HSA SPEED CHAMPIONSHIP REPORTS

WEBBER'S FOURTH TITLE

Event 33 at Curborough on 06/10/2024
The battle for FTD on the second day of Curborough’s HSA double-header finale, held on the Figure-8 course, could hardly have been closer with winner Simon Jenks just three hundredths clear of Andy Smith in a 57.12sec run. Unfortunately, the AFS P4t of the previous day’s winner Alex Summers had been withdrawn during practice with incurable front suspension problems and Jenks, aboard his new Ian Dayson built Force TA with, like the P4t, Cosworth/Opel V6 power, stepped in for the win. A newcomer to Curborough’s Figure-8 course, he skated straight on under braking for the tightening Flagpole Bend on his very first practice lap, but he more than made up for that later as he took the outright win, although at the awards presentation he gave due acknowledgement to Alex Summers’ non-start! And the delighted Andy Smith had once again won the 1100cc racing class in the Summers family’s Firehawk (the only spaceframe version and a car which Andy himself had designed at DJ) although his main class rival Richard Brant was another unfortunate practice retirement with a blown engine. In a fine drive aboard his 600cc OMS Hornet-Suzuki, young Morgan Hamer took third FTD just ahead of his father Ben.
          In fact the meeting started with Morgan’s sister Connie driving a Citroen C2 in the Junior class alongside her cousin Jensen Ker, but the main HSA protagonists first appeared in the 2-litre Standard Car class as Neal Bateman and William Hunt strove to keep in touch with Championship aspirant  Andrew Webber’s Europa, running in class U2. Neither were on record pace this time and Rob Thomson took the class win in his MX5. With another class win in his Exige, again from John Caldicott’s Elise, Andy Platt moved up into a final fourth overall on the Championship table ahead of over 2-litre class winner Glen Shaw. The Nissan driver won the class from Pekka Tulokas and James Hunt, maintaining his fifth place on the series table, while Hunt found his chirruping BMW E30 turbo eased down to sixth. Lewis Porto was the only HSA runner in the 2-litre Modified class, which was won comprehensively by Ian Carvell’s rapid VW Scirocco.
          The Pre-94 Formula Fords were out in force again, with Jimmy Harris and Trevor Willis once again first and second. But this time, perhaps fittingly, it was Trevor’s long time assistant Sam Wilson that took a fine third place in his Jamun. Unfortunately it was practice that saw the retirement of yet another potential front runner as the Ryders’ Van Diemen, which was to have been driven today by Alex Coles (who won the 2022 BH Cup in the car) was sidelined with clutch problems.
          Once again running on his own in Class U2, Andrew Webber was not this time on record pace. But he still did enough to secure his fourth HSA title, pushing battling classmates Willliam Hunt and Neal Bateman down to second and third overall in the standings. It was also Andrew’s first title win in the Europa V8, the previous three having all been won aboard his Elan Plus 2,

 

SUMMERS WINS AT CURBOROUGH

Event 32 at Curborough on 05/10/2024
Alex Summers, sharing his unique AFS P4t V6 with Simon Mather, set a 51.51s FTD on the first day of the HSA Championship double-header at the Lichfield sprint course. Summers was chased home at a respectful 4.43s distance by DJ Racecar’s Andy Smith, winner of the 1100cc racing class driving Lindsay Summers’ DJ Firehawk. Having his first single seater drive for 15 years, Andy fought off stern opposition from early leader Richard Brant’s Force PT.
          In a 70-strong entry, 20 HSA contenders were present to contest the final two rounds over the weekend with Saturday’s event run over the 2-lap course and with three timed runs on offer. At the start of the day the outcome of the Championship was still undecided, but in the very first class, for 2-litre Standard cars, current leader Neal Bateman in his Clio was the first of seven contenders on the day to set a new HSA class record. Sixth in the series coming to Curborough, Andrew Platt and his Lotus Exige were also on record pace, winning the 2-litre Production Road class from another HSA record-breaker, John Caldicott in his Elise.
          After Andrew Tennent had set a new HSA record in the 2-car Mazda class A2.1, won by the non-registered Matthew Morgan, just three more were set on the day. In the over 2-litre production class, Porsche Carrera 2 driver Roy Newton, Pekka Tulokas with the Mazda and Glen Shaw in his Nissan 350Z all bagged record points, with Tulokas and Shaw both on a maximum, although the class was won by the non-HSA registered Tim Elmer, driving the Alpine he had acquired just a few days earlier from Roger Moran.
          Ben Bowdidge and Anthony Earl both scored class wins and HSA points, but the highest points scorer and final record-breaker of the day was defending champion Andrew Webber. Running literally in a class of his own, his 18 point maximum score matched those he set at Aintree. Lydden and Werrington earlier in the year. Third overall in the Championship coming to Curborough, his prospects for a fourth HSA title (and his third in a row) were looking good.
          With the weekend also featuring the closing rounds of the Pre-94 Formula Ford Challenge, their 22-strong class was won by the Van Diemen RF85 of Jimmy Harris, the defending champion rounding off a successful season which included joint second overall in the British Hillclimb Cup. As usual, 3-times British champion Trevor Willis was sharing Richard Summers’ elderly RF80 and finished second in class, ahead of newly crowned British champion Matt Ryder, out in the family Van Diemen RF86 alongside his father John.
          After three competition runs, track temperatures had cooled down by the time the Alan Payne run-off rounded off the meeting and no-one improved on their class winning times. But Neal Bateman missed his target by a hundredth to take the win in his Clio by a quarter of a second from Matthew Morgan’s Mazda, while just seven hundredths behind was the 4WD VW Golf R of Ben Bowdidge.

