1987 Dunlop RAC British Touring Car Championship - Discussion & Results

[Jesper OH]

About to be ready for the first of twelve 1987 races. As I have a full set of 1987 Autosports I have not only results and grids - at times partly - but also reports regarding each race. Therefore an altered format for my presentation. Hope you will enjoy, learn, add, correct in the good spirit the last week has been experienced by me

1987 RAC Dunlop British Touring Car Championship

New head sponsor and a twelve round series compared to nine rounds in 1986. Four classes retained from the previous year but all of them alteret a bit towards bigger engine displacement. Class A was open for unlimited ccs for the first time since 1975?

Classes:
Class A: above 2500 cc
Class B: 2001-2500 cc
Class C: 1601-2000 cc
Class D: under 1600 cc (possible 1001-1600 cc)

Points distribution according to the F1 style 9-6-4-3-2-1 points scale for top-6 class finishes with an additional 1 point for fastest lap time. Fewer than four starters drops the maximum score, but more about that later.

Jesper

[Jesper OH]

Round 1 – April 12 1987, Silverstone

Support race to the FIA International F3000 championship opening round and was the first meeting where the new left-right chikane before Woodcote was used, presumably replacing the Woodcote chikane. British F3, Formula Ford and Renault 5 Elf Turbo UK Cup also on the bill.

Tim Harvey taking the start only to loose his engine on the second lap, thus leaving Dennis Leech and Andy Rouse to fight over the lead untill the Ford settled things two thirds of the way for a premier BTCC win for the new Sierra RS Cosworth.
David Carvell won what was initially a four way battle for third in his Rover, while the Sierras of Peter Hall and Graham Goode clashed at the new chikane on the very last lap. This was still good enough to net forth and fifth as sixth placed Graham Scarborough had a misfire throughout most of the race.
In the classes Mark Hales was pushed in the early going but won convincingly in the end. Jon Dooley pushed the Escort over the early laps in his new Alfa 75 Turbo, only to fall off the pace with failing boost pressure. Alfa teammate Rob Kirby was a spectator as his 75 wasn't ready in time.
Colin Pearcy was only class C starter when a Renault 5 GT Turbo failed to make the start.
Chris Hodgetts led a 1-2-3 CHMS Toyota succes but only because Geoff Kimber-Smith dropped out from second late in the race.

Roger Saunders won the supporting Renault 5 cup-race only to be disqualified ”for having a modified wastegate valve seat and a machined carburettor” in his Bedford Tyres/Unique entered car, according to Autosport. Was this Saunders own team?
Of other tid-bits the 2009 World Touring Car Champion Gabriele Tarquini finished 10th in the F3000 race while fellow WTCC competitor Alain Menu finished 6th in the Formula Ford race. Gary Brabham won the F3 race.

Grid:
1.Andy Rouse, 1:39.87 – class A pole
2.Dennis Leech, 1:42.84
3.Tim Harvey, 1:42.93
4.Peter Hall, 1:43.68
5.Graham Scarborough, 1:44.72
6.Graham Goode, 1:45.62
7.David Carvell, 1:46.32
8.Mark Hales, 1:48.22 – class B pole
9.Chris Hodgetts, 1:49.74 – class D pole
10.Colin Pearcy, 1:51.87 – class C pole
11.Jon Dooley, 1:52.30
12.Alan Minshaw, 1:53.69
13.Geoff Kimber-Smith, 1:53.92
14.Tony Crudgington, unknown – DNS
15.Paul Longfield, 1:57.25
16.unknown Renault 5, unknown time – DNS
17.unknown Mitsubishi, unknown time – DNS
18.Kevin Eaton, 2:35.53

An educated guess would suggest that 18 cars were present for the first round of the 1987 British group A series, 15 of those started the race. From the race report a standing start from a 2-2-2-etc. grid format seems likely.

Result:
1./ #1 / Andy Rouse / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 25m58.83s / FL
2./ #4 / Dennis Leech / Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26m00.43s
3./ #? / David Carvell / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26m20.88s
4./ #2 / Peter Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 26m27.29s
5./ #6 / Graham Goode / Goode / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 26m36.48s
6./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 27m05.59s
7./ #? / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 15 laps / 27m33.56s / FL
8./ #66 / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 15 laps / 27m34.28 / FL
9./ #31 / Jon Dooley / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 14 laps
10./ #? / Alan Minshaw / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps
11./ #55 / Colin Pearcy / Pearcy? / C / MG Metro Turbo / 14 laps / FL
12./ #? / Paul Longfield / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps
DNFs
#? / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT /12 laps / engine
#? / Kevin Eaton / Eaton? / B / Nissan Bluebird Turbo / 2 laps / unknown
#8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 1 lap / engine
DNS's
#? / Tony Crudgington / Crudgington / D / Toyota Corolla GT / electrics
#? / Graham Rose? / unknown / A / Mitsubishi Starion Turbo / water leak / prod. Saloon
#? / unknown / unknown / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / unknown / cup car
DNA
#30 / Rob Kirby / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / car not ready

Championship positions – Autosport
1.Andy Rouse, 10 points
1.Chris Hodgetts, 10 points
3.Mark Hales, 7 points
4.Dennis Leech, 6 points
4.Alan Minshaw, 6 points
6.Colin Pearcy, 5 points
..the rest are my calculations
7.David Carvell, 4 points
7.Jon Dooley, 4 points
7.Paul Longfield, 4 points
10.Peter Hall, 3 points
11.Graham Goode, 2 points
12.Graham Scarborough, 1 point

Seems as if four starters appeared in a class a full set of 9 points for a class win were up for graps. Three starters would drop the winning points figure to 6, while 1 (perhaps 2) would result in 4 points for a win.

