LONDON LOON BOYS.
Saloon Stock Car
European Championship weekend - Taunton - 1 and 2nd August 2009
QUALIFYING SATURDAY
Qualifying for the main race started with Heat One, and 25 cars lined up
with Nigel Thomas from the white grade making a slow start, as he was spun
as the green flag dropped. Leading after a few laps was 103 Chris Horwell
from Dave Allen in 97 who was debuting a new car for the weekend. Further
back, World Champion Shane Brown was on a fierce charge as he was slicing
through the red graders early on. Frank Little jnr and Stevie Triggs were
early casualties also as Frankie Cunningham was sent wide on the Honiton
bend courtesy of Shane Brown. Horwell still lead, but 490 Ian Jarman was
making up ground and moved past Nigel Parker 305 to take up third. Barry
Hollett in 30 was the leading star man in fifth as the leaders were coming
up behind back markers early on. Horwell was then turned around by Dave
Allen for the lead around half distance with 490 and 30 running behind. 115
Scott Aldridge momentarily tangled with 607 Stevie Honeyman as he was
sandwiched in between him and Nigel Thomas on the back straight, sending
Honeyman around. Frank Little was semi tagged by Gordon Alexander into the
pit bend, spinning Little round, meanwhile down the home straight, drama for
for 360 Carl Waterfield as a slowing Jamie Clayton 18 was clipped by
Waterfield, as the pair of them, plus 219 Luke Grief entered the turn,
Waterfield clipping the right rear bumper of Grief and clipping the marker
tyre on the corner, spinning 360 round on the Honiton bend. The yellows came
out for a stranded Frank Little on the pit bend. The restart saw 97, 30, 490
and 120 with five laps remaining. Brown moved up to third, but dropped a
place again as he and Jarman exchanged places, with Frankie Cunningham 67 in
fifth but with a black cross for jumping the restart hanging over him.
Darren Barnett 512 and Grief took Cunningham with a lap to go, then Brown
lost out to Barnett on the final bend.
Allen took the win from Hollett and Jarman. 97 - 30 - 490 - 512 - 120 - 219
- 360 - 67 - 607 - 900
Heat Two with 26 cars ot including Todd and Murray Jones for there first
outing of the weekend. Allan Ainslie 777 and Paul Honeyman 507 were shown
double black crosses for jumping the start, as behind them 900 Robbie
Burgoyne was turned round by Frankie Cunningham entering the home straight,
as the star man tried to avoid the stricken car. Both Joneses ran behind one
another on the back straight but Luke Grief spun out 176 Murray as they
entered the pit bend. Robbie Burgoyne's car looked to have had a potential
fire starting, and the reds were imediately brought out with a complete
restart order.
On the restart of Heat Two, 115 Scott Aldridge sent 641 Wilie Skoyles jnr
round on the home straight. 186 Todd Jones was moving through the field fast
and was the leading star man. Brother Murray had Shane Brown once again to
contend with. 911 Pete Jennings sent Paul Honeyman spinning on the turn two
exit as Todd Jones just snuck through to avoid turning round. A trio of
yellow graders were heading the field with 2 Paul Tuppen, 97 Dave Allen and
240 Tony Gould. Meanwhile the expected coming together between World Champ
Shane Brown and Murray Jones came alive on the Honiton bend - a continuing
fued between the pair, which last took centre stage at the UK Spedeweekend
at Skegness less than a month ago! Brown putting the bumper into Murray up
against the outside plating, thus taking both men out! Still the yellow
graders were at the front, but Todd Jones was up to fourth and chasing down
hard. The yellows then came out for the stranded Jones and Brown as the
restart had 240, 97, 2, and 186 in order. On the restart, Dave Allen made
his move on Gould, as Jones 186 moved up to second, and that all changed
again as Jones cannoned Gould into Allen to take the lead. Jones drove off,
as Allen slowed down. 499 David Aldous moved up to third past 511 Craig
Barnett as the pair of them exchanged places with five laps to run. Aldous
took second spot after a last bend lunge involving Luke Grief and Carl
Waterfield. Craig Barnett took fifth.