 

A low scoring day at Shelsley

Event 31 at Shelsley Walsh on 15/09/2024
Points were hard to come by at Shelsley Walsh on September 15th with no-one threating the existing HSA class records. This was largely down to the conditions, a bright and sunny morning followed by intermittent rain in the afternoon which meant that grip was hard to predict and, as one competitor put it, more of a pyschological exercise in approaching each run.

Top scorer was James Hunt in his BMW E30 who also won the well supported over 2000cc Series Production class with his first and only run of the day. In a similar fashion, Anthony Earl (Caterham) won the large Kit Car class but was some way off the HSA record and Russell Haynes (Zeus ZR163) won the Formula Ford class.

Sam Trundell and Chris Hancox, still enjoying their first season with their Standard Clio, went well but without a Standard Class on the day they were fighting it out with the regular up to 2000cc Series Production cars.

Bernie Kevill was the only driver to get under 30s and took FTD in his OMS28 with a 29.63s run.

Two of the top three competitors in the 2024 Woodford Trailers HSA Speed championship were absent and Andrew Webber retired after practice so there was no change in the overall leader board so, with only five points separating them, the final outcome of the championship will come down to the Curborough double header on October 5th and 6th.
 

Platt, Hunt & Shaw break records at Hethel

Event 30 at Hethel on 08/09/2024
On Hethel's challenging Lotus test track, Andrew Platt (Exige), James Hunt (BMW E30) and Glen Shaw (Nissan 350Z) all set new HSA class records by large margins.

In the Woodford Trailers HSA Speed championship, Neal Bateman (Clio) who lies second overall failed to make up any ground on the series leader due to dropped scores coming into play despite narrowly setting a new HSA record and win the Standard class on the day.

Anthony Earl (Caterham) went well to win the smaller kit car class while Paul Beesley (Westfield) and Stephen Laing (Caterham) had a close battle in the well supported larger kit car class with Beesley just taking the win.

Charlie Reilly (Van Diemen RF92) managed to break the HSA formula Ford record and Tony staines took FTD with his familiar Reynard Formula Opel with a 76.26s run.

Bateman & Hunt again at Aintree

Event 29 at Aintree on 31/08/2024
The two front runners in the 2024 Woodford Trailers HSA Speed championship, William Hunt (Honda S2000) and Neal Bateman (Renault Clio) continued their season long battle again at Aintree. Both are competing the the Standard class and setting new records by such large margins they regulalry take maximum scores as at Harewood. They repeated performance again at Aintree with Neal finishing less than half a second ahead of his rival who maintains a slender lead in the championship. Not far behind the Standard class pair lies Andrew Webber in the Lotus 47/62 who also took maximum points and still has an outside chance of a 'threepeat'.

Dropped scores and the final rounds at Curborough will determine the final outcome of the championship.

Other competitors to scroe well included John Caldicott (Elise), Dave Mockford (MG Maestro) and James Hunt (BMW E30) while Alex Gilchrist Jones (Mistubishi EVO 9) and Roy Newton (Porsche Carrera 2s) won their classes on the day.

Former British Sprint champion, John Graham, took FTD in his Gould GR55B with a 39.15s run.

Thanks to Danny Walton for the images.

 

Far better day at Snetterton

Event 28 at Snetterton on 25/08/2024
In marked contrast to the day before, both the weather and the other issues which had brought frustration to competitors and organisers alike, had improved considerably and a pleasant and successful event ensued.

The Snetterton 100 sprint course has been a popular event and this year 26 Woodford Trailers HSA speed championship competitors turned up for the Sunday part of the double header with many of them taking class honours.

The Standard class is becoming very well subscribed and, with 13 entries, the class saw HSA competitors fill the top four places. Neal Bateman and Rafe Trundell took the first two places in their Clios followed by championship leader, William Hunt in his Honda S2000 less than a tenth behind with Chris Hancox in the Clio he shares with Rafe in fourth place. The result moved Neal to within three points of William at the top of the championship table. Reigning champion Andrew Webber (Lotus 47/62) went well, setting a new HSA class record and sits in third overall a couple of points further back.

Mike Edwards (Mini), Jonathan Baines (Clio), Andrew Platt (Exige), Glen Shaw (Nissan 350Z) and Tony Beesley (Jedi MK4) all won their classes on the day.

Justin Andrews (Impreza), having changed everything for plugs to coils, couldn't eradicate his misfire so called it a day.

