Last weekend the SXS Racing Team headed to the ever-popular Cusses Gorse in Salisbury. There was a cloud hanging over the event as this was the last ever race at the venue due to its closure later in the month. That aside there was racing to be done and that’s exactly what we did.

Open Pro

Qualifying

In the Open Pro class, the main battle for the minor places remains, so this session was an important one. The powerhouse car of Paul Severn pinned himself to the top early, but the result changed lap after lap as the track bedded in. It was close, to say the least, but Championship leader Paul Severn took the top spot chased in hard by the returning Kevin Haran. Shaun Jenkinson got the best of the minor places taking third place ahead of rivals Adrian / Callum Loveridge in fourth. Tom Welbourn was disappointed in fifth after a blown shock brought his session to an early end. Work to do for several cars but a solid first session.

Race 1

This race was a battle from the flag drop. The one to watch was the battle at the front as Paul Severn worked to hold off Kevin Haran lap after lap. It wasn’t to be as late on in this race Kevin Haran took the lead and held on to the finish flap. Adrian / Callum Loveridge continued their solid season with third place, holding off the class newcomer Tom Welbourn in fourth place. Sean Jenkinson recovered from an early spin, crossing the line fifth and securing every possible point for the Championship.

Race 2

Race two started and the battle at the front resumed. Kevin Haran and Paul Severn swapped paint from the first corner and battled on to the end. Kevin Haran again took the top spot chased in by Championship leader Paul Severn in second. Shaun Jenkinson improved to third taking the advantage back from fourth Adrian / Callum Loveridge in the battle for Championship second step. Tom Welbourn was the last of the finishers in another cracking session. Two great races from the Open Pros, setting up a strong Championship finish. Well done everyone.

Overall Results

1^st – Kevin Haran #59

2^nd – Paul Severn #7

3^rd – Adrian / Callum Loveridge #17

Fastest Lap Bonus Point – Kevin Haran #59

Clerks Driver Of The Day – Kevin Haran

Veterans Class

Qualifying

This session saw more of the familiar names at the top as Simon Grantham pinned his name firmly to the top spot. Nick Barker chased hard in second, with the cars at some points touching as they battled hard on the track. Third place went to Nick Payne in a solid performance in a relatively new car. Simon Medleycott returned to racing in a strong fourth, beating Mike Proctor in fifth. Carl Day again returning from a layoff posted a decent time that was enough to secure sixth place ahead of Wayne Harris in seventh. Closing off the grid were Mark Scotney and Pete Haran.

Race 1

Again, this race was a battle from start to finish. Simon Grantham was solid and gave the Pros a real run for their money. Top spot for the #101 car. Nick Payne got the better of the battle for second pushing Nick Barker to third and another step closer to the Championship win. Mike Proctor pushed up the field to fourth followed through by the #44 car of Wayne Harris in fifth. Carl Day’s return to racing continued with a solid sixth ahead of friend Mark Scotney in seventh. Pete Haran and Simon Medleycott closed off the grid.

Race 2

Race two was a mash-up at the front and another classic session. Nick Payne took the race win after an impressive drive but the man on the move was Mark Scotney, ploughing through the field to second. Wayne Harris also climbed the field to a strong third ahead of Simon Grantham in fourth. Simon Medleycott took a consistent fifth beating the class leader Nick Barker, who took sixth. Carl Day crossed the line seventh with a smile as Mike Proctor and Kevin Haran closed off the grid. Another great day’s racing in the Vets with a solid mix of winners. Strong future for this class after a great first season. One more to go.

Overall Results  

1^st – Wayne Harris #44

2^nd – Simon Grantham #101

3^rd – Mark Scotney #50

Fastest Lap Bonus Point – Nick Payne

Clerks Driver of The Day – Nick Payne

1000 Rookies

 Qualifying

This class is a close one and every lap is super competitive. This qualifying session was no different as the battle started in lap one. Tom Butterfield was king of this session putting his RS1 firmly in pole position with Jack Barker battling hard for second. Ant Green secured the last of the top places taking third ahead of Harley McGuffog in fourth. Richy Scott had a tough session with a lucky fifth, in his only lap of the session. Brad Price crossed the line sixth ahead of German guest Henrik Willen, taking a solid seventh in his first UK session. Sam Lloyd and Fred Tarrant took eighth and ninth with Gero Placheta, our other European guest, securing tenth. Allan and Joe Curnick closed off the grid in a very competitive session.

Race One

This session was a battle of tactical driving and managing risks. Tom Butterfield pinned his name to the top spot after leading every lap. Ant Green chased him home taking second place ahead of a solid drive from Brad Price in third. Harley McGuffog placed a solid fourth as he continued to grow into the class. Richy Scott settled for fifth in a low-risk race strategy as his eyes remain firmly focused on the Championship. Allan / Joe Curnick pushed up to sixth with Sam Lloyd the last of the finishers. Another great session from the rookies so well done everyone.

Race Two   

Race two saw more of the same for the top spot. Tom Butterfield bolted to the front and never looked back – race two and the overall win secured. Jack Barker recovered from an upside-down race one by taking an outstanding drive which saw him heading up the grid from last to second all whilst securing the jester’s hat. Brad Price built on his best day in the Championship by taking third place in the race and also in the overall – his best result to date. Well done, Brad. Ant Green was next home in fourth beating Richy Scott in fifth, both cars securing valuable Championship points. Gero Placheta built on a challenging race one to take sixth place, a great result for a newcomer in this fiercely competitive class. Sam Lloyd crossed the line in seventh with Harley McGuffog and Allan / Joe Curnick closing off the grid. Another great day’s racing in the class which sets up a gripping finale.

Overall Results

1^st – Tom Butterfield #315

2^nd – Anthony Green #105

3^rd – Brad Price #169

Fastest Lap Bonus Point – Tom Butterfield

Clerks Driver of the day – Brad Price

1000 Pros

Qualifying

This has always been the class to watch. Kevin Haran the king of qualifying threw down the gauntlet taking pole chased home by William Buller in second place. Louis McGuffog pushed on to third, chased in by the youngster George Hales. Lewis Scotney made his return to racing with a solid fifth, beating Championship leader Tom Fletcher in sixth. Henry Proctor and Robert Lloyd closed off the grid in seventh and eighth place.

Race 1

The battle was on. The top five cars scrapped for the first corner to the last flag with William Buller coming out on top. Louis McGuffog gave another lesson in Joker Lane use and took second place ahead of pole sitter Kevin Haran in third. Henry Proctor progressed up the field to a more familiar fourth holding off George Hales in fifth. Lewis Scotney marked the next of the cars home with a sixth-place finish ahead of Championship leader, Tom Fletcher in seventh. Robert Lloyd closed off the grid in eighth place. Another solid race session for the 1000 Pros.

Race 2

Louis McGuffog again showed why he belongs in this class. Another solid drive saw the Norfolk man taking the top spot in another competitive session. Kevin Haran chased hard but had to settle for second place. Third place went to Henry Proctor, in a strong push through the field holding off William Buller in fourth. Tom Fletcher chipped way nudging up to fifth with Chris Place in sixth. Lewis Scotney and George Hales closed off the grid in another great racing session from the 1000 Pros. This really does set up fireworks at the final round.

Overall Results

1^st – Louis McGuffog #24

2^nd – William Buller #32

3^rd – Kevin Haran #53

Fastest Lap Bonus Point – William Buller

Clerks Driver of The Day – Louis McGuffog

A fantastic day’s racing across all of the classes seemed a fitting farewell to this amazing venue. One more round to go and lots still to fight for. Let’s Do This!!