Track day at Brands Hatch with mentoring from race experts Rod “700 Wins” Birley, Steve Everson and Christopher Bicknell … all three race and championship winners with the Classic & Modern Motorsport Club Southern. Steve and Christopher provided their unseemly quick Citroen Saxo 1600 VTR race cars and Marcus Bicknell organised a day to allow the newcomers track time and advice.
James Seale, son of CMMCS racer Ian Seale, brought his karting experience to circuit driving for the first time and was quickly on the pace as was Liam Pauling, track day expert and future racer. Both are looking to race in 2022 with the CMMCS in the Everson/Bicknell Saxos or in their own race cars. Rookie Grant Harrison took to the track and will be assessing his options for driver training and racing in 2022. Steve’s future son-in-law Lee Carpenter continued to progress with track time and circuit-craft. 2021 CMMCS rookie Angelo Massonetto drove with Steve alongside him to pick up extra tips. Rod Birley also drove Steve’s Saxo and found the light-hearted and speedy handling great fun.
Our photo, left, shows Grant Harrison, James Seale, Rod Birley and Marcus Bicknell.
All eight participants enjoyed bright winter sun in Kent and kept warm with the adrenalin of high speed driving in spectacular little cars and encouragement of seasoned race drivers at their side.