Lotus Festival Sunday as it happened

Witt prevents Geddie double

19/08/2012 - Lotus Festival - GT Cup Championship - Jordan Witt took an impressive GT Cup win in the final Lotus Festival race. The British GT ace defeated Jim Geddie's mighty McLaren with a smart move on Lap two.

The McLaren's brute power allowed Geddie Snr to pull away at the start, but Witt immediately reeled the black supercar in. Down Cooper Straight the Chevron GR8 pulled alongside and slipped down the inside at Surtees.

For the remaining racing minutes the field spread, with Witt pulling away from Geddie Snr. At the finish Witt led Geddie with Kevin Riley's Mosler rounding out the podium.

 GT Cup Championship Race Three Results:

1. Jordan Witt
2. Jim Geddie
3. Kevin Riley
4. Colin Broster
5. David Witt
6. Chris Randall

Barnett wins Champion of Brands classic

19/08?2012 -  Lotus Festival - Champion of Brands -Josh Barnett took the Champion of Brands win at the penultimate race of this years Lotus Festival. Barnett, after dominating qualifying, started from pole and made the most of his grid position by pulling away immediately.

Behind Oliver White, Jonathan Hoad and Stuart Gough constantly tussled. By lap two Barnett had a strong lead, but that vanished as lap three began. White caught Barnett, decreasing the lead to a mere tenth of a second.

As White pressed Barnett responded, increasing the gap to over a second by lap five after setting the fastest lap.

With Barnett pulling away White fell back, dropping into the hands of Gough in third who passed Hoad through Surtees. After more switching and attacking, Hoad was forced to retire after contact with Gough.

White held on to finish second, no where near the dominant Barnett who romped home to victory.  

Champion of Brands Race Results:

1. Josh Barnett
2. Oliver White
3. Stuart Gough
4. Gaius Ghinn
5. Tom Stoten
6. James Gowens

Winrow continues his PBMW domination

19/08/2012 - Lotus Festival - Marangoni Tyres Production BMW Championship -The Production BMW's thrilled yet again here at the Lotus Festival. From pole Ben Winrow entered Paddock Hill Bend with the lead, immediately powering away from the field. He was never touched, helped by the constant fighting of Mike Tovey and Stuart Waite.

As Tovey and Waite fought, they were side-by-side for the first whole lap, Winrow pulled away. Winrow's pace never wavered, setting the fastest lap (1.52.380) late in the race with a speed of 77.17 mph. 

Throughout the 31 car field constant battling ensued, with Crilly, Goodman, Howard and Parkes trying to chase down the leading three.

For Tovey a second place finish was vital. After spinning in the first race, the title favourite needed a strong result to ensure he remains in the title fight. However, no one could catch Winrow, the white BMW led every racing lap of the PBMW this weekend - true domination. 

Marangoni Tyres Production BMW CHampionship in association with Kwik Fit Results:

1. Ben Winrow
2. Mike Tovey
3. Stuart Waite
4. Liam Crilly
5. Harry Goodman
6. Miles Howard.

Clowes strolls to Mono win

19/08/2012 - Lotus Fsetival - St Cross Electronics Monoposto 1800/1600/MotoMono Race Two Pole starter Dan Clowes took an easy Moto Mono win in another highly competitive Brands Hatch Lotus Festival race. From the start Clowes came under no real threat, beating his opponents in impressive fashion and even lapping many competitors.

As Clowes powered into the distance Marc Fortune and Jason Timms constantly battled. Through each lap the pair tussled, frequently switching places around the sun soaked Kent track.

Eventually - after much crowd pleasing action - Jason Timms beat Forturne to second. Fortune didn't just lose second, he dramatically fell down the order - coming home 26th overall.

The Moto 1800 win fell to John Whitbourn, with Matt Jordan taking the 1600 class win amongst many heated midfield battles.

St Cross Electronics Monoposto 1800/1600/MotoMono Race Two Top 6 Results:

1. Dan Clowes
2. Jason Timms
3. Dax Ward
4. Geoff Fern
5. John Whitbourn
6. Ewen Sergison

Hall stars in Lotus Cup UK thriller

19/08/2012 - Lotus Festival - Lotus Cup UK - An eventful Lotus Cup UK race played out in the Brands Hatch afternoon sun. With two safety car periods and a red flag, Adrian Hall in his Maidstone Sportscars Lotus Exige grabbed the win.

