Jonathan F
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Croft: April 27th/28th (Rounds 3 and 4 of Honda VTEC Challenge)
Rounds 3 & 4 saw the Honda VTEC Challenge head to a circuit which is a favourite of many and a regular on the VTC calendar, Croft in North Yorkshire.
For Croft we would be running with our official counterparts of 2014. Following an outing with the “Boss” championship at Donington, Croft saw us take to the tarmac alongside the “Toyo Tires” sponsored Pre 2005 series.
With temperatures melting both tarmac and tyres last time out at Croft, the conditions on this visit where somewhat cold and wet!
VTC Entrants:
7 – Simon Jessop – Super Tuner – DC2 Integra
31 – Phil Wright – Super Tuner – Accord Type R
39 – Rob Burkinshaw – Tuner – Integra DC5
42 – Dawn Boyd – Production - EP3 Civic Type R
98 – Mark Chese – Production – EP3 Civic Type R
139 – Andy Smith – Super Tuner – Accord Type R
For rounds 3 and 4 of the series, we welcomed the return of Mark Chese and his rapid “Production” class EP3 Civic. A lover of the Croft circuit, Mark took a brace of class wins and two 3rd place overall in 2013, so would be looking to defend class honours. Alongside Mark, Croft saw us welcome a very recognisable Integra, but for this season sporting a new number on the doors as well as a new driver behind the wheel.
Having sold the Integra to focus on his Prelude build, Richard Voaden has handed over the keys to its new owner Simon Jessop. Having bought the car earlier on in the year, Simon now parks his recent acquisition alongside another DC2 Integra which is undergoing a full rebuild.
Fresh out for Croft, Simon has put his own stamp on the Integra, with a few changes to the cars livery.
Qualifying:
With an early qualifying session and a fairly “green” track, it would take a while for the drivers to feel comfortable with the conditions and to press on with setting a fastest lap.
Greasy conditions caught a few drivers out initially as they found grip to be lacking in some of the corners, but all remained unscathed.
Out in front it was Rob Burkinshaw in his DC5, setting a lap time unattainable by his fellow entrants. The positions following changed throughout the session, with Wright, Smith and Chese all holding 2nd place at one time, but it was the returning Chese who secured 2nd place comfortably on his last lap.
Getting quicker as the session progressed, Jessop brought the Integra home in 5th place.
With a gear linkage issue from the off, Dawn Boyd struggled to get the best from her EP3, with a lap time some 8 seconds off of her race pace. Thankfully an easy fix post qualifying, but a problem which hurt her qualifying position and placed her in 6th, but ahead of the Pre 2005 racers.
Pole: Rob Burkinshaw
2nd: Mark Chese
3rd: Andy Smith
Race 1:
All cars joined the track from the holding area, and lined up on the grid in readiness for their green flag lap. With a lap to generate some heat in the tyres and to check track conditions around the 2.13 mile circuit, everyone got underway.
Back on the grid, everyone paid attention to the lights and engine rev’s began to rise. Following “lights out”, all 31 cars headed to “Clervaux” for the first time.
On pole, Burkinshaw got away cleanly, however Chese was also on a charge up the inside and fighting to take the lead away from the Integra driver, however Burkinshaw had the edge to secure the lead into turn 1. From further back, both Boyd and Jessop made a fantastic start to come through the grid to battle for 4th briefly as the pack entered the first corner.
With 3 abreast, Jessop decided not to push his luck on the first corner of his first race and eased off to exit the corner cleanly and in one piece, albeit at the back of the pack.
After the initial first corner action, Wright powered through to re-take 4th place and begin the hunt on Smith who had capitalised and tucked into 3rd.
Both Accords began to pull away, however it was the black version belonging to Wright which found its way to 3rd as he over took the relatively standard incarnation being driven by Smith.
Flying out ahead, Burkinshaw was untroubled throughout the race as his pace was not to be matched. Chese showed how well a “Production” class car can perform by pulling out a comfortable lead over Wright.
With an experience advantage, Boyd kept the “ST” Integra of Jessop at bay for as long as she was able. Closing up as the race unfolded and Jessop found himself close enough on the exit of the hairpin to out drag the newer EP3 Civic down the start/finish straight, and once out in front, the newest addition to the VTC race series began to pull out a significant gap as he looked for the rear wing of Smiths Accord in the distance.
Unable to match the extra performance of Wright’s Accord, Smith drove to manage the gap, looking to preserve the car’s tyres whilst keeping one eye on his mirrors. Mirrors that were soon beginning to fill with the front end of Jessop’s Integra!
Realising Jessop was closing the gap, Smith was required to pick up the pace or risk loosing his 2nd in class position, and losing the place was not an option Smith was willing to offer!
