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News: Silverstone (Grand Prix) Race Report
GAZ Shocks Production BMW Championship
Rounds 3&4 Silverstone (Grand Prix) 17-18/04/10
Round two of the Production BMW Championship saw the field head to Silverstone,
where they were set to race around the infamous grand prix circuit.
Qualifying saw the day kick off in style; however with just four minutes remaining the red flag was thrown, signalling the end of the session, due to a number of cars off at various points of the circuit. Despite this, Tim Wilson secured pole position, just ahead of Alan Wileman and Liam Crilly.
Race 1:
As the 48-strong field powered into the first corner, Wilson and Wileman led the way, running side by side away from the rest of the pack. As they worked their way around the opening lap it was Wilson who kept the momentum, stealing back his initial advantage, as he leapt into the lead.
Image by Snappyracers.com
Reigning champion, Rob Smith also managed to find a way passed Wileman, muscling through into second, while the latter was forced back to third. As the field weaved their way around the opening few laps the battle at the front really began to hot up, with the top seven being separated by less than half a second.
Before long, Wileman was edged out that bit more, as the BMW 320i of Robin Welsh seized the opportunity to take third place. By this point, leader Wilson had managed to break free of his pursuers, and was beginning to disappear into the distance.
With all attentions at the front of the field focused on the Smith-Welsh scrap, further down the pack the spotlight shone on Jerry Brown and Mickey Daly, who were enjoying a fierce tussle, running nose to tail for much of the seven laps.
The field was mainly dominated by the BMW 320i pilots throughout the opening race at the Northamptonshire venue; however Liam Crilly was taking the fight to them, running as the highest placed BMW E30 318i driver for the duration.
Further adrift, Kristian Dean enjoyed a thrilling battle with Stephen Carter, with the duo continuously swapping positions for four laps. After not getting a clear lap in qualifying, Dean was forced to start in 30th place, however not letting this hamper him too much he launched up to 23rd by the chequered flag, finishing just behind Carter at the end.
As the lap counter ticked downwards Wilson’s early advantage began to decrease, as Welsh gradually reeled him in. As the chequered flag greeted them after seven laps, Wilson was the victor with Welsh just inches behind. Crilly completed the podium, while Smith, Clint Bardwell and Wileman concluded the top six.
Commenting on his win, Wilson said: “It was a tough one, Robin made me work for it, but I just held on at the end.”
Race 2:
The second outing was another thrilling adventure, with the usual suspects filling the top positions. With the starting grid being based on race one finishing positions Wilson grasped pole.
This time around it was Welsh who got the better of Wilson, with the top places reversed as the chequered flag fell. Smith promoted himself to the podium, while Bardwell progressed to fourth.
Stuart Waite stormed to fifth from eighth, while Wileman followed in sixth. Further back, Ian Shepherd enjoyed a strong race, advancing from 26th to 14th.
As ever it was an entertaining weekend for the PBMW crowd. Tim Wilson summed up the weekend perfectly – “brilliant races, brilliant driving.”
Race Report by Leanne Fahy (leannefahy@hotmail.com)
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