With a field of 39 cars the race displayed frantic action, with each class providing their own battles and adding to the overall drama. Hall led the race from the start, constantly chased by Adam Wilcox and Mark Gooday.

Current Renault Clio Cup star Jack Goff was one to watch, taking over his Lotus Exige in 33rd position at the pit stop. Powering his black Exige young Goff jumped up the field, coming home an impressive seventh.

Ex-F1 star Martin Donnelly could not worry the race leaders due to mechanical problems, but aimed at preserving his Brands win record by winning the Evora class. Donnelly did manage to preserve his record, taking the class win with teammate Steve Williams.

At the 20 minute mark, everyone had pitted bar Ken Savage, who found himself leading the race. When Savage did eventually pit his Elise S1, Hall returned to the lead.

With Wilcox chasing hard, Hall kept calm to ensure his lead was never taken. Liz Halliday in her Lotus 2Eleven was a star of the race, jumping to fourth behind fellow 2Eleven racer Gooday with only 10 minutes left.

With only a few minutes left the race was brought to a premature end due to a red flag. It stopped last lap action, but did not spoil what was a fantastic hour long race. Adrian Hall won, followed by Adam Wilcox and Mark Gooday.

 Lotus Cup UK Results:

1. Adrian Hall
2. Adam Wilcox
3. Mark Gooday
4. Liz Halliday
5. Tom Chatterway
6. Nicholas Walker

Watts tops Mono podium

19/08/2012 - Lotus Festival - St Cross Electronics Monoposto Championship 2000 and Classic -  Robbie Watts ended his weekend on a high with victory in the St.Cross Electronics Mono 2000/Mono Classic championship. The Lola racer made the best start, leading into Paddock Hill Bend and was never passed to take the Mono 2000 win.

Russ Giles in his Vauxhall powered Dallara could only follow Watts across the line to claim second. Harrogate's Adrian Holey rounded out the podium, taking third overall and third in the Mono 2000 class.

Jim Blockley finished in the midfield, beating his Classic class rivals to the win. The Ralt of Jeremy Goodman could not stop Blockley, Goodman had to settle for second.

St Cross Electronics Monoposto Chasmpionship 2000 and Classic Top 6

1. Robbie Watts, 2000
2. Russ Giles, 2000
3. Adrian Holey, 2000
4. Malcolm Scott, 2000
5. Jim Blockley, Classic
6. Lee Cunningham, Classic 

Wolfe wins Elan encounter

19/08/2012 - Lotus Festival - Lotus Elan 50 Race - The CSCC Elan 50 Race is one of the highlights of this Lotus Festival. An amazing array of the iconic Sportscar lapped the GP circuit, with FIA and Classic classes making up the field.

Andy Wolfe was untouchable, taking the FIA Class win in dominant style. Wolfe's FIA win was a stroll, leading from lights-to-flag with no threat from his competitors. Nick Fleming won the Classic Class, followed home by Paul Tooms and Peter Shaw.

As well as the Podium Trophies, the class winners will also take home special Festival trophies provided by Clive Chapman and Club Lotus.

Andy Wolfe wins the 'Colin Chapman Trophy'. Nick Fleming wins the 'The Ron Hickman' Trophy. They deserve it for providing classic sports car action round a classic circuit.

CSCC Elan 50th Anniversary Race Results:

1. Andy Wolfe
2. Al Fleming
3. Paul Tooms
4. Peter Shaw
5. Vicky Brooks
6. Andrew Marler

Khani does it again

19/08/2012 - Lotus Festival - F3 Cup Race Two - A near perfect drive from Kourosh Khani gave him a double victory with a triumph in the second F3 Cup race held in hot conditions at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit.

Khani managed to secure a good getaway from the line and he headed the field on the opening lap. The Iranian came under pressure from Linton Stutely briefly before settling into a rhythm and extending his lead. In the end he completed a brilliant lights-to-flag drive finishing ahead of Gino Ussi and Louis Hamilton-Smith.

