SPRINT LEADERS REPORTS

Loudon champion as Goulding makes late charge

Event 22 at Castle Combe on 14/10/2023
The 2023 Sprint Leaders championship came to its conclusion at a bright and clear Castle Combe with both the long term front runners, John Loudon (Force TA) and Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) claiming maximum points and leaving Loudon, runner up in 2022, as the clear winner. Goulding wasn't too disappointed as he took the British Sprint championship at the same time!

Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) took the final podium place while Nigel Holt (Caterham) scored well to end the season as the highest scoring Mod Prod competitor.

 

EARL AGAIN ON FIGURE-8

Event 21 at Curborough on 08/10/2023
The second day of Curborough’s HSA double-header, held in unseasonably warm sunshine, was run over the Figure 8 course. The same four Sprint Leaders contenders were present and once again it was Anthony Earl who topped the scoresheets with two more class leading times. Having finished only third in class the previous day, Justin Andrews made up for it on the Sunday with an opening run good enough to take the overall class win, but he only scored one maximum as he didn’t take a second run.
          Anthony Brown again ploughed a lonely furrow as the only runner in the class, but his combined scores maintained the Audi TT driver’s status as highest placed non-single seater, with fifth place on the overall points table. Having lain third in the class led by Earl at the break, Stephen Laing slowed dramatically with engine problems on the finish straight and failed to score.
 

EARL SETS LEADERS PACE AT 2-LAP CURBOROUGH

Event 20 at Curborough on 07/10/2023
Four Sprint Leaders contenders were on hand for the first day of the HSA’s October double-header, run over Curborough’s 2-lap course. All four were contesting both the Sprint Leaders and the HSA championships, but with both days forming the concluding rounds of the HSA series, there were still two rounds of the Sprint Leaders remaining, at Castle Combe the following weekend.
          None of the leading single seaters in the series was present at Curborough, but the top non-single seater, the Audi TT of Anthony Brown, was running on his own to set the second highest Sprint Leaders scores of the day, ahead of Justin Andrews’ 1.4-litre turbocharged Subaru and Stephen Laing’s Caterham R500. Top scorer on the day was Laing’s classmate Anthony Earl, setting the pace on each run in the Roadgoing Specialist class with two determined runs in his rapid Caterham Roadsport.
 

Another damp day at Anglesey

Event 19 at Anglesey on 01/10/2023
The second day of Longton & District's Margaret Malcolm Memorial sprint at Anglesey was held on the longer, 1 lap International circuit and began in damp conditions. The track slowly dried throughout the day but it was only the final couple of runs that could be counted as dry.

Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) scored a pair of maximums to close in on championship leader, John Loudon (Force TA) by a couple of points but time and events are beginning to run out.

Mike Smith (Sylva Striker) was back with a master cylinder replaced and went well but he, and Chris Bennett (Caterham) were overshadowed in the class by young Jake Bellerby sharing the Striker for only the second time.

Diff related problems from Day 1 saw Simon Bainbridge's title challenge fade as he was only able to complete one slow run.

A very wet Anglesey

Event 18 at Anglesey on 30/09/2023
The first day of Longton & District's Margaret Malcolm Memorial sprint at Anglesey was held on the short, 1 lap National circuit and began in overcast conditions. It began to rain as practice started and continued for the rest of the day.

The principal contenders for the 2023 championship, John Loudon (Force TA), Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost), Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) and Steve Miles all posted near indentical scores so John Loudon retained his slim lead at the top of the championship table.

Anthony Brown's Audi TT seemed to revel in the conditions and he scored well. Mike Smith (Sylva Striker) had a master cylinder fail early on and was out for the day.
 

Loudon repeats at Blyton

Event 17 at Blyton Park on 24/09/2023
On Day 2 of Nottingham Sports Casr Club's Blyton double header John Loudon (Force TA) repeated his performace from Day 1 by taking maximum scores and strengthen his hold on the lead in the 2023 Sprint Leaders championship.

Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) recorded a brace of 11 point scores while also carrying over their good performances from the day before were Nigel Holt (Caterham) and Anthony Brown (Audi TT).

It was a good week-end for Loudon who is looking to improve on his second place in last year's championship with Goulding and Miles failing to make up ground on the leader despite being not far behind.