The pair fought hard but cleanly over the closing laps, with both cars having an advantage over certain parts of the circuit. Around the hairpin for the last time and Jessop missed 2nd to 3rd which was all the advantage Smith needed to secure his 4th place and 2nd in class.
1st Rob Burkinshaw
2nd Mark Chese
3rd Phil Wright
Class wins were awarded to:
(P) – Mark Chese
(T) – Rob Burkinshaw
(ST) – Phil Wright
Fastest lap: Rob Burkinshaw – 1.36.226 on lap 4 of 10
Race 2:
With an overnight break before race 2, everyone was able to relax and unwind. With no racing allowed before midday at Croft, the VTC lined up for the race just after half past two, just as the rain begun to fall!
Although light at first, the addition of the rain fall would make the circuit very difficult in places and likely to catch out those who where not fully focussed.
All drivers from race 1 joined the circuit from the assembly area in their finishing positions and began to make their way around to join the grid in readiness for a green flag lap.
Issue’s for Dawn Boyd saw her enter the pit lane and miss out on the warm up lap whilst her mechanics rectified an issue with the rev limiter. Unable to rejoin in time, she would start from the pit lane once all other car’s had passed.
With the lights out, it was Burkinshaw who kept his position on track to lead the grid, however struggling for traction, Chese was swallowed up by the rest of the Honda’s as Wright, Smith and Jessop ceased the advantage.
Cleanly through “Clervaux” and “Hawthorn”, Burkinshaw left the others to fight it out for 2nd place as he put distance between himself and the chasing pack to take an untroubled race win.
With Mark recovering from his less than perfect start, like a swarm of angry hornets all 4 cars began to battle for position. It was Wright, from Smith, Jessop and Chese as the quartet raced around the circuit in pursuit of a disappearing Burkinshaw.
Just short of half race distance and it was Jessop that made the move on Smith to prise away his position on track and in class. In doing so, Jessop was now up against Wright in the 2nd Accord and challenging for the class win.
With a good exit from the hairpin, Jessop kept the power on to close up on Wright and then draw alongside. Bearing down on “Clervaux”, Jessop held the inside line and tucked into the bend, slowing down just enough to get the car turned in without any incidents.
Ahead of Wright and Jessop stayed focussed and to emerge from “Hawthorn” and through the chicane in 2nd place.
Chese also found an advantage over Smith to take 4th place to go along with his 2nd class win. Both held their positions despite Smiths best efforts to pass Chese in the closing laps.
Dawn made short work of the Pre-2005 entrants, but was unable to close up to the Honda pack during the course of the 15 minute race, so hopefully the gremlins that crept in will be resolved for Snetterton.
Not one to give in, Wright took the fight for 2nd back to Jessop and found his opportunity on lap 6 running up to “Tower”. With a bold move given the conditions, Wright jinked out from Simon’s slipstream to take to the outside of the corner and drive around the new comer, much to the delight of the crowd and commentator!
Down to the wire and it was still all to play for. With all 4 cars covered by fractions of a second, it could have been anyone’s 2nd place step on the podium.
Coming through the complex for the very last time and things couldn’t be closer, Wright led the other 3 drivers up to the hairpin, and in setting up the corner for the run to the flag, Jessop made one last attempt to pass.
However disaster struck as both cars collided, with the front O/S wing of the Integra connecting with the N/S front door of the Accord.
Smith thought there was an opportunity to sneak through to take a couple of places, however both drivers recovered sufficiently and then proceeded to take part in an epic drag race down to the chequered flag, with the spoils going to Wright by a margin of 0.031 seconds!
1st Rob Burkinshaw
2nd Phil Wright
3rd Simon Jessop
Class wins were awarded to:
(P) – Mark Chese
(T) – Rob Burkinshaw
(ST) – Phil Wright
Fastest lap: Rob Burkinshaw – 1.39.417 on lap 9 of 9
Summary:
In spite of the challenging weather conditions, the weekend was a great success with some great racing to entertain the spectators and although out there on his own, (come on we need a challenger to threaten Rob’s reign!) Rob never gave less than 100%, attacking all the way to the chequered flag even though he didn’t need to.
Thanks to the series sponsors: Toyo Tires, Ultra Racing, Performance Autoworks, Finsport, Honda Tuner, R-Motion and MOTORV8 Media for their support.
Heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who made the journey to Croft, especially those that travelled from the other end of the country to take part or offer their support.
