Simon McFie is just one victory away from championship honours in the 2008 Motor Lawyers Fiat Racing Challenge, and once again, relies upon Martin Riman’s Uno at the penultimate meeting of the season. Whilst mathematically, Jason “Jaffa” Greatrex can still grab the honours following his tremendous unbeaten run, it’s a tall order and his HGT may find the tight Mallory Circuit too short to take a power advantage. Other HGTs will be in the hands of Pete Geary, Andrew Botterill, Neil Sellers and former champion, James Levy (subject to customs clearance) and Steve Townsend, who returns after a 3 year sabbatical.

However, the Mallory circuit will probably favour the Uno with Steve Twist, a potential winner. Lee Melling threatens in his revised Punto, now allegedly with 66 brake horse power on tap, whilst Mark Snelling’s hybrid will be in his own hands on this occasion. Snelling again can mathematically win but will probably settle for a place ahead of Chris McFie, who has quietly been amassing points all year.

Mark Cunnington and Dale Whiteman will be looking to avoid more mechanical problems as will Simon Edwards, with whatever vehicle father Barry has borrowed, bought or built for this event. However, the real show down is for the Rookie honours, with Mark Smith and Vic Craven finally coming head to head, having managed to avoid each other for most of the season.

Based on the superb Mallory races of old and the Oulton come back, rumour has it that Autosport are holding the front page for the outcome of this meeting!

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The Oulton of our years?
With rumours of its demise increasing following some less than impressive grids of late, the Motor Lawyers Fiat Racing Challenge was back with a bang (or two) at Oulton Park, proving that far from suffering a mid-life crisis, there was life in the old dog yet! Indeed, such was the quality of the two races delivered, that you could be forgiven for forgetting that there was anything else worth watching at Oulton and anybody who read the Autosport report, may well have concluded that in fact, the whole meeting was dominated by the Fiats, which of course it was.

A 17 car grid not only outnumbered other “more successful” series, the Fiats also delivered the best 2 races of the day. Although the results sheets showed that Jason Greatrex had “comfortable” victories in his HGT, the reality is that there were battles throughout the grid, just like in the old days. Even Martin Riman made a personal appearance, squeezing into his Riman Motor Sport 2000 t-shirt (just) in order to see Simon McFie pedal the RMSport Uno to 2 second places and 2 fastest laps.

A wet qualifying session was dominated by Sandro Proietti whose pole position suggested his run of bad luck was finally over. Needless to say, that was not the case as come the race, the car capitulated on the line and in the second race, finally gave up forever, depositing what remained of the engine across Cheshire. Sadly, this proved to be Sandro’s swan song for 2008 as even he cannot get his head around his ongoing misfortune.

Elsewhere, the grid was bolstered by appearances from Mr Neil “it’s a bit wet for me” Sellers, accompanied by the “Saviour” Twist whose HGT debut resulted in a fourth place and a radiator melting the wiring loom. Just as well it wasn’t his car! Indeed, the pits looked like a scene from Casualty for most of the day with numerous cars on life support but thanks to the sterling work of, amongst others, Dr Barry Edwards, Surgeon Pete and Nurse Jeff Stockton, Roger Esp and in particular, the Greatrex Clan, all but one of the first race casualties appeared again, Kris Greatrex, gallantly forgoing his race in order that others could embarrass themselves instead.

Although Jaffa took the honours (or at least he would have done had the co-ordinator not failed to collect the trophies for the third meeting in succession) the real winner was the Fiat Racing Challenge, which not only proved that it was a force to be reckoned with but supplied two “absorbing” (copyright Autosport) races and showed that when needed, everybody was prepared to assist. To that end, numerous drivers went out of their way to ensure that the grid number were maintained with cars, parts, time, labour and just about everything else being donated or supplied, for little or no return, to ensure that the grid numbers demonstrated that the series was moving forward.