F3 Cup Brands Hatch Grand Prix Race Two Top 10

1. Kourosh Khani, Lanan Racing, Cup
2. Gino Ussi, Grays Motorsport, Cup
3. Louis Hamilton-Smith, Cup
4. Chris Dittmann, Chris Dittmann Racing, Trophy
5. Tristan Cliffe, Omicron Motorsport, Cup
6. Mark Harrison, Magic Motorsport, Cup
7. Chris Needham Cup
8. Mark Terry, Lanan Racing, Cup
9. James Abbott, Cup
10. Dave Karaskas, Masters

Boston Takes the spoils after Bentley dice

19/08/2012 - Lotus Festival - Lotus Elise Trophy - Rob Boston claimed a double win in the Lotus Elise Trophy after an enthralling battle with Andrew Bentley which saw the duo swap places several times.    

A poor start from Boston meant that he was swamped by Wills, Bentley and Stratton-Lake. Bentley slipstreamed Wills along the Cooper Straight to lead into the Grand Prix loop. Bentley motored off into the distance as Wills held off Savage, who had worked his way forward, with Boston struggling to pass Stratton-Lake.

Meanwhile David Hay and Adam Knight were in the gravel at Clearways, a state of affairs that led to the deployment of the safety car. With the race neutralised, Bentley's lead was wiped out and for now led Wills, Savage, Stratton-Lake, Boston, Scott, Denman, Stothert, Yates and Ayres.

A brief shower interrupted the hot August day just as the safety car came in and Boston took advantage of the conditions to pass Stratton-Lake and Savage as the former of the pair dropped back. With Boston now in second place, Bentley had lost his safety net and the race distilled into a battle between the two. Savage was also safe in third as Denman held off Wills and Scott.

Boston piled the pressure onto Bentley with a few laps remaining. Lining up a move around the Grand Prix section, he took the lead as they returned into the Indy section, only for Bentley to retake the place at Surtees. Boston launched another successful attack to lead as they started the final lap and with defensive driving at Surtees, looked to be in control. Sure enough, he crossed the line three tenths in front, with Savage 13 seconds back in third. Denman caught Savage at the end, with Morris and Yates climbing to fifth and sixth place, demoting Stothert, Wills, Ayres and Radestock.

Lotus Elise Trophy Top 6

1. Rob Boston
2. Andrew Bentley
3. Ken Savage
4. Craig Denman
5. Ed Morris
6. Mark Yates

Geddie shows his class

19/08/2012 - Lotus Festival - GT Cup Championship - Experienced GT racer Glynn Geddie took the GT Cup win with ease here at the Lotus Festival. Geddie, aboard the magnificent Mclaren MP4 12-C GT3, defeated the field of exotic supercars.

Jordan Witt led the race from the start, but failed to hold Geddie off, losing the lead before the first lap had even finished. Geddie powered passed the helpless Witt down the Cooper Straight, with Witt failing to get near the Scotsman after that.

Kevin Riley brought his Mosler MT900GT home in third, with a field of Porsches and another Chevron crossing the line behind. The GT Cup will be out again for the final race of the day at 18.00. 

GT Cup Championship Race Two  Top 6 Results:

1. Glynn Geddie
2. Jordan Witt
3. Kevin Riley
4. Chris Randall
5. Colin Broster
6. David Witt

Win for Winrow in PBMW

19/08/2012 - Marangoni Tyres Production BMW Championship in association with Kwik Fit - Ex Clio Cup Racer Ben Winrow won the first race of the day here at Day two of the Lotus Festival. Winrow lead home Liam Crilly and Stuart Waite, defeating a field of 31 cars.

There was drama at the start, 2011 Champion Mike Tovey spinning out on the first lap at Paddock Hill.

With Winrow setting a new fastest lap the Trofeo Abarth 500 Champion was untouchable throughout.

Out of the podium positions and Harry Goodman and Miles Howard constantly battled, Howard challenging Goodman into Paddock Bend on Lap 5 but failing to pass Goodman.

Local racer Matt Swaffer frequently applied pressure on Alan Wileman, but like Howard could not pass his rival.