Geoff Ward (Swift SC93) was again the quickest Formula Ford just ahead of Charlie Reilly's Van Diemen RF92 while Les Buck, chasing a misfire all day, won the best car at event award with his Pringett Mistrale.

Chris Jones (Force TA) was as dominant in the dry as he had been in the wet, taking FTD (an astonishing 6 in a row) with a 78.27s final run and moving up to fourth overall in the championship table.
 

More re-runs than Gone with the Wind

Event 27 at Snetterton on 24/08/2024
Incessant heavy rain and timing issues conspired to make life very challenging for the organisers and, according to one report, more than 70 re-runs were given for competing vehicles getting too close to one another. Nevertheless, one practice and three timed runs were completed, even if a bit later in the day than was anticipated.

Consequently for the 24 Woodford Trailers HSA Speed championship competitors, scores were a wash out (!) except for those few runners fortunate enough to be in classes where there was no existing record.

There was some good in class competition with Glen Shaw (Nissan 350Z), Andrew Platt (Exige), Justin Andrews (chasing a misfire in his Impreza) and Tony Beesley (Jedi MK4) all winning their classes.

The Formula Ford runners all found their tyres unsuitable for the conditions and each had a spin or indiscretion with Geoff Ward coming out on top in his Swift SC93 ahead of Paul Morcom's Van Diemen RF89.

Chris Jones (Force TA) was the only driver to get under 100s and duly took FTD with a 99.26s

While this was all going on the 2CV 24 hour race was taking place on Snetterton's 200 circuit and the commentators managed to keep the sprinters entertained while waiting for their next run.

Bateman & Hunt battle it out at Harewood

Event 26 at Harewood on 24/08/2024
The two front runners in the 2024 Woodford Trailers HSA Speed championship, William Hunt (Honda S2000) and Neal Bateman (Renault Clio) continued their season long battle at Harewood. Both are competing the the Standard class and setting new records by such large margins they are often taking maximum scores. This was repeated at Harewood with Neal finishing 0.7s ahead of his rival who maintains a slender lead in the championship.

Last year's champion, Andy Webber (Lotus 47/62) is running third in the championship and managed to set a new HSA class record but by a smaller margin than the two leaders.

Thanks to Chris Bannister at JCB Photography for the images.

Miles & Jones climb up the table at Llandow

Event 25 at Llandow on 17/08/2024
With the British Sprint and Sprint Leaders championships making a welcome return to Llandow, a full entry of competitive cars assembled on August 17th and enjoyed a good days' competition in the warm sun. Steve Miles (2.0 Van Diemen RF96) and Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) were at the top of the time sheets and both scored well in the Woodford Trailers HSA Speed championship moving them up to equal fourth overall. Steve Brown had the Empire Evo running well and set an impressive new HSA class record.

Current champion, Andrew Webber, wasn't far behind in the scoring stakes and moved up to third overall, just behind the two leaders who weren't present. Elsewhere however, points were hard to come by with many competitors struggling to get close to the existing HSA class records or even their own PBs. Matthew Parr  (Fiesta ST) took an excellent win (and a just broke HSA class record) in the 14 strong over 2000cc Roadgoing series production class with Pekka Tulokas a strong second. Julian Harber took a class win in his familiar, purple mod prod Mini Clubman while Paul Davies (Radical Clubsport) was third in the under 1800cc Libre class.

 

MORE HSA ACTION IN WILTSHIRE

Event 24 at Gurston Down on 04/08/2024
Sunday’s Gurston Down round, held in similarly fine conditions to the previous day, saw Mike Edwards and James Hunt once again scoring in double figures. Although not quite on record pace this time, Edwards and his Cooper S moved a couple of places up the table to 15th overall, but Hunt found another half second to leap up the table from eleventh place to sixth in his BMW E30. Unfortunately Andrew Webber had been unable to cure the Lotus 47D’s misfire problem out of Karousel, which returned with a vengeance. However with the leading Championship contenders absent for the weekend his accumulated total of nine points, although perhaps not as many as he had hoped for, was still enough for the defending champion to take sole charge of third place overall on this year’s table, breaking clear of a tie with the absent Steve Miles.
          The17-strong Pre-94 Formula Ford class once again provided great entertainment, with Russell Haynes again leading the challenge from the Association’s five contenders, although this time at sufficient pace to take a new HSA record. Perhaps inevitably, the battle for outright honours featured another duel between Trevor Willis and Shaun Macklin, with Willis this time hanging on to his early lead despite a scrappy second run, but such was the competitiveness of the class that on Sunday Haynes dropped a place to fifth despite running almost half a second quicker than he had the previous day. Nevertheless, he moved up the HSA series table to eleventh place, retaining his status as the best placed Class J1 contender.
          Also with points in double figures on Sunday was last year’s series runner-up Pekka Tulokas, the MX5 driver moving up the table to end the weekend one place ahead of Haynes.

