Cadwell Park.
Round 13 - Cadwell Park 14th September
For the penultimate round of the 2008 Championship, the drivers travelled into Lincolnshire to the superb 2.18 mile Cadwell Park circuit. This is one of four race circuits owned by ex-Formula 1 racer Jonathan Palmer who, In the years that he has owned it, has spent a considerable amount of money improving the circuit facilities. After weeks of dismal weather the sun came out and Cadwell looked a picture and the drivers were looking forward to a 12 lap race on what is rightly regarded as one of the most challenging circuits in the country.
In view of the disappointing entry of 28 cars, the BARC decided to run all four MGOC classes in one combined race. This unusual move was welcomed by the drivers and given the twists and turns of the circuit and the relatively narrow track some very close racing was guaranteed.
With only three ZR160’s and four MGF’s entered, Classes Z and F had less than the minimum six starters to get full points and, as a result, those Classes were on half points for this race.
Qualifying
Pole position was taken by the ZR160 of Simon Byrne who was almost a second quicker than his arch rival Gary Smith. Stuart Plotnek was the quickest MGF and would start on row 2 with Nick Golhar in the remaining ZR160. The next two rows of the grid were taken by the MGF’s of Paul Savage, Ian Evans, Robin Walker and Mark Baker.
Jim Baynam was the quickest Class A car and would start in 9th with his main rival, the Midget of Will Sharpe, back in 21st place after breaking a halfshaft on lap 2 of the qualifying session. Ben Short was 10th on the grid and the quickest of the Class B cars but Stratton Mackay, Nick Arden, Ulric Scott Lee Sullivan and the ZS120 of Paul Clackett all close enough to challenge in what was looking to be the hardest fought of the four Classes.
Pole position at Cadwell is on the outside of the track but many drivers feel that the inside of the track is preferable as it gives the advantage into the double apex Charlies corner that leads onto the long straight. With a full grid of 28 cars and some significant speed differentials, a good track position on the opening lap is crucial on this narrow and twisty circuit.
Race
Despite starting from the outside of the track, Byrne made a perfect start and took an early lead from Smith. By the start of the 2nd lap, these two had opened up a commanding lead over Plotnek who had a 50 metre lead over Savage, Golhar, Evans, Walker and Baker.
Baynam had a good opening lap and had managed to stay ahead of a pack of Maestro’s headed by Mackay who got past pole position man Short who in turn had his mirrors full Sullivan, Arden and the MGB of Paul Eales.
The two leading ZR’s were having another frantic battle with both drivers showing everything that is good about MGOC racing with the cars seldom more than a length apart and never looking remotely likely to make any sort of body contact. This was MG racing at it’s very best and after 12 laps of incredible action, Byrne took his fourth win of the season by the length of a bonnet from Smith.
Plotnek held a steady 5 second lead in Class F and went on to take his 11th win of the season from Savage with Evans taking 3rd place ahead of Walker after a race long battle. Baker had his most competitive race so far and was in with a chance of a podium place until making a mistake on lap 8.
Baynam made best possible use of a clear track and by lap 3 had a four second lead in Class A over Eales who was being pressured by Sharpe who was fighting through the field after qualifying well down the grid. Sharpe passed Eales on lap 4 and set off after Baynam but found himself embroiled in a battle with the Class B leaders and was unable to close in on the Class A leader before dropping back behind Eales after a lurid spin on lap 9. Baynam went on to take his 5th win of the season by 11 seconds with Sharpe recovering to take 3rd place ahead of Waterman, Kimber, Murphy, Flooks, Head, and Broadley.
The battle for Class B honours was lead by Mackay but Champion elect Sullivan had had moved through the field from 15th place to lead a train of cars queuing up behind Mackay. After a frantic battle, Mackay took 4th win of the season by a couple of car lengths from Sullivan with Nick Arden taking an excellent 3rd place ahead of the ZS120 of Clackett and Paul Haylett who drove well after starting from the back row of the grid after failing set a time in the qualifying session.
Points Positions after 13 of 14 rounds
Class A Class B Class F Class Z
Will Sharpe 222 Lee Sullivan 251 Stuart Plotnek 229 Gary Smith 218
Jim Baynam 157 Stratton Mackay 190 Ian Evans 175 Simon Byrne 157
Phil Waterman 142 Ben Short 186 Paul Savage 133 Nick Golhar 124
John Kimber 134 Paul Haylett 175 Ian Deaves 111 Trevor Dixon 110
Paul Eales 133 Mark Halsall 127 Martin Wills 109 Dave Mellor 94