The next race is at Snetterton in Norfolk on the 10th/11th May. Anyone interested in coming out to race, just get in touch at vtecchallenge@gmail.com
Words: Jonathan Fletcher
Pictures: Lindsey Fletcher
Rounds 3 & 4 saw the Honda VTEC Challenge head to a circuit which is a favourite of many and a regular on the VTC calendar, Croft in North Yorkshire.
For Croft we would be running with our official counterparts of 2014. Following an outing with the “Boss” championship at Donington, Croft saw us take to the tarmac alongside the “Toyo Tires” sponsored Pre 2005 series.
With temperatures melting both tarmac and tyres last time out at Croft, the conditions on this visit where somewhat cold and wet!
VTC Entrants:
7 – Simon Jessop – Super Tuner – DC2 Integra
31 – Phil Wright – Super Tuner – Accord Type R
39 – Rob Burkinshaw – Tuner – Integra DC5
42 – Dawn Boyd – Production - EP3 Civic Type R
98 – Mark Chese – Production – EP3 Civic Type R
139 – Andy Smith – Super Tuner – Accord Type R
For rounds 3 and 4 of the series, we welcomed the return of Mark Chese and his rapid “Production” class EP3 Civic. A lover of the Croft circuit, Mark took a brace of class wins and two 3rd place overall in 2013, so would be looking to defend class honours. Alongside Mark, Croft saw us welcome a very recognisable Integra, but for this season sporting a new number on the doors as well as a new driver behind the wheel.
Having sold the Integra to focus on his Prelude build, Richard Voaden has handed over the keys to its new owner Simon Jessop. Having bought the car earlier on in the year, Simon now parks his recent acquisition alongside another DC2 Integra which is undergoing a full rebuild.
Fresh out for Croft, Simon has put his own stamp on the Integra, with a few changes to the cars livery.
Qualifying:
With an early qualifying session and a fairly “green” track, it would take a while for the drivers to feel comfortable with the conditions and to press on with setting a fastest lap.
Greasy conditions caught a few drivers out initially as they found grip to be lacking in some of the corners, but all remained unscathed.
Out in front it was Rob Burkinshaw in his DC5, setting a lap time unattainable by his fellow entrants. The positions following changed throughout the session, with Wright, Smith and Chese all holding 2nd place at one time, but it was the returning Chese who secured 2nd place comfortably on his last lap.
Getting quicker as the session progressed, Jessop brought the Integra home in 5th place.
With a gear linkage issue from the off, Dawn Boyd struggled to get the best from her EP3, with a lap time some 8 seconds off of her race pace. Thankfully an easy fix post qualifying, but a problem which hurt her qualifying position and placed her in 6th, but ahead of the Pre 2005 racers.
Pole: Rob Burkinshaw
2nd: Mark Chese
3rd: Andy Smith
Race 1:
All cars joined the track from the holding area, and lined up on the grid in readiness for their green flag lap. With a lap to generate some heat in the tyres and to check track conditions around the 2.13 mile circuit, everyone got underway.
Back on the grid, everyone paid attention to the lights and engine rev’s began to rise. Following “lights out”, all 31 cars headed to “Clervaux” for the first time.
On pole, Burkinshaw got away cleanly, however Chese was also on a charge up the inside and fighting to take the lead away from the Integra driver, however Burkinshaw had the edge to secure the lead into turn 1. From further back, both Boyd and Jessop made a fantastic start to come through the grid to battle for 4th briefly as the pack entered the first corner.
With 3 abreast, Jessop decided not to push his luck on the first corner of his first race and eased off to exit the corner cleanly and in one piece, albeit at the back of the pack.
After the initial first corner action, Wright powered through to re-take 4th place and begin the hunt on Smith who had capitalised and tucked into 3rd.
Both Accords began to pull away, however it was the black version belonging to Wright which found its way to 3rd as he over took the relatively standard incarnation being driven by Smith.
Flying out ahead, Burkinshaw was untroubled throughout the race as his pace was not to be matched. Chese showed how well a “Production” class car can perform by pulling out a comfortable lead over Wright.
With an experience advantage, Boyd kept the “ST” Integra of Jessop at bay for as long as she was able. Closing up as the race unfolded and Jessop found himself close enough on the exit of the hairpin to out drag the newer EP3 Civic down the start/finish straight, and once out in front, the newest addition to the VTC race series began to pull out a significant gap as he looked for the rear wing of Smiths Accord in the distance.
Unable to match the extra performance of Wright’s Accord, Smith drove to manage the gap, looking to preserve the car’s tyres whilst keeping one eye on his mirrors. Mirrors that were soon beginning to fill with the front end of Jessop’s Integra!
Realising Jessop was closing the gap, Smith was required to pick up the pace or risk loosing his 2nd in class position, and losing the place was not an option Smith was willing to offer!
