TONGHAM MOTOR CLUB ROUND 8

13 July 2025

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This day at Tongham, although potentially one of the best meetings of the year, with the addition of the visiting V8 Stock Car Tour to the regular classes, proved to be a struggle for everyone, mainly because of the exceptional heat, coupled with less than ideal track conditions. Quite a few race stoppages contributed to the first heats taking over two and a half hours to run, with the second runs taking two hours. During the lunch break it was decided that there wasn’t enough water left to be able to keep the dust down to safe levels for the rest of the day, so apart from the V8s and the Bangers, the third heats were cancelled.

The V8 STOCK CARS had hoped for an eight or nine car turnout, but seven arrived for their first run at Tongham for a couple of years. This was reduced to six when local Portsmouth driver Dan Jennings pulled off on the rolling lap before the first heat. David Haynes led the race away from Paul Conde, while Brad Moss was making good progress in third until a spin dropped him to the back of the field. Sam Wainwright then took up the chase and took over the lead in the second half of the race. As Sam won, chased by Rob Scriven, Brad closed up on the battle between Pete Scott, Paul Conde and David Haynes, finally snatching third coming off the last corner, only for Pete to edge ahead again on the line, taking third from Brad, Paul and David. Paul Conde got the best start in the second heat, leading until after halfway, and then racing side by side with Brad Moss until Brad finally secured the win on the last lap, with Sam taking third from Pete Scott and David Haynes, while Rob Scriven’s car was off the pace in this one.

Pete Scott didn’t come out for the final, leaving five starters, but David Haynes then pulled off on the rolling lap. Paul Conde led the first couple of laps before Brad Moss took over, but after three laps in front Brad spun, and Paul just clipped him, bringing Paul to a halt. Sam Wainwright came though and led the rest of the way, chased by Rob Scriven in second, with Brad and Paul recovering for third and fourth.

PRODUCTION A started with nineteen cars. At the previous meeting Alfie Alderton had returned to SEGTO, several years after his days as one of the top Juniors, in the ex-Rhys Gregory Micra, and now his dad Ben was joining him, after a while racing Hot Rods with Spedeworth. Ben and Alfie led away, with Ben settling into the lead and James Mitchell chasing them both, but the red flags came out after a coming together between Oliver Hester and Jake Kurn, with several other cars collecting damage. The race was sent off before a full rerun, missing Oliver, Jake, Zak Gorrie and Cameron Wellgreen, who’d broken down before the original start. On a watered track Ben Alderton made the early running but when James Mitchell challenged on the inside they both slid wide and were swallowed up by the pack. Taylor Lamb emerged in the lead, challenged by Cherie Wells, but Cherie had to back off after the rutted pits bend sent her into Taylor. Coming back to try again on the outside didn’t work so Taylor won from Cherie, with Alan Goddard crossing the line just ahead of Willow King and David Francis. Alfie Alderton was sixth from Lee Boulden, Joe Morgan and Ben Alderton, with Jamie Dade and Justin Johnson completing the finishers as James Mitchell and Tom Logan both retired, Charlotte Light slid into the armco and Casey Bealing’s Corsa didn’t get away at the start.

The second race saw Ben and Alfie Alderton running in convoy at the front of the field, chased by James Mitchell, and these three were never challenged for the top three places. Willow King came fourth from Taylor Lamb, while Tom Logan headed Adam Dade, Alan Goddard and Lee Boulden. Joe Morgan finished in front of Cherie Wells, whose challenge was spoiled when she ran into a car that slowed in front of her in the first corner, and Justin Johnson, with David Francis lapped. Charlotte Light ended up in the inside barrier and Cameron Wellgreen again didn’t get away. On results from the two heats, Taylor Lamb got the overall win from Willow King and Alfie Alderton.

In PRODUCTION B there was one newcomer among the ten cars, Zak Palmer, who’d upgraded his immaculate Corsa after one Prod A outing, but he pulled off at the start of the first heat. Martyn Culley passed Lewis Jewer and led nearly all the way, but Thomas Connors was closing up and just beat Martyn to the line. Shane Phillips beat Mo Penfold and Fin Chance for third, with Laura Connors and Bob Salter next after Addison Sibley and Lewis Jewer retired. Lewis led away in the second heat, but slid towards the pit gate, but this time Zak Palmer did get away and looked extremely impressive in a lead that nobody looked likely to challenge. As Zak took the win, Thomas Connors was chased home in second by Mo Penfold, with Shane Phillips having spun out of second after his engine cut. Martyn Culley took fourth from Laura Connors, Lewis Jewer and Bob Salter. Fin Chance was slowed by a trailing exhaust, until it fell off altogether and added to everyone’s problems getting round the pits bend. Thomas won overall from Martyn and Mo.