Jesper

[Jesper OH]

Round 2 – Good Friday April 17 1987, Oulton Park

New chikane introduced at Foulstons, so a new set of lap records will be established on the 4.456 km circuit.

This and the following race clashed with round 2 of the WTCC at Jarama held over the same weekend, depriving the Brits of Andy Rouse. Chris Hodgetts managed to squeeze in all three races though. Dennis Leech was at home nursing a hand that somehow got involved with a lawnmover (!), while Toyota drivers Tony Crudgington and Geoff Kimber-Smith hadn't sorted out their engine troubles from the opening round only five days earlier and was on the missing list as well. This would make the three CHMS Corollas the sole class D entries, with Hodgetts joined by Chuck Nicholson and Alex Moss for this race. Colin Pearcy was also missing from action, reason unknown.
The second Alfa 75 Turbo was ready though adding Rob Kirby to the field as would now former Renault Cup racer Roger Saunders. A third new entry was the Alan Docking run Holden Commodore VK for Mike O'Brien. The car had raced in the hands of Allan Grice back in Australia only five weeks earlier. The Mike Newman BMW 635CSi had been on British soil for some considerably longer time and would also see it's first 1987 race here at Oulton Park. This still only managed to end with 14 starters for the race.

Grid:
1.Mike O'Brien, 1:45.53 – class A pole
2.Tim Harvey, 1:45.92
3.Mike Newman, 1:47.97
4.David Carvell, 1:48.18
5.Graham Scarborough, 1:48.88
6.Graham Goode, 1:49.49
7.Peter Hall, 1:50.20
8.Chris Hodgetts, 1:50.40 – class D pole
9.Chuck Nicholson, 1:53.88
10.Jon Dooley, 1:55.76 – class B pole
11.Roger Saunders, 2:02.67 – class C pole
? Mark Hales, no time – 10 second delay at start
? Alex Moss, no time – 10 second delay at start
? Rob Kirby, no time – 10 second delay at start

Mike O’Brien took advantage of his pole and horse power to lead away from the grid, but was harassed by fellow front row man Tim Harvey. The Rover, with its front spoiler askew, was all over the back of the Holden Commodore and made a decisive move at the right hand Knickerbrook on lap 2. Harvey would soon be alone in front as the Australian V8 machine became a V7 and O’Brien an early retiree.
This left Mike Newman and his BMW 635 CSi in second, with David Carvell, Graham Goode and Graham Scarborough contesting third in the early laps. Goode brought the Listerine Sierra into contention by leaving this group and hunting down Newman, who he deposed of at mid-distance and even started to make in rows into Tim Harvey’s race lead. A couple of quick circuits by Harvey settled the matter. Mike Newman held on to third at the finish, but had Graham Scarborough and a slow starting Peter Hall on his tail by then. David Carvell fought deteriorating tyres and dropped out of this battle and finished a lonely sixth.
As at Silverstone Mark Hales finished best of the rest, but only when Chris Hodgetts decided to play a little with his teammates Chuck Nicholson and Alex Moss near the end of the race. The Alfa Romeo Dealer Team was up to two cars with Rob Kirby joining in a second 75 Turbo, but retired after but two laps with a melted piston, leaving Jon Dooley to challenge Mark Hales for class B honours. He did fine until a couple of wheel bolts left early in the race and had to settle for 12th and last beaten by lonely class C competitor Roger Saunders.

Results:
1./ #8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 14 laps / 25m36.81s / class winner - FL
2./ #6 / Graham Goode / Goode / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 14 laps / 25m39.55s
3./ #10 / Mike Newman / Newman / A / BMW 635CSi / 14 laps / 25m50.13s
4./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / Letchworth Roofing / A / Rover Vitesse / 14 laps / 25m51.43s
5./ #2 / Peter Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 14 laps / 25m53.49s
6./ #? / David Carvell / Appleyard / Rover Vitesse / 14 laps / 26m14.76s
7./ #? / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 14 laps / 26m48.72s / class winner – FL
8./ #66 / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps / 27m12.91s / class winner - FL
9./ #? / Chuck Nicholson / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps / 27m13.17s
10./ #? / Alex Moss / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps / 27m13.62s
11./ #45? / Roger Saunders / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 13 laps / class winner – FL
12./ #31 / Jon Dooley / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 13 laps
DNFs
#7 / Mike O'Brien / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 4 laps / overheating
#30 / Rob Kirby / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 2 laps / piston

Championship standing – my notes
1.Chris Hodgetts, 17 points (10+7)
2.Mark Hales, 14 points (7+7)
3.Andy Rouse, 10 points (10+0)
3.Tim Harvey, 10 points (0+10)
5.Graham Goode, 8 points (2+6)
6.5. Jon Dooley, 8 points (4+4)
7.Dennis Leech, 6 points (6+0)
7.Alan Minshaw, 6 points (6+0)
9.David Carvell, 5 points (4+1)
9.Peter Hall, 5 points (3+2)
9.Colin Pearcy, 5 points (5+0)
9.Roger Saunders, 5 points? (0+5?)
13.Mike Newman, 4 points (0+4)
13.Graham Scarborough, 4 points (1+3)
13.Paul Longfield, 4 points (4+0)
13.Chuck Nicholson, 4 points (0+4)
17.Alex Moss, 3 points (0+3)

Jesper

[Jesper OH]

The stature of the British Saloon/Touring Car Championship as seen through Autosport. I have a full set of 1982 and 1987 and most copies from late 1988-2000. In '82 race reports were usually up front spanning 2-3 pages including separate qualifying and race results. By early 1987 this was reduced to reports and results squeezed into a pair of columns, sometimes just before the international second tier series. As the season progressed - as the actual racing proved to be quite good - the reports grew back to the sort of 1982 standard and stature, but is this rightly assumed?

