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TONGHAM MOTOR CLUB ROUND 1

Brick Kiln Farm 13 April 2025

Tongham Motor club’s first date of the year at Brick Kiln Farm is always at the mercy of the weather, but this year it fell at the end of a fine dry spell in early April, which probably helped contribute to an excellent turnout, with full pits, spectator banks and car parks. Nearly every class had an encouraging number of new, or returning, racers to swell last year’s grids, quite a few drivers were moving up a class or two, and the result was an entertaining and very busy day’s racing with a total of 175 drivers signed on. The sunshine faded a bit as the racing started, and the gathering clouds brought a few light showers, but the track conditions remained excellent all day.

PRODUCTION A seems set for another year of full grids, with 22 cars lining up; all K11 Micras apart from one Nova, one Corsa and Alan Goddard, moving on to a Peugeot 106 after many years with the Citroen AX. First away was Rhys Gregory, stepping up from the Novice Juniors (although via a 1-litre Stock Car!), leading for four laps before Taylor Lamb came through to continue his winning ways from the end of last year. Jake Kurn, in one of a pair of immaculate new Micras, held on ahead of the main pack, comprising Alan Goddard, Zak Gorrie coming through well in a new Micra, former Angmering regular David Francis, Joe Morgan, Jamie Hales, trying out his son’s new car before his Novice Junior debut, and Cameron Wellgreen. Justin Johnson, in the second of his team’s colourful new Micras, and Adam Dade completed the top ten, ahead of Ashley Clark, Cherie Wells, Matt Gurr, switching back to Prod As after his run in Thunder Rods, Lee Boulden and Charlotte Light.

Second time out, on a much wetter track, Rhys Gregory set a good pace to lead all the way, and to avoid the many cars sliding into the fence. Lewis Jewer eventually held off Zak Gorrie for second, chased by Jake Kurn, Matt Gurr, Taylor Lamb, Cherie Wells, Justin Johnson, Joe Morgan and Alan Goddard.

In the final Rhys Gregory made doubly sure that this was the only meeting he’d ever do as a white grader, by once more leading all the way for a very convincing win, with Taylor Lamb pulling clear of the pack in second. Joe Morgan headed the third place battle with Zak Gorrie having another good result in fourth ahead of Alan Goddard, Cherie Wells and Matt Gurr. Jamie Dade was next, from David Francis, Lewis Jewer, Jake Kurn, Martin Gregory, Ashley Clark, Justin Johnson, Lee Boulden and Charlotte Light. Completing the field were newcomers Andrew Tier, Chris Bealing’s Nova and Casey Bealing’s Corsa.

PRODUCTION B also had a few newcomers in the 11-car field, including Fin Chance, making the step up from Juniors. The first heat was on a watered track, thanks to following a very dusty Specials race. Aaron Culley led away, but Laura Connors made good progress from the blue grade and took over before half distance. Laura’s pink Micra then finished comfortably ahead of brother Thomas’ K10 Micra, which was chased home by Aaron Culley and Mo Penfold. Fin Chance took a good fifth on his debut, ahead of Martyn Culley, and the Corsa of newcomer Jason McKinnon.

Shane Phillips’ Micra was lapped in the first heat after a recurrence of last year’s problems with brakes sticking on, but that was obviously cured as he chased Aaron Culley for the lead in head two, slipping by as Aaron ran wide and then holding on the rest of the way for a good win. Thomas Connors was third, chased by Fin Chance, Mo Penfold and Martyn Culley, with Laura this time dropping back to finish seventh.

After leading the first two heats, Aaron Culley made no mistake in the final and led all the way, although Shane Phillips was closing in and was right on his tail at the flag. Thomas Connors took another third from Fin Chance, Mo Penfold, Laura Connors and Martyn Culley, with Jason McKinnon again best of the newcomers. With regular front runner Rob Salter moving up, father Bob in turn moved up from Prod A and looked surprisingly off the pace, until you noticed he was sharing young Freddie’s Novice Junior car. Completing the field, finishing all three races in his first ever time on a race track, was Ray Balmain’s Corsa.

The 1450 HOT RODS had a very encouraging ten car entry, but unfortunately Jamie Hales’ new Micra refused to run and never made it to the track, although fellow Angmering stalwart Willow King had a good debut in a Nova. Matt Stilwell’s Civic led the first heat away, but Kodi Page’s R1-powered Cinquecento was soon past him and pulled out half a lap’s lead, despite a bit of smoke appearing at the finish. Last year’s Prod A Champion James Rich had a good first run in the immaculately turned out ex-Nathan Loader Rover-powered Fiesta to take second, while Willow King held off the third place battle until the closing stages, when Rob Salter’s 106 took the place from the Micras of Sam Harriss and Ben Stockley.

Second time out Kodi was smoking a bit more but still took another win, chased by James Rich, with Rob Salter’s move to the 1450s with his familiar Peugeot bringing him another third from Willow, Matt Stilwell, Sam Harriss and Ben Stockley.

