Monday 25th October 2004

Lewis' win lands him TVRCC championship

Oulton sees Steve Lewis take his second title

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The closing meeting of the 2004 Manugistics TVRCC Challenge Cup season was very memorable for most. Unfortunately, one or two will be struggling to remember much following a celebratory night at the annual awards dinner held straight after the final race.

The teams gathered at the damp but picturesque Oulton Park in Cheshire for the conclusion to an exciting season.

One surprise entry was that of Simon Bowes and the V8 Sports and Classics Griffith. Having suffered engine damage at the previous round at Mallory Park, the V8 team had been preparing to spectate at Oulton. So no-one was more surprised than Simon to find that his crippled Griffith had been repaired and brought to the track by arch rivals Moore Racing. The TVR paddock has become well known for being the most supportive to all competitors in the series, but Moore Racing set a new standard in Camaraderie by procuring a second hand engine and installing it in the Griff so that Simon could still compete.

Steady rain in the morning meant that qualifying was wet. Steve Hall ignored the conditions to set a blistering pole time in his gloriously, aggressive repainted Tasmin Turbo.

Unfortunately, in his last race before a one year sabbatical next year, John Sumner was picked on by the noise marshal, and refused leave to qualify. Again, the TVR solidarity came to Johns rescue as Mark from RT Racing sacrificed four Coke cans and quite a few cc’s of his own blood to get John legal and on the back of the grid. Sadly worse was to follow for John.

As race time came around the track had dried and a weak but warm sun had emerged.

Despite some untidy lines, all the TVRs made it round the first corner at the start. They made a wonderful sight and sound for the spectators, with a particularly large contingent of Wedge fans dotted around the fine parkland surroundings.

Unfortunately, John Sumner's blue wedge never completed the first lap. In trying to make up for his lowly grid position, he tried just too hard at the final corner, and got onto the wet grass. He was immediately just a passenger as his car slammed into the barrier and speared across the track into the barrier on the other side of the track. As the red flags came out to stop the race, John clambered out unhurt to find the car still in one piece and, following a lengthy delay to repair the barriers, his car was towed looking only mildly damaged, a testament to the strength of these cars.

At the restart, Steve Lewis burned past everyone to take the lead. Behind him Dave Reynolds took four laps to establish a competitive pace, by which time Steve was five seconds down the road. However, as Dave got the bit between his teeth, he started to reel Steve in. Going into the final lap, the gap was down to less than two seconds and Dave was still gaining. As they approached the frightening double right hander at Druids, Dave’s brakes finally gave up, and he flew past Steve before taking a scary ride into the tyre barrier. Steve was left to cruise to his second win in two races and with it wrap up the championship.

From pole, Steve Hall had a fairly quiet race to take second place comfortably ahead of a remarkable Tim Broughton in his lower powered class A car. Among a throng of 300 bhp monsters, Tim had managed to get on the podium despite a deficit of at least a hundred horsepower. Tim has been the find of the season, and with a full season next year, will be a serious threat for the championship.

Bowes came home in fourth, with Championship runner up Graham Walden just behind. Sadly, Graham's race-long dice with regular sparring partner Cliff Jobson came to an end when the yellow Tasmin ground to a halt half a lap short -- out of petrol.

Gary Coulson came home a creditable sixth place in his first season of racing, and judging by the size of his smile at the awards dinner later that evening will be out to improve on his seventh place overall next year.

All the teams and supporters retired to a local hotel for the evening where they were wined, dined, received awards and eventually kept the staff up until first light.

Congratulations go to Steve Lewis for his second championship in five years, and also for having established the series and managed its transformation into the successful and friendly event that it has become.

Many tahnks to George Carter and Steve Pawsey-Bowerman for the photography.

[john75]

Well Steve mate