A few thoughts about Brian Chatfield, too. He did have quite a few cars at his disposion, some with a historic record, but that also meant that they were obsolete when he raced them in the BTCC - did he have a money tree or a rich uncle? I remember him from the late 80s/early 90s when he seemed to have specialised in ancient group 2 or 5 BMWs, running in various modified saloon/Thunder Saloon series.
The story of his 1985 GAA engine block in his Capri makes me wonder why he would pull such a stunt, but then again, I don't know the person or his personality - or if that explains his moves.

Jesper

[KA]

Originally Posted by Jesper OH

Round 2 – Good Friday April 17 1987, Oulton Park

This and the following race clashed with round 2 of the WTCC at Jarama held over the same weekend, depriving the Brits of Andy Rouse. Chris Hodgetts managed to squeeze in all three races though. Dennis Leech was at home nursing a hand that somehow got involved with a lawnmover (!), while Toyota drivers Tony Crudgington and Geoff Kimber-Smith hadn't sorted out their engine troubles from the opening round only five days earlier and was on the missing list as well. This would make the three CHMS Corollas the sole class D entries, with Hodgetts joined by Chuck Nicholson and Alex Moss for this race. Colin Pearcy was also missing from action, reason unknown.

According to my version of the result (from acombination of this Autosport report, and the Motoring News report, Alan Minshaw also appeared here in free practice at least, and possibly in official qualifying in one of the CHMS Corollas- I think the Nicholson car. He may well have qualified (I have a time of 1m57.41 recorded) but clearly didn't race. I wonder, was this an insurance policy for the team to have 3 drivers present and qualified in case Chris couldn't get back from Jarama in time, or was there some question over who would race the Nicholson car

[KA]

Originally Posted by Jesper OH

Round 1 – April 12 1987, Silverstone

Support race to the FIA International F3000 championship opening round and was the first meeting where the new left-right chikane before Woodcote was used, presumably replacing the Woodcote chikane. British F3, Formula Ford and Renault 5 Elf Turbo UK Cup also on the bill.

Roger Saunders won the supporting Renault 5 cup-race only to be disqualified ”for having a modified wastegate valve seat and a machined carburettor” in his Bedford Tyres/Unique entered car, according to Autosport. Was this Saunders own team?

Grid:
1.Andy Rouse, 1:39.87 – class A pole
2.Dennis Leech, 1:42.84
3.Tim Harvey, 1:42.93
4.Peter Hall, 1:43.68
5.Graham Scarborough, 1:44.72
6.Graham Goode, 1:45.62
7.David Carvell, 1:46.32
8.Mark Hales, 1:48.22 – class B pole
9.Chris Hodgetts, 1:49.74 – class D pole
10.Colin Pearcy, 1:51.87 – class C pole
11.Jon Dooley, 1:52.30
12.Alan Minshaw, 1:53.69
13.Geoff Kimber-Smith, 1:53.92
14.Tony Crudgington, unknown – DNS
15.Paul Longfield, 1:57.25
16.unknown Renault 5, unknown time – DNS
17.unknown Mitsubishi, unknown time – DNS
18.Kevin Eaton, 2:35.53

An educated guess would suggest that 18 cars were present for the first round of the 1987 British group A series, 15 of those started the race. From the race report a standing start from a 2-2-2-etc. grid format seems likely.

Result:
1./ #1 / Andy Rouse / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 25m58.83s / FL
2./ #4 / Dennis Leech / Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26m00.43s
3./ #? / David Carvell / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26m20.88s
4./ #2 / Peter Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 26m27.29s
5./ #6 / Graham Goode / Goode / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 26m36.48s
6./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 27m05.59s
7./ #? / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 15 laps / 27m33.56s / FL
8./ #66 / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 15 laps / 27m34.28 / FL
9./ #31 / Jon Dooley / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 14 laps
10./ #? / Alan Minshaw / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps
11./ #55 / Colin Pearcy / Pearcy? / C / MG Metro Turbo / 14 laps / FL
12./ #? / Paul Longfield / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps
DNFs
#? / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT /12 laps / engine
#? / Kevin Eaton / Eaton? / B / Nissan Bluebird Turbo / 2 laps / unknown
#8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 1 lap / engine
DNS's
#? / Tony Crudgington / Crudgington / D / Toyota Corolla GT / electrics
#? / Graham Rose? / unknown / A / Mitsubishi Starion Turbo / water leak / prod. Saloon
#? / unknown / unknown / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / unknown / cup car
DNA
#30 / Rob Kirby / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / car not ready

From my notes, the mystery prodsaloon Starion might have been the car of Graham Rose- who I must admit to knowing absolutely nothing about.
I don't have any indication of who the Renault was- maybe Saunders?

Thanks for posting this- although I've got the race results for the whole season, some of them are missing times, qualifying times etc, and the original source material I used for my notes is stored 200 miles away...

[Jesper OH]

Round 3 – Easter Monday March 20 1987 Thruxton

Third race within 8 days.