186 - 499 - 219 - 360 - 511 - 240 - 512
Heat Three had 24 cars lined up. The lone white
grader for the weekend Nigel Thomas took up the early running. Horwell again
took command and took over out front. Both Joneses made good starts and were
beginning to find their way through the traffic. 369 Andy Santry turned
round Scottish Champion Chris Lattka on the back straight as a cluster of
star men including Luke Grief, Darren Barnett and red top Carl Waterfield
battling hard to gain some ground early on. Horwell still led, from 97
Allen, 507 Paul Honeyman and 490 Ian Jarman. 511 Craig Barnett sent 607
Stevie Honeyman wide into the pit turn. Halfway, and it was 103, 97 and 619
Stevie Triggs into third, as Paul Honeyman spun out, and further back Darren
Barnett spun aside Murray Jones on turn two. Jarman moved past Triggs for
third as 328 Ian Govier put the bumper in on 199 Phill Powell hard up the
plating but both were a lap down. Todd Jones made good progress again in the
points as he moved into fourth place. Triggs safely in fifth with Craig
Barnett in sixth. Horwell pulled away from Allen as they rounded off the
race in that order.
103 - 97 - 490 - 186 - 619 - 511 - 360 - 607 - 641 - 512
Heat Four with 24 cars and the most spectacular crash
of the weekend so far, plus another coming together involving Shane Brown
and Murray Jones. On the rolling lap, 328 Ian Govier looked to be slow
starting, and as some of the red graders tried to go around him, 30 Barry
Hollett looked to capitalise, moving to the inside, and Govier was heading
straight for the huge marker tyres at the end of the back straight. Govier
went crashing into the tyre and was sent high up, turning mid air, with a
very large landing! As Steve Linfield stated - an enormous crash! Indeed!
The resumption was a complete restart, and early spinners for the Scottish
pair of Paul Honeyman and Gordon Alexander. Frank Little fired in 777 Allan
Ainslie on the pit bend hard courtesy of a push from 499 David Aldous. Scott
Aldridge and Murray Jones had a coming together on turn two, as Shane Brown
slowed right down to tuck behind Murray Jones for another potential strike
on his nemesis! Brown then put his foot down behind Jones and ran the 176
machine into the plating on the pit turn hard, with Brown striking a second
time thereafter. The yellows then came out as parts of Murray Jones car were
left scattered near the pit gate. On the restart it was 305 Nigel Parker up
front, with David Aldous in second spot and Ian Jarman in third. At half
distance Aldous pushed Parker wide to take the lead. Todd Jones again up to
fourth spot, and consistant points could mean a good spot near the front for
Sunday's European race. Craig Barnett, Frankie Cunningham and Barry Hollett
fought out fifth to seventh spots. Jones moved Parker wide for third as
Cunningham moved ahead of Barnett for fifth. Aldous took the win, with Jones
moving Jarman aside for an excellent second place. Ian Jarman was third,
with Barnett, Cunningham, Hollett, Parker and then Clayton coming home.
499 - 186 - 490 - 511 - 67 - 30 - 305 - 181 - 658 - 900
THANKS TO KEV WESTNEY FOR THE REPORT, AND KEV WICKHAM FOR THE PHOTO'S
Todd's new colours.
here is the full set of picture's of Todd Jones new colours, all painted up
in time for this weekends World championship at Kings Lynn. SJ signs have
done a great job again, and this time it all blends in very well with Todd's
status as the new European Champion.
ALLSTOX would like to wish Todd and Brother Murray all the best in this
weekends big race.
Bring it home London loon boyz
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The heats
were complete, and Sunday's opener for the Saloons was the Last Chance
Qualifier.
A handful of cars for this one, which had 2 Paul
Tuppen putting 96 Willie Michell up the wall on turns 3/4 in the early
going. 20 Sandy Allen leads them off with 828 Neil McClauchlin in second.