Loudon moves ahead at Blyton

Event 16 at Blyton Park on 23/09/2023
With a pair of maximum scores, John Loudon (Force TA) extended his lead in the 2023 Sprint Leaders championchip ahead of Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) who was joined by Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) with an 11 and a 9 point score. Nigel Holt (Caterham) and Anthony Brown (Audi TT) both went well to post a pair of 10 point finishes.
 

Broughton again at Pembrey

Event 15 at Pembrey on 10/09/2023
On Day 2 of BARC Wales' September Pembrey double header Steve Broughton (SBD DJ Firehawk) again posted a pair of maximum scores as he outpaced the rest of the 1600cc Racing Car class.

On an alternating damp and drying track he was closely followed on the Sprint Leaders score sheet by Simon Bainbridge's SBR Crono and Steve Miles' Van Diemen RF96. Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) kept his title hopes alive with a good run in the wet while Carole Torkington (OMS CF08) put in a quick 'drying' time for a good score.

Broughton on form at Pembrey

Event 14 at Pembrey on 09/09/2023
Steve Broughton had the SBD DJ Firehawk running to his liking for the first time and duly took FTD with a 96.23s run as well as a pair of maximum points scores in the Sprint Leaders championship at BARC Wales' second visit of the season to the fast and flowing Llanelli track.

Simon Wallis (OMS 3000M) was the quickest 1100cc racing car following the withdrawal of John Loudon's championship leading Force and also scored a pair of maximums.

Goulding's FTD but Earl takes the points at Hethel

Event 13 at Hethel on 03/09/2023
Only three Sprint Leaders competitors made the trip to the Lotus test track at Hethel with Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) taking FTD with a 71.32s run while Anthony Earl just headed Stephen Laing (both in Caterhams) to take maximum points.

Rain stops play at Snetterton as Loudon closes in

Event 12 at Snetterton on 27/08/2023
Day two of BARC Midlands' Snetterton Sprint on the 100 circuit was enlivened by the droning hordes of 2CVs (plus a few Minis) enjoying a 24 hour endurance on the 200 circuit. The weather began as it had finished the day before by being warm and dry but by lunchtime threatening clouds began to move in. As competitors prepared for their third timed run the rain began. Running was stopped for a while (not least to recover spinners) but then the rain got heavier and thunder & lightning led to the organisers abandoning the meeting.

Last year's Sprint Leaders runner up, John Loudon (Force TA), again took a pair of maximum scores to move up the championship table to third, just 22 points off the lead held by Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost).

Justin Andrews (Impreza) and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF86) matched their strong showings from the day before and Nigel Holt (Caterham 310R) again went well despite a mistake of his final run.

Good day for Andrews & Loudon at Snetterton

Event 11 at Snetterton on 26/08/2023
A good selection of Sprint Leaders competitors turned out at Snetterton on the first day of BARC Midlands' double header on the 100 circuit. They were rewarded with warm and sunny weather, even in to the afternoon when the track was surrounded by threatending thunderclouds which seemed to miraculously pass by.

Justin Andrews was still getting to grips with his 1.4t engined Impreza but was able to post a pair of maximum scores and was matched by John Loudon, struggling with a mysterious oil leak (later identified as a failed timing chain seal) in his Force TA.

Nigel Holt (Caterham 310R), Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) also scored well.

Low scores at Lydden but Goulding retains lead

Event 10 at Lydden Hill on 15/07/2023
Despite the strong winds being encountered elsewhere the Lydden Hill circuit was largely unaffected although the weather may have played a part in keeping the Sprint Leaders competitors' scores down.

As it was the best scoring competitor, Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost), was able to extend his championship lead by a small margin over John Loudon (Force TA) and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) who also posted respecatble scores.

Broughton and Miles close the gap

Event 9 at Pembrey on 04/06/2023
On the Pembrey Club circuit both Steve Broughton (DJ Firehawk) and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) both outscored championship leader Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) to move a little closer in the standings. John Loudon (Force TA) retired after practice with engine problems.

Chris Bennett (Caterham Roadsport) and Mike Smith (Sylva Striker) were the only non racing cars to score points.

Earl racks up the points at Pembrey

Event 8 at Pembrey on 03/06/2023
Anthony Earl (Caterham Roadsport) took a pair of maximum points scores on the first day of the Pembrey June sprint week-end with Steve Broughton (DJ Firehawk) and Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) just behind.

John Loudon (Force TA) scored well to stay in the hunt for the championship.

