2011 Race Reports - Lackford Engineering Austin Healey Club Championship

** New feature ** click here to see Neil and Drew Cameron's driver profiles

Round 10 : Croft 24/25 September 2011

Words and Pictures by : Phil (Scoop) Broster. mail : phil_scoop@hotmail.co.uk

The final round of the Lackford Engineering Austin Healey Club Championship took place at Croft on Sunday 25^th September and with his win the previous day Dave Smithies had stitched up the series. We still had class places to fight for and we only had 6 entrants but a race we were going to have.

With the problems in the Cameron camp the decision was made to scratch the entry of Neil Cameron, his car was showing no oil pressure anyway, and cannibalise the cars oil breather and return system to get young Drew a race. Dad Allan was tired and frustrated with his efforts to get Drew’s car sorted and it wasn’t the first weekend this season he had spent hours working on the car.

Still, with most of this work done the previous evening we were all able to meet up in the local Premier Inn for a ‘pint and grub’ on the Saturday night, another pleasant social gathering.

Next morning, we gathered at the circuit and activity surrounded the little WSM where with a bit of effort from all concerned the clutch was bled and optimism returned with the news that it would make the race. Good news, we needed all the starters we could get.

Then, with no action taking place before lunch and our race not due until 3pm and unfortunately no catering available at the circuit, another informal gathering was convened in the local hostelry where an agreeable Sunday lunch was taken. These long weekends do have some advantage!

Eventually the cars came to the grid with once again the second fastest qualifying times deciding the order. Smithies had pole, Neil Cameron should have been beside him and so the next car was Pat Harris, with Adie Ball alongside, Brian Bedford was in row three with Tony Wilson-Spratt and finally Drew Cameron completing the order.

As the lights signalled the start, Smithies didn’t quite get the power down and it was Ball who took the lead into the first corner, he was closely followed by Harris, Wilson-Spratt, and then a gap to Cameron, Smithies and Bedford.

Next time round Harris had got to the front but Ball was still holding on ahead of Cameron, Smithies gathering it together ahead of Wilson-Spratt and Bedford. Cameron was soon on the tail of Harris though and these two fought for the lead, well for three laps, before once again Cameron pulled up with what appeared to be yet another crankshaft failure, but not before Smithies had got through. The tenacity of Drew and particularly Allan has to be commended with the misfortune they have endured this season, it’s doubtful if many would have continued under such circumstances.

Meanwhile, Smithies was closing on Harris and he took his expected place at the front by lap four after setting the fastest lap of the race, albeit two seconds slower than the previous day.

Harris was ahead of Ball far enough to be comfortable in second place and that’s where he stayed until the flag. Ball was also far enough ahead of any challenge to his third place keeping a gap to Bedford. Wilson-Spratt had a bit of drama, spinning in the complex and it looked as though we would lose another runner but he managed to get started again, and only a lap down made it to the finish.

So, Smithies took the flag to end this season and had done enough all year to win the title once again. Harris was next, not that far behind, less than half a second in fact after a hard drive, whether he would have got the lead is debatable but it was a great effort. Ball had another fine drive finishing ahead of Bedford with Wilson-Spratt making the flag and achieving a personal desire this weekend.

In honesty, not one of the most riveting races but given the tribulations of this season and the clash with Spa we had a die hard band of racers who had made every round, commendable given the economies involved, and the series in its present format was considered a success.

With reference to Spa, some interesting footage is available on ‘Youtube’ : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD7TjvMkHK0 featuring Marc Campfield in his 3000, you might like to take a look!

To see the full results and points scored during the season, click here or click on the 'Results' tab in the grid at the top of the page. To see all the pictures and in-car video's from the events, click here or click on the Gallery tab above.

Round 9 : Croft 24/25 September 2011

Words and Pictures by : Phil (Scoop) Broster. mail : phil_scoop@hotmail.co.uk

The final long weekend and the last two rounds of the Lackford Engineering Austin Healey Club Championship saw ‘the circus’ roll into Croft nr. Darlington. Unfortunately we saw the smallest field of the season with only seven entries here but this was where the championship would be decided. With series sponsor Robin Lackford absent the title could go to either current champion Dave Smithies or Neil Cameron.