 

EDWARDS ON RECORD PACE AT HSA GURSTON

Event 23 at Gurston Down on 03/08/2024
The first of two warm, dry days at Gurston Down saw Mike Edwards emerge as top Association scorer on the day and, as it turned out, of the weekend. A spirited drive set the day’s only HSA record despite his Mini Cooper S being somewhat outgunned in a ‘catch-all’ general class for Woodford Trailers HSA Championship contenders. Up front, the class featured a close duel between the two relative lightweights, Michael Bartlett’s Radical Prosport and Anthony Earle’s Caterham Roadsport, in which Earle overturned Bartlett’s early lead to snatch the win by a hundredth of a second.
          The weekend also hosted four rounds of the popular Pre-94 Formula Ford Challenge and attracted seventeen contenders each day. Five of them were HSA entrants, among whom Class J1 Gurston record-holder Russell Haynes set the pace in his Zeus, finishing fourth overall in an ultra-competitive class. Haynes was just over half a second adrift of the overall class winner, outright Gurston FF class record-holder Shaun Macklin, who had set the mark back in 2018 in his Swift SC92. Macklin had overturned top British Championship contender Trevor Willis’s early lead in the elderly but rapid Van Diemen RF80 that he shares with Richard Summers by eight hundredths. The next highest HSA scorer was Les Buck, who brought his rare Pringett Mistrale home midfield a couple of seconds behind the class winner.
          Apart from Edwards and Haynes, the only other HSA contender to score in double figures was James Hunt, who moved up the Championship table as he brought his BMW E30 home third overall in the dedicated class for Association members. However defending champion Andrew Webber did not have the best of days, his Lotus 47D V8 suffering from a severe misfire exiting Karousel which was thought to be due to fuel starvation.

 

A better day at Loton

Event 22 at Loton Park on 14/07/2024
Fortunately Day 2 of HDLCC's July Interclub hillclimb was a much drier affair and saw a few more Woodford Trailers HSA Speed championship competitors entered.

The top two in the Championship, William Hunt (Honda S2000) and Neal Bateman (Clio) continued their close battle with only a tenth between the so scored the same number of points and keeping Hunt's three points lead intact.

Andrew Platt (Exige) had a good run, setting a new HSA class record and winning the well supported and competitive up to 2000cc Series Production class. There were twelve Formula Fords present and Russell Haynes put in a good perfoance with the Zeus ZR 163 to take second in class and set a new HSA Class record.

Anthony Earl took the 'kit car' class on the day and scored well while Glen Shaw (Nissan 350Z) took a good second in the over 2000cc Series Production class just ahead of Pekka Tulokas (MX50.

In the drier conditions compared with the previous day, normal service was resumed and Ben Bonfield took FTD with a 50.42s run.

Changeable Loton

Event 21 at Loton Park on 13/07/2024
Day 1 of HDLCC's summer Interclub hillclimb week-end was a story of the weather as showers affected just about everyone but at different times. So, some classes enjoyed a drier first run and a soaking second while the reverse was the case for some of the later classes to run. The result of all this was that Dave Banner took FTD with a 54.97s run in his Westfield Megabusa with Rick Leddy's Audi TT RS second fastest!

The weather also had a big impact on the Woodford Trailers HSA Speed championship as early runner, William Hunt was able to set a new HSA Standard Class record in his Honda S2000 and move ahead of Neal Bateman (just over a second behind) in his 'Standard Class' Clio at the top of the championship leader board.

Unfortunately for the rest of the HSA runners, points were hard to come by in the prevailing conditions with only Pekka Tulokas (MX5 and third in class on the day) and Michael Bartlett (Radical Prosport and fastest Libre) able to show their potential.

Webber moves up at Lydden

Event 20 at Lydden Hill on 13/07/2024
Reigning HSA Speed champion, Andrew Webber, moved up to third equal in the 2024 Woodfrod Trailers HSA Speed championship with another maximum point score in his thundering Lotus Europ at Lydden Hill.

Organisers Borough 19, ran a typically slick event on this challenging East Kent track helped, in large measure, by the good weather and only a couple of on track incidents throughout the day. A practice, followed by four timed runs and prize giving were all concluded before 5pm allowing most of the 113 entrants to plan their M25 avoidance tactics for the journey home.

The track continues to benefit from investment including some resurfacing and a smart new entrance off the A2 and, although a little dusty and short of grip early on, soon permitted a number of new HSA class records to be set.  

Sam Trundell got things going with a new HSA record in his Standard Clio and a good second, by a couple of tenths, in the large, up to 2000cc Standard Class on his first and very enjoyable visit to Lydden (and all the way down from Manchester!). Sam's shared drive, Chris Hancox, was third in Class three tenths further back. Another new record and class win went to Mike Edwards (Austin Mini) in the up to up to 1600cc Roadgoing Class.

Chris Bennett (Caterham) enjoyed a very close, day long battle with a couple of other Caterhams in the small Kit Car Class, winning on the final run and helped, in part, by a re-run when no time was recorded.

Tony Beesley went well in his familiar, green Jedi and took the Interclub FTD with a 72.33s run. Steve Broughton (1.4 DJ Firehawk) scored maximum points in the 1600cc Racing Car Class and 2nd FTD while Steve Brown has his 1.3s Empire Evo2 running reliably and quickly, posting third fastest overall. Chris Jones (1.0 Force TA) 'only' managed a 16 point score but was still comfortably ahead of the entire field to take the National FTD on 66.10s.

