Meeting report by Adam Grant – thank you!
All three of our southern based series ventured to Mallory Park on Sunday as part of the day promoted by Richard Culverhouse’s CMMC itself.
CMMCS Super Saloons Series / Amusetime Southern Tin Tops Series & WRDA Welsh Sports
The BMR super saloons were amalgamated with the tin tops plus a group from the Welsh racing driver’s championship. Qualifying saw local track expert Joss Ronchetti claim pole position in his potent Talbot Sunbeam. Rod Birley should have lined up alongside, but a broken rear differential in the modified Fords qualifying took longer to change than expected. Therefore WRDA Deri Davies was next up in the Darrian T90. Andrew MacKenzie’s class A V8 BMW just headed Paul Watson in his class B BMW. WRDA Gareth John was sixth in his Ginetta G40 followed by the leading tin top of Dave Charlton in his class T1 Seat Leon. The other class leaders were Steve Everson (T3 Citroen Saxo), Warren Johnson (T2 Peugeot 205), Chris Burley ( TP Ford Fiesta), Jacques Whitehead (Class D BMW). Steve Dann was a notable non-starter, as his gearbox failed almost immediately he went on track.
The cars were given two rolling laps as the formation was too strung out initially, but once the red lights went out Ronchetti stormed off into an ever increasing lead. MacKenzie and Watson got the better of Davies, but all three stayed close together. John was lonely in fifth, as Charlton easily led the tin tops brigade. Mark Cripps was making good progress up to seventh in his BMW, but then proceedings came to a premature halt as Whitehead spun exiting the Devil’s elbow, clipped the barrier and stopped on the track. This was a shame as we were witnessing an intriguing battle between Ken Angell, Johnson, Everson, Welshman Colin Dunn and Martyn Scott. Sadly the result was declared after just 8 laps see CMCCS Supers/Tin Tops/WRDA Classification (tsl-timing.com)
Race two saw Birley’s repaired Escort WRC join in at the back of the grid, but he had his work cut out as the race distance was already reduced to 11 minutes. From 26th on the grid he was 19th at the end of lap one, then 14th, 11th, 9th, 7th, and 4th by lap six. Meanwhile Ronchetti sped away to take another win, as Watson and MacKenzie fought over second following a first corner spin by Davies which also involved Charlton. On lap 12 (out of 13) Watson made his move to claim second (also winning class B) as Mackenzie claimed class A honours. Ronchetti took the overall win and topped class C. Behind Birley in fourth, came the recovering Davies, followed by the leading Tin top driver Angell who was the final car on the lead lap. Next up was Gareth John then came Cripps who had Dunn for company. Everson headed T3 whilst Vic Hope claimed the T2 class following the demise of Johnson. Scott rounded out the top dozen. Chris Burley took class TP again. 
Charlton had visibly slowed in his Seat due to turbocharger issues. Special mention to newcomer Angelo Massonetto, Brazilian living in Tonbridge, having his first-ever race in Steve Everson’s orange and black Citroen Saxo (photo above) and the returning Jon Wild who suffered the Corona virus infection last year. Steve Everson (photo, left) drove Marcus Bicknell’s green Saxo, Marcus having fallen off a horse and broken some ribs.
CMMCS Avon Tyres Intermarque Silhouettes
On to the Avon tyres intermarque, who were on a quick turnaround after racing at Brands Hatch the previous Saturday. 20 cars qualified with Steve Burrows heading the time sheet. Colleague Malcolm Blackman set the second quickest time with Ian Hales completing the Vauxhall Tigras at the front. Then came the Ginettas of Ray Harris and Mike Thurley, followed by the Mercedes of Daniel Smith. Next up was Colin Smith, who was joined on row four by Lewis Smith although the Mercedes driver needed a gearbox change before the first race. Dave York was an impressive 9th with Danny Smith completing the top ten: Intermarque Silhouettes Classification (tsl-timing.com) It was pleasing to welcome another two new drivers namely Simon Hutt (BMW Z4) and Nigel Beardsmore (Mercedes SLK).
(awaiting photos)
As race one got underway it was all going smoothly until exiting the tight hairpin Lewis Smith (#24 Mercedes SLK) slowed having another transmission issue. As cars dived mainly to one side poor Brian Loram (#262 Vauxhall Tigra) collected the Mercedes on the approach to the Devil’s Elbow. The Devonian hit the barriers very hard as Lewis collected the gravel trap. An immediate red flag halted proceedings and it was a huge relief to see Brian climb out with much applause from the spectators. Sadly his car was very bent.
The re-start was unfortunately only a 5 lap dash with Burrows leading four of them. Blackman made his move into Gerrard’s on the final lap to take his first win of the year. Harris shadowed the first two finishing just 0.7 of a second behind. Fourth went to Hales who outpaced Daniel Smith (Mercedes), with Thurley next up (also winning the seniors category). Colin Smith came home 7th from a closing Paul Knight. Pat Kiely had another good race as he settles into his Tigra, with Mick Robertson going really well to take 10th . York had a tussle with Philip Young over 11th, as John Steward moved up to take 13th after starting 20th. The finishers were completed by Danny Smith (Tigra), Jon Price, Hutt and Beardsmore. Ayling joined the other two non-finishers.
The draw for the second race saw the top 7 reversed this time, thus putting a very happy Colin Smith on pole position. For some reason this race was shortened to six laps, which was a real pity. Nevertheless the drivers put on an exemplary display of high speed overtaking. As usual Harris made a rapid start but found Colin Smith a bit more resistant time, as the silver Tigra led for two laps. Harris hit the front on lap 3, as Blackman followed him into second a lap later. Lap five and the red Tigra hit the front to give Blackman his second win of the day. Harris was just half a second behind whilst Colin Smith gamely hung onto third from Burrows, Daniel Smith and Hales. Kiely drove really well to take 7th, with Thurley 8th just winning the seniors from Knight. York rounded out the top ten just in front of Danny Smith. Ayling made up ground from 17th to take 12th, as Steward got the better of Robertson. Young, Price and Beardsmore completed the finishers.
You can read and analyse the complete results at https://www.tsl-timing.com/Event/212391
Next up for the Intermarque is a return to Brands Hatch and the American Speedfest, whilst all three categories go to Cadwell Park on July 25th.