It was to be a long weekend with qualifying on Saturday at 12.20 and the first race late on the same afternoon. The second race was to take place on Sunday mid afternoon.

Entries were headed by the big 3000 of Dave Smithies which was joined by Adie Ball, in the Sprite division we had the class E cars of Drew Cameron and Pat Harris and class D saw Neil Cameron, Brian Bedford. In the invitation class was the beautiful WSM Sprite of Tony Wilson-Spratt who had come from the Isle of Man to race the car that had last been seen at this very circuit two years ago when it was shown to his Dad for the first time after a surprise build.

Qualifying got under way and the 3000 of Dave Smithies sounded superb on the long back straight as it powered to a predictable pole position, over two and a half seconds ahead of the second fastest car. Ball’s similar car looked stable through the sweeps and appeared much less of a handful than had been the case at Pembrey. A chat with Adie afterwards confirmed this, with him feeling much more confident in the car since sorting out the front end.

The Sprite of Harris closed on the red car throughout the session and looked quick but circulating on his own was the little Arkley of Neil Cameron and it was he who finished second fastest. Pat Harris was third ahead of Ball.

Brian Bedford was only three hundredths behind but had taken a little excursion onto the old part of the circuit at one point, ‘it was brakes’ said Brian afterwards. Tony Wilson-Spratt in the WSM was next up, another car sounding superb on ‘full chat’.

Unfortunately the season long bad luck which seems to be following Drew Cameron around this year struck again as once more he failed to complete a lap having an alarming amount of smoke invade his cockpit in the assembly area. It was an oil leak and his dad set to work removing and replacing everything from catch tank hose to sump in his attempt to seal the trouble.

After the session we all relaxed with yours truly finding solace in the motor home of the convivial Dave Smithies where he made lunch of spaghetti bolognaise, not only making it but also eating it without getting a single splash on his shirt, apparently a ‘first’. A highlight of this weekend methinks!!!

With something like five hours before our race there was some hanging around to be done, guys wandered off to watch the other races, or just fettling, but the time soon passed and the cars formed on the grid.

It would be interesting to see how soon Cameron D. would be up at the front starting from the back, but effectively only on row four. As the lights signalled the start the ‘big’ Healey of Smithies got the power down and led into the first corner and onto the back straight, behind the Arkley of Cameron N made a great start into second and was being pushed hard by Harris.

There was an ominous cloud of grey smoke in the distance though, and it was coming from the Sprite of the unfortunate Drew Cameron, once again that oil leak had returned and he would pull in to retire on that lap.

Meanwhile down into the sweeping right hander after the straight Cameron N got sideways, right in front of Harris who had nowhere to go, there was contact, fortunately only light and both cars continued some way behind. Neil said later “I went in just a bit too quickly and felt the car wash out, I twisted my arm in controlling it but its O.K.”

All of this meant that Ball was now in second place and Wilson-Spratt had the WSM up to third, he was being pushed by Bedford as Harris came into sight followed some way behind by Cameron N. There was soon to be a change for third though as the silver car of Bedford went past the WSM.

Harris was making up lost ground and he too disposed of the little blue car and set off after Bedford. Tony Wilson-Spratt told me later that he had a mechanical clutch problem and was having to change gear without the clutch as the race progressed, which explained his loss of pace.

For several laps Harris slowly closed on Bedford and as the two went into ‘Sunny’, the corner after the back straight, Harris took to the inside, but with Bedford on the racing line there wasn’t much room. The two made contact with Bedford taking to the grass, again it was minor and with Harris on his way again he was soon chasing Ball who was driving magnificently in second place. Bedford also continued but was having the same trouble with his brakes as he had in qualifying.

Meanwhile, up front we had almost forgotten Smithies who was serenely ticking off the laps in the lead. He had more than a comfortable lead from Ball, there was a nice gesture as Dave came up to lap the WSM in the last couple of corners, he held back to give Tony the chance of doing another lap to complete the race distance, what he didn’t know was that the Sprite driver didn’t want that lap and we had an almost comic situation as the two cars slowed in an ‘after you, no after you Claude’, state of affair.