 

Points aplenty at first visit to Mallory

Event 19 at Mallory Park on 23/06/2024
Mallory Park 23^rd June 2024 Event 19: Hot sunshine and a perfect track surface greeted competitors at the Sheffield & Hallamshire organised sprint over 1¾ laps of this well-known circuit, a round of all three Woodford Trailers HSA sponsored championships with 27 participants entered. Paddock parking had been allocated to help both organisers and competitors, masses of space and the ground clean enough, competitors allowed to stay in the paddock overnight.  Paddock catering was available together with the usual facilities and showers. The driver's briefing was at 09:00, practice starting at 09:30 with one hour's lunch break. With an entry of around 120 cars, there were one practice and two competitive runs, the average lap time around 85 sec. The track included Edwina’s Chicane which bisects Stebbe Straight beside the smaller lake, the 2nd lap finish just before, with finishers missing the chicane and returning to the paddock.

This being the HSA Championship contenders’ first time competing at this venue, where a driver won their class, they scored 12 points. Times varied from Pete Goulding’s 64.21s in his Mygale EcoBoost to just over 100s, some drivers happier than others driving the track whilst some had not driven here before.

The event ‘ran to the wire’ with 3rd runs completed after 17:00 after several delays and Sprint Championship runners forgoing their second run-off. It was clearly difficult with several car sharing the Tarmac at any one time, but more of a sense of urgency or a smaller entry list might have taken the pressure off the organisers, something they will doubtless consider with the good news that a double-header weekend is planned for 2025.

Fyrth Crosse

Potter's FTD and Graham Hill trophy at Curborough

Event 18 at Curborough on 16/06/2024
The Owen Motoring Club's ever popular Graham Hill trophy sprint held on Curborough's Figure 8 track saw a close battle for FTD between Stephen Potter's 1.6 Empire EVO and Graham Blackwell's 1.6t Mygale Ecoboost with Potter taking the honours by less than a couple of tenths on the final run.

A new HSA class record for Neal Bateman (Renault Clio) saw him chip away at the absent William Hunt's championship lead and take a class win on the day. James Hunt (BMW E30) and Glen Shaw (Nissan 350Z) both just managed to break their respective HSA class records, with Hunt winning the class, and maintain their strong positions in the top 10 in the overall championship.

Runs galore at Three Sisters

Event 17 at Three Sisters on 16/06/2024
With only a modest entry attracted by Longton & District motor club to their early summer 3 Sisters sprint, held on the 2 lap configuration of the track, competitors were able to take up to eight timed runs.

Andrew Cowell's nimble little 1.0l Jedi MK V was well suited to the tight track and took FTD with a 72.95s time.

From the Woodford Trailers HSA Speed championship only Jonathan Baines (Clio) and John Ward (MX5) made the trip but acheived a second and first in class respectively.

Wet Barbon dampens scores

Event 16 at Barbon Manor on 15/06/2024
A rain soaked Barbon for Liverpool Motor Club's June hillclimb left competitors in the Woodford Trailers HSA Speed championship struggling for decent points scores. Nonetheless, Jonathan Baines (Clio 200 Cup) took an excellent class win in the very competitive (as in the top four were covered by less than half a second) up to 2000cc Series Production class.

John Ward (MX5) posted a DNF on his second run while Nick Scott (Force TA) failed to take the start for his second attempt.

One run was sufficient for Mark Hemingway to set FTD at 26.63s in his new Force TA fitted with the ex Simon Jenks 1670cc Hayabusa motor .

Bateman closes in at Prescott

Event 15 at Prescott on 09/06/2024
Neal Bateman (Renault Clio) and William Hunt (Honda S2000) were at it again on Day 2 of BOC's Mid Summer double header with Bateman lowering his HSA Standard class record again and closing the gap on Hunt who still leads the Championship.

The class for the Woodford Trailer HSA Speed championship competitors was won by Michael Bartlett in his Radical Prosport while Andrew Platt (Exige) substantially lowered the HSA Class record.

John Bradshaw (Westefield) and Laurence Marks (Van Diemen RF84) both won their respective BOC Handicap classes on the day.

Bateman and Hunt battle for HSA honours

Event 14 at Prescott on 08/06/2024
Day 1 of the Bugatti Owner's club Mid Summer double header saw the two leading contenders for the 2024 Woodford Trailers HSA Speed championship the top scorers on the day. Both running in the HSA's Standard Class, Neal Bateman (Renault Clio) set a new HSA class record and just over a second ahead of William Hunt (Honda S2000).

Winning the class for HSA championship competitors was Chris Guy in his 600cc Jedi MK4 while both Anthony Earl (Caterham) and John Bradshaw (Westfield) were running in the BOC Sports handicap class which Anthony won.

Russell Haynes emerged the fastest Formula Ford competitor in the unusual Zeus ZR163 and got close to the HSA class record while Speedscene editor, Michael Calvert, was out in his Caterham, missing out on a podium with the top eight in his very competitive class covered by two seconds.