Hillam tops the scores

Event 7 at Lydden Hill on 20/05/2023
Following a double maximum score at the previous round at Blyton, defending champion, Matt Hillam (DJ Firehawk), put in a repeat perfomance at Borough 19's Spring Lydden sprint to close in on championship leader Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost).

Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) and Steve Broughton (DJ Firehawk) both scored a pair of 10s to stay in the hunt for the championship.

In the non racing car classes, Stephen Laing managed one good run in his Caterham R500 before electrical gremlins put him out for the day.

Hillam closes in at Blyton

Event 6 at Blyton Park on 14/05/2023
Reigning Sprint Leaders champion, Matt Hillam in the SBD DJ Firehawk made it a perfect Blyton Sprint week-end with another maximum points haul, this time on the venue's Outer circuit and made up ground on championship leader, Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) who also scored well.

Anthony Brown in the Audi TT put in a good perfomance to bag a pair of 10 point scores.

Loudon & Hillam take Leaders honours at Blyton

Event 5 at Blyton Park on 13/05/2023
John Loudon (Force TA) and Matt Hillam (DJ Firehawk) moved into contention in the race for the 2023 SBD Motoraport UK Sprint Leaders championship on the Blyton Eastern circuit with a pair of maximum scores.

Damien Bradley (Subaru Legacy) and Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) both continued their strong early season form with good scores.

 

Broughton goes for gold at Goodwood

Event 4 at Goodwood on 22/04/2023
Five SLC registered competitors took to Glorious Goodwood for the fourth event in the season. Steve Broughton was the clear winner in the SBD DJ Firehawk, taking home a solid 24 points from the day after completing consistent runs of 76.69s and 76.84s. Pete Goulding’s runs were equally consistent, his 75.53s and 75.58s netting him 20 points in Class S15D aboard the Mygale.

Bainbridge, Loudon and Hillam ahead at Anglesey International

Event 3 at Anglesey on 02/04/2023
All twelve SLC competitors returned to the Anglesey coast on Sunday to compete around the longer 3,109m International Circuit layout. Bainbridge, Loudon and Hillam repeated their previous days’ successes by again securing the full 24 points over the two rounds, followed by Peter Goulding (Mygale) who added 22 points to his season total.

The two Steves — Miles and Broughton, followed on 18 and 12 points respectively.

Four tied at the top at Anglesey National

Event 2 at Anglesey on 01/04/2023
A strong turnout of twelve SLC competitors battled it out around the challenging 1,661m Anglesey National circuit. A wide variety of models was represented too from Damian Bradley’s Subaru Legacy and Anthony Brown’s Audi TT via Simon Bainbridge’s thunderous SBR Crono V8 to the gaggle of single-seaters that were likely to be battling it out for fastest lap.

Damian Bradley, Simon Bainbridge, John Loudon (Force TA) and Matt Hillam (DJ Firehawk) all ended the day aving added 24 points to their seasons’ tallies.

Holt takes early lead in Sprint Leaders at Cadwell

Event 1 at Cadwell Park on 25/03/2023
At the opening round of the 2023 SBD Motorsport UK HSA Sprint Leaders championship at Cadwell Park, newcomer to the series, Nigel Holt in his Caterham 310R took the best score of 24 points ahead of a gaggle of single seaters and Stephen Laing (Caterham) and Mike Smith (Sylva Striker).
 

Goulding takes FTD and a Championship class win

Event 18 at Curborough on 09/10/2022
On Curborough's Fig 8 course on the second day of HSA's Autumn finale meeting Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) took FTD and a class win to secure the Championship class win in the 1600t section.

Andrew Till (Fiesta ST) and Nick Scott (Force TA) also scored well and were confirmed as respective class winners in the Championship.

Hillam secures title at Combe

Event 17 at Castle Combe on 08/10/2022
At Bristol Motor Club's Great Western Sprint at Castle Combe Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara)  was on scintillating form to take the British Sprint Championship and, at the same time, take a pair of maximim points scores to tie up the Sprint Leaders Champiponship.

Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) staked his claim for the final step of the Championship podium with a pair of 12 point scores, with Grahame Harden (Radical PR06) and Simon Wallis (OMS3000M) also achieving the same result. The battle for the Championship class win in the 1600t class moved Pete Goulding's way after fellow Mygale Ecoboost competitor, Graham Blackwell was out with broken suspension.