Ball was soon to have his mirrors full of Harris’s Sprite, into the complex for the last time Ball hugged the inside line forcing Harris to go around the outside where there was no grip, through the Hairpin onto the finishing straight they were side by side, but the power of the big car paid off and Ball took the flag in second, it had been a marvellous effort by Harris though given the earlier mishap.

Fourth went to Cameron N who had also made up good ground after the first lap with Bedford and Wilson-Spratt completing the order.

Again, a small field but another race that had shown how entertaining Healey racing can be and we would see what the next race would bring.

Round 8 : Brands Hatch 28/29 August 2011

Words and Pictures by : Phil (Scoop) Broster. mail : phil_scoop@hotmail.co.uk

With the previous round producing some terrific battles, not least at the front, the prospects for an exciting second race in the Lackford Engineering Austin Healey Club Championship looked promising. We were down to 12 runners but still one of the best grids of the season.

The usual fettling, brake pad checks, nattering and general hanging around was the order of the day until 2 o’clock when it was time for everyone to make their way to the grid, everyone except Jim Prior whom we had lost with gearbox problems.

The grid was once again formed from the second best qualifying time from the previous day, Cameron D would have been on pole but with his absence Dave Smithies was sole front row occupier. Behind on the second row were Robin Lackford with Tom Walker alongside, Pat Harris and Paul Campfield next, Brian Bedford, Adie Ball, Neil Cameron, Willie J Harris, Nigel Lackford, Guy Parry-Williams for this race, a gap where Prior would have been and Dave Jenkins. With Paul Taylor also absent we had twelve ready to go.

At the start Smithies took advantage of the clear track and was into Paddock first, Walker had the power to out drag Lackford, Harris P. was next with Bedford and Campfield. Suddenly Bedford went sideways having got a tap and Campfield let go in a big way completing a full 360 degree spin sending the rest of the pack scattering. Everyone seemed to miss him but then Nigel Lackford, probably unsighted, slammed into the red car with some force. Both drivers were quickly out of their cars, but with the track blocked out came the red flag.

It was an unfortunate incident, the first major contact this season, leaving two badly damaged cars out with fortunately no injuries and a restart once the track was cleared. So ten cars lined up for a second go.

At the restart it was again Smithies taking the lead with Walker once more out dragging Lackford and Harris P. into Paddock. By Druids Lackford was in second with Harris P., taking third from Walker into Graham Hill Bend. Close behind were Ball, Bedford, Willie J Harris, Cameron N, Parry-Williams G. and Jenkins.

As they completed that lap, Harris P shot into second place ahead of Lackford, a few laps later Lackford was back ahead but all the time Smithies was pulling away at the front. Lackford pulled a gap on Harris until near the end of the race when Harris got very close and pulled ahead on the last lap to take second. In fairness, Lackford’s best lap was 2 seconds slower than the first race, presumably indicating that recurring electrical issue, but the fight had been good all race and this should in no way diminish Pats effort.

Walker had a strong but lonely race and he would eventually finish fourth. Bedford and Ball had a fight all race long with first one then the other ahead, eventually Bedford made a move pay off near the end and finished ahead of the red 3000. Another sole runner was Cameron N. who finished a lonely seventh ahead of Jenkins and Guy Parry-Williams.

About a third of the way through the race we lost W.J. Harris whose blue Sprite was making strange noises from the gearbox until it stopped making a noise altogether at which point W.J. pulled off at Paddock.

With the clock running to twenty minutes out came the flag for Smithies to have a comfortable win some twenty seconds ahead of the late charging Pat Harris, Lackford was third, Walker, Bedford and Cameron all finishing on the same lap. Then came Jenkins and Guy Parry-Williams, Jenkins once again seeing the flag after some appalling luck in recent races, and the Parry-Williams equipe also seeing the flag for the first time albeit with a misfiring car but a finish it was.

It was perhaps not the best race we’ve had this year, the first start incident dampening the proceedings and somewhat depleting the field but never the less the fight for second place was enthralling. We all, or some of us, trek up North to Teesside and the Croft circuit for the final two rounds and there are some interesting permutations for the Championship and Class positions to be fought over.