Broughton & Earl top the scores at Pembrey

Event 13 at Pembrey on 02/06/2024
Day two of BARC Wales summer Pembrey Sprint was held on the Clubman circuit in pleasant, earm conditions with scores being easier to come by than the day before.

After recovering from an exploded brake disk in the morning, Steve Broughton had the Busa powered DJ Firehawk running well and was the only competitor to post a maximum points score setting a new HSA Class record by a wide margin.

On a day with few incidents and a modest number of competitors, everything ran smoothly and the organisers were able to offer five timed runs. William Hunt (Honda S2000) only needed a couple of runs before lunch to secure his class on the day and get well inside the HSA Class record before heading home.

Mike Smith (Striker) again won the smaller 'Kit Car' class and had another close battle with Chris Bennett (Caterham) in the larger class but Anthony Earl (Caterham VHPD) had arrived and put both well in the shade by setting a new HSA Class record by a huge margin.

Mike Edwards (Austin Mini) was alone in his Class but managed to post competitive times close to the record. James Hunt (BMW E30) managed one timed run before having to withdraw but it was still enough to take second in Class on the day and also get well under the HSA Class record.

Justin Andrews (Impreza),switching between pump and race fuel) and Chris Jones (Force TA) completed the HSA record breakers.



 

Jones the big winner at Pembrey

Event 12 at Pembrey on 01/06/2024
Day one of BARC Wales summer Pembrey Sprint was held on the National circuit in very warm and still conditions. Despite this scoring was hard to come by and few records were beaten with the exception of Chris Jones in the 998cc Force TA who was fastest overall on every timed run, took FTD (93.02s) and set new Class records in a couple of Championships. The only other new HSA record was set by Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) who just managed to improve on the record for unlimited Racing Cars

William Hunt (Honda S2000) was running in the standard class on the day which he won. In the kit car' classes Mike Smith (Sylva Striker) and Chris Bennett (Caterham) both won their respective Kit Car classes on the day and enjoyed close battle.

In the big series production class James Hunt (BMW E30) and Roy Newton (Porsche Carrera 2) were up against a quick Elise and had to settle for 2nd and 3rd in Class.

Dave Mockford (MG Maestro) was having fuelling problems but still managed to post competitive times and enjoy the track. Paul Davies was getting to grips with his Radical Clubsport and reduced his times throughout the day.

Webber ties Hunt to lead Championship at Blyton

Event 11 at Blyton Park on 19/05/2024
Day 2 of Longton's May Sprint week-end at Blyton Park was held on the Outer circuit in warm and dry conditions leading to plenty of good times and new HSA class records.

HSA Speed champion, Andrew Webber, is aiming to emulate John Palmer (2002-2004) and win the Championship in three consecutive years. This year he has swapped cars to the Lotus 47/62 which has taken many years of development but is now proving to be a strong contender. 17 points brought Andrew level with James Hunt (not present at Blyton) at the top of the championship table on 74 points apiece.

Andrew Platt (Exige) repeated his maximum points score from the day before to do the double while Neal Bateman again won the battle of the Clios in the Standard class from Sam Trundell and Chris Hancox. Glen Shaw (Nissan 350Z) took another good Class win. In the Racing Car classes Russell Haynes (Zeus ZR163) just managed to set a new HSA Formula Ford class record but had to give second best to Geoff Ward in the more modern Swift who set a new circuit record for the Class. Both Chris Jones and John Loudon (Force TAs) beat the existing 1100cc Class record by a large margin with Jones coming out on top.
 

Records galore at Blyton

Event 10 at Blyton Park on 18/05/2024
Blyton Park is becoming one of the most popular Sprint venues. This was proved to be the case  - as 26 competitors in the Woodford Trailers HSA Speed championship turned up for Day 1 of Longton's May Sprint week-end held on the tricky Eastern circuit.

The good weather saw many HSA class records broken with standout performances from Andrew Platt (Exige) and Glen Shaw (Nissan 350Z) - both class winners on the day.

In the Standard class it was an all HSA Clio affair with Neil Bateman coming out on top ahead of Sam Trundell and Chris Hancox and maintain his position in the top half dozen overall in the championship. In the Kit car class, Anthony Earl (Caterham) faced some stiff opposition and was pipped for the class win (Matt Bramall) by a couple of tenths.

Regining HSA Speed champion, Andrew Webber, has goth the Lotus 47/62 running well and took a good class win and new HSA Class record.

Charlie Reilly (Van Diemen RF92) and Russell Haynes (Zeus ZR163) battled hard in the Formula Ford class but had to settle for second and third behind Geoff Ward back in his Swift SC92.

Fianlly, Martin Pickles made a welcome re-appearance in his Jedi MK1 but had to retire after a single (but competitive) practice run.