The pair fought hard but cleanly over the closing laps, with both cars having an advantage over certain parts of the circuit. Around the hairpin for the last time and Jessop missed 2nd to 3rd which was all the advantage Smith needed to secure his 4th place and 2nd in class.
1st Rob Burkinshaw
2nd Mark Chese
3rd Phil Wright
Class wins were awarded to:
(P) – Mark Chese
(T) – Rob Burkinshaw
(ST) – Phil Wright
Fastest lap: Rob Burkinshaw – 1.36.226 on lap 4 of 10
Race 2:
With an overnight break before race 2, everyone was able to relax and unwind. With no racing allowed before midday at Croft, the VTC lined up for the race just after half past two, just as the rain begun to fall!
Although light at first, the addition of the rain fall would make the circuit very difficult in places and likely to catch out those who where not fully focussed.
All drivers from race 1 joined the circuit from the assembly area in their finishing positions and began to make their way around to join the grid in readiness for a green flag lap.
Issue’s for Dawn Boyd saw her enter the pit lane and miss out on the warm up lap whilst her mechanics rectified an issue with the rev limiter. Unable to rejoin in time, she would start from the pit lane once all other car’s had passed.
With the lights out, it was Burkinshaw who kept his position on track to lead the grid, however struggling for traction, Chese was swallowed up by the rest of the Honda’s as Wright, Smith and Jessop ceased the advantage.
Cleanly through “Clervaux” and “Hawthorn”, Burkinshaw left the others to fight it out for 2nd place as he put distance between himself and the chasing pack to take an untroubled race win.
With Mark recovering from his less than perfect start, like a swarm of angry hornets all 4 cars began to battle for position. It was Wright, from Smith, Jessop and Chese as the quartet raced around the circuit in pursuit of a disappearing Burkinshaw.
Just short of half race distance and it was Jessop that made the move on Smith to prise away his position on track and in class. In doing so, Jessop was now up against Wright in the 2nd Accord and challenging for the class win.
With a good exit from the hairpin, Jessop kept the power on to close up on Wright and then draw alongside. Bearing down on “Clervaux”, Jessop held the inside line and tucked into the bend, slowing down just enough to get the car turned in without any incidents.
Ahead of Wright and Jessop stayed focussed and to emerge from “Hawthorn” and through the chicane in 2nd place.
Chese also found an advantage over Smith to take 4th place to go along with his 2nd class win. Both held their positions despite Smiths best efforts to pass Chese in the closing laps.
Dawn made short work of the Pre-2005 entrants, but was unable to close up to the Honda pack during the course of the 15 minute race, so hopefully the gremlins that crept in will be resolved for Snetterton.
Not one to give in, Wright took the fight for 2nd back to Jessop and found his opportunity on lap 6 running up to “Tower”. With a bold move given the conditions, Wright jinked out from Simon’s slipstream to take to the outside of the corner and drive around the new comer, much to the delight of the crowd and commentator!
Down to the wire and it was still all to play for. With all 4 cars covered by fractions of a second, it could have been anyone’s 2nd place step on the podium.
Coming through the complex for the very last time and things couldn’t be closer, Wright led the other 3 drivers up to the hairpin, and in setting up the corner for the run to the flag, Jessop made one last attempt to pass.
However disaster struck as both cars collided, with the front O/S wing of the Integra connecting with the N/S front door of the Accord.
Smith thought there was an opportunity to sneak through to take a couple of places, however both drivers recovered sufficiently and then proceeded to take part in an epic drag race down to the chequered flag, with the spoils going to Wright by a margin of 0.031 seconds!
1st Rob Burkinshaw
2nd Phil Wright
3rd Simon Jessop
Class wins were awarded to:
(P) – Mark Chese
(T) – Rob Burkinshaw
(ST) – Phil Wright
Fastest lap: Rob Burkinshaw – 1.39.417 on lap 9 of 9
Summary:
In spite of the challenging weather conditions, the weekend was a great success with some great racing to entertain the spectators and although out there on his own, (come on we need a challenger to threaten Rob’s reign!) Rob never gave less than 100%, attacking all the way to the chequered flag even though he didn’t need to.
Thanks to the series sponsors: Toyo Tires, Ultra Racing, Performance Autoworks, Finsport, Honda Tuner, R-Motion and MOTORV8 Media for their support.
Heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who made the journey to Croft, especially those that travelled from the other end of the country to take part or offer their support.
The next race is at Snetterton in Norfolk on the 10th/11th May. Anyone interested in coming out to race, just get in touch at vtecchallenge@gmail.com
Words: Jonathan Fletcher
Pictures: Lindsey Fletcher
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