Just five cars arrived for the 1450 HOT RODS with regular front runners James Rich and Sam Harriss missing, James having problems finding driveshafts for the Rover-powered Fiesta and Sam having blown an engine at the last meeting. Micky Hopcroft’s Nova led until Kodie Page got past, but Kodi’s engine was already misfiring and he pulled off, leaving Micky back in front until he was eventually passed by Rob Salter, Rob then winning, still chased by Micky. Neil Hudson’s Horizon was the only other finisher as Ben Stockley pulled off after heading for the armco on the Farm bend. Ben had a better run in the second heat though, holding off Kodi to win, with Rob third and Micky fourth after Heil Hudson slowed and dropped back from their battle. Rob won overall from Mickey and Neil.

The SUPER SALOONS perhaps suffered more than any class from the track conditions, with some inventive lines to by-pass the bumpy chalk area in the pits bend, while some cars were running off their normal pace in the interest of survival. Chris Carter had no problems though in his NASA-spec Pickup-Hayabusa, dominating both races as he drifted the car on a wide line. Laurence Connors in the 205 Growler took two seconds, chased by Graeme Taylor, while Tom Chance’s Twin GSXR Mini took two fourths. Shaun Maynard’s Civic was fifth each time with Rian Sawkins settling for two sixths in the conditions.

There were ten SPECIALS to begin with, but only half of them survived two heats, despite the second race being shortened to four laps. In the watered first heat, Stuart Jewer was left on the line and although Mick Baigent led away, Poppy Carter was soon in front and led all the way, with the chasing Jason Woodgate and David Baigent not able to catch her. Chris Carter spun and was collected by Ashley Lock, Chris then retiring with engine problems while Ash recovered to chase Josh Cole and Mick Baigent home. Chris Jewer, still awaiting engine parts for his Super Saloon, took out his dad’s older Class 8 car and made a good start before spinning and tangling with Danny Croucher; both rejoined to finish a lap down. With Chris Carter and Jason Woodgate missing, there was disappointment for Poppy as, after losing first gear, her gearbox then broke altogether on the line. Danny Croucher led from the start but Chris Jewer took over and was looking good until the reds came out, thanks to a broken rear corner leaving Josh Cole stranded. Chris then led away again, but knocked his cutout switch off in the first corner and had to chase after the others as first Mick Baigent, then David Baigent, then Ash Lock led. Then the reds came out again, leaving Ash the winner from David and Mick, with Chris not quite catching Danny. Overall David Baigent won from Ash Lock and Mick Baigent.

THUNDER RODS started with thirteen cars, although a late arrival was signed on as he lined up for the second heat. Jacob Lock led the first race but Ant Sawkins’ Civic emerged from the dust to take it up, finally losing out to Jordan Dell’s Fiesta which won, chased by Ant and John Burt’s MG. David Lock’s Astra was fourth from Trev Stamp’s Fiesta, Connor Wright’s Audi TT, Nick Sandom’s Focus, Jacob Lock’s Astra, Elouise Powell’s Focus Carl Sawkins’ Fiesta, and Ian Pullen’s Astra, with Luke Tomkins’ Fiesta retiring. Again in the second heat, Ant Sawkins took the lead from Jacob Lock, with Jordan Dell quickly moving up to second place, chased by John Burt. That went wrong when John saw a gap on the inside but was thrown out by the bumpy chalk, just tagging Jordan when Jordan’s car was also light over the bumps, which was enough to spin Jordan out. A controversial moment, but really a racing incident caused by the track conditions. Ant Sawkins came home the winner from Trev Stamp, David Lock, John Burt, Nick Sandom and Jacob Lock, with Carl Sawkins and Ian Pullen next ahead of Aaron Buckett’s Civic and Kieron Nye’s BMW, which had joined in for this heat. Elouise Powell pulled off and Connor Wright didn’t get away at the start. Ant Sawkins won overall with John Burt second and David Lock third.