Despite spinning out on Lap one Mike Tovey forged a way back through the field to finish 11th. He was a long way off Winrow, however, who won in dominant fashion with a 11 second gap over his rivals.

Results:

1. Winrow
2. Crilly
3. Waite
4. Goodman
5. Howard
6. Wileman

Rapid Watts reaps to Pole

19/08/2012 - Lotusd Festival - St Cross Electronics Monoposto Championship Qualifying -  The St.Cross Electronics Mono 2000/Mono Classic qualifying saw Robbie Watts claim pole in another short 15 minute session. The rapid Watts - on his return to the series - was untouchable throughout the session setting a 1.29.137 time.

After engine problems at the last two meetings, the beautiful Lola of Watts experienced no such problems today. Malcolm Scott will sit second on the grid, recovering from a poor result at the last round where a cam pulley failed. 

Dallara racer Richard Purcell finished in third, the TopMarx racing Team Principal failing to knock Watts from pole. Kevan McLurg is to start from fourth, with Tony Bishop, who constantly improved, only managing fifth in the highly competitive session.

Lee Cunningham landed the Classic pole, beating Christopher Anstruther to the top spot.

Results:

1. Robbie Watts
2. Malcolm Scott
3. Richard Purcell
4. Kevan Mclurg
5. Tony Bishop
6. Russ Giles

Pole man Dan in Moto Mono

19/08/2012 - Lotus Festival - St Cross Electronics Monoposto Qualifying - Dan Clowes rounded out today's qualifying by putting his Jedi Moto Mono machine on pole  for today's Moto Mono race. Red flags brought the session to a premature end, frustrating some drivers as they failed to finish their flying laps.

Jason Timms - who headed the session early on - came home second, losing out to Clowes round the GP loop. Dax Ward claimed third in another Jedi Mk6.

The 1800 class pole went to Paul Britten in his Van Diemen, with Nigel Davers - in another Van Diemen - taking pole in the 1600 class.

It is all set for an ultra competitive race at 16.30...

Results:

1. Dan Clowes
2. Jason Timms
3. Dax Ward
4. Marc Forturne
5. Chris Scott
6. Geoff Fern

Barnett tops the times in Champion of Brands

19/08/2012 - Lotus Festival - Champion of Brands Qualifying - Josh Barnett is to start from pole for the Champion of Brands race later today. The Van Diemen racer set the session best time early on, posting a 1.37. 133 around the GP loop. Oliver White closed on Barnett's time but could not beat the Devon based racer.

A short 15 minute session made for frantic qualifying action, Jonathan Hoad claiming third behind Barnett and White. In sunny conditions Stuart Gough took fourth, Hayes fifth and local Maidstone racer James Gowens rounding out the top six.

The Champion of Brands racers can now relax and enjoy the Lotus Festival. They will hit the track again at 5.30pm for their race. After an exciting race at the British F3/GT meeting, expect another super competitive race.

Champion of Brands Qualifying Top 6 Results:

1. Josh Barnett
2. Oliver White
3. Jonathan Hoad
4. Stuart Gough
5. Ryan Hayes
6. James Gowens

19/08/2012 - More than 300 cars will be doing battle around the Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit for this weekend's (August 18/19) MSVR run Lotus Festival which celebrates the famous British sportscar marque.

The famous Kent circuit will celebrate all things Lotus with racing from the Lotus Cup UK, Lotus Elise Trophy and a special race for Lotus Elans to honours its 50th birthday. Alongside the Lotus racing there will be parades for Lotus owners and demonstrations from iconic Formula One cars from the marques illustrious motorsport history. There will also be demonstrations from the latest range of Lotus Motorsport sportscars and some sideways action can be had on the Brands Hatch Rally stage. For people still recovering from Olympic fever, Chris Boardman's Lotus inspired gold medal winning pursuit bike from 1992 Barcelona Olympics is also on display.

While Lotus dominates the weekend there will be some fascinating racing produced by the super cars of the GT Cup, competitive single seaters of the F3 Cup, Project Eight Racing Saloons, Marangoni Tyres Production BMW Championship, St Cross Electronics Monoposto Championship and the Champion of Brands Formula Fords.

For more information on the Lotus Festival, please CLICK HERE.