SPORT

Nogueira’s Capri RS3100 gets the jump on Scragg’s Broadspeed XJ12C and the winning TWR XJ-S of Pearson/Buncombe

IC SAWYER

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JAGUARS SHINE IN THE ALGARVE

Local drivers turned out in force for the second round of the JD Classics Challenge for Group 1 and Group 2 Touring Cars at the Algarve Historic Festival from 21-23 October. Antonio Nogueira set the pace in practice with his Capri RS3100, grabbing pole by 3 secs, but his luck ran out in the race, an early puncture handing his lead to the TWR XJ-S of Alex Buncombe/Gary Pearson. But Nogueira refused to give up. His delayed Ford stormed through the 19-car f i e l d and could have snatched the lead back had red flags not shortened the race by 10 mins. An infringement then caused him to be excluded from the results.

In the closing laps John Young, his BMW 3.0 CSL co-driven by Andrew Smith, also closed on the ‘Big Cat’, but 3 secs still separated them at the finish. Third went to the Ford Cologne Capri of Vince Woodman and Dan Cox.

The highest-placed local was the class-winning Alfasud Sprint of Alexandre Beirao/Carlo Abreu. Manuel Melo/Miguel Pereira showed determined spirit despite their Hillman Imp being the slowest car. After two engine swaps before the race, they finished ninth.

Marco Cajani’s fab Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3 Attwood’s sensational 206P led for a time

Roger Wills unveils Tyrrell P34 six-wheeler Furiani’s GTA battles Voyazides’ Cortina

All went right for Leo Voyazides/ Simon Hadfield at the impressive Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. They caught and passed Alex Furiani’s Alfa GTA to take the U2TC race; Voyazides produced a great drive in his AC Cobra, storming from the back to win the GT & Sports Car Cup; and they headed a trio of Lola T70s in the 1000km Pre-’72 Prototype race.

Ferraris were out of luck, with a major engine failure in the Leventis team’s 246S ending Bobby VerdonRoe’s chances in the MRL Stirling Moss Trophy, which was won by the Lister ‘Knobbly’ of Pearson/ Buncombe. The fabulous 206P of Richard Attwood/Gregor Fisken led the GTSCC race before retiring. Other new cars out were Richard Piper’s freshly restored 1966 Brahma B2 and Hermann von Wildenburg’s Alfa Romeo TZ2.

Five questions for...

ALEX BUNCOMBE

Modern sports car ace and historic Jaguar hotshoe

How good was the Algarve circuit? It is right up there with the best of them. I love all of its undulations.

How was your first drive in the TWR XJ-S? I didn’t get to drive it at Donington Park because an ECU failed – so the Algarve was my first go. I’d watched them as a lad, and it was a surprise to discover that it was such a heavy car to drive.

Is it hard work compared to modern GTs? With wide tyres and no power steering, you’d need to be strong for a long-distance race.

What’s your favourite Jaguar? The Lister ‘Knobbly.’ It isn’t the best-handling car, but its power delivery is fantastic.

Which other Jag would you love to race? A quick D-type at Le Mans.

22 Classic & Sports Car January 2012 Milicevic wins epic Cooper battle

ICK WA LKER

M

FJ Cooper troopers: Milicevic and Wilson

Dodd’s Ginetta G16 holds off Chevron B8s of Fleming and Hodges in the Guards Trophy

The season-long rivalry between the Coopers of Jon Milicevic and Sam Wilson climaxed with another gripping Formula Junior tussle at the HSCC Finals at Silverstone on 22 October. This time Milicevic had the edge, leading every lap, but Wilson pushed him all the way.

Ray Mallock took a break from Chevrolet WTCC duties to drive his father’s famous U2 Mk2 to take ninth and a class win: “I’m surprised by how well-balanced it is. It was a lovely moment to be racing a car that my dad built 50 years ago.”

James Dodd also had a great day in his father’s car. After a poor start in the Guards Trophy, he hustled his Ginetta to beat the Chevrons of Nick Fleming and Steve Hodges.