Without mentioning each and every person who assisted, it would be impossible to overlook Pete Stockton (particularly in those dodgy shorts) who turned up for a quiet day and ended up rebuilding a car, Jeff Stockton who supplied his own (car not shorts) and collected others and in particular, Chas Greatrex, who not only rallied the troops, but supervised 5 cars preparation before the race, and repaired a similar amount on the race day itself.

Highlights of the day included “you can’t get better than a Kris Fit Fitter”at there was no longer “anything lose”. The Pete Geary, Andrew Botterill, Neil Sellers HGT battle, Mike Ralph trying to get to grips with the world’s smallest steering wheel and Mark Snelling trying to fend off Mark Smith.

Downsides included both Simon Edwards and Mark Cunnington maintaining their challenges for the Sandro Proietti record of most races without a finish and the fact that the Northern hospitality didn’t extend to allowing competitors to remain in situ longer than an evictee from the Big Brother House.

Overall, it was a good day and proof that the future of the series is on the up.

* Fastest Lap

Photos courtesy of Clem Palmer and Ian McFie.

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Whilst Fiat racers are normally accused of being round the bend, it now looks as though the Fiat Racing Challenge has in fact turned a corner, with no less than 16 (count them but not until they are actually on the grid please) cars entered for Saturday’s double header.

Notable returns include Sandro Proietti, no doubt encouraged by the fact that the championship is still within grasp, following Simon McFie’s run of bad luck.  Also back are the Greatrex brothers and making their first appearances of the year, self proclaimed saviour of the series, St. Twist, “Magestic” (against Dr’s orders) Sellers and Mike“Buckethead” Ralph.

With other drivers sharing cars, lending cars, borrowing bits and investing heavily in gaffer tape to ensure that every moving Fiat makes the grid, the Dunkirk spirit has finally kicked in with an armada of Unos and Puntos about to do battle.  The weekend promises to be a return to the true characteristics of fiat racing, with scraps throughout the field.  Indeed, such is his determination to regain a podium place, Simon McFie (having rejected brother Chris’s generous offer of his car) has requisitioned the championship winning car of Martin Riman but faces stiff competition from Jaffa’s HGT and Kris’s Uno, whilst Mark Snelling has sourced Vic Craven’s Uno for the weekend. 

Also due to return are Pete Geary, Mark Cunnington and  Lee “I love my mechanic” Melling, whilst Dale Whiteman appears in a car from the Jeff Stockton fleet. Professor Mark E Smith is looking for a quick race following his student exploits at Silverstone, whilst the Edwards/Esp combination, debut their fifth engine of the season.

Sadly missing, will be the sideways exploits of James Levy who, having over excited himself at Rockingham, felt it necessary to calm down in more sedate surroundings, namely Canada.  That said, his car could well be in the hands of “Kwik Fit” Botterill but no-one can be 100% certain of who will be driving what, until the lights go out.  What is guaranteed, is that due to the determined efforts of numerous competitors and associates (with special acknowledgment to Chas Greatrex) the series is back and ready for action!

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Hi, my name’s Vic. I run the Vic Craven Race School. Factory Ascary driver FIAt, Grand Theft Auto 3 professional ARDS licensed race instruction* on track days or full race tuition discounted rates for Fiat Challenge drivers. Why, I am even a fully qualified Police driver. I assure you of personal tuition with my unique bonsai and proven methods of race car driving.

I thought it would be nice to share with you one of my master classes. Lets look at the best way to crack Russell Bend, Snetterton, better known as the chicane. The challenge here is to pull in front of the lead car and make sure there is no way he is getting past. So, welcome aboard and hold on tight for the drive of your life!

Photo 2
You can see how I line up to overtake a car using my skill and judgement, on approach to Russell. For those of you who are unfamiliar with my school of motoring, I am in the blue car. I have got a sneaky sling shot up my sleeve and this is how to do it. Watch and learn race goers!

