Smarts head to Castle Combe for Moore action!

Wednesday, 27 July 2011 08:40

Round 2 of the 4two cup took place at a sunny Castle Combe circuit.

With the addition of two more members of the Moore family, Sarah and Nigel added to the grid this time, it was younger brother David that took pole position. His time of 1.30.877 was a mere 0.011 faster than Nigel. Sharing a car with Howard Kayman, who was to contest the first race, this meant Nigel’s time was irrelevant and so Tom Mills was to line up alongside David.

The first ever race winner, Sarah Franklin took third, edging out Sarah Moore, while James Palmer completed the top five.
1. David Moore
2. Tom Mills
3. Sarah Franklin
4. Sarah Moore
5. James Palmer
6. Howard Kayman
7. Andrew O’Dell
8. David Nash
9. Paul Abrahams
10. Paul Bates

Race one got underway on Saturday afternoon with David Moore and Tom Mills battling it out from the start with the former leading for most of the first lap. Tom got a run into last corner, Camp Corner to take over at the front, but it didn’t last long as David was back ahead on the start/finish straight.

The only female racers in the series, Sarah Franklin and Sarah Moore had a good dice, with Moore slipstreaming at Avon Rise as they then headed side by side into Quarry. The youngster stuck it up the inside on lap four to take 3rd.

Further down the field, Andrew O’Dell and James Palmer, fighting for 5th, provided more entertainment for the crowds, putting up a good fight throughout the race. James closed the gap every time going into the Esses, but Andrew, racing a Smart car for the first time kept the 4two cup founder behind him.

Up at the front, the duel was getting closer, but when Tom locked up at the Esses, it put an end to his challenge. David took his second race win in the series by 2.667 seconds. Tom and David’s sibling Sarah took the final steps of the podium.

David was pleased to take another race win: ‘At the start it was fairly close and then after the first couple of laps most of the pack dropped off and Tom stayed behind me. He made a mistake and then I had a pretty clear race.’

Despite his mistake, Tom was happy to get on the podium: ‘It was a fantastic race because the cars are very evenly matched. During the first five laps we were trading places which was really good fun. The cars are a joy to drive.’

A first smart race for Sarah and she was disappointed not to have made the top step: ‘I would have liked a first, but I’m not quite as good as my brother just yet. Nigel is in the second race so it might be more difficult, but he starts from the back of the grid so that should be interesting.’

1. David Moore
2. Tom Mills
3. Sarah Moore
4. Sarah Franklin
5. James Palmer
6. Andrew O’Dell
7. Howard Kayman
8. David Nash
9. Paul Bates
10. Paul Abraham

History was made in the second race after a highly entertaining race.

Pole-sitter David Moore made a good start with Tom Mills behind. But it was Nigel Moore from the back of the grid that had a lightening getaway and by Quarry was already up to 3rd.

By the end of the first lap he was up to 2nd and Tom had to do battle with another Moore, this time, Sarah.

On what was a ding dong battle throughout the race, the Moore brothers each took the lead several times, Nigel going up the inside at Quarry, but ultimately losing out at Camp Corner.

With them battling, the gap closed between Tom and Sarah to the leaders. The female racer braked late into Quarry and went up the inside of Tom. Despite being side by side heading to the Esses, Tom was unable to keep her at bay and a few laps later Tom retired due to a lack of fuel. This meant Sarah was free to join in the battle between her brothers.

At the finish line it was David that took his second win of the weekend with Nigel 0.285 seconds behind. Sarah took the final step to make history as the first family to take all the steps of a podium in a race.

David just managed to keep his brother behind him: ‘Nigel was behind me from the first lap and throughout the race. We both had a bit of trouble with the cars going into limp mode, so sometimes he was infront of me and I was chasing and vice versa. We made it entertaining and it was a close battle.’

Nigel had a good race despite missing out on the top step: ‘I started from the back but got a good start and then battled with my brother. The car went into limp mode which kept costing me, but I nailed him back under at Quarry. I’d love to do another race as it was such a good weekend and the first time our family has raced in the same class.’

Sarah admitted she didn’t start very well: ‘I had a rubbish start, Nigel came flying through and then I was battling with Tom for ages. He then made a mistake and I caught up with my brothers and battled with them for the last few laps. Everybody thinks the smart cars are going to tip over, but they don’t and they’re just great fun to race.’

1. David Moore
2. Nigel Moore
3. Sarah Moore
4. Sarah Franklin
5. James Palmer
6. Andrew O’Dell
7. David Nash
8. Paul Bates

The series now has a two week break before heading to Snetterton in Norfolk. With 3 wins out of 4, David Moore will be looking to maintain his winning run but Sarah Franklin will be looking to return to the podium after narrowly missing out this time. As is becoming usual with the Smarts it’s likely to be an unpredictable couple of races with close racing. As usual they’ll be supporting the MSA British endurance championship so it’s well worth heading to Norfolk if you have the chance. If not you’ll be able to read all about it here. By Olivia Gauch and Mark Waller

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