Graham Walden takes Challenge Championship
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Graham Walden (aka tasminracer) took the Championship this weekend at Oulton Park in Cheshire.

After a wet qualy, Graham was just behind Marc on the grid. This was crucial as Marc’s Griff was the only car that could challenge Graham for the Championship. After a nip and tuck season, Graham only had to finish third or better in class, even if Marc took the class win, so a steady race was all that was required.

Being racers though, Graham and Marc were soon at it, Graham overtaking marc and starting to pull away after a few laps. But pushing hard, he over cooked it being unsighted at cascades, and lost the slot. Back on the charge, they raced to the line with Marc just keeping his nose in front (0.2s!), but it wasn’t enough. Grahams fifth overall behind marc was enough to take the Group B Title AND the Overall Championship! Graham has had a lot of help from Jamie at Castle Race Engines who has built a stonker, which has proven very reliable over the summer. Critical as Mr Schumacher knows! Anyway, “Well Done” to both guys who have been neck and neck throughout the whole season.

Images Courtesy of Kev Dunnington

Andy Holden (aka AndyH) took the win at Oulton with an exciting drive. From 9th on the grid, he was up to second behind Tim Hoods Sagaris before the first lap was done!! What a lap that must have been from inside the car! Things were uneventful for Andy for a few laps as he left the pack…and Tim left him! The black “Sag” disappearing at a fast rate of knots with Andy on old tyres, but Tim had some bad luck with splitter trouble. I think it was “Snett” where he lost it previously and so it was again, and with no front grip he went off at the chicane and Andy went through and onto the chequered flag (with his eyes firmly peeled on the rear view mirror I’d guess!). A quick mention here for Steve Glynn who, with a strong second took the Group A Honours.

Onto Group C, which was the property of Howard Bryan. Competitive all season, Howard’s eigth place gave him the expected Group C Title (beating two Group B cars on the day!) so well done Howard, and good luck in Group A next year. Howard will be campaigning a Full Race Tuscan next year so we’ll keep an eye out for that. Another creditable performance from Mark Freeman saw him finish the race with another reliable run. More than several achieved that day. The tvrcarparts sponsored Tasmin has seen mark secure his Full Race Licence and seriously bitten by the bug, I suspect Mark will be back next year.

Images Courtesy of Kev Dunnington

Finally a quick mention for Fred Tonge and his bright red Sagaris. It’s great to see more of these cars appearing. Another Sagaris bodied Tuscan, Fred’s car looked fabulous, and with others on the way it looks like a strong season in 2007. So now it’s the winter months. After a short break, the cars will be being fettled and sorted for next year. Will a Sagaris take the crown? Will the reliability and consistency of the Tuscans win through again? Or is there something special lurking in the wings?
I have heard rumours!
Till next year!

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