The organisers along with Motorsport Vision had resurrected sprinting at Snetterton and the British Sprint Championship was making its first ever visit to the Norfolk circuit. With no other championships the entry of over 100 reflected the importance of the meeting to the speed event world. The huge paddock and smart pits were superb facilities however the friendliness of all the MSV employees was in marked contrast to the welcome received elsewhere.
After the two practice runs which saw the demise of Tony Eyles in the Force-Opel with what turned out to be a damaged crankshaft. The event got underway with a pre-lunch class run. Several competitors had problems notably Fred Currell who spun no less than three times and eventually stalled. Guy Gibson, who was making his championship return with a shared drive in Andrew Platt's Dallara, was making up time after his practice was disrupted with an electrical fault. As the first class runs ended and lunch began there were clouds gathering and as the second runs got underway the rain started. Not only did it rain, but hail and sleet were mixed in with it! So those first runs turned out to be vital as the conditions worsened. So to recap..... Roger Kilty blasted in a first run with his EuroBoss Reynard still some way off his fastest and finished over two seconds clear of Andrew Platt in the Dallara. Martin Dowling was closing in with third fastest whilst Tony Wiltshire was fourth. Matthew Oliver, in the family Ralt RT33, was a superb eighth fastest however he wasn't registered!
Steve Broughton was on fine form and took the 1600 Racing Car class. Tony Levitt was the fastest 1100 Racing Car competitor with his OMS and as 13th fastest would have been in with a shout of a run-off slot if he had registered. The Fabulous Formula Fords had a battle royal with Iain Houston keeping British Sprint Championship debutante Martin Pickles (aka Meanie) at bay. Graham Emmett was a fine third ahead of the battling pack!
In the combined Sports Libre and Kit Car Mod Prod class John Sampson was awesome in the Xtreme! Phil Price was another to make his first 2005 appearance in the Championship with his ex-Tony Bancroft/Richard Jones Porsche 911 Lightweight. However turbo problems and knackered tyres slowed the engine builder. Derek Hodder was in fine form and was the best of the rest. However full marks must go to Graham Miller who kept the small crowd entertained by his opposite locking antics in his Vauxhall engined Escort.
Michael Plant was another to entertain in his Escort and duly took the production Mod Prod class. Sarah Munns took the 1300 Mod Prod class unopposed in her PINK and GOLD Mini - that's the car! The Road Going Kit Cars suffered amalgamation and Ian Crocker burbled his way to victory in his SEight. The four GTD40 drivers enjoyed the day with Roy Wine, guesting in Ray Christopher's car, taking the win. In the Road Going Production car classes Brian Winstone was dominant with his Porsche GT3RS in the over two litres; Chris Fulke-Greville won the two litre class at a lordly canter and finally Tim Cole just edged out Tristen Knight in the battle of the Minis!
TOP TWELVE RUN-OFF
As the runners were gathering in the Pit Lane the clouds were getting darker on the horizon. John Payne was the first on track and his cautious approach would see him tumble down the order after qualifying fifth fastest. Dave Sims was next and the Devonian was giving it everything; from slowest qualifier he would move up to a fine ninth overall. Terry Holmes had been off the pace on the dry run however his third spot on the running order was to his advantage. His wet weather prowess shone threw the gathering murk and he set the fastest wet time of the day on his first run. Phil Lynch, another making his first appearance of 2005, was another to post a conservative time after his third class run spin. This would see the Ralt driver slip to eleventh by the end of the run-off. John Sampson was next and the Xtreme looked somewhat odd with its wide rear arches and narrow wet weather rims. However John was on a charge and opposite locked his way through the Esses to post his fastest wet time. As Simon Ashby came to the line the rain started to get heavier. He set off in his usual determined mood and was very impressive through the Esses but a tad cautious through the Bombhole. However he slotted into a temporary second place. Steve Broughton was next and he too was in no mood to hang around. The little Suzuki engine screamed down Revett Straight and entered the Esses at unabated speed. A touch of the opposites on exiting the Esses and Steve was en route to the Bombhole. There was a momentary twitch as he hit the water then he was off towards Coram and the finish. The clocks stopped at 73.54 and our sponsor was in the lead.The rain was now coming down heavier still and it was Kevin Lealan's turn to take to the very wet track. The FVL driver managed to avoid the deeper puddles and with caution imperative his time slotted him into fourth. This would eventually become sixth but even so a good performance under the circumstances. Into the top four qualifiers and first it was Tony Wiltshire. The Ralt now sporting a couple of Flymo stickers it would probably have been more appropriate if they had been for P&O! Wilt fired the orange beastie off the line and was going well. He flew down Revett but had to brake hard for the now awash Esses. Steady as she goes through the Bombhole and over the line to slip into third overall. Martin Dowling was next and the sky was even darker and the rain lashing down. The Reynard slewed off the line and set off on its voyage of discovery! Martin was extremely careful through the Esses, Bombhole and Coram and dropped down the order as a result. Penultimate runner Andrew Platt set off as usual with 100% commitment. Steady through the Esses, easing off through Bombhole then back on the power for Coram. He slotted into a fine second place. This left just Roger Kilty to complete the first Top 12 runs. Uncharacteristically he bogged the start, too much wheelspin! Then as he headed into Sear the unthinkable happened, he spun! The car came to a halt, Roger engaged first and set off again. Down Revett the car cut through the surface water and seemed on rails through the Esses. The short straight to the Bombhole was soon negotiated and then into Coram to the finish. The clocks stopped at 79.78secs and incredible time considering all that had happened. However it dropped the pre-event favourite down to seventh.
Then suddenly the rain got worse! Hailstones and sleet were once again mixed in and the track conditions were getting worse. Several drivers ventured out on their second runs but no-one improved so the die was cast! Steve Broughton had registered only his second Top Twelve Run-off victory; Andrew Platt took second and moved further ahead in the championship race; Tony Wiltshire lost ground whilst 2005 debutantes Kevin Lealan, Roger Kilty, Dave Sims and Phil Lynch all opened their accounts.
With just three weeks to go all minds are now focussed on Knockhill, I can hardly wait!
TOP TWELVE RESULTS:
1. Steve Broughton (1.3 OMS-Suzuki CF04) 73.54
2. Andrew Platt (2.0 Dallara-Opel/Jones F397) 74.46
3. Terry Holmes (2.0 Reynard-Ford YB SF84) 75.49
4. Tony Wiltshire (2.0 Ralt-Peugeot RT34) 76.16
5. Simon Ashby (2.0 Reynard-Millington 883) 79.38
6. Kevin Lealan (2.0 Formula Vauxhall Lotus) 79.43
7. Roger Kilty (3.0 Reynard- Cosworth/NME AC 93D) 79.78
8. Martin Dowling (3.5 Reynard-Judd/Connaught 88D) 80.06
9. David Sims (2.0 Ralt-Ford Duratec/SRD RT33/34) 81.07
10. John Sampson (5.0 Quantum-Rover Xtreme) 81.99
11. Phil Lynch (2.0 Ralt-Alfa Romeo/Connaught RT30) 82.33
12. John Payne (3.5 Reynard-Judd/Connaught 88D) 82.35