As a postscript to the accident, word from Paul Campfield is that poor tyres may have contributed but the main issue was, quote! “the axle locating pin had sheared, bent/sheared the u bolts and lost the lowering block, huge amount of axle movement, the accident damage did not cause this” . So there we have it, straight from the horses mouth.

Round 7 : Brands Hatch 28/29 August 2011

Words and Pictures by : Phil (Scoop) Broster. mail : phil_scoop@hotmail.co.uk

After a month’s layoff, Brands Hatch was the venue for the next ‘double header’ in The Lackford Engineering Austin Healey Club Championship. Qualifying was to take place on the Sunday with two races the next day, Bank Holiday Monday. With 16 entrants this was potentially the largest grid so far this season which bodes well for a couple of good races.

In the ‘big’ Healey class we had Dave Smithies, Tom Walker, Adie Ball, a returning Paul Campfield and Guy and Simon Parry-Williams, who were to share with one race each. The class ‘E’ Sprites had Drew Cameron, series sponsor, Robin Lackford and Pat Harris competing. Class ‘D’ had Brian Bedford, Neil Cameron, Willie John Harris, Nigel Lackford, Jim Prior and David Jenkins. Paul Taylor was in the invitation class in his Dad’s Sprite.

Tom Walker had fixed his drive train issues, Drew Cameron had had his crank rebuilt and Willie John had sorted his clutch...Robin Lackford had a box of rotor arms on hand!!

Qualifying went well for most to all intents, I wasn’t there on Sunday staying up north for the Oulton Gold Cup meeting, but on Monday morning I was met with worried looks from the Cameron clan concerning Drew’s car, and it looked like Paul Taylor had had a terminal issue.

With a 9.30 start there wasn’t much time for everyone to ready themselves and the grid formed in the order, Smithies, Cameron D, Lackford R., Bedford (must be the Phyllosan), Walker, Campfield, Harris P., Cameron N., Ball, Willie J. Harris, Lackford N., Simon Parry-Williams for this race, Prior, Jenkins and Taylor who would not take the start.

Before the race got under way we had drama as front row man Drew Cameron failed to make the grid with recurring engine problems, and so as the lights signalled the start the 3000 of Smithies shot away with Lackford coming up alongside before dropping into line at Paddock. Walker had made a good start to be third ahead of Bedford, then into Druids all together came Campfield, Harris P and Cameron N., with Ball and Willie J. Harris just behind. Jenkins, Lackford N., Prior and Parry-Williams S. completed the order.

Smithies was in the lead, but just as at Pembrey he had Lackford’s Sprite in his boot. Lap after lap the two came through with nothing between them, Smithies would open a small gap but then on lap 11 the Sprite pulled off an audacious move around the outside at Druids, just managing to hold it into Graham Hill Bend and from there he was away.

Meanwhile Bedford was on a charge and got himself up with Walker and Harris P. before Campfield joined in. There was a battle for a while until they tried to take Paddock 3 abreast. It never looked ‘on’ as Campfields ageing rubber let go and there was contact with Bedford who went into the litter with wheel spinner gouges along his car, that spoilt that battle and Brian would soldier on to take the flag in eleventh place.

Another cracking fight was going on down the field with Jenkins, Lackford N and Prior fighting it out, this one going in favour of Lackford who got ahead, leaving Prior and Jenkins to battle on. Ball and Harris J., was another battle resumed from Pembrey with Ball finding his car much more driveable with refurbished shockers and finishing a credible seventh.

Campfield had a quick spin also at Paddock, making his way back up the field before catching Cameron in fifth and remaining there to finish 2 seconds behind the Arkley.

But the drive of the race in my view must go to Walker who despite coming under increasing pressure from Harris P. for the whole race managed to hold off the Sprite to the line to finish just three quarters of a second ahead, both drivers pushing hard to the end.

Meanwhile at the front, Lackford had pulled a five second lead on Smithies to take the flag, Walker and Harris were next from Cameron and Campfield, then Ball, Willie J. Harris, Lackford N, Jenkins, Bedford and Prior who slowed dramatically 3 laps from the end but soldiered on to the flag. The only unfortunate retirement befalling Simon Parry-Williams who had an intermittent misfire throughout the race.