17 cars turned up for the third round of the 1987 BTCC. This was reduced to 15 when series leader Chris Hodgetts crashed his Corolla during qualifying and Rob Kirby loost the engine in his Alfa 75. The Hodgetts accident would start a session of musical chairs within the CHMS team, with Paul Longfield handing over his car to the boss, only for Longfield himself replacing Alex Moss in the third team car.

Grid:
1.Dennis Leech, 1:25.59 – class A pole
2.Graham Scarborough, 1:26.21
3.David Carvell, 1:26.73
4.Tim Harvey, 1:27.00
5.Mike O'Brien, 1:27.12
6.Mike Newman, 1:27.24
7.Peter Hall, 1:28.33
8.Chris Hodgetts, 1:28.52 – class D pole
9.Graham Goode, 1:29.78
10.Mark Hales, 1:31.00 – class B pole
11.Geoff Kimber-Smith, 1:31.70
12.Jon Dooley, 1:33.05
13.David Grimshaw, 1:35.49 – class C pole
14.Paul Longfield, 1:38.62
15.Roger Saunders, 1:47.97
16.Rob Kirby, no time – piston

15 drivers and their teams headed off for 16 laps into the unknown regarding tyre wear on the new surface. From pole Dennis Leech lead away to a start to finish win with his nearest challengers gradually falling off. Graham Scarborough and Mike Newman was disputing second position from the first lap with Scarborough the winner thus giving him opportunity to haunt Leech for the lead. It ended at Allard on lap 5 at which point Newman was already on a down slide eventually finishing seventh with the remains of his tyres. This graduated Tim Harvey as nearest challenger for the lead, only to find himself in tyre trouble and pit bound for a new set of rear covers. The stop only made matters worse for the front tyres and at lap 10 Tim joined the list of retirees.
David Carvell made a bit for the lead midway through the race but found the two class C Renaults in his path which gave Graham Goode a chance to catch up. So he did and within a lap the Sierra was in second to the finish. A tyre troubled Mike O’Brien was a distant fourth while Chris Hodgetts, Class D contender and spare car et all, was fifth ahead of an anominous Peter Hall in the sole ICS Sierra.
While Hodgetts was harassing the big boys fellow Corolla contender Geoff Kimber-Smith spent the race challenging Mark Hales and his Turbo Escort for eight overall with Paul Longfield a distant 10th – Alex Moss never made the trip. Roger Saunders won the Renault class C by default as David Grimshaw was disqualified for a fire extinguisher infringement, while Jon Dooley finished as tail end Charly for the second race in a row. This time it was tyre related.

Results:
1./ #4 / Dennis Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:16.12 / class winner
2./ #6 / Graham Goode / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:20.67
3./ #? / David Carvell / RW Potter / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:25.86
4./ #7 / Mike O'Brien / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 16 laps / 23:40.46 - FL
5./ #? / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 23:48.45 / class D winner – FL (car intended for Paul Longfield)
6./ #2 / Peter Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 16 laps / 23:59.98
7./ #? / Mike Newman / Newman / A / BMW 635CSi / 16 laps / 24:03.91
8./ #? / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 16 laps / 24:19.44 / class B winner – FL
9./ #? / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 24:20.08
10./ #? / Paul Longfield / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 24:50.21 / (car intended for Alex Moss, who did not arrive)
11./ #45 / Roger Saunders / Saunders? / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 15 laps / class C winner – FL
12./ #31 / Jon Dooley / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 15 laps
DSQ
#? / David Grimshaw / unknown / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 15 laps / fire extinguisher infringement
DNFs
#8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 10 laps / handling
#3 / Graham Scarborough / Letchworth Roofing / A / Rover Vitesse / 4 laps / unknown
DNSs
#30 / Rob Kirby / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / piston
#66? / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / accident

Points – my notes
1.Chris Hodgetts, 24 points (10+7+7)
2.Mark Hales, 19 points (7+7+5)
3.Dennis Leech, 15 points (6+0+9)
4.Graham Goode, 14 points (2+6+6)
5.Jon Dooley, 11 points (4+4+3)
6.Andy Rouse, 10 points (10+0+0)
6.Tim Harvey, 10 points (0+10+0)
8.David Carvell, 9 points (4+1+4)
9.Paul Longfield, 7 points (4+0+3)
9.Peter Hall, 7 points (3+2+2)
11.Alan Minshaw, 6 points (6+0+0)
12.Colin Pearcy, 5 points (5+0+0)
12.Roger Saunders, 5 points (0+0+5)
12.Mike Newman, 5 points (0+4+1)
15.Chuck Nicholson, 4 points (0+4+0)
15.Geoff Kimber-Smith, 4 points (0+0+4)
15.Mike O'Brien, 4 points (0+0+4)
15.Graham Scarborough, 4 points (1+3+0)
19.Alex Moss, 3 points (0+3+0)

Jesper

[KA]

Originally Posted by Jesper OH

Round 3 – Easter Monday March 20 1987 Thruxton

Results:
1./ #4 / Dennis Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:16.12 / class winner
2./ #6 / Graham Goode / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:20.67
3./ #5 / David Carvell / RW Potter / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:25.86
4./ #7 / Mike O'Brien / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 16 laps / 23:40.46 - FL
5./ #66? / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 23:48.45 / class D winner – FL (car intended for Paul Longfield)
6./ #2 / Peter Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 16 laps / 23:59.98
7./ #10 / Mike Newman / Newman / A / BMW 635CSi / 16 laps / 24:03.91
8./ #38 / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 16 laps / 24:19.44 / class B winner – FL
9./ #71? / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 24:20.08
10./ #? / Paul Longfield / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 24:50.21 / (car intended for Alex Moss, who did not arrive)
11./ #45 / Roger Saunders / Saunders? / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 15 laps / class C winner – FL
12./ #31 / Jon Dooley / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 15 laps
DSQ
#? / David Grimshaw / unknown / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 15 laps / fire extinguisher infringement
DNFs
#8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 10 laps / handling
#3 / Graham Scarborough / Letchworth Roofing / A / Rover Vitesse / 4 laps / unknown
DNSs
#30 / Rob Kirby / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / piston
#66? / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / accident