McClauchin took up the running a few laps in as 619 Stevie Triggs spun
former British Champion 199 Phil Powell entering the home straight. Tuppen
was up near the front and was making life hard for 241 Rob Copeland on the
bends, pushing him wide to advance a spot. It was 828, 2, 777 Ainslie, after
spinning 20 Allen, 29 Stu McAmmon and a recovering Triggs in 619. Thats how
they finished, and advanced to the back of the grid for the main race.
The 2009 Saloon Stock Car British Championship lined
up by total points scored through qualifying. Todd Jones, after a good run
of top finishes claimed Pole Postion, with Defending British Champion 219
Luke Grief outside him. 511 Craig Barnett and 176 Murray Jones on Row Two.
67 Frankie Cunnigham and 71 Gordon Alexander on Row Three. 607 Stevie
Honeyman and 149 Jamie Sampson on Row Four. Scottish Champ 658 Chris Lattka
and 512 Darren Barnett on Row Five. 600 Barry Russell and World Champion 120
Shane Brown on Row Six. 499 David Aldous and 428 Lee Sampson qualified
further down the field but remained strong threats from further back. The
remaining qualifiers started at rear of the field for the staging of the
British Championship 2009.
28 cars contested, and at
the drop of the flag, the pack entered into turn one at a great rate,
absolutely amazing. 186 Todd Jones led them off as 176 Murray Jones had the
right idea, and tucked into third place, stuck to the inside, and just
pushed the cars wide in front. 511 Craig Barnett was forced up, as 219
Grief, who was stuck on the outside, was squeezed out, and up on two wheels
against the wall. Down the back straight and into turns 3/4, 511 Barnett got
underneath 186, as 176 Murray Jones ran bumper to bumper, with a tremendous
recovery from 219 Grief. 186 Todd Jones was moved to the outside, as 511,
176, 219 and 186 ran out to complete lap one!
Action wasn't far away behind the pack, as 305 Nigel
Parker began to get spun on turns 3/4, and inadvertedly clipped 428 Lee
Sampson on the entrance to the home straight. 149 Jamie Sampson another one
held up in this crash, as he helped along 305 to spin in the first place.
Lap two, and 176 Murray Jones overtook 511 Barnett
for the lead. David Aldous clashed with the tyres, after taking out 186 Todd
Jones, and 120 Shane Brown. As Aldous turned out from turn 3, and into the
oncoming traffic behind, this caused 328 Ian Govier and Stu Drobinski to
come together and come to a halt on the pit bend parking area.
On the restart Murray Jones was outfront with 219
Grief, 511 Barnett, 30 Barry Hollett, 67 Cunningham and 71 Gordon Alexander
in the top six. Grief put in the bumper going into turns 3/4, as Jones kept
going. The next lap on turn 3/4, Grief once again put the bumper in on 176
Jones, as Luke ran himself up the wall again. 511 Barnett tucked underneath
to take second, with 30 Hollett behind in third. 219 Grief slowed down and
eventually retired with a puncture. Jones maintained good pace as he tried
to pull away from the group behind.
71 Alexander pushed 30 Hollett wide on the pit bend,
and was making progress up to third as 176, 511 and 71 were the top three.
Barnett staying within touching distance, made his move several laps later,
by pushing Jones wide on turns 1/2.
607 Stevie Honeyman made it past Alexander, and
hunted down Murray. 607 put 176 Jones wide to the wall for third, as Jones
recovered right behind 71 Alexander. 511 lead from 607 ,71, as 67 Cunningham
pushed the 176 car wide to the wall for fourth and fifth respectively.
30 Hollett entered the mix
with 67 and 176, with Hollett putting Frankie Cunningham hard into the wall
on turns 3/4, to bring the yellows out again.
On the restart, Honeyman went for the big hit, and
pushed 511 Barnett against the wall, thus taking himself out in the process.
