This weekend MSVR heads to Lydden Hill for its maiden event at the circuit, bringing with it 4 brilliant grids.
Lydden Hill Race Circuit, situated halfway between Canterbury and Dover in Kent, offers a unique and exciting proposition. The lap begins on the Canterbury Straight, with a slight left kink proceeding the first corner (Pilgrims). The right-handed Pilgrims leads nicely up into Chessons Drift, a crest that continues heading right until the descent of the Dover Slope. Up next is arguably the most challenging corner on the circuit, a tricky and sharp left-hander. Devils Elbow has caught out many a driver due to its deceptive nature, but competitors who nail the corner will then feel the full benefit of a perfect exit and fast ascent up to the North Bend. Don’t be fooled by the name, North Bend is a tight hairpin that leads drivers straight back down Hairy Hill. A descent to Paddock Bend follows, before the quick right-hander at the foot of the hill takes you back onto the Canterbury Straight and over the Start/Finish line.
The third round of the 2024 Trackday Championship takes place on a circuit that both the championship and MSVT Racing have never visited before. Last time out, Team Rebbieha’s Paul Mchugh and Will Heslop combined to secure overall and Class B victory on the historic Brands Hatch GP circuit. Meanwhile, LDR Performance Tuning’s Ben Jenkins and Independent’s Stephen Docker saw off all rivals to finish first in Class C and D respectively. The competitiveness of the field was once again made apparent given that all three class winners were different to those at the season opener at Donington Park the month prior.
Next up is the Trackday Trophy. The 2024 season has already produced some fantastic racing, culminating in a whole host of different podium finishers. In fact, out of all three classes, only one team has managed to earn a trophy at both of the opening two rounds – take a bow Boreham Motorsport (Midlands) and their drivers, father and son duo, Martyn and Rob Adams!
Last time out Trackday Trophy took on the phenomenal Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit. The extended configuration once again delivered in providing an entertaining race, with each of the three classes offering plenty in the way of overtakes and defending. There were a number of standout driver performances, including some notable strong finishes from competitors who had never taken on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix loop before. A huge congratulations goes out to Jordan Honeybone (Apple Car Centre), Harvey/Richardson (PRO-AM Racing) and Jay Coombs (Hammond Motor Group) for triumphing in their respective classes.
Who will win the inaugural Trackday Trophy trophies at Lydden Hill? Only time will tell.
After a long break, Formula Ford racing returns to Lydden Hill today in the form of United Formula Ford. For many on the grid, this will be the first time they have experienced the famed 1-mile ribbon of tarmac, while for a small few this race event grants them the chance to revisit a venue not raced at for many years. Once again United Formula Ford has attracted a fine international entry with racers from seven different countries lining-up to compete at the time of writing. Early season exchanges at Silverstone and Donington Park have witnessed some top drawer action, with race wins going to four different drivers. Morgan Quinn in a Team Dolan Van Diemen arrives this weekend as the 2024 championship leader.
The Classic and Modern Motorsport Club has put together a combined grid from two of their series. The CMMCS Ashtone MEP Super Saloon Series is Open to a wide variety of front engined steel bodied cars, which range downwards from some of the fastest saloons seen in national racing. Expected front runners will be Paul Watson (BMW E36) and Mark Cripps (BMW E46). Hot on their heels will be Dave Avis and Jacques Whitehead in their class C BMW M3s.The CMMCS Ashtone MEP Tintops is for saloon cars much closer to road-going specification than their modified super saloon cousins. In the Tin Tops section, it should see favourite Chris Bassett (Peugeot 306) at the forefront. He will also be pushing in amongst the super saloons and challenging the front runners.