Hillam draws level at Anglesey

Event 16 at Anglesey on 02/10/2022
Day two of Longton & District Motor Club's Anglesey Autumn Sprint was held over the 3.1Km International circuit and Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) was making a late season charge for the British Sprint championship and his winning runs also enabled him to take his 17th and 18th maximum score of the season and share the lead in the Sprint Leaders championship on points.

Ian Johnson (Civic Type R) was the only other driver to take a pair of maximum scores while Mark Anson (Jedi MK6) scored a pair of 11s and the two Mygale Ecoboosts of Pete Goulding and Graham Blackwell with Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) all went well and maintained their positions in the top ten in the championship.

 

Hillam moves closer at Anglesey

Event 15 at Anglesey on 01/10/2022
The first day of Longton & District Motor Club's Anglesey Autumn Sprint was held over 1 lap of  the 1.66Km National circuit and, by scoring a pair of maximum points, Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) moved closer to Championship leader John Loudon (Force TA) who was sidelined having blown an engine at Blyton the week before.

Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) was also able to post maximum scores and was joined by Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra), Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) and Anthony Brown (Audi TT) who all scored well.

Loudon scores but loses engine

Event 14 at Blyton Park on 25/09/2022
Day 2 of Nottingham Sports Car Club's Blyton sprint, held on the Outer Circuit, thankfully turned out dry even if the morning was a little cool. In fact the morning turned out well for championship leader, John Loudon (Force TA), because he was able to complete a couple of runs and earn two maximum scores before blowing an engine in the afternoon.

Other leading championship contenders, Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara), Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) and Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) also scored well with Hillam closing in to within three maximum scores of the championship leader.

 

Big scores at Blyton

Event 13 at Blyton Park on 24/09/2022
The Saturday part of the Nottingham Sports Car Club organised Blyton Sprint week-end were held on the Eastern circuit and the morning runs were held in cool and dry conditions which enabled the Sprint Leaders competitors to get in a couple of dry runs before the rain moved in during the afternoon.

Championship leader, John Loudon in his Force TA took a pair of maximum scores to secure his position at the top of the leader board. Also scoring maximums were Matt Hillam, making up ground in the SBD Dallara having missed some earlier rounds, and Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra).

Loudon maintains championship lead at Knockhill

Event 12 at Knockhill on 04/09/2022
Reigning Sprint Leaders champion, John Loudon (Force TA) strengthened his position at the top the the 2022 championship table with a couple of 12 points finishes on Knockhill's anti clockwise track.

In a day which saw conditions change dramatically for each run, Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) and Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) were not far behind, both posting a pair of 11 point scores.

 

Goulding and Laing score at Hethel

Event 11 at Hethel on 04/09/2022
Borough 19 Motor Club's September sprint at Hethel only saw a couple of Sprint Leaders competitors take the track with FTD winner, Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) scoring a pair of maximums with Stephen Laing (Caterham R500) just behind with a pair of 11 point scores.

Till and Johnson go well at Aintree

Event 10 at Aintree on 03/09/2022
At Liverpool MC’s Aintree September sprint a couple of road car Sprint Leaders competitors both scored maximum points to improve their championship positions.

Andrew Till (Fiesta ST) and Ian Johnson (Civic Type R) joined championship leader, John Loudon (Force TA) and Graham Blackwell (Mygale Ecoboost) as top scorers.

Hillam's day at Snetterton

Event 9 at Snetterton on 27/08/2022
BARC Midlands were running a sprint on Snetterton's 100 circuit for the first time and enjoyed some wonderful late summer weather.

Matt Hillam and Steve Broughton were, as usual, sharing the SBD Dallara which, following a recent outing at Goodwood, was running more wing and less rake. After practice the rake was reduced further and some rears from 2021 put on. Hillam found the car transformed and promptly posted FTD with a 77.40s, a whole second under the British Sprint record. Broughton almost matched the time with a 77.42s but their second best times were both 77.51s to give them good Sprint Leaders scores.

Graham Blackwell won the battle of the Mygale Ecoboosts by two hundredths from Pete Goulding and was running new AVON front tyres (and Pirelli rears) in preparation for Knockhill where he was planning to run AVONS all round.

Chris Jones (Force TA) took both Sprint Leaders rounds despite a nasty lunchtime accident, getting a facefull of fuel from an inexplicably pressurised fuel tank. The fully manned and equiped medical centre did a sterling job and he was back on track after missing only one run.

