Only one Beetle was flying the Beetle Challenge flag at Cadwell Park, which is a shame as it was truly a lovely summer day at the Park.
The Tin Top class was amalgamated with the Tigers to make up numbers and everyone who made the epic journey all the way to Cadwell said it was well worth the trip. However the constant rollercoaster effect of this unique circuit meant that many of the drivers actually felt sick! So a warning to you all, take a travel sickness tablet before taking on this circuit. Because of the amalgamation of classes this meant there were 25 minutes qualifying and two 20 minute races. So you really did get value for money both as a driver or spectator.
As the only Beetle entry Dave Charlton in his ex rally 1600 beetle had to find other cars to do battle with and so Dominic Ryan in his Ford Fiesta 1596 and Jon Wild in his Rover Metro 1598 were his targets for the day!
Dave and his reliable little beetle should have been at home on this track having done many a rally together at Cadwell in a previous life, however his qualifying times were rather erratic. He managed a fastest lap of 1.54.682 against Dominic’s 1.55.337 and Jon’s 2.02.453. Unfortunately Jon’s metro had a major smoking problem and he had to pit quite early in the session. Dave’s experience on this circuit obviously paid dividends against Dom’s fiesta.
Suspension problems were the reason for the erratic qualifying times so with this resolved and Jon’s engine problem temporarily resolved all three cars were on the grid for race 1
Unfortunately for Jon his temporary fix became a terminal problem and his race ended on lap 5. Dom actually managed to pass Dave resulting in a question of “Is the beetle developing a problem” Their fastest laps now being Dom at 1.54.350 and Dave at 1.56.419. The beetle finished fine and so took a Beetle Challenge Class Win.
Race 2 proved to be most entertaining with the beetle almost touching the rear bumper of the fiesta the whole race. Despite the fact that the beetle only needed to finish again to take another win in the beetle challenge Dave was definitely not going for a safe completion. That beetle was raced!! He did not quite manage to get past Dom but it certainly was not through lack of trying it was just the opportunity which was lacking. Dom’s fastest lap 1.54.798 Dave’s 1.54.693.
A brilliant days racing.
Mallory next where there will definitely be lots of Beetles!
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