An eventful race, and yet another with battles going on down the field, what would race 2 offer us?

Round 5 : Pembrey 30th/31st July 2011

Words and Pictures by : Phil (Scoop) Broster. mail : phil_scoop@hotmail.co.uk

After a long 12 week break the Lackford Engineering Austin Healey Club Race Championship re-convened at Pembrey for another double header weekend. Qualifying was to take place on Saturday with two races taking place on the Sunday. Once again the entry was small but whilst lacking in quantity it made up for in quality.

Heading the list were the 3000’s of reigning champion Dave Smithies, Chris Clarkson, Adie Ball and Tom Walker. The class E Sprites of Robin Lackford, Pat Harris and Drew Cameron were joined by the Class D cars of Neil Cameron, Brian Bedford and welcome returnee after a long absence, John Harris.

Qualifying got under way, and straight away Alan Cameron, Drew’s dad, was concerned by a noise Drew’s car made on taking off, he thought it was the clutch. The cars of Smithies and Clarkson were soon circulating at pace and it was clear there wasn’t a lot of difference in their respective lap times. Lackford and Harris were also lapping closely but Drew Cameron only managed three laps before he pulled up at the Hairpin, he got going again slowly but pulled into the pits on the next lap.

Meanwhile, everyone else kept circulating and when the times were studied it was clear there were a few potential battles looming for the race. Smithies and Clarkson were just two hundredths apart, Lackford, Harris P. and Cameron were a similar distance, likewise Walker, Ball and Cameron N. also only three hundredths with Bedford and Harris J. completing the order.

After the session, concern in the Paddock centred around the car of Drew Cameron as discussion of his problem varied from big end failure to broken crank shaft.. that noise heard as it took off, was in the back of Alan’s mind. Whatever it was, it became clear that the car would take no further part in the weekend activities.

Others to have problems were Lackford, who curtailed his session with that continuing rotor arm issue and could be heard muttering about the ‘Big’ cars being 2 seconds a lap quicker, Ball had no grip, Harris J. had a clutch issue which was presumed to be overheating fluid, that changed he was hoping for the best.

Other than those issues, everyone went off to B&B’s, motor-homes, shopping, whatever. I spent a pleasant evening in the company of messrs. Smithies and Clarkson, whose generous hospitality was very much appreciated, poor Dave was ready for bed by 10 though...bless!! I made it back to my tent at the circuit to enjoy a night under canvas, and a little nightcap of course!!

Next morning, bright and early, our race was due off at half ten, engines were started, race suits donned and everyone, except Drew of course, made their way to the grid.

As the race started the Sprites of Lackford and Harris P. got the drop on the bigger cars of Smithies and Clarkson, Chris bogging down completely as the cars around him shot past. After the drag to the Hairpin, Lackford was a couple of lengths clear of Smithies, with Harris P and Walker in close company. Then came Cameron N Clarkson, Ball, Bedford and Harris J.

Clarkson soon got his act together and was ahead of Walker and chasing down Harris P. Smithies was closing on Lackford and by lap three he took the lead with Clarkson close in third. Walker would have a good battle with the white Sprite of Harris P until clutch trouble intervened and he unfortunately retired on lap 10.

We were down to eight runners but we had a good fight going on between Bedford, Cameron N and Ball before Bedford had a little rotation at the back of the circuit and we lost Ball who just had no grip and wasn’t too impressed with the handling of his car despite having new front shockers on for this season.

All this meant that Harris P, Cameron N, Bedford and Harris J ended up all circulating on their own but with no further retirements they all made the flag.

Up front however, we had a great fight going on between Smithies and Clarkson with Lackford snapping at their heels. Smithies would hold the inside line at the hairpin lap after lap forcing Clarkson to go around the outside and allowing Lackford to nip inside. Second and third place would alternate between Lackford and Clarkson until Chris finally got close enough to get the inside line at the Hairpin and found a way past Smithies to pull away.

