Thanks to Martyn Cutler for this latest news from the Isle of Wight Car Club. In his own words. Ed
Island hotelier and keen amateur racing driver Steve Wells from Shanklin picked up his first piece of silverware last weekend, contesting the National Locost Championship at a very wet Brands Hatch.
The series run by the 750 Motor Club comprises 14 races over 7 weekends at various circuits throughout the UK, with cars similar in design to the Caterham 7. Many cars are home built and prepared on shoestring budgets, which along with very tight regulations give some of the closest racing in the UK.
Steve first participated in motorsport with the Isle of Wight Car Club contesting the Autotest Championship before moving across to circuit racing in 2010 with his home built kit car.
Challenging conditions
Last weekend saw extremely challenging conditions for the 42 competitors at a blustery Brands Hatch for rounds 3 and 4 of