Added missing race numbers in bold. No idea which numbers ended up on the CHMS Corollas, I'm assuming Hodgetts ran with his regular #66

[Jesper OH]

Round 4 – Monday May 25 1987, Thruxton

After a five week break the British touring car fraternity was at it again, and as at the previous round Thruxton was the scene. Andy Rouse was back in the second ICS Ford Sierra RS Cosworth in a much respected shared third within the class A championship with Tim Harvey. New on the scene was Bill Griffin in an ex-Jean-Louis Schlesser Rover Vitesse that had previously seen action in the 1985 French series, and thus the Griffin entry was still sporting the distinct white and Day-Glo red Marlboro paint job. This made it a season record of 10 cars in the top division. Class B was still about Mark Hales and his Terry Drury Escort RS Turbo and the two Alfa Romeo 75 Turbos. This time Jon Dooley would be the spectator with a broken engine. Roger Saunders would be the lonely Class C contender in his Renault now upgraded to full group A specification, while Chris Hodgetts would concentrate on just one Corolla, but joined by fellow Toyota contenders Geoff Kimber-Smith and Tony Crudgington. After a 18 month lay off Phil Dowsett would make it the crucial maximum point scoring forth class C contender with the Julian May run Ford Escort RS1600i.

Grid:
1./ #1 / Andy Rouse / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 1:22.58 / class A pole
2./ #8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 1:24.55
3./ #4 / Dennis Leech / Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 1:25.13
4./ #5 / David Carvell / Richard Potter / A / Rover Vitesse / 1:25.74
5./ #6 / Graham Goode / Goode / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 1:26.12
6./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 1:26.15
7./ #10 / Mike Newman / Newman / A / BMW 635CSi / 1:26.47
8./ #2 / Pete Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 1:26.51
9./ #7 / Mike O'Brien / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 1:26.98
10./ #66 / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 1:27.49 / class D pole
11./ #? / Bill Griffin / Griffin? / A / Rover Vitesse / 1:28.65
12./ #38 / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 1:29.30 / class B pole
13./ #71? / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 1:29.71
14./ #? / Tony Crudgington / Crudgington / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 1:30.53
15./ #31 / Jon Dooley / ARDT / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 1:30.89
16./ #30 / Rob Kirby / ARDT / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 1:31.40
17./ #? / Phil Dowsett / North Essex Racing / D / Ford Escort RS1600i / 1:32.26
18./ #45 / Roger Saunders / Saunders? / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 1:34.43 / class C pole

Come race day and it was the Tim Harvey Rover that took the lead from the pole sitting Ford Sierra of Andy Rouse. The front row twins would have a dog fight through out the whole race with Harvey leading the first two thirds. Rouse made a successive bid for the lead on lap 9 only to face the Vitesse tail lights four laps later. Harvey had obviously learned a thing about tyre choices from the previous round, but was still the looser to a late race Rouse attack. Andy put in a decisive last lap to leave Tim a healthy three seconds adrift in second. Rover men David Carvell and previous round winner Dennis Leech was at it for third. Suffering from some wrong noises from the rear axle, Leech finally lost the battle in a last lap clash with Carvell. While Leech was busy pointing his car in the right position, Carvell crossed the line in third. Fifth went to an unspectacular Mike O’Brien and his Australian Commodore beating a once again tyre troubled Mike Newman. Class A contenders Graham Scarborough and the misfiring Ford Sierra of Peter Hall made it to the line too but in a distant seventh and eleventh overall. After a pair of fine second place finishes, Graham Goode lost his turbo and retired midrace, while Bill Griffin lasted a few laps longer before his engine expired.
Among the rest Geoff Kimber-Smith did the best beating Chris Hodgetts. Hodgetts held the initial lead but was beaten by tyre wear and once again followed the taillights of the class B winning Mark Hales Escort to the flag. Rob Kirby would do what Alfa Romeo teammate Jon Dooley did in practice retiring with a broken turbo. Tony Crudgington finished third in class D beating Escort mounted Phil Dowsett in the process. Class C winner Roger Saunders managed a finish in between the two to add another unchallenged win.

Result:
1./ #1 / Andy Rouse / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 16 laps / 22:45.29 / FL
2./ #8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 22:48.53
3./ #5 / David Carvell / Richard Potter / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:08.17
4./ #4 / Dennis Leech / Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:21.59
5./ #7 / Mike O'Brien / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 16 laps / 23:40.70
6./ #10 / Mike Newman / Newman / A / BMW 635CSi / 16 laps / 23:43.00
7./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:53.47
8./ #71? / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 23:59.34
9./ #38 / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 16 laps / 24:04.25 / FL
10./ #2 / Pete Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 16 laps / 24:07.21
11./ #66 / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 24:08.23 / FL
12./ #? / Tony Crudgington / Crudgington / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 15 laps
13./ #45 / Roger Saunders / Saunders? / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 15 laps / FL
14./ #? / Phil Dowsett / Julian May / D / Ford Escort RS1600i / 15 laps
DNFs
#? / Bill Griffin / Griffin? / A / Rover Vitesse / 9 laps / engine
#? / Graham Goode / Goode / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 7 laps / turbo
#30 / Rob Kirby / ARDT / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 6 laps / turbo
DNS
#31 / Jon Dooley / ARDT / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / turbo