Smithies was slipping backwards, it turned out he had no rubber left on his rear tyres, and into the clutches of first Lackford who passed him to claim second place at the end and Harris P who so nearly claimed third spot, another lap and he may well have done it.

But with the twenty minutes up out came the flag, Clarkson winning by just under two seconds from Lackford who had managed a fastest lap and new record on the final lap. What was that about the big cars you said earlier Robin?!! Smithies finished twelve seconds adrift with Harris P right on his tail. Cameron N, Bedford and Harris J. completed the order and everyone returned to the paddock to prepare for battle again later that afternoon.

Round 6 : Pembrey 30th/31st July 2011

Words and Pictures by : Phil (Scoop) Broster. mail : phil_scoop@hotmail.co.uk

So, with the earlier race out of the way we settled down for round 6 of the Lackford Engineering Austin Healey race championship, another 20 minute thrash around Pembrey. We were going to be down to eight starters because Tom Walker’s malady had become terminal. Still, the prospects of another series of battles down the field held the attention.

With just minor fettling, brakes for Smithies and Clarkson, change of tyres for Ball to try and cure the handling issue, more sucking of clutch fluid for John Harris, to empty the reservoir and replenish, the cars gathered in the assembly area for the half three start....and then, panic.. for Smithies anyway.. he noticed that a rear tyre was down to the canvas.. not good! A quick dash back up to the Paddock, jack and hammer out and a replacement was soon fitted, he don’t want to be doing much of that at his age now does he!!

The grid, as usual, was decided on second best times, Smithies, Clarkson, Lackford, Harris P, Cameron D (not here), Cameron N, Walker, Ball, Bedford and Harris J. With everyone finally on the grid, at the start, once again, it was the Sprites that tore into the lead and when they came into the fast Senna sweeps and the second Hairpin where I had placed myself this time, the cars of Lackford and Harris P. once again showed the way.

Smithies was third ahead of Clarkson and Cameron N who had made a good start. Behind them came Ball, Bedford and Harris J.

Next time through, Smithies was trying for the lead and going for the outside, he had the power, but this time the agility of the Lackford Sprite was giving him a run for his money. Once again, lap after lap these two entertained by passing and re-passing into, through and out of that Hairpin. It was a tremendous scrap, I have no idea if they did the same thing at the bottom hairpin, but I certainly chose the right spot for this race.

The big 3000 would open up on the straight but by the time they came around to the twisty bits again the Sprite would be challenging, and taking the lead. Clarkson hung on a length or two behind but a quick rotation saw him drop off the pace, he climbed back to within three seconds of Smithies at the end though.

Harris P initially had a scrap on his hands with Cameron N but Neil dropped back a bit about half distance at which point Harris had his mirrors full of the silver machine of Bedford, Brian was flying and causing all sorts of problems to his mate, before finally coming through ahead of the Class E car. Try as he might to the very last corner of the last lap, there was nothing Pat could do and they crossed the line three hundredths of a second apart.

Another good little scrap went race long between Ball and Harris J, with first one then the other ahead. The red 3000 finally took the flag 4 seconds in front of the Sprite. They too had fought well.

Finally after twenty minutes the flag came out and Lackford won by just under a second, Smithies once again hitting tyre problems with yet another tyre to the canvas. Third was Clarkson then ‘super’ Brian from Harris P, Cameron and finally Ball ahead of Harris J.

We may have not had many cars, but we had no retirements, we had a great race, just like some of the more memorable races of the not far distant past. A fight at the front and a couple of battles down the field, the only difference was not so many cars involved. However, one thing is certain, Healey racing, when it’s clean, as it usually is, provides some of the closest and hard fought racing around. I only have to listen to the trackside Marshalls and fellow shooters to confirm that one. Long may it continue and if you don’t race or you have a car that can, then come out and join us!

Starting out in Motorsport

For any driver new to motorsport who is considering circuit racing with their Austin Healey, there is now a simple guide available from the BARC website called "Starting out in Motorsport". Click here to access this guide. As you will see, it aims to provide the basic information needed to get you underway. In addition to reading this, you should also get in contact with Joe Cox on joe.cox2@btinternet.com to understand the requirements of our particular championship. Good luck and look forward to seeing you out on the track.

