Mazda MX5s ready to take centre stage at Snetterton
There will be eight races for a variety of Caterham models at Snetterton this weekend. Picture: Ellen Tunstall Photography. - Credit: Archant
There are nine races for the iconic Mazda MX5 sports car at Snetterton this weekend – with every one promising close and exciting entertainment with the result usually in doubt until metres from the chequered flag.
Dax Ward chased by King's Lynn'’s Robert Sayell in last year'’s F1000 series, which returns to the Norfolk venue this weekend. Picture: Ellen Tunstall Photography - Credit: Archant
Surprisingly, in the opening series of three races for the Series One MX5s, reigning champion Will Blackwell-Chambers managed to secure a hat-trick of victories and travels to the Norfolk venue in the mood for a repeat.
Samuel Smith, twice, and Oliver Allwood followed him across the line but the pair would dearly love to be ahead of their rival this time around.
In the Class B section, for the slower runners, Paul Tucker, Chris Powles and Chris Rawles claimed the honours at Brands Hatch, with a host of rivals aiming to add their names to the winners' list this weekend.
The final three events are for the Mk3 version of the open-topped sports car in which Joshua Jackson was denied a clean sweep at the Kent venue when Jake Bailey managed to squeeze by during the final laps of race three to take a narrow victory.
Michael Watton was also a three-time winner at Brands in the F1000 Championship for the rapid bike-engined single-seaters. The title holder was completely dominant, even in the reverse grid second race, and will take some beating at Snetterton – and possibly the rest of the season.
Steven Dailly ruled the opening pair of BMW Compact Cup races at Brands, but may find the faster nature of the Norfolk track will allow his rivals, headed by Owen Hunter and Ian Jones, to unseat the two-time winner.
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Besthorpe's Tom Griffiths claimed a top-10 place in the opening race, but posted an early retirement from race two – on his home circuit a top-six place is well within the newcomer's grasp.
Completing the 22-race programme will be eight races for a variety of Caterham categories which also promise highly entertaining and close finishes as their season gets underway. The fastest category is the 420R, in which Danny Winstanley claimed last year's title, while Mike Evans ruled the 310R series with Russ Olivant crowned the 270R winner and Pete Walter secured the Roadsports title.
The programme starts at 1.35pm on Saturday and 9.30am Sunday.