 

Rain dampens the paddock but not the spirits at Werrington

Event 9 at Werrington on 05/05/2024
Sunday started overcast with a breeze and the rain arrived late in the morning.  The bottom of the paddock was soon being churned up by the moving cars with mud drawn onto the track before the start. The rain did not last long, but was sufficient to make a mess; wheel spinning was now permitted, although someone with a broom after each spin would have reduced the standing mud. The same HSA entrants were competing as they were on Saturday.  Pekka Tulokas in his Mazda MX-5 set a time of 42.76s for 14 pts in class A3, whilst John Wells on 46.08s scored 6pts in his Mini Cooper S in the same class. On 49.02s, Andy Webber scored 4pts in his Lotus Europa in class U2 whilst both Carole Nicholls (Nike Mk4 FF) and Fyrth Crosse (Mallock U2) each scored 1pt with times of 53.01s and 58.45s respectively.

Ed Hollier took BTD both days in his 1-litre Force, setting a time of 35.34s on Saturday and 35.73s on Sunday.
The weekend is hard work for the volunteer organising team with a large paddock to lay out, number and tape, and then hundreds of ‘5 high’ stacks of tyres to be brought from storage and placed up and down the hill, belted securely in place — and then removed at the end of the meeting! The estate owners love this event and would even like to see a second organised each year. As someone opined, a gap in the hillclimb calendar would need to be found, and then a team of volunteers and officials!
 

Pekka Tulokas leads the HSA pack at Werrington

Event 8 at Werrington on 04/05/2024
The Woodford Trailers HSA Championship travelled south to Launceston and the gem that is Werrington Hillclimb. First run in 1977, this was the 45th anniversary of the event (foot and mouth and COVID-19 having caused some cancellations in the intervening years).  The 1,250 yards long track, which uses the access road of a private estate a mile or so north of town, includes a covered cattle grid and top paddock beside Werrington church. The main paddock is grassed and sloping, which can be difficult when wet. The hill record stands at 32.59s, a 77mph average which includes a slow 90° left in the middle, and unforgiving granite walls line the finish straight. Both days featured one practice and three competitive runs.

Saturday dawned misty — clearing to a blue sky and fair-weather cumulous clouds, perfect hillclimbing weather. With a full entry for both days, the track was clean although the edges were best avoided.  The sloping grass paddock was damp but manageable.  There was to be no wheel spinning before the start lest the Clerk of the Course consider that mud was being drawn onto the track. HSA entrant Pekka Tulokas in class A3 ran 43.31s in his Mazda MX-5 1800GT, scoring 18pts.  Classmate John Wells in his Mini Cooper S set 45.50s for 11pts. Andy Webber did well in his Lotus 47D/62R on a 44.40s for 18pts in class U. Carole Nicholls’ familiar Nike Mk4 FF took 1 pt in class J1 with a time of 49.46s, as did Fyrth Crosse in his Mallock U2 class W on 51.07s.
 

William Hunt consolidates his championship lead at Wiscombe

Event 7 at Wiscombe Park on 28/04/2024
Wiscombe Park Sunday 28 April - Fyrth Crosse reports:

It rained during the night, but Sunday dawned dry and mild with occasional bursts of sunshine and reasonable track conditions. From the HSA perspective Willam Hunt consolidated on his current championship lead with 51.09s in his Honda S2000 and 14 pts, followed by John Wells Mini Cooper S with a time of 48.45s and 6 pts. Steve Chaloner did 52.62s in his Citroen C1 scoring 1 pt. Past champion Andy Webber manhandled his brutal Lotus Europa 47D/62R up the hill on 51.90s collecting 5 pts, his past gearbox problems now resolved with an Audi box. Fyrth Crosse’s Mallock Mk2B, 55.15s and 1 pt. Local Force HC 1100cc driver Ed Hollier took BTD on both days, Sunday his best on 38.77s.
Always picturesque and exciting to drive since the first event in 1958, chatting with Peter Issacs highlighted the problems of running a venue on a privately owned although supportive estate. We are fortunate that the Chichester family wish to continue and preserve the venue, the estate having been purchased by Richard
and Bunny Chichester in 1953 and with the encouragement of Charles Lambton the hill climb was established and prospered. Today a large team of volunteers do an excellent job preserving and maintaining the hill for us to play on.

Sunshine and hail greets Wiscombe competitors

Event 6 at Wiscombe Park on 27/04/2024
Wiscombe Park 27 April - Fyrth Crosse reports:

A large entry for both days of the Woolbridge Motor Club’s first hillclimb of 2024, both days being rounds of the Woodford Trailers HSA Championship. The estate was damp and the paddock difficult but manageable, the track excellent following resurfacing in 2023 and a winter to ‘weather’, Wiscombe Ltd having done considerable work bringing the track edges up to the higher level of the re-laid track. Both days were rather ‘slow’ and lugubrious - one practice and two competitive runs each day, compulsory practice for everyone commencing at 09:20 on Sunday.
Saturday was dry and mild with an odd flash of sunshine; the track dried steadily, then interrupted with a light hailstorm during T2 and most late batch runners declining to run although the track still had grip. There were seven HSA contenders, led by William Hunt and his Honda S2000, with 51.67s and 12 pts. Then John Wells Mini Cooper S on 50.19s and 4 pts, James Hunt BMW E30 on 58.19s on 1 pt, this remaining the score for Steve Chaloner Citroen C1 on 54.06s, Dave Mockford MG Maestro on 56.51s, Andy Webber Lotus Europa 47D/62R on 61.73s and Fyrth Crosse Mallock Mk2B on 54.88s.