Round 4 : Snetterton 8th May 2011

Words and Pictures by : Phil (Scoop) Broster. mail : phil_scoop@hotmail.co.uk

Sunday morning and those who had survived the previous day were here to contest the next round of the Lackford Engineering Austin Healey Club Race Championship. Numbers were reduced with both the Sprites of Brian Bedford and Jim Prior unable to make repairs but 10 cars were going to make the grid.

Many of us had experienced a local hostelry the night before, one of those rare occasions when the racing fraternity get together and a pleasant evening was had by all. But now we were back to do battle with the grid having been decided from the second best times from qualifying the day before and with the race scheduled for around 11 o’clock there wasn’t a lot of time for anything else before the race.

The grid formed in the order of Smithies on pole, Campfield, Cameron D, Cameron N, Ball, Pangborn, Harris, Lackford, Jenkins and at the back due to non qualifying, Grace.

Grace wouldn’t stay at the back for long though once the lights started the race they all headed for the first corner and the Sprite of Cameron D snatched the lead. Smithies was once again slow away but as they went onto the back straight and filed through the Esses the green car had found its way to the front and there he stayed for the whole race.

At the end of that first lap, after Smithies were Campfield, Cameron D., Grace, already in fifth, Lackford, Ball, and Harris. There was a gap to Pangborn, Cameron N., and Jenkins who completed the order.

It wouldn’t be all plain sailing for Smithies up front though, he was aware that Grace would be his main challenge and in his own words, took it easy until he suddenly developed a misfire, then all of a sudden Grace was on him. The number 17 car had flown up the field, his first victim was Cameron D on lap two then came Campfield next on the third lap. Slowly Grace pulled up to Smithies and these two entertained with a battle that finished just three hundredths of a second apart at the flag. Smithies admitting that he had to defend for much of that time with Grace all over him like a rash.

Cameron N. was having a torrid time with intermittent power loss, he pulled up to and passed Pangborn early on but the position would be reversed at the end with Pangborn showing how much he was trying by locking up several times at the Esses.

Lackford was battling with Cameron D and seized his opportunity to pass him when Grace came through, latching onto his tail and slipping past at the same time, they would both pull up to Campfield and the three of them would provide further entertainment as they spent the rest of the race in close company, finishing less than a second apart at the flag.

Adie Ball and Pat Harris had spent time dicing early on but the Sprite of Harris would pull up after three laps with overheating problems, something that had shown up the day before but Pat put down to the warm conditions. Ball would go on lap five with a flat rear tyre having suffered a puncture somewhere, he felt a vibration which followed with a spin into retirement at the new hairpin.

The unfortunate Dave Jenkins had looked likely to finish, but again, just short of the flag he would succumb to the same problem as the day before, his tenacity deserves a mention though.

After 20 minutes the flag came out, Smithies winning with Grace almost alongside, there was a gap to the close finishing Campfield, Lackford and Cameron and finally Pangborn and Cameron N. A race with not a lot of finishers but certainly not lacking in entertainment and afterwards we were fed by those lovely Eastern Centre ladies who worked hard to give us a splendid lunch (those mini pasties are SOOO good). Thank you to you all.

We were joined by Jack Sears to present the prizes and show his loyalty to the Healey marque, his presence being much appreciated as we all ate, drank and nattered before wending our way home to meet again at Pembrey in a few weeks time.

Starting out in Motorsport

Round 3 : Snetterton 7th May 2011

Words and Pictures by : Phil (Scoop) Broster. mail : phil_scoop@hotmail.co.uk

This season the Lackford Engineering Austin Healey Club Championship has changed its format and we are to have 5 race meetings over a ‘double header’ weekend with two 20 minute rounds at each meeting. Already the first two rounds have taken place at Silverstone and Dave Smithies was leading the Championship as we went to Snetterton. There were 12 entrants for this meeting with welcome returns from David Jenkins and Adrian Ball who went so well at the final round at Donington last season. Sponsor Robin Lackford (pictured right) is hoping for a better year than last, although he was subject to an attack at Silverstone. He was here though, suitably repaired, there is talk of a ‘target’ being painted on his car, or at the very least ‘strike me here’ stickers!