In the final Kodi again passed Matt Stilwell for the lead, until Kodi’s trail of smoke was replaced by a few flames, bringing him to a halt and bringing out the red flags, just as James Rich was passing Matt for second. Taking the result from the last completed lap gave Matt’s Honda the win from James, with Rob Salter, Sam Harriss, Willow King and Ben Stockley close behind. 2024 champion Gordon Stockley dropped back a bit with his engine sounding sick all day, while Mickey Hopcroft’s Nova was an early retirement in all three races.

Nine SUPER SALOONS turned out, although Rian Sawkins’ Duratec-powered 206 never left its trailer after clutch problems. Tom Chance headed the grid in a Twin GSXR-powered Class 7 Mini, but horrible understeer combined with drive problems quickly dropped him back as Chris Carter’s latest weapon, a 1600 Hayabusa-powered Pickup, led all the way despite a misfiring engine. Michael Brooke, hopefully back for a full season with his FWD Mi16 Peugeot 205, took second with Laurence Connors in the 205 “Growler” holding off Chris Jewer’s Vauxhall-powered 106 for third. Chris Jewer had a lap in front before Chris Carter powered through again in heat two, Chris C then putting up his usual spectacular display on his way to the win, with Laurence holding off Michael for second and Chris Jewer taking fourth. The final provided another dominant performance by Chris Carter, although Michael Brooke this time held second from Graeme Taylor’s ex-National Hot Rod Corsa, back on the pace after electrical problems in both heats. Chris Jewer chased these two in, while Shaun Maynard took fifth in his Civic from Tom Chance, with Laurence Connors pulling off.

The biggest field of SPECIALS on a SEGTO track for quite a while saw 13 cars in the line-up, and some hectic action, starting with Jason Woodgate’s Berrisford Class 9 getting launched on two wheels in the first corner. Young Charlie Plant made a spectacular debut in the ex-Ash Lock Blackbird-powered Class 8 and led the first few laps, but through the dust storm Jason Woodgate emerged in front to win from Chris Carter, with David Baigent’s older Zetec-powered car going well for third in front of Ash Lock’s now very colourful Hayabusa Class 8 and Poppy Carter’s similar car, with Charlie Plant coming in sixth, ahead of the only two surviving cars with no NASA heritage, Mick Baigent’s Vauxhall and Graham Baker in the legendary Danny Stafford Crossflow.

The second race was in much more wet and slippery conditions, with Chris Carter coming through quickly to take the lead from Danny Croucher’s ex-Stuart Jewer Ford ST170-powered car. Chris led the way until the last lap, when he seemed to slow up, letting Jason Woodgate through for another win, with Poppy also beating Chris for second, while Mick Baigent held off son David and Graham Baker for fourth. Ash Lock’s day ended when he coasted to a halt on the last lap.

Despite a sick engine, Danny Croucher led a couple of laps in the final, before Jason Woodgate came through, fending off the close attentions of Chris Carter. Jason held on until, with the last lap board out, he ran wide in the Farm bend. Chris grabbed the lead but, among a bunch of backmarkers, he immediately got into a tangle on the pits bend, with Jason coming through for a hat-trick of wins. Emerging in second was ex-Hot Rod man Scott Morgan, in a Rawlinson-Vauxhall Class 9, chased by Mick Baigent, while another better known in Hot Rods, Guy Morgan was fourth in a Hayabusa Class 8, holding off David Baigent, the recovering Chris Carter and Graham Baker. Charlie Plant and Poppy Carter, also delayed in the last lap tangle, came next with Danny Croucher completing the finishers. Lacey Chance retired, while Stuart Jewer had no luck, being sidelined on the first lap of both heats.

As ever the new season saw a shake-up in the JUNIORS with several of last year’s leaders moving on and being replaced by newcomers or graduates from last year’s Novices class. With 14 cars out for the first race, Callum Bealing’s Corsa led away from the white grade and it took seven laps for him to be caught, when Jack Stacey took over and held off Tiger Kemp to the finish. Cortney Hales was close behind but had her bonnet flip up with a lap to go. Alexia Bowen took third, challenged by Tyler Cushing, James Rich and Josh Stilwell, with Callum Bealing ending up seventh ahead of Jay Hopcroft’s Nova, Jaymee-Lee Gorrie, Elliot Simmonds and Riley Boulden. Kara Duff started well but lost a couple of laps after getting out of shape on the pits bend.

Second time out the field was joined by the Novas of Jobi and Harley Boswell, getting promoted from the Novices group. Again Callum Bealing led most of the way, but when he came up to lap the two Boswells virtually the whole field got stacked up in a traffic jam and Cortney Hales took to the outside line to emerge in front, just before the red flag came out when James Rich was left sideways across the back straight, with Charlie Plant taking to the infield. Cortney took the win from Tyler Cushing. Callum held onto third from Tiger Kemp, Jack Stacey, Elliott Simmonds, Josh Stilwell, Kara Duff, Jaymee-Lee Gorrie and Alexia Bowen.

In the final the graded drivers were quicker to catch Callum, and Cortney Hales took up the lead, holding off Jack Stacey. In the last three laps Jack moved ahead and although Cortney nearly grabbed the lead back as they caught traffic on the last corner, Jack won from Cortney and Josh Stilwell. Defending champion James Rich made it through from the back to fourth from Tiger Kemp, Callum Bealing, Elliott Simmonds and Tyler Cushing, with Charlie Plant, Jaymee-Lee Gorrie and Kara Duff battling for the next places.