 

Good day at Goodwood

Event 5 at Goodwood on 20/04/2024
Thirteen Woodford Trailers HSA Speed championship competitors made the trip to deepest Sussex and Goodwood's famous and challenging track.

Leading the way were Sam Trundell and Chris Hancox in their shared Clio 172 Cup with both drivers breaking the existing HSA class record (with Sam coming out on top) and finishing one two in their class on the day.

Anthony Earl (Caterham) and Mike Smith (Striker) did battle in the Kit Car class with Anthony continuing his strong start to the season with another good points finish and new HSA class record.

Reigning HSA Speed champion, Andrew Webber, has his Lotus Europa '47D/62 R'  running competitively and set another new HSA class record while Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) and Tony Beesley (Jedi MK4) lined up against each other in the 1100cc Racing Car class with Simon taking second in Class on the day.

Finally, the Mygale Ecoboosts of British Sprint Champion, Pete Goulding and Graham Porrett were in contention in the big Racing Car class which Pete won and set FTD with a 74.69s run.

All images courtesy of Colin Dearlove

Spring sunshine at Shelsley

Event 4 at Shelsley Walsh on 14/04/2024
MAC's season opener at Shelsley Walsh on April 14th was the 4th round of the Woodford Trailers HSA Speed championship and was held in bright Spring sunshine.

Last year's championship runner up, Pekka Tulokas was back in his boosted MX5 and was the only HSA competitor to score good points in the cold conditions and also won his class on the day against some strong opposition. Another good class win came the way of Fyrth Crosse, in his immaculate, ex Mike Wilds Formula Three Ensign LNF3 in the National Historic Speed Championship class.

Roy Newton was out in his Porsche Carrera 2S and took third in his class while Russell Haynes (Zeus ZR163) and Carole Nicholls (Nike MK4) battled it out in the Formula Ford class.

Bateman and W Hunt again at stormy Anglesey

Event 3 at Anglesey on 07/04/2024
Day Two of Longton's Doran Moore Memorial sprint week-end was held on the longer International Trac Mon circuit and the day dawned bright and windy but with a highly credible forecast of heavy rain moving in after lunch.

Competitors looked to make the most of their only timed run before lunch although the track remained damp in places. The rain duly arrived and many competitors either packed up or sat out the next couple of timed runs but the skies cleared and by late afternoon the track was the best it had been and saw some of the quickest times set.

Repeating their performance from the day before both Neal Bateman (Clio) and William Hunt (Honda S2000) both scored maximum HSA points and won their respective classes on the day. A strong showing in the first rounds of the Championship has allowed Hunt to take an early lead in this year's competition.

James Hunt (BMW E30), Justin Andrews (Impreza), Glen Shaw (Nissan 350Z) and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) all scored well.

Bateman & the Hunts score at tricky Anglesey

Event 2 at Anglesey on 06/04/2024
Day One of Longton's Doran Moore Sprint week-end was held on Trac Mon's shorter National track with the impending storm Kathleen threatening all day. Fortunately the rain held off except for a brief shower late in the afternoon but high winds and permanently damp sections of the track made setting fast times and new records tricky.

However, despite the conditions Neal Bateman (Clio), William Hunt (Honda S2000) and James Hunt (BMW E30) all scored maximum points by setting new records by a margin of more than 3%.

Glen Shaw (Nissan 350Z) wasn't far behind with Anthony Earl (Caterham) and Justin Andrews (Impreza) also setting (just) new HSA class records and winningn their respective classes. It was a strong perfomance from Anthony who hadn't been to the circuit before but got the benefit from doing a track day on the Friday.

It was also good to see Dave Mockford's MG Maestro back on track after a lengthy (6 year!) rebuild and looking rather smart. The car is fitted with a 2litre Rover 820 engine and a Colin Satchell 6 speed sequential gearbox.

A bright start to 2024 at Cadwell

Event 1 at Cadwell Park on 23/03/2024
Despite a soggy start to the year BARC Midlands Cadwell Sprint on March 23rd enjoyed bright and dry conditions for the first round of the Woodford Trailers HSA Speed championship which saw competitors get four timed runs on the challenging Lincolnshire track.

The two Steves (Brown in an Empire EVO2 with a new RLM turbo Busa motor) and Miles (sporting an eye catching new livery) were the top points scorers, smashing the existing HSA records.

Behind this pair, Andrew Platt (Exige), William Hunt (Honda S2000), John Loudon (Force TA) and Glen Shaw (Nissan 350Z) broke the exisitng HSA class records. Joing the championship for 2024, Rob Pallett (Ginetta G20), Jonathan Baines (Clio 200), Roy Newton (Porsche Carrera 2) and John Ward (MX5) all scored points.

Thanks to Chris Bannister at JCB Photography for the images.