A weekend of Club Motorsport at the Park(s)
Report and images by David Gowshall of :DEEGEE: Motorsport Photography
15th - 16th April 2023
Cadwell Park
A “Megamix” of 2, 3 and 4 wheel action was lined up for :DEEGEE: Motorsport Photography this weekend at Cadwell Park and Mallory Park and it proved to be very enjoyable both from a spectator’s and photographer’s point of view.
The opening day of the British Automobile Racing Club’s (BARC) two-day MegaMix Weekend meeting provided me with my first opportunity to see racing on four wheels around my home circuit, Cadwell Park on Saturday.
A mixture of car types, classes, practice and qualifying sessions was very welcome but as a bonus there were six races during the day as well. It all played out in bright sunshine including three runs for the bill-topping Legends Cars and a high-speed outing for the Superkarts.
The morning activities featured practice and qualification sessions that included Citroen 2CVs, numerous saloon car classes, Caterhams and Minis and was concluded with the first competitive action of the day. The first of six races planned over the weekend for the Legend Cars Championship.
These cars are 5/8 scale replicas of pre-war 1930’s Fords, Chevys and Dodge stock cars are surprisingly small in stature (they are only just above waist high) and are driven by a 125bhp Yamaha 1200cc motorcycle engine, capable of speeds in excess of 120mph.
After the excitement of the first Legends six-lapper, the final qualification session for the Superkarts, held mid-afternoon, was very intense and exciting as the drivers of these diminutive vehicles pushed them to the limit for grid position in what is a highly competitive class.
Following on was more racing action including two more Legend Car races and the first competitive action for the Superkarts later in the afternoon. These diminutive high speed “pocket rockets” are capable of 140mph, averaging over 90mph during a lap of the Cadwell undulating circuit which is one of the most popular circuits in the UK for both competitors and spectators.
Two Caterham outings and a CNC Heads Saloon/Sports Car Championship race, completed the day’s competitive entertainment.
Undoubtedly, the stars of the day were the Legend Cars. Not only are they exhilarating to watch, but they are very photogenic, and there was lots of interest in the paddock and on track by all attending the event.
With a full grid, equal performance, rolling starts and reverse grids in play close racing is virtually guaranteed.
Although the second of three outings on the day was unfortunately cut short by a red flag, the entertainment value over the three races was “ten out ten”.
Bumper to bumper action was the order of the day, with close racing the like of which I have not seen for many years at the Lincolnshire Wolds venue.
Trying his hand out in one of these unique cars was 3-time British Rally champion, Mark Higgins, who now earns his living as a Hollywood stunt driver. He was fighting for family bragging rights with his son, who was the crowned the 2022 Legend Cars “Rookie” of the year.
I cannot recommend going to watch this series enough at some point during the season, if you get the opportunity.
But if you can’t get to one of the BARC meetings in person, the 2023 season will see the championship enjoy an exciting evolution as three rounds of the championship will feature on the British Touring Car Championship support bill on ITV 4 at Brands Hatch, Croft and Knockhill.
Mallory Park
The following day meant an early alarm call for myself, my wife Helen and my youngest daughter Lauren, attending the second day of the British Historic Racing Championship meeting held at Leicestershire’s spectator friendly Mallory Park circuit on Sunday.
Racing at this short 1.3-mile-long circuit were a wide variety of machinery from the past dating back to the 1930s.
The full circuit, which is situated close to the village of Kirkby Mallory, can be seen from virtually anywhere around its perimeter, most of it from the warmth of your car, which was useful as it was cold and my daughter is currently recovering from a skiing accident and is finding it difficult to walk long distances.
The circuit has had an up and down history since the halcyon days of the 1960s and 70s when it enjoyed a golden period, with some of the biggest names on two wheels turning out to compete at the Leicestershire circuit.
The “Race of the Year” was a non-championship motorcycle race held annually between 1958 and 1981, and one I regularly attended for the last 15 years of that period with my dad.
Giacomo Agostini, Mike Hailwood (who won the event 5 times), Phil Read, Barry Sheene and Kenny Roberts all wowed the crowds, which included me, at the event, and which regularly attracted crowds in excess of 60,000.
However, in 2013 the circuit found itself embroiled in a row which threatened its very future, when local residents complained that noise limits – in place since 1985 – were being ignored.
The future looked gloomy and the circuit closed down while a solution was sought.
Fortunately, in December 2013, after agreeing new terms with the local council, which ensured the circuit was allowed more noisy days a year, and that there must be one full quiet weekend each month, the circuit re-opened and has remained open, mostly for club events and track days, to the present day.
The weather for the 2023 British Historic Racing season opener was a bit disappointing, with drizzle, a cold wind and leaden skies to greet the riders as a busy day got underway at 9.30 a.m.
Fresh from his first outing of this season last weekend at Darley Moor, Pistonclick’s adopted “grass roots” rider Mick Pennell was first up on the race programme, looking forward to the first opportunity to defend his Over 50’s title, won last year at the very last meeting of the 2022 season at Cadwell Park.
A few mechanical gremlins with his Yamaha 600FZ had been fixed following his outing at Darley Moor last weekend, including some fuel starvation and gearbox issues, and with a new rear tyre in place he was sorted and raring to go.
His defence of his title could not have gone any better, as, unlike last year’s opening round at Mallory, (when he recorded a non-finish) he started, as reigning champion, from Pole position on the grid. He rode superbly to 2nd place overall, and first place on corrected time, to register full points in the 9-lapper.
He followed up his Over 50’s success with three consistent finishes in the Glenway TPM Championship, which puts him among the front runners for this coveted award.
This was a successful meeting for Mick which he can reflect on until he’s in action again at his “home” circuit Cadwell Park for the second round of the CRMC Championship in May. He is competing in alongside the British Historic equivalent in what is going to be a busy 2023.
The racing throughout the day was enjoyed by what in truth was a sparse crowd for the first BHR meeting of the year. However, pre-event information regarding what was racing and the racing order on the day had been very difficult to acquire (a note for the organisers, please).
What didn’t help even further was the lack of any commentary on the day, or the failure of the public address system. I’m not sure which it was as the racing took place in total silence, which was a little confusing.
Despite this the racing was, as always, good fun for competitors and the spectators who did attend, and those photographers who had turned up.
The virtual lack of safety fence at this venue allows photographers to get seriously close to the action, with the spot at the rear of the Paddock on the inside of the John Cooper Esses being a real highlight.
Driving home, having watched two wheel action for solo bikes and scooters, three wheel action with conventional and B.E.A.R.S sidecars and Morgans at the Leicestershire circuit, I was able to reflect on what was undoubtedly the most varied weekend of motorsport I have ever experienced.
A busy, varied and thoroughly entertaining weekend watching and photographing club motorsport that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon !!
Next weekend’s plans for :DEEGEE: Motorsport Photography are very fluid at the moment with the possibility of trips to Donington Park for the 1st Round of the British Touring Car Championship and No Limits Motorcycle Racing Championship at Cadwell Park both options on the table.
You can see more of :DEEGEE: Motorsport Photography here.
You can share this report with your friends on Social Media using these links.
Follow us on Social Media: