Formula Saloons Thruxton

[garry]

The Formula Saloon Car Championship goes down to the wire at Thruxton on the 19th Oct. There is only 1 point seperating Andy Chester and Steve Hirst. In total there are 4 drivers in with a mathematical chance but it is really got to be between Andy and Steve.
Classes A 1st and 2nd and Class B 1st, 2nd and 3rd are all to be decided.
This and the fact that we have so far had 7 different winners shows the competetiveness of the Championship.
I wish all of them good luck for tommorow and hope that they all finish behind me.

[Peter Mallett]

Good luck Garry.

[garry]

Congratulations to Steve Hirst for winning the 2003 Formula Saloon Car championship.
Andy Chester looked favourite after qualifying 1st in Class meaning he went into the race with a 2 point lead. His position was made even more stronger by the fact that Ric Wood failed to qualify due to ECU problem forcing him to start from the back of the grid. Andy had only to finish 2nd in Class to be sure of the Championship.
However the luck was not with him when his engine expired forcing his first retirement of the year.
This meant that Steve Hirst's 4th in race and Class was enough for him to take the Championship just 2 points in front of Ric Wood who had a good charge through the field to win his Class. This left poor Andy Chester 3rd in Championship and 2nd in Class.
Again congrates to all the above for making it an exciting year and roll on next year.

[Craig]

Can't believe I couldn't make a single meeting this year - I hope your calendar is a little more convenient next year!!

[matt_tentenths]

Had a chat with Peter Challis, had a bit of a nasty one? Whereabouts was it and anyone know what happened?

[avro]

It was on the first left hander past the complex as you head out onto the fast parts, it appears that a part broke and pithed Peter off at about 120 mph, Peter is ok but the car is a bit of a mess.

[Chris Y]

I can imagine he was a bit pithed off

[garry]

I have made a mistake on the points, because Andy Chester did not make the start of the race Ric scored 3 points less than first thought. This meant that Ric and Andy finish level on points 96 apiece. However Ric still gets 1st in Class and 2nd overall due to more class wins.

[G.Walker]

Congratulations S Hirst, the Audi was cleary one of the best prepared and presented car on the grid, seems consistency was the key!
I read their could possibly be some rules changes for next season Formula Saloons. Can anyone expand?

[avro]

The Audi best presented ?, did you ever see a race this year ?

[garry]

Avro, thats a bit harsh, it was a well prepared car as the 100% finshing record shows, and they where at every meeting unlike some.
Gareth, we are now allowing 2 seater tintops into the series ( ie GT's )to do this we are splitting Class A into new Class A and Class D. Class A will be for the likes of the Calibre, Camero , Honda Prelude and any car that we think will do similar lap times. Class D will be for the slower old Class A cars like RS500's etc and any car that will suit lap times.
Also we are putting any pre 96 2 litre touring cars into Class C.
Types of GT's that at this time would not be considered are the Mosler, TVR 400R, Lister, Ferrari 550, Saleen etc.

[avro]

Fair point Garry but I think there were better presented cars in the series, but that was only my opinion !!!!!!!!

[G.Walker]

AVRO - i did thanks, Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

Garry, If it fills FS grids, then good luck, but can't see these cars leaving the GT championship. (only my opinion!)

Have the VSR 8s which remain been considered for FS championship, posibly incorperated in to class A ? Although they are semi spaceframe, they run saloon bodies (merc/jag).

[garry]

Gareth, do not want any cars to leave the GT's for us we are trying to capture the drivers that would like a 2 seater tin-top but did not have the budget to do GT's.
As for VSR's we will not allow anyspace frames and I do not believe that Dunlop do a tyre that will suit them.