Championship standings:
1.Chris Hodgetts, 31 points (10+7+7+7)
2.Mark Hales, 24 points (7+7+5+5)
3.Andy Rouse, 20 points (10+0+0+10)
4.Dennis Leech, 18 points (6+0+9+3)
5.Tim Harvey, 16 points (0+10+0+6)
6.Graham Goode, 14 points (2+6+6+0)
7.David Carvell, 13 points (4+1+4+4)
7.Geoff Kimber-Smith, 13 points (0+0+4+9)
9.Jon Dooley, 11 points (4+4+3+0)
10.Pete Hall, 7 points (3+2+2+0)
10.Paul Longfield, 7 points (4+0+3+0)
12.Alan Minshaw, 6 points (6+0+0+0)
12.Mike Newman, 6 points (0+4+1+1)
12.Mike O'Brien, 6 points (0+0+4+2)
15.Colin Pearcy, 5 points (5+0+0+0)
15.Roger Saunders, 5 points (0+0+5+0)
17.Graham Scarborough, 4 points (1+3+0+0)
17.Chuck Nicholson, 4 points (0+4+0+0)
17.Tony Crudgington, 4 points (0+0+0+4)
20.Alex Moss, 3 points (0+3+0+0)
20.Phil Dowsett, 3 points (0+0+0+3)


Jesper

[R59]

5./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 28m00.74s

Seeing entries like this, Skid was running a Martin Thomas car IIRC.
There are a few "unknown" against Rover Vitesse entries, and they look like Martin Thomas jobbies too.

[Jesper OH]

First of all, thank you guys for the recent team ID on the Karl Jones and likely Graham Scarborough entries.

Description: Round 12 of 12 of the 1987 Dunlop tyres RAC British Touring Car Championship held over 15 laps at the 4.778 kilometer Silverstone Grand Prix circuit on Sunday 6 October 1987.

Yet another clash with a World champion counter, this time at Mount Panorama, Australia, and a bit of musical chairs saw an altered line up for the final round of the BTCC. Dennis Leech and Tim Harvey were in their usual Rovers with the ever more competitive David Carvell and Graham Scarborough along in their similar cars. With Graham Goode still sidelined and Andy Rouse down under, Peter Hall was sole RS500 runner although joined by Australian Rex Muldoon in his Group A RS Cosworth rally version. Mike O’Brien was also out to see some action with historic racer Chris Aylett joining the fray with the David Brodie Mitsubishi Starion, so far only seen at the GP support race in July.
Frank Sytner was absent in class B, the BMW M3 sold to Allan Minshaw who was missing from the entry list anyway. With Mark Hales secure of the class B title as well as second overall Graham Hathaway would take over the lead Terry Drury Escort joining Lionel Wiffen in the straightened second car. Karl Jones made it once more in the Asquith/Duckhams version while Jon Dooley would finish the line-up in his Alfa 75 Turbo. Colin Pearcy and Roger Saunders were only class C contenders. If not exactly in a direct points battle they were tied on five class victories before the Silverstone finale. With the championship in the bag for the second year Chris Hodgetts was down under, with usual class B runner Mark Hales replacing him in the lone CHMS Corolla with the previous round Corollas as selective opposition in the hands of Geoff Kimber-Smith and Tiff Needell present. Tony Crudgington would make a return to the series with his Corolla while the series' two Escort RS1600is would be driven by Phil Dowsett (May) and Mark Goddard (Gaunt).

Grid:
1.A – Pete Hall, 1:40.40
2.A – David Carvell, 1:41.43
3.A – Dennis Leech, 1:42.14
4.A – Tim Harvey, 1:42.17
5.A – Mike O'Brien, 1:43.28
6.A – Graham Scarborough, 1:43.47
7.A – Gary Aylett, 1:44.68
8.A – Rex Muldoon, 1:47.67
9.B – Karl Jones, 1:48.46
10.D – Tiff Needell, 1:48.98
11.D – Mark Hales, 1:49.31
12.B – Graham Hathaway, 1:49.56
13.B – Jon Dooley, 1:50.14
14.D – Geoff Kimber-Smith, 1:51.09
15.B – Lionel Wiffen, 1:51.70
16.D – Tony Crudgington, 1:52.03
17.D – Phil Dowsett, 1:52.04
18.D – Mark Goddard, 1:52.07
19.C – Colin Pearcy, 1:52.38
20.C – Roger Saunders, 1:52.55
21.B – Kevin Eaton, 1:53.19

