The latest round of the Manugistics TVRCC Challenge Cup, which started with an all-Tasmin lineup, provided a glimpse of a possible future for the Tuscan Challenge racing Cars.
The fantastic Rockingham facility in Northamptonshire was the venue for the latest episode in the evolution of this growing series, with two classic TVR encounters.
With the first appearance of an ex-Tuscan Challenge car, by
invitation, there was much speculation in the paddock about how the TVRCC cars would fare against the all out racer. Some expressed concerns that there would be such a gulf in performance that speed differentials would be dangerous.
As it turned out the teams and spectators were treated to thrilling racing between the stalwart Tasmins, three racing Griffiths and the Tuscan.
Tuscans stretch a lead
Into race one, and at the end of the opening lap, it was no surprise to find the leader to be two-times Tuscan Challenge Champion, Steve Guglielmi. However, in his return to competitive motorsport, he was driving the road legal Griffith 500 of TMS Performance vehicles. Not far behind was Doug Ellwood driving the super-fast, Rover-engined Tuscan of David Gerald TVR.
Unfortunately, half way around lap two, Guglielmi's engine blew itself apart and Ellwood moved ominously into the lead. Was the Tuscan about to dominate as had been predicted?
As Ellwood put the hammer down, the TVRCC Griffith of Bowes would not let him get away and over the next five laps a titanic struggle saw the lead swap between them several times. A few seconds behind the leaders, a trio of Turbo Tasmins were showing that there is still life in the old wedges yet.
The crowd was treated to some thrilling racing all the way down the grid and, as the field poured round the banking for the final time, Ellwood just squeaked home ahead of Bowes with Lewis, Reynolds and Hall following in Turbo Tasmins.
In class A privateer John Sumner had the measure of his rivals, beating Joospeed-prepared Jobson and the ailing Walden into third.
As predicted Ellwood and the Tuscan had won, but not by much.
The grid for race two was somewhat depleted as Guglielmi's engine was headed for the knackers yard and Ellwood's Tuscan had cooked its brakes beyond repair in race one.
But the drama wasn't over by any means, as pole-sitter Bowes led the field away in bright sunshine. By the start of the second lap, spots of rain quickly turned into a monsoon. In less than a minute, the track surface resembled a skidpan and the turbocharged cars changed from obedient thoroughbreds to untamed wild stallions. This should have handed the advantage to Bowes, but as TVRs slid off in all directions, Steve Lewis defied the conditions to harass the twitchy Griffith ahead. As they tiptoed from one puddle to the next, they were never separated by more than a second all the way to the finish line. Behind them Graham Walden made life torrid for Reynolds despite giving away over 100bhp to the more powerful, class B car.
Just behind these two came Sumner and Coulson in class A. For Gary Coulson, in his first year as a racing driver, third place meant a triumphant first podium and as the sun reappeared for prize-giving, his award was treated to the loudest cheer from the assembled teams.
Walden's engine problem in the first race had cost him dear in the championship, as he slipped behind Bowes in the points table. With two races still to go, its building up to an exciting climax with the top three separated by only 6 points.
The TVRCC are currently evaluating the regulations for 2005. After such a close and competitive weekend, and with the official Tuscan Challenge in its final year, one wonders if there could be more of these classic racers on the grid next year.
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