The SEGTO JUNIORS had the biggest grid of the day, at 20 cars. The first heat was red flagged twice due to cars not getting away at the start, and then, after newly promoted novice Ellie Lines had led the first three laps, it was red flagged with the dust so thick the marshals couldn’t see passing cars, let alone as far as the next post. After watering, Ellie again led the opening laps before being passed by Harley Boswell and then by Charlie Plant, who held on to take the win from Harley, with James Rich coming from the back to third. Ellie came fourth after a good drive, ahead of Alexia Bowen, Tyler Cushing, Elliott Simmonds, Cortney Hales, Jack Stacey, Jake Liyanage, who’d started right at the back, Leo Wild, also from the back, and another new promotion from the novices, George Muirhead. Jay Hopcroft completed the finishers while Hayden Bullen, Riley Boulden, Tiger Kemp, Jobi Boswell, Tyler Hales, Callum Bealing and Kaci Rogers all retired or didn’t start.

The second heat was watered from the start. Everyone came out except Callum Bealing, but Ellie Lines unfortunately had to be pushed off the line. Harley Boswell led away and held on for six laps, with Hayden Bullen, yet another to be newly promoted from the novices, holding a good second place. James Rich was coming through very quickly again and he took up the lead in the last three laps, James winning from Riley Boulden, with Hayden Bullen doing well to hold off Jack Stacey for third. Harley Boswell came in fifth from Elliott Simmonds and Tiger Kemp, and then came Jobi Boswell, Alexia Bowen, Tyler Hales, Riley Cushing, Leo Wild, Jay Hopcroft, Jake Liyanage and George Muirhead. Cortney Hales, Charlie Plant and Kaci Rogers all retired. James Rich took the overall win from Harley Boswell and Charlie Plant.

The NOVICE JUNIORS had a slightly smaller grid of fifteen cars, including one newcomer, Morgan Hands, and a couple having their second meeting, Soren Chance and Lauren Evans. Brooke Mitchell led the first race all the way, just being caught at the end by William Thomas, with Harvey Mawdsley third ahead of Alfie Symonds, with a new front on the car after a heavy shunt at the previous meeting, Harry Williams, again going well in the Mini, and Esme Powell. Then came Riley Cushing, Lauren Evans, Leah Gregory in her new Micra, Freddie Salter, Kurtis Dunleavy, replacing his well-used 205 with a Micra, Morgan Hands and Soren Chance, while Tia Stephens retired and Fin Lucas didn’t start.

Brooke Mitchell also led the second race all the way, again being chased at the end by William Thomas, with Harvey Mawdsley third after running a good second most of the way. Esme Powell this time was fourth from Alfie Symonds, Riley Rogers, Leah Gregory, Lauren Evans, Harry Williams, Morgan Hands, Freddie Salter and Soren Chance, while Kurtis Dunleavy pulled off after whacking the inside armco. The selected trophy winners were William Thomas, Alfie Symonds and Soren Chance.

Although the final heats were all cancelled, the ALLCOMERS’ RACES were still run for anyone who wanted another go, but as only six came out for each race, it looked as though most drivers were happy to call it a day in the conditions. The Unmodified race went to Willow King, chased by Thomas Connors, Mo Penfold, Laura Connors and Dave Francis, with Shane Phillips appearing briefly to try his car. The Modified/Specials group went to Chris Carter, this time in his Super Saloon, with Ash Lock, after a spin, catching up to second from Micky Hopcroft, Shaun Maynard and Danny Croucher.

That just leaves the Nudge and Spin BANGERS, with a total of 21 cars in the large group (not all at once) and 15 in the small group. The first race for the bigger cars was very dusty and soon needed a restart with only ten cars left. Daniel Ferguson led all the way, chased by Jamie Duff and Rhys Miles. The second race was led all the way by Jamie Duff, surviving a couple of attempts by lapped cars to put him away, with Daniel Ferguson the only one not lapped. Eleven cars came out for the final, in which Rhys Miles, Brad Reid, Gary Reynolds and Teddy Kemp were the only finishers.

The small group saw Bailey Ramsay in a Ka winning the first race after an early scrap with Simon Dixon. The second race also saw Bailey out front but the win eventually went to Nelson Loveridge from Harvey Wareham and Bailey. The final, with nine cars on a watered track, was led by Simon Dixon and then by Nelson Loveridge, until he lost a wheel and brought the red flags out. Still running at the time were Lee Winter, Richard Davis, Jade Message and Harvey Wareham, although not necessarily in that order. The two Banger finals should have led into a DD, but that was cancelled through lack of runners.