This let Gordon Alexander through for the lead, with a cluster of stars
going into the next lap, with Hollett, Jones and Brown on the inside, and
Barnett and Honeyman stuck on the outside. Honeyman put Barnett up the wall,
as Hollett, Jones and Brown went down the back staight for second place. As
they entered the corner, Jones slightly tugged the rear of Hollett's car,
which momentarily unsettled the 176 car. 120 Shane Brown, with no where in
particular to go, caught the left rear of 176, and spinning him opposite
towards the corner, entering the turn three wall. Barnetts bonnet was
flapping from his skirmish with Honeyman, as 71 Alexander pulled away by
several car lengths. Three laps remained with 71 from 30, 511 (still) and
120. Brown took Barnett for third as 18 Jamie Clayton entered the mix for
fourth, as both Barnetts 511 and 512 fought for fifth and sixth place, as
Alexander ran out the winner.
Twelve years after winning his last British title,
Gordon Alexander had captured it after a fantastic race, as he stepped out
the car to celebrate. 30 Barry Hollett was second with 18 Jamie Clayton (who
was fourth) promoted to third, after 120 Shane Brown was removed from the
result, after the steward deemed his move on 176 Murray Jones earlier in the
race, to be an illegal one, by turning 176 the wrong way towards the wall.
British Championship Result - 71 - 30 - 18 - 511 -
512 - 626 - 149 - 36 - 428
The annual Raymond Gunn Tribute Race was next for the
Saloons, and the trouble started early with 328 Govier and 501 Ally Strachan
coming together on turns 1/2. 186 Todd Jones fired 607 Stevie Honeyman up
the wall on the pit bend. A lap later Todd Jones pushed 511 Craig Barnett
wide and to the wall (again) on the pit turn, Barnett ran wide into the home
straight and was clattered by Honeyman. This caused Jamie Clayton to push
328 Govier into the turn one marker tyres, as the pack bunched up. Meanwhile
Hollett (again) making his mark, chased the leaders, with 176 Murray Jones
following behind.
The yellows came out for a stranded Barry Russell on
turn three, as 511 Barnett pulled out of the race with more bonnett trouble!
On the restart it was 684 McClauchlin from 2 Tuppen
and 115 Scott Aldridge. As they got going, Hollett and Murray Jones passed
115, as 149 Jamie Sampson ran 186 Todd Jones wide entering turn 1/2 and
against the wall. Then onto the back straight, 658 Chris Lattka caught 219
Luke Grief into a spin, and caused 219 to run hard into the turn three
corner wall. The yellows came out once again as 186 Todd Jones needed
attention after the Sampson hit a few laps previous.
684, 30, 176 took up the running, with 30 and 176
taking 684 for first and second. Hollett vs Jones ensued with 176 taking the
lead on lap fourteen. A lap later Hollett took over again, by running Jones
up the wall of turns 1/2. On the back straight again, and Jones slowed down
with a mechanical problem, and seeking to stay on the inside, to enable to
pull off at turn three, and as the bunching pack behind him all got
together, 428 Lee Sampson, 120 Shane Brown and enevitably 511 Craig Barnett
got together, with 511 heading to the wall in a nasty crash - the yellows
straight out for Craig in this one, as the car suffered huge front end
damage as a very sore Barnett climbed from the car. With four laps to run,
658 Lattka put 219 up the wall for third, as 30 Hollett lead to the finish,
and great drive by 428 Lee Sampson for runner up. Chris Lattka was third and
Shane Brown in fourth.
Raymond Gunn Tribute Result - 30 - 428 - 658 - 120 -
684 - 219. No other finishers!