Photo 3
I have deliberately stayed a few car lengths behind so that the other driver will not be aware that I have tricked him into allowing me through. He’s never going to guess that anybody would overtake at this point. That’s the difference between losers and Victors. The elements we need to use here are skill, surprise and courage. All that is required is a little bit of late braking and to pull into the inside via that gap that I have coaxed the other driver into leaving.

Photo 4
We are through! Simple as that. For those of you who blinked, as we approach the bend, just a slight tap on the brakes and I am past on the offside whilst the other unsuspecting driver can only curse and think “how does that Vic do it?”.

Photo 5
He probably hasn’t even seen me. So just to let him know that he has been Cravened™, and to eliminate any prospect of the other driver trying to get through, I have incorporated the slightest wiggle to the rear of the car just to make it that little bit wider and to see off any counter attack by my opponent. This is an advanced technique that you may take a little while to perfect. Don’t try this at home folks, this is for the professionals only!

Photo 6
Notwithstanding that the other driver, who is clearly quite inexperienced and has allowed his vehicle to encroach on mine (rubbings racing after all and we were all beginners once), I am ready for it, have the car under complete control and already have my exit lined up. Mental note to self, offer the other driver some free lessons on observation!

Photo 7
So it’s off the brakes, and just a sharp tug to the left and my perfect line will be maintained. This also allows me to get the power down early for a rapid departure from a bend that many drivers would be taking at half the speed. That’s what I call proper racing! It can get a bit hot in here so if you can’t stand the heat….

Word to the wise: Note how I give those bollards a wide berth. I have seen the damage they can cause if a door so much as touches them, so keep well away.

Photo 8
OK, so now I’ve tested the limits of the car but as you can see, I’ve kept my foot in, the power is on and we’re heading out of that bend. It is important that at this stage of the manoeuvre, you let the car know who is in charge. No surrender!

Photo 9
Hard on the accelerator as the car has now gained complete composure and there is no time to waste as otherwise you risk losing vital seconds. This is no place for second thoughts, there should only be one thing on your mind; drive it like it’s stolen.

Photo 10
It is important that you retain your composure at all times. Here, there is a small chance that the car could run away from me but I’ve anticipated that and by feeding the steering wheel, I’ve caught it in time and using every available part of the vehicle, to include the wing mirror, we shall soon be back on line. Don’t be tempted to lift and no left foot braking.

Photo 11
Even when it seems that you may be losing the battle, it is essential that you don’t let your concentration drop and you remain fully focused. Note here how I look only where I want to be - on that track.

Photo 12
If you are always on the limit, then you have to expect a little bit of chassis twitch on occasions. Sometimes the quality of the car is not up to that of the driver but you have to drive your way through it. Fortune favours the brave in my book so don’t back off, just hold on and you will come through. That’s the difference between leaders and followers.

Photo 13
Almost there, just need to get the back end round again and the job’s a good’un.

Photo 14
Using my unique “merry go round” spin, (full details of which are disclosed in lesson 5) we will soon be out of this corner and heading away again.

Photo 15
Job done! We have overtaken, we’ve staked our place and nobody is going to be passing that. Just time for a quick de-brief with some of my pupils and on to the next challenge. Well done to the cognoscenti amongst you, who will have spotted that I am checking my watch for those lap times; you are learning fast.

Photo 16
So there you have it, mission accomplished. How to perfect Russell Bend with my compliments. If you want to learn more, don’t hesitate to contact me. Your car or mine. What’s more, we occasionally have race cars for sale, all fully tested and warranted and every one has been given that little bit of Vic magic. Happy racing!

Like what you see? Chances are you have already learnt something and you will appreciate the full benefits of my one-to-one package. Gift vouchers available.

Feel free to click on the thumbnail to download your very own pictorial. Join me on the podium next time out.

Photos courtesy of Clem “Happy Snapper” Palmer and Alan “Instamatic” Jones.

* Application pending.

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