John Loudon, also in a Force TA, was just behind Jones and scored well to take over the lead in the Championship while Stephen Laing went well in the Caterham R500 for a pair of maximum scores.

 

Bainbridge take the lead

Event 8 at Lydden Hill on 16/07/2022
At the Five Southern Motor Clubs organised Ray Heal memorial sprint at Lydden Hill, Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) moved into a 9 point lead in the Championship with a pair of 11 point scores. John Loudon (Force TA) moved up to second place with a pair of maximum scores while former leader, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) dropped to third after strong performance by fellow class runners Matt Hillam and Steve Broughton in their shared SBD Dallara.

In the non 'Racing'  classes, Andrew Till (Ford Fiesta), Stephen Laing (Caterham R500) and Andrew Webber (Elan +2) were all up against stiff competition in their classes on the day which hampered their scoring chances.

Holmes, Broughton and Jones take the points at Pembrey

Event 7 at Pembrey on 05/06/2022
On a wet Pembrey National circuit Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra), Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara) and Chris Jones (Force TA) all came away with maximum points scores. The other notable points scorer was Carole Torkington (OMS CF08) with a pair of 11 point finishes.

Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) maintained his Championship lead just three points ahead of John Loudon (Force TA) while Holmes climbed the table to third place, 6 points behind Miles.

Holmes and Hillam shine at Pembrey

Event 6 at Pembrey on 04/06/2022
On a dry Pembrey Club circuit only Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) and Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) managed maximum points scores while the rest of the championship contenders shared the spoils with John Loudon (Force TA) the 'best of the rest' and closing on Championship leader, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96).

Other good performances came from Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) and Nick Scott (Force TA).

Bainbridge and Loudon move closer at Blyton

Event 5 at Blyton Park on 15/05/2022
On Day 2 of Longton & District's Spring Blyton Sprint week-end Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) scored well to move to within 3 points of Championship leader Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96). John Loudon (Force TA) took another pair of maximum scores to move closer to the Championship lead, just 9 points behind Miles.

After a problematic first Day, Andrew Webber had the Lotus Elan +2 back up to speed and took a pair of maximum scores, as did Stephen Laing in the Caterham.

Miles stays ahead at Blyton

Event 4 at Blyton Park on 14/05/2022
At Blyton Park on May 14th Championship leader, Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) was a little off his previous best times at the track but was able to score well enough to maintain his position at the top of the table. Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) and Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra) also scored well but the top scorer, with a pair of maximum scores, was reigning champion John Loudon (Force TA).

In the non racing car classes Stephen Laing (Caterham) scored best with Rob Kuschel (Mini Cooper S) and Anthony Brown (Audi TT) also going well.

High scoring day at Anglesey

Event 3 at Anglesey on 03/04/2022
Event three of the 2022 Sprint Leaders championship was held on Anglesey's longer International track and saw many competitors post high scores in the two rounds held.

Ian Johnson (Honda Civic Type R) had been absent the day before but posted 10 and 12 point scores while Anthony Brown (Audi TT) went one better with a pair of maximum scores.

Chris Jones (Force TA) and Matt Hillam (SBD Dallara) also managed a pair of maximums but it was consistend scoring that saw Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) emerge at the top of the championship table from Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96) and Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono).
 

Jones scores at Anglesey

Event 2 at Anglesey on 02/04/2022
Chris Jones (Force TA) got his 2022 Sprint Leaders season off to a flying start on the Anglesey National circuit with a par of maximum scores.

Also scoring well were Simoin Bainbridge (SBR Crono), Carole Torkington (OMS CF08), Steve Broughton (SBD Dallara), Steve Miles (Van Diemen RF96), Pete Goulding (Mygale Ecoboost) and Terry Holmes (Lola Tegra).

In the non racing car classes Anthony Brown (Audi TT) went well while Andrew Webber (Lotus 62) was up against some serious competition in his class on the day.

Loudon & Goulding make good start at Cadwell

Event 1 at Cadwell Park on 26/03/2022
At Cadwell Park on March 26th for the first two rounds of the 2022 SBD Motorsport UK HSA Sprint Leaders Championship, competitors were greeted with glorious warm and sunny spring weather.

John Loudon in his new Laser Tools sponsored Force TA and Pete Goulding in his familiar Mygale M12 Ecoboost both posted a pari of maximum scores to take an early lead in the Championship. Simon Bainbridge (SBR Crono) had a good first run but a DNF on T2 ended his day.

Full scores here.