REPORT BY KEV WESTNEY
PHOTOS BY
KEV WICKHAM PHOTOGRAPHY
The 2009
National Saloon Stock Car British Championship - Cowdenbeath Racewall -
30/31 May
REPORT BY KEV
WESTNEY
What a stage - what venue. The Racewall at
Cowdenbeath, and the British Championship. Newly crowned English Champion
Luke Grief was the defending Champion, and it was three years on from a
stunning home win for Stuart Shevill jnr at Cowdenbeath, that he became the
youngest ever winner of the British Title. Form men around here come in the
form of Frankie Cunningham who is the current track champion, Barry Hollett,
who had an excellent Final win back in October and has the car to get the
job done. David Aldous is always there or thereabouts, and a former champion
who twelve years on; Gordon Alexander, is gunning for the British one more
time! Todd and Murray Jones made the trip and what a night it turned out to
be!
A good field from England, Scotland and Northern
Ireland, and a night of drama in the qualifying heats on the Saturday, to
the main race itself on the Sunday afternoon. PLUS - The annual running of
the Raymond Gunn tribute, post British Championship.
Three out of five qualifying races.
Heat One in the early stages saw 305 Nigel Parker
making good progress early on. 199 Phil Powell put 307 Brian Honeyman
against the wall on turn 3/4 which had 501 Ally Strachan in a spin, and
brought out the yellow flag with 307 stranded on the home straight wall. On
the restart Parker was still in front. Further back 186 Todd Jones pushed
499 David Aldous wide towards turn three and hit the wall, with World
Champion 120 Shane Brown going in also. Aldous retired and the race
continued with a good battle going on between 67 Frankie Cunningham and 219
Luke Grief. Grief pulled away, which then saw Todd Jones moving ahead of
Cunningham. Up front 305 still lead from 18 Jamie Clayton, but swapped
position a few laps later, with 511 Craig Barnett behind. 67 Cunningham put
277 Alan Stirling up the wall for eighth, and the race ran a nice pace from
there. 18 Clayton took the win from Craig Barnett and 219 Luke Grief. Todd
Jones came home fourth with Parker and Cunningham in the the top six.
Heat two saw Luke Grief back out for his second
drive. 176 Murray Jones going from the blue grade alongside 30 Barry Hollett
for the first time. 20 Sandy Allen stayed at the front for over half the
race in this one, Murray Jones was making good use of the quick start from
blue grade, as he and Hollett moved up the field rapidly. 658 Chris Lattka
and Gordon Alexander nearly took each other out on the home straight, whilst
Luke Grief started to make his move. 328 Ian Govier gave 96 Willie Mitchell
a big push going into turns 1/2 and into the wall, then 328 was spun round
by 777 Alan Ainslie. 20 Sandy Allen was still at the front until a slow
moving Ian Govier colided with Allen, taking him out and bringing out the
yellows. On the restart 176 Murray Jones was the new leader with 507 Paul
Honeyman in second, Hollett, 149 Jamie Sampson and 219 Grief in the top
four. Jones led them away at quick pace. Hollett moved up a spot as he put
507 wide, and 428 Lee Sampson, 607 Stevie Honeyman and 71 Alexander all
battling it out. The yellows came out once again, for 241 Rob Copeland and
828 Neil McClauchlin on the second turn exit, and the restart had Murray
Jones, Grief and Hollett up front with two laps to run. On the last lap,
Grief stuck to 176 bumper as Jones tried to out break going into the last
turn. Grief pushed Jones wide, snuck underneath and turned on 176 to stop
the fightback! Luke Grief taking the win from Barry Hollett, with Murray
Jones and Stevie Honeyman in the top four.
Heat three saw 18 cars lined up, with both the Jones brothers featuring. early exchanges came from 607 Stevie Honeyman on 149 Jamie Sampson and 499 Aldous, resulting in 499 clipping the wall on turn 3/4, and then clipped by 607 coming round. 36 Stu Drobinski and 149 Sampson both hitting the wall too. 186 Todd Jones battled with 30 Barry Hollett, with 511 Barnett lurking behind. 600 Barry Russell lead with 176 Murray Jones passing 507 Paul Honeyman for third. 176 moved ahead of 600 on lap eight to take the lead and 186 Todd Jones moved into third a lap later. 305 Parker in fourth with 511 Barnett behind. 186 moved up to second as he chased down his brother out front. The yellows came out for 507 on the pit bend with two to run. On the restart 176 got away with 186 behind. 511 in third, as 428 Lee Sampson put away Hollett and Parker. 30 spinning out by 36 Drobinski. The top three were neck and neck with a lap to go. Down the homestraight and into turn one, Todd Jones disposed of his brother up the wall,
as he took
over with 511 behind. Murray recovered for third, and just lost out on
second place as 511 pipped it. Todd Jones in 186 the winner from Craig
Barnett in 511 and 176 Murray Jones for third.