The full entry for Snetterton was David Smithies, Paul Campfield, now with his 3000 back from his lad, David Grace, Adrian Ball and Guy Parry-Williams in 3000’s and Mark Pangborn in his trusty 100M. Robin Lackford, Drew Cameron and Pat Harris led the Sprites in Class E, Brian Bedford, Neil Cameron, Jim Prior and David Jenkins were in Sprites Class D. We have no entries for Class C, the Road going class this season so if you have a suitable Sprite and know a couple of mates in the same situation then this may be your chance to win a class, if enough of you enter that is!

The Snetterton Circuit has undergone much work during the winter with mixed reception from the drivers. There is a ‘200’ circuit which takes in much of the old layout with a twistier ‘300’ circuit taking in the infield. We were on the former. The faster guys hated the new Hairpin loop at the second corner, it produces much slower pace onto the main straight and almost everyone disliked the new layout to the last chicane (renamed ‘Murrays’ incidentally), before the start finish straight, its approach being much earlier and the turn in much tighter. Fun and games here then!

Meanwhile back to practice or qualifying as its preferred to be called, got under way with the best times securing the grid for the first race and the second best time counting for the second race on Sunday. It didn’t go well for some though with Jim Prior having a head gasket blow, Paul Campfield had brake trouble as did Pat Harris. Robin Lackford had a split timing cover case, unusual that one. David Jenkins had an intermittent loss of power which saw some fettling sort it. The unfortunate Parry-Williams guys had to bring out the trailer though, with a suspected blown piston. Unfortunately they haven’t made a race yet, but they will, however, they were still smiling!

With the race time approaching, all the paddock woes were sorted, except the Parry-Williams guys as mentioned, but they hung around to watch the race. Late arrival David Grace, who had been elsewhere in the morning, was allowed to start at the back of the grid having completed the regulatory 3 laps behind the pace car. Smithies was on pole from Campfield and Drew Cameron. Neil Cameron was the talk of the day though by securing fourth spot ahead of Lackford, Ball and Harris. Pangborn headed Bedford, Guy Parry-Williams (DNS), Prior and Jenkins to complete the order.

Off they went to the grid and when the lights started the race Smithies got bogged down, Campfield got away but it was the two Sprites of Cameron and Lackford that got the better of everyone and led at the end of lap one. Campfield headed Smithies but from the back Grace was already fifth ahead of Harris. Brian Bedford led Neil Cameron who had not got the best of starts. Pangborn, Ball, Jenkins and Prior completed the order.

By the end of the next lap Smithies was up to second with Cameron coming under pressure from the flying Grace, who locked up into the chicane in the process. Grace would pull clear though and chase down Smithies for the rest of the race although Smithies was aware of his progress and held a respectable distance by the end to keep him in second.

Cameron and Lackford were at it hammer and tongs for the whole race, finishing just 3 seconds apart in that order at the end. Pangborn (pictured right) had an exciting moment at the chicane having a quick rotation into the dry infield which resulted in a cloud of dust with just the headlights visible, he continued however.

Drew Cameron never gave up, finishing just 4 seconds ahead of Campfield. Bedford was going really well sticking with Harris until he wisely pulled over when his oil light came on. We had lost Prior at this point too. Neil Cameron was very frustrated by an intermittent problem with possibly fuel, resulting in him pulling up on lap 10, Jenkins also succumbing to a full system failure!!! (F1 speak there). It really looked as though David would see the flag this time. This lot formed a parking lot on the main straight.

At the end of 20 minutes, Smithies (pictured left) took the flag, finding time to wave at me a couple of times (told me to say that to psyche out the opposition), Grace was a splendid second, remember he started at the back, Campfield was just out of touch in third from Cameron D. Lackford was next, from Harris, Ball and Pangborn.

It had been an interesting race though, with battles going on down the field in the early stages. It was a pity we saw the retirements, which did spread out the field a little. Still, the hope now was that we would get some of these guys back out for the next race the day after.

Starting out in Motorsport

he full Austin Healey Championship results and series rules, regulations and scoring system are also available on the BARC website - click HERE