Michael Lyons’ F5000 Lola T400 was untouchable in the Derek Bell Trophy, but Lee Dwyer enjoyed a dramatic charge to second. After clutch problems with his March 742 in practice, his father Mark loaned him his 782. Starting from the back, the former Formula

Ray Mallock in his father’s famous U2 Mk2

Renault ace sliced through the pack to pip Neil Glover’s Lola T330.

Paul Anderson’s Gulf-coloured Porsche 928 took the chequered flag in the 70s Road Sports race ahead of the Morgan Plus 8 dice between Paul Conway and Richard Plant, but lost out when his car was found to be underweight.

Mark Jones’ rapid Lotus Cortina headed a 40-car tin-top train, but Roger Godfrey clinched the ByBox Historic Touring Car t i t le by finishing 18th in his Mini Cooper.

Baxter simply too good at Goodwood James Baxter capped another successful VSCC season with the fastest time – and another record – at the Goodwood Autumn Sprint on 22 October. Driving his Alvisengined Frazer Nash single-seater in his usual smooth style, he was the only entrant to break 100 secs, with a best of 97.59.

Baxter is the VSCC’s sprint king. He’s pretty handy at hillclimbs, too

His closest rival and fastest vintage racing car was Tony Lees’ GN Cognac special. In a close Morgan three-wheeler dice, Sue Darbyshire beat Gary Caroline by just 0.8 secs, while Edward Way led the Edwardians in his 10-litre Hall-Scott-powered Austin at 146.24 secs. Andrew Mitchell’s HRG was the fastest roadgoing sports car, at 114.12 secs.

The glorious autumn day attracted a wide variety of spectators’ machinery, ranging from a Boeing Stearman biplane to Anthony Hartley’s fabulous self-built 16-cylinder 1929 Maserati Tipo V4 recreation that he had recently tested at 140mph at Dunsfold Aerodrome.

Above: Darbyshire’s two-wheeling trike Right: Ben Collings in hot Bentley saloon

Sporting diary Races, rallies, trials and more

DECEMBER 2-5 Roger Albert Clark Rally Uses some of Britain’s best stages in Yorkshire, the Borders and Scotland www.rogeralbertclarkrally.org

10-13 Le Jog Trial Gruelling Land’s End-John O’Groats enduro for pre1984 vehicles. You can even hire a suitable car from Hero for the event 01656 740275; www.heroevents.eu

JANUARY 2012 6-7 Exeter Trial First of the famous trio of MCC events 01952 613511; www.themotorcyclingclub.org.uk

12-15 Autosport International Massive motor-sport show at the NEC, with live-action demos. Public days 14-15. Standard ticket: £30. Open 9am-6pm 08445 811420; www.autosportinternational.com

14 Historic Rally Car Register Open Day HMC, Gaydon 01926 641188; www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk

19-22 Winter Marathon Based in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy and the Brenta Dolomites. Entry is limited to 200 cars 0039 030 827095; www.wintermarathon.it

28-3/2 The Winter Trial Alpine Rally tribute with Trial and Club categories of 2250km (six day legs and two night loops) and 1800km (six day legs). Entries include Gijs van Lennep in his 1964 Porsche 356SC and Walter Röhrl’s ’67 911S 0031 578 561115; www.thewintertrial.eu

28-4/2 Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique Six starts: Barcelona, Glasgow, Oslo, Reims, Turin and Varsovie. Final leg starts from Casino Square, Monaco 00377 9315 2600; www.acm.mc

29 Blythswood Heritage Run Based in the Glasgow area www.caledonianmsc.com

FEBRUARY 24-26 Race Retro Covers all types of motor sport at Stoneleigh Park, Warks, but focuses on Porsche 956’s 30th anniversary 01775 768661; www.historicmotorsportshow.com

25 VSCC Pomeroy Trophy Legendary test to decide the best touring car, at Silverstone 01608 644777; www.vscc.co.uk For more events or to add your own, go to www.classicandsportscar.com/diary

January 2012 Classic & Sports Car 23