TinTops at Silverstone
March 31st, 2007

The early-season Tin Tops Historic Saloon Car race at Silverstone was a surprise hit.

The typical early season thin grid was further depleted by three unfortunate withdrawals; Michael Steele’s untimely chest infection, Roz Shaw’s test day wrist break and David Betts qualifying engine failure all conspired to weaken the spectacle.

Thus the race kicked off with the grid down to 13 cars and a quiet time expected by most.

Instead we were treated to a real classic example of why this is THE category of racing to watch.

Nick Whale quickly took Simon Hopes immaculate Sunoco liveried H&H Mustang to the front and established a comfortable lead followed by the newly purchased ‘Beverly Hills Burgundy’ coloured similar car of Graeme Dodd.

The purposeful Roger Cope BMW Tisa, duelling Minis of Norman Grimshaw and Graham Churchill, Simon Garrad’s new Lotus Cortina and Richard Shaw’s first time out, BMW were all in close attendance.

Tom Shephard and Pete Hallford kept a watching brief in yet another Laranca BMW Tii (surely the coming car in pre ‘66 saloon racing) and Westley Harding hustled the big black Fairlane around in fine style  (comfortably winning the award for the best matched driver & car-it would be a perfect match if Wes was black!).

The 1000cc duel between Mike Dowsett and the Hocking/Straw FIAT Abarth 850 came to an end when the FIAT could be spotted forlornly lying on its side.

As the race progressed early season gremlins arose and the Churchill/Baldwin Mini, Shaw/Oliver BMW and Garrad Lotus Cortina all succumbed to various mechanical problems.

That left the flag to flag winning Hope/Whale Mustang to take a comfortable, but not too comfortable, victory over the similar Dodd & Dodd  car  (Dodd Jnr. struggling with tyres that were past their best) and the screaming Cooper S of Norman Grimshaw in a fine third.

The last minute pairing of Tom Shephard and Pete Hallford in one of the chequered BMW’s earned a well deserved 4^th place and Westley Hardings’ winter work out on the Fairlane paid dividends as co-pilot Adcock bought the newly sorted car home for a Harding personal best fifth.

Mike Dowsett reinforced his ‘Mr Reliability’ title claim with a class win in the 1000cc category and the genteel grace of the Sunbeam Rapier of Arthur Smith-Fitchett once again beat a Lotus Cortina by winning class 16.

All in all a great early season shake-down that bodes well for the rest of the season, thanks for your support, we could always do with more! Oulton Park long circuit on May 19^th is next, let’s hope its just as much fun!

For further information ring Tony Collins on +44 (0)1564 823337 or email info@tintopracing.co.uk