamie McIntyre bagged the 1100cc trophies and Class D.

Result:
1. Gary Pearson (Lister Jaguar)
2. John Harper (Cooper Monaco)
3. Graeme Dodd (Cooper Monaco)
4. Philip Walker (Lotus 11)
5. Peter Horsman (Lotus 17)
6. Jamie McIntyre (Rejo MkIV)
7. John Clark (Lola MkI)
8. Shaun Lynn (Lister Jaguar)
9. Nigel Webb (Jaguar XK120) *JEC XK Challenge car*
10. Andrew Garner (Lister Jaguar)

Graeme Dodd won the fifth round of the 2006 BRDC Historic Sportscar Championship at Silverstone's MGCC International Weekend on Saturday.

Driving a Cooper Monaco, Dodd was the class of a small field of cars that raced on the 2.2-mile International Circuit - the only outing for the series on the version of the Silverstone track this season.

Dodd led the 8-lap event from start to finish, to head home the Lotus 17 of Peter Horsman and the Rejo MkIV of Jamie McIntyre.

As a result of his victory, Dodd has extended his lead at the head of the championship standings to 60 points, 24 ahead of his nearest rival, Class B leader, Peter Horsman.

Race report by Peter Ross. Results courtesy of MST Sports Timing http://www.msttiming.com

This race was dominated by three Cooper Monacos who were seldom more than 2 seconds apart, and it was a race long duel between Simon Hadfield and Graeme Dodd, but the latter just could not find a way past. Philip Walker in the Lotus 15 took 4th place, but was caught and nearly passed by Peter Hardman in the 3 litre Aston Martin DBR1.

Peter Horsman won Class B, but had to see off a challenge from Jamie McIntyre in the 1100cc Rejo Mk III who finished less than half a second behind him, and Rupert Whyte in his 1460 cc. Lotus Eleven who actually put up the fastest Class B lap. Neil Davies was not circulating at his normal pace in his usually very rapid Lotus Eleven with 1460 cc FWB engine.

Graeme Dodd won the penultimate round of the BRDC Historic Sportscar Championship at Oulton Park on Bank Holiday Monday, to close in on the prestigious BRDC title.

Driving a Cooper Monaco, Dodd held of the strong challenge of John Harper during the early stages of the twenty-minute race, to win and claim fifteen valuable championship points.

Despite a misfire, Harper managed to continue in the race to finish second, with guest racer, Jac Nellemann, finishing third in his well-known Lotus 15.

Peter Horsman kept his championship aspirations alive by winning Class B for the 1500cc cars, finishing fourth overall. Jamie McIntyre (Rejo MkIV) took Class D in sixth position, and Benjamin Eastick (Jaguar D Type) scooped the Class C spoils by finishing ninth.

Results:
1. Graeme Dodd (Cooper Monaco)
2. John Harper (Cooper Monaco)
3. Jac Nellemann (Lotus 15)
4. Peter Horsman (Lotus 17)
5. Gary Pearson (Jaguar D Type)
6. Jamie McIntyre (Rejo MkIV)
7. Rupert Wood (Widi MkII)
8. Malcolm Ricketts (Lotus 11)
9. Ben Eastick (Jaguar D Type)
10. Jim Woodley (Lotus 17)
11. Phil Bennett (Lister Jaguar)
12. Nigel Webb (Jaguar C Type)
13. Ben Cussons (Jaguar C Type)
14. Malcolm Paul (Elva Mk5)
15. Tony Bailey (OSCA)
16. William I'Anson (Rejo MkIII)
17. Mark Cooke (Maserati 350S)
Not Classified:
Les Ely (Cooper Bobtail)
Stephen Gibson (Lister Jaguar)
Fastest Lap:
John Harper (Cooper Monaco) 1:56.386 (83.26mph)

Graeme Dodd has won the 2006 BRDC Historic Sportscar Championship after dominating the season at the wheel of his Cooper-Monaco.

Following the disappointment of last year, when he missed out on the title following problems in the penultimate round, Dodd made sure of his crown by driving strongly throughout the season in his ex-Ted Williams car.

A second place finish in the final round of the eleven race series at Donington Park's Vintage Sports Car Club-organised 'See Red' meeting, was enough for the Oxford-based racer to claim the title.

Peter Horsman finished fifth overall at Donington to claim second position in the championship standings at the wheel of his Class B specification Lotus 17, while Jamie McIntyre impressed with his 1100cc Ford-powered Rejo MkIV to claim third position in the championship.

The BRDC Historic Sportscar Championship entertained at all of Britain's premier circuits during the year, and although grid sizes mid-season left the Club concerned over the future of the championship, the final three events of 2006 have resulted in larger grids, and good racing.

* Plans regarding the 2007 BRDC Historic Sportscar Championship season are currently being formulated, and an announcement will be made by the Club during the next few weeks.

Points after Round 11: The Reg Parnell Trophy (Donington Park, 24th September)

(from left to right): Brett Johnson, Bruce Miller, Richard Ruff, Skip Cook, Pete Lovely, Stewart Smith, Richard Goldsmith, John Hurabiell (red shirt), Stan Anderes, Jeff Snook, Ed Nigro, Jacqui
Mincheff, Brian MacEachern, and Carla Marvin.

Lotus Elevens Celebrate at the Monterey Historics

Vic Thomas wrote in "Historic Lotus" that there was a record set at Sebring when 17 Elevens participated, thus making it the largest gathering in the history of the car. It is likely that attendance record will stand as “16” Lotus Elevens participated in this year's Monterey Historic weekends of August 12-13 and 19-20. The first weekend's races at the famed Laguna Seca track, humorously known as the “Prehistorics,” hosted about 350 cars including 14 Lotus Elevens. The following weekend at the “Monterey Historics” also included 14 Elevens but not all the same ones. Taken together, then 16 individual Elevens appeared to celebrate their birthdays.

Richard Ruff at the Corkscrew

Stewart (85), Jeff and Jacqui

Over the two weekends that comprise the Monterey event, the drivers enjoyed track time but also a wine tasting, informal conversations in the paddock, a party hosted by Sherry Engberg, Susan Smith and Carla Marvin, who provided the “50th Anniversary” cake, and a bar-b-que at Kent Evans beautiful home in Pebble Beach . All in all it was a fitting celebration of the Lotus Eleven.

The drivers who participated were:

In a special ceremony held at the conclusion of the races, Steven J. Earle, president of General Racing Ltd. and the event’s founder, was joined by special guest presenters; Sir Jack Brabham, three time world champion and Doug Meine, Executive Vice President, Rolex USA, to bestow Historic awards
in recognition of the achievements of select race participants.

Among the awards given is the "The Ken Miles Trophy" to honor an early car/driver that best represents the spirit of vintage racing. This year the worthy recipient was Pete Lovely, driver of his 1959 Lotus Eleven. Congratulations Pete from all the Lotus Eleven owners as well!

He finished 7th out of 29 cars in the up to 2500 cc class in the 1956-1960 Sports Racing car group 2B, but this race performance had nothing to do with the award.