Issue 04 May 2015 EQUIPE GTS Newsletter BRILLIANT BRANDS HATCH Phil Moss at Graham Hill Bend (DS) The Bank Holiday weekend of 2-3rd May took us to Brands Hatch for the second EQUIPE GTS event of 2015. It was great to be back at the circuit that has given us so many fantastic races in the past; this weekend proved no exception with one of the closest finishes ever in race two. Graham Coles in his MGA (PF) JIGSAW TRIUMPH SPECIALISTS The Kent circuit is a firm favourite with drivers and spectators alike. The position of the track provides a natural amphitheatre and allows one to see almost all the action from the grandstands. We were delighted with the turn out for the weekend with nearly thirty cars joining us to race. We will be returning to Brands later in the year for the two day Aston Martin weekend 5-6th September. This should be a real treat for all our drivers, especially as we will be using the full Grand Prix circuit for the Sunday race. Issue 04 May 2015 EQUIPE GTS Newsletter ROB CULL TAKES POLE Fastest in qualifying was Rob Cull (DS) We saw a strong performance during qualifying from Rob Cull in the TVR Grantura; he managed to beat Peter Barnard into second place; just 0.3 seconds separated the pair. Shortly behind them was Brian Arculus and Robin Ellis both in the stunning Lotus Elites, and then a trio of Triumph TR4s, Richard McKoen leading this group after a great stint to take P5 on the grid. The weather stayed dry, although some fluid was spilt during the session that meant our drivers had to keep their wits about them. The only stoppage, was caused by a car leaving the circuit at Graham Hill Bend, luckily no damage was sustained, and the car was soon back on the circuit and running again. Ross Milner qualified 18th in his MGB (DS) JIGSAW TRIUMPH SPECIALISTS QUALIFYING RESULTS 1st Rob Cull Fastest Lap 2nd Peter Barnard Fastest Lap 3rd Brian Arculus Fastest Lap 4th Robin Ellis Fastest Lap 5th Richard McKoen Fastest Lap 6th Pete Foster Fastest Lap 7th Tony Slingo Fastest Lap 8th Graham Coles Fastest Lap 9th Paul Latimer Fastest Lap 10th Stephen Bolderson Fastest Lap TVR Grantura 59.532 Elva Courier 59.866 Lotus Elite 1:00.172 Lotus Elite 1:00.259 Triumph TR4 1:00.501 Triumph TR4 1:00.546 Triumph TR4 1:00.771 MGA Coupe 1:01.130 MGB 1:01.353 MGB 1:01.760 Issue 04 May 2015 EQUIPE GTS Newsletter ARCULUS WINS RACE ONE Brian Arculus in his Lotus Elite (DS) Rob Cull made a clean start from pole position in the TVR, closely followed by Peter Barnard in the red Elva Courier. Brian Arculus managed to slot in behind the leading pair, but Robin Ellis did not get off the line quite so well and dropped back to sixth, just behind Pete Foster in the Triumph TR4. Sadly for Barnard his front suspension failed on lap two meaning he had to pull up just after Druids. Cull was controlling the race up until lap seven when Brian Arculus was able to get past. The TVR stayed in striking distance but sadly mechanical problems meant Cull had to retire on lap twenty-four. Arculus was able to hold his lead at the top, and retained a comfortable gap from the rest of the field to take overall victory by eight seconds. We witnessed another good drive from Pete Foster who managed to get his car up to third place in front of Richard McKoen and Robin Ellis, unfortunately gearbox problems cut his race short and he was forced to retire on lap 18. This gifted third place to Richard McKoen but he was unable to catch Robin Ellis who put in a great drive to take second place Slightly further down the field we saw some fine driving from Colin Newbold in the dark red MGB. The slightly damp circuit seemed to favour him greatly, he made some excellent progress later in the race to place a very credible fifth overall, and earn himself the driver of the race award. Graham Coles also made the best of the changing conditions and piloted his beautiful MGA Coupe to place second in class two and sixth overall. RACE ONE RESULTS 1st Brian Arculus Overall Time 2nd Robin Ellis Overall Time 3rd Richard McKoen Overall Time 4th Paul Latimer Overall Time 5th Colin Newbold Overall Time 6th Graham Coles Overall Time 7th