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)
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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
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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.
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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