Despite being a bit slow off the line Peter Hall rounded the first turn in second but soon powered past lightning starting Dennis Leech for the lead. David Carvell and Tim Harvey joined Leech in a three way Rover dash with attention focusing on the close points battle among Leech and Harvey. The action also allowed Mike O’Brien to join the fun but soon dropped back with an alternator problem. Out front Peter Hall could secure his first victory of the year in very commanding fashion. Behind Dennis Leech fought off the attention of David Carvell but midway through Leech opened up for Carvell to have a go at the chikane. It would only be at Copse that the white Rover was in front even bringing Harvey with him. But then the Istel car went slightly off at Club half a lap later. With David Carvell already off into the distance towards a well deserved second, Harvey was pressuring Leech for third when the pair arrived at the Woodcote chicane on the 11th lap. Harvey took the inside line from a momentarily brakeless Leech. A frantic pumping of the pedal brought back the stopping power to the black Rover but sending him off into the gravel and the first retirement of the year. Tim Harvey was thus third and class A winner in the championship stakes. Mike O’Brien and Graham Scarborough was next a long way ahead of Rex Muldoon. Chris Aylett had a driveshaft let go after 11 laps joining Leech on the retirement list.
Karl Jones took an immediate lead in class B only to see the tail lights of Kevin Eatons Bluebird within a short time. Unfortunately the Nissan engine cried enough on the forth tour ending his race. For Jones a misfire halted progression leaving the class win to Graham Hathaway in the lead Drury Escort. Jon Dooley took second despite an off song engine, but obviously matters were worse for Karl Jones who finally managed third from Lionel Wiffen. Colin Pearcy took yet another uncontested class C win in the Metro when the engine in the Roger Saunders Renault 5 expired on lap 10. Mark Hales assured the Chris Hodgetts outfit of an 11th win of the season when Tiff Needell was first caught out by a momentarily stranded Muldoon Sierra at the start and then finally a wiring problem by lap six. With Tony Crudgington left at the start with a broken gearbox and Geoff Kimber-Smith retiring with an engine failure on the very last lap, it was left for Escort drivers Mark Goddard and Phil Dowsett to take the final class D podium finishes.

Result:
1./ #2 / Pete Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth / 15 laps / 25m49.03s / FL
2./ #5 / David Carvell / Potter / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26m00.61s
3./ #8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26m04.71s
4./ #7 / Mike O'Brien / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 15 laps / 26m08.09s
5./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / Thomas / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26m14.09s
6./ #? / Rex Muldoon / Muldoon? / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 27m26.77s
7./ #38? / Graham Hathaway / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 15 laps / 27m35.70s / FL
8./ #31 / Jon Dooley / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 14 laps
9./ #66? / Mark Hales / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps / FL
10./ #22 / Karl Jones / Asquith / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 14 laps
11./ #39 / Lionel Wiffen / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 14 laps
12./ #55 / Colin Pearcy / Pearcy / C / MG Metro Turbo / 14 laps / FL
13./ #? / Mark Goddard / Gaunt / D / Ford Escort RS1600i / 14 laps
14./ #74 / Phil Dowsett / May / D / Ford Escort RS1600i / 14 laps
DNFs
#77 / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 13 laps / Engine
#9 / Chris Aylett / Brodie / A / Mitsubishi Starion Turbo / 11 laps / Driveshaft
#4 / Dennis Leech / Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 10 laps / Accident
#45 / Roger Saunders / Saunders / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 10 laps / Engine
#70 / Tiff Needell / TOM's GB / D / Toyota Corolla FX / 6 laps / Electrics
#32 / Kevin Eaton / Eaton / B / Nissan Bluebird Turbo / 3 laps / Engine
#62 / Tony Crudgington / Crudgington / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 0 laps / Gearbox

I will return with a stab at the point standings as well as thoughts about the drivers and the season as a whole, but for now I will wish you all a Happy New Year

Jesper

[KA]

I think the Muldoon Cosworth may have been entered by 'Auto Parts International', who seem to have been his regular rally sponsor- they're mentioned in this piece on the 1987 Swedish Rally from Australian newspaper 'The Age'.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?ni...g=4121,3770780

Thanks for confirming it was a rally car though-I know we'd speculated whether it was a rally machine or a prodsaloon, but couldn't remember if we'd ever resolved it. I wonder if it was his regular car, or hired for the one event- most of the references I can find so far to him rallying a Sierra mention a Group N XR4x4, rather than a Group A Cosworth...

I'll have a look back through the other recent posts and see what else I can add- I'll try to dig out the article on the Karl Jones Duckhams Escort to see if that adds anything

Happy New Year

[KA]

Originally Posted by Jesper OH

Mike O’Brien was also out to see some action with historic racer Chris Aylett joining the fray with the David Brodie Mitsubishi Starion, so far only seen at the GP support race in July.
Jesper

Chris Aylett usually ran a Chevron in the HSCC Historic GT series.

From what I've read recently on the Autosport Nostalgia forum, the HSCC series was on the programme for Silverstone, but their race was cancelled after the death of John Foulston while testing at Silverstone a week or so before (He both competed in and sponsored the HSCC series)
Apparently, as Aylett's sponsors were due to have a lot of guests at Silverstone, with his own race dropped, he hired the Starion from Brodie to do the BTCC race instead.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by R59

5./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 28m00.74s

Seeing entries like this, Skid was running a Martin Thomas car IIRC.
There are a few "unknown" against Rover Vitesse entries, and they look like Martin Thomas jobbies too.

Yes that's right R59, as researched to great length in the Rover thread, Skid's car was a Martin Thomas machine, originally built in 1983 for Gordon Spice and then run for several years by Neil McGrath.

Dennis Leech's original car was also Thomas run, but we're not sure if his ex TWR chassis was in play by 1987, highly likely it was as his performances were much stonger against people like Rouse, suggesting he had newer equipment at his disposal.

[KA]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Yes that's right R59, as researched to great length in the Rover thread, Skid's car was a Martin Thomas machine, originally built in 1983 for Gordon Spice and then run for several years by Neil McGrath.

IIRC, Skid's car was always entered under the name of his longtime sponsor Letchworth Roofing

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by KA

IIRC, Skid's car was always entered under the name of his longtime sponsor Letchworth Roofing

Yes that sounds right, although Martin prep'd many Rovers in the 80's they weren't actually entered by him.