John Yea Overall Time 8th John Pearson Overall Time 9th Tony Slingo Overall Time 10th Jack Rawles Overall Time Lotus Elite 29:32.223 Lotus Elite 29:40.237 Triumph TR4 29:46.334 MGB 30:12.846 MGB 30:13.029 MGA Coupe 30:17.625 MGB 30:18.791 MGB 30:20.102 Triumph TR4 30:21.099 MGB 30:22.152 Fastest Lap 59.722 Brian Arculus Driver of the Race Colin Newbold (DS) Driver of the Race Colin Newbold JIGSAW TRIUMPH SPECIALISTS Issue 04 May 2015 EQUIPE GTS Newsletter FANTASTIC MR FOSTER! Pete Foster leads Robin Ellis (PF) If race one was the appetiser then race two was certainly the main course. After a few retirements of the faster drivers in race one it meant we had several cars starting out of position at the back of the grid. Brian Arculus was able to make the most of this and turned his pole position on the grid into a one second lead by the end of lap one. Robin Ellis had made a much better start today and had reduced Arculus’ lead to just over half a second by lap four. Behind them though Pete Foster in the TR4 was hot on their heels, after starting in twenty-first he was in third place by lap four and managed to pass Robin Ellis for second place on lap twelve. Not wanting to miss out on the action at the front, Peter Edney was also carving has way through the field. We were treated to a sublime pass on the outside at Paddock Hill Bend not once but twice and by the halfway stage he was in touch with the top four cars. This performance did not go unnoticed by the commentary team and Edney was given the driver of the race award. Peter also went on to win the “Driver of the Day” award for his outstanding performance. We saw a truly astounding driving display from the top four cars; some incredibly close but always fair racing that really did go down to the wire. Pete Foster was able to find a way past Brian in the Elite to take the top spot on lap seventeen, but he really had his work cut out to keep this until the chequered flag. The cars behind swapped places several times, but it was Robin Ellis who came in second, with Arculus third and Peter Edney fourth. Rob cull made great progress through a field that saw plenty of action, managed to advance to fifth place at the line, just passing Richard McKoen in the final laps. Ian Hulett and Peter Barnard also managed to improve on their starting positions both finishing inside the top 10. JIGSAW TRIUMPH SPECIALISTS RACE TWO RESULTS 1st Pete Foster Overall Time 2nd Robin Ellis Overall Time 3rd Brian Arculus Overall Time 4th Peter Edney Overall Time 5th Rob Cull Overall Time 6th Richard McKoen Overall Time 7th Ian Hulett Overall Time 8th Paul Latimer Overall Time 9th Tony Wilson-Spratt Overall Time 10th Peter Barnard Overall Time Triumph TR4 28:40.440 Lotus Elite 28:40.463 Lotus Elite 28:41.188 MGB 28:41.634 TVR Grantura 29:09.774 Triumph TR4 29:12.195 WSM Sprite 29:16.985 MGB 29:17.069 WSM MGB 29:20.591 Elva Courier 29:21.176 Fastest Lap 1:00.454 Robin Ellis Driver of the Race Peter Edney Issue 04 May 2015 EQUIPE GTS Newsletter BRANDS BBQ AND OTHER AWARDS We were delighted with the turn out for the barbecue on Saturday night, thanks to all those that took part and made it such a success. At the prize giving on Sunday afternoon we had two special awards to present. The first was the “Endeavour Award” this went to Pete Foster, for not only managing to swap the gearbox in his TR4, but also go on and win the race. The second almost equally prestigious award “The Derrière D’Or” went to Graham Bates for tearing the exhaust from his MGB when putting it on the trailer. Graham Bates on the grill (DRW) Graham Bates takes the Prestigious Derrière D’Or Award (DRW) Peter Edney Winner of Driver of the Day on Sunday (DS) We hope to see you at our next race, our first with AMOC; Oulton Park on Saturday 16th May 2015. We also remind you that entries for Donington Park close on the 15th May. Best Regards John and Rob Pete Foster and Team won the Endeavour Award (DRW) Words: David Russell-Wilks Photography: Peter French (PF) and Dickon Sidall (DS) Design: David Russell-Wilks JIGSAW TRIUMPH SPECIALISTS
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