Heat four saw 18 cars for this penultimate heat. 684
Ian McClauchlin was the early leader as 20 Sandy Allen put himself into the
wall on the pit bend. A tangle on the back straight led to 328 Govier and
149 Jamie Sampson heading for the wall on the turn, as 219 Grief and 511
Craig Barnett fought through the traffic. The yellows came out for the
Nastyplumber 328 Govier with a puncture. Trouble on the restart where 277
Alan Ainslie was t-boned by 115 Scott Aldridge, then 658 Gunner Lattka put
67 Frankie Cunningham hard into the wall on the pit turn, as the yellow
flags came out once more. Again on the restart more drama for 658 Lattka as
120 Shane Brown put him against the wall, then 18 Jamie Clayton on the back
straight got together with 307 Brian Honeyman bringing out the yellows
again. 684 resumed the lead with 626 Derek Duff in second. 149 Sampson
behind. 219 Grief up to the top five with 71 Gordon Alexander ahead in
fourth as Grief closed in. 219 passed 71 to move up and Grief pushed a
backmarking Clayton up wide into Sampson (on the outside) for third. 71
moved past 149, and thats how it ended. 684 Ian McClauchlin the winner with
626 and 219 the top three. 71 and 149 rounding the top five.
The last race of the evening in heat five with 20
cars on track. A lively start from the back with 186 Todd Jones having a
great battle with 499 David Aldous, The star men still in a large pack
became one less, as 607 Stevie Honeyman spun out Aldous on the pit bend. 307
Brian Honeyman was sent into the wall a lap later by 305 Parker, and 307
slowly came around the startline and clipped 30 Hollett, spinning him round.
Still spinning, Hollett was then collected by 176 Murray Jones and sent hard
into the inner tyres and the yellows were out. Hollett made the restart and
still up in the places. He passed 684 on the restart but 18 Clayton fought
through to take Hollett for the lead. 186 Todd Jones was making good
progress by now, and managed to catch and pass 18 Clayton to take up the
running. The order was 186 18 511 and 67. and thats how it finished. Hollett
recovering for a good fifth place.
GREAT PHOTO'S BY KEV WICKHAM PHOTOGRAPHY
Saloon Stock Car English Championship 2009
Mildenhall Stadiuim - Saturday 9th May
The first Championship of the season kicked off, where Mildenhall Stadium
was the venue for the English Championship, where the defending Champion was
Todd Jones. Not known as a regular shale surface expert, this small track
was last driven by the 186, at last November's ORCi Championship. There Todd
ended up on the turn three gate (yes a wire gate!) fixed behind Paul
Honeyman!! With no shale car at use, it was a change in set up for the
tarmac car.
Murray Jones 176 likewise (on the car front), and someone who has a bit more
experience than his brother out there. Kings Lynn and a few Mildenhall's to
the list of meetings he's done this season, so in with a chance!
A lower than expected 37 cars attended, but still included the star names in
Luke Grief, Craig Barnett, David Aldous, Ian Jarman, the Sampson's, the
Newman's. Top 20 scorers start at the front of the grid.
Heat One saw 25 cars out on track, Murray and Todd in this heat and both
starting from Red grade. With a slick surface early going, the front runners
had a chance to get away with Simon Royal leading them off. A couple of laps
in and 368 Steve Santry picked up 176 Murray Jones exiting turn four
spinning him around.