The NOVICE JUNIORS races were every bit as crowded as they were last year, making us wonder how long it will be before their numbers force their heats to be split. 21 of the 23 cars made it out for heat one and after a couple of false starts they made four laps before a third red flag put an end to the race with Joey Ginns and Jobi Boswell tangled on the bottom straight. No points are at stake for the novices and trophies are awarded at random for “most improved drivers” but Kaci-Daisy Rogers was awarded the race win ahead of Esme Powell, Harley Boswell and Freya Dixon.

The second race lasted seven laps before being red flagged when the 205 of Isle of Wight driver Kurtis Dunleavy, who was looking the quickest on the track, had its bonnet flip over the screen. Leading the way was the very tidy Saxo of Brooke Mitchell, with Kurtis running second when it was stopped, ahead of William Thomas’ Micra and the smart Corsa of Harvey Mawdsley. Tyler Hales made it out for his first run in this race and is clearly going to follow in the family tradition as he came from the back to fifth.

In the third run Brooke Mitchell drove another good race at the head of the field, leading until the last lap when Tyler Hales came through to take the flag. Close behind were George Muirhead’s Micra and Freya Dixon’s Nova, with the Corsa of Fin Lucas heading William Thomas, Kurtis Dunleavy, Esme Powell, Hayden Bullen, Alfie Symonds, Harvey Mawdsley, Riley Cushing, Freddie Salter, Joey Tiel and Kaci-Daisy Rogers. One casualty in this race was Eloise Stamp, while Ellie Lines didn’t start and Ella Rose Dade, Louisa Field in the lone Mini, Joey Ginns and Tia-Lou Stephens didn’t make it past the shortened first race. The three “most improved” trophies were awarded to Louisa Field, Esme Powell and Riley Cushing.

The THUNDER RODS brought out 19 cars. The first heat was led all the way by Trev Stamp’s Fiesta, with the Focus of Steve King and Jordan Dell’s Fiesta right behind at the finish. David Lock’s Astra was next up, with Jordan Emery-Barker’s pink Mondeo in front of Paul Gadman’s Fiesta, Lee Jones’ BMW and Dave Mack’s Fiesta Chris Snook’s BMW Mini held off Charlie Freeland’s MG ZR to complete the top ten.

The second race, in much more slippery conditions, was led away by Ruby Gadman’s Focus, but Trev Stamp was soon past and on his way to another win. David Lock came through for second ahead of points champion Gary Godsmark’s BMW and John Burt’s MG ZR. Paul Gadman, David Mack, Jacob Lock’s Astra, Jordan Emery-Barker, Charlie Freeland and Ruby Gadman completed the unlapped runners at the end.

Ruby Gadman led away again in the final, with Connor Wright’s Audi TT, after problems in the earlier races, being the first to move up to challenge. Soon though Paul Gadman took over and he came home to a clear win over Connor, with Jordan Emery-Barker having another good result with third in the big Mondeo. John Burt held off David Lock and Trev Stamp, who’d started from the back this time, for fourth. Then came Charlie Freeland, David Lock, Jordan Dell, Chris Snook, David Mack, Ruby Gadman and Luke Tompkins’ Puma. Shane King, who’d been concentrating on giving drifting displays all day in his BMW, with a succession of passengers on board, battled with Lee Jones. Elouise Powell’s Focus and Ellie-Mae Burgess’ Honda Accord completed the field, after Gary Godsmark pulled out early on.

The ALLCOMERS race that completed the non-contact programme saw 19 cars line up, headed by the Prod A of Taylor Lamb, who led the way until he lost a rear wheel, spinning him out on the Farm bend. Shane Phillips’ Prod B briefly led before getting delayed by backmarkers and letting Thomas Connors take over. Thomas seemed to have it in the bag, but slowed on the last lap and Shane completed his good day by taking a very close win over Chris Carter in his Special, doing his best not to trip over any of the traffic. Mo Penfold was just behind Thomas in fourth, with Sam Harriss, Shane King, Jordan Dell, Luke Tompkins, Laura Connors and Shaun Maynard all finishing together.

The ”Nudge and Spin” BANGERS were particularly well supported, with 25 cars appearing in the “large” class and 28 in the “small” group. Jamie Duff kicked things off in the Focus-dominated “large” group, leading all the way to be Tongham’s first winner of the season. Next time out Jamie started from the back but survived for third behind Owen Moore and Tom Dickson. Tom Dickson led the final all the way, taking the flag ahead of Owen Illman and Owen Moore. In the smaller (mainly Fiesta) group Bailey Ramsay was the first winner, heading Nelson Loveridge and Robert Radford. Aaron Message took the second race from Harris Street and Teddy Kemp, while Teddy took the final in a close finish over Chris Avery, with Jimmy Loveridge third. The day ended with a 6-lap allcomers’ dash and a shoret sharp Destruction Derby, won by Zac Cooper’s Fiesta.