[Jesper OH]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Yes that sounds right, although Martin prep'd many Rovers in the 80's they weren't actually entered by him.

Could or did Graham Scarborough run his own team for the 1987 BTCC then?

Jesper

[R59]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Yes that sounds right, although Martin prep'd many Rovers in the 80's they weren't actually entered by him.

Knowing Martin, he would have been too tight to pay for an entrant's licence!!

[Tim Wilkinson]

The Autosport the week before the race says that Leech was planning to team up with Karl Jones.

[Jesper OH]

Originally Posted by Tim Wilkinson

The Autosport the week before the race says that Leech was planning to team up with Karl Jones.

Looked up that bit, which does seems as a likely candidate. Thank you, Tim and KA, for giving the question a bit of consideration.

The Autosport preview list Tim Harvey with Rod Birley, but David Leslie ended up sharing with Harvey.
..and guess what, the Tom Walkinshaw Holden was rumoured to be entered too

Jesper

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by Jesper OH

Looked up that bit, which does seems as a likely candidate. Thank you, Tim and KA, for giving the question a bit of consideration.

The Autosport preview list Tim Harvey with Rod Birley, but David Leslie ended up sharing with Harvey.
..and guess what, the Tom Walkinshaw Holden was rumoured to be entered too

Jesper

Well done chaps! I'm sure you're right that Karl Jones shared the Rover with Dennis Leech.
David Leslie also did share the Rover with Tim Harvey. IIRC the connection would be that they shared a C2 Spice (also sponsored by Istel, and run by John Maguire Racing) in the British Sports Car Championship that year too.

[Jesper OH]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Well done chaps! I'm sure you're right that Karl Jones shared the Rover with Dennis Leech.
David Leslie also did share the Rover with Tim Harvey. IIRC the connection would be that they shared a C2 Spice (also sponsored by Istel, and run by John Maguire Racing) in the British Sports Car Championship that year too.

The Harvey-Leslie-Istel-Spice might have been 1989, as I remember Harvey raced this car at the Silverstone German Super Cup round that year. Didn't know that Maguire was involved in that project, but it's wonderfull to learn about such details!

Jesper

[KA]

Originally Posted by Jesper OH

The Harvey-Leslie-Istel-Spice might have been 1989, as I remember Harvey raced this car at the Silverstone German Super Cup round that year. Didn't know that Maguire was involved in that project, but it's wonderfull to learn about such details!

Jesper

Yes, the Spice was 1989. Tim appeared in a couple of Istel-backed sportscars in the British C2 series.

He started with a Tiga in 1988, powered by a 3-litre Rover V64V (ie the 6R4 engine), sharing with Chris Hodgetts. 'Team Istel' also appeared in at least a couple of World Championship races (Silverstone and Le Mans) though this was in a different Tiga, the Porsche-powered Charles Ivey Racing example- they did use the Tiga-Rover as a T-Car at Silverstone IIRC

He upgraded to a new Spice-Cosworth for 1989, and dominated the championship, winning all 7 rounds, sharing the car with Duncan Bain and Labatt's RS500 teammate Laurence Bristow- As you said, they also did the Supercup race at Silverstone, though I don't think they took in any of the World Championship rounds, Harvey drove a works C1 Spice in a couple of late-season races

[Jesper OH]

Originally Posted by KA

Going back to the question of Tim Harvey's sponsors, note the presence of 'Sumo Giants' as a sponsor rather than 'Istel' at this early-season race.

I won't swear to this, but I've got a very vague memory that the story behind it was that Sumo Giants might have been a band- one of Tim's mates or someone connected to the TDR team being either a member of the band or their manager, and got their name on the car for a bit of publicity...
Anyone know any more- think there was a pic of the car in Autosport with a caption telling the story?

This should be Sumo Giants in the 1980s according to the info:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnzOadz-ocQ

Tried to look them up on the otherwise very usefull All Music Guide/AMG, but found nothing, so not a new Beatles, but at least Harvey and the band seems to have shared the hair-do!

I think Istel sponsored Tim Harvey during his 1986 Formula Ford days, which likely account for his Istel backing on the prod saloon Sierra in 1987 and makes perfect sence on the BTCC Vitesse.
The 1986 TT winning Vitesse of Jeff Allam and Denny Hulme actually carried Istel backing as well.

Jesper

[KA]

Originally Posted by Jesper OH

I think Istel sponsored Tim Harvey during his 1986 Formula Ford days, which likely account for his Istel backing on the prod saloon Sierra in 1987 and makes perfect sence on the BTCC Vitesse.
The 1986 TT winning Vitesse of Jeff Allam and Denny Hulme actually carried Istel backing as well.

Jesper

Yes, now you mention it, I'm sure I remember Istel backing Harvey's works Quest in FF1600 as well- I think they were 'the sponsorship required to return to single seaters'
mentioned in this profile
http://www.supertouring.co.uk/drivers/tim_harvey.html
as they also backed the Rover Prodsaloon drive. I'm trying to think who his team-mate was in the production Rover- I'm sure was definitely a 2-car team, though plans were messed up when Tim broke his ankles in an FF shunt. Possibly Bristow, but I'm sure a couple of other drivers appeared.

As you said, Istel sponsored the Allam/Hulme TWR Rover that won the '86 TT. Harvey's car appeared in the '87 race, and as I recall appeared as the front cover pic on the programme.

The '87 programme pic might be the one that appears on the Harvey profile linked above- its definitely familiar. The TWR/Istel paintjob from '86 was different to the 1987 Harvey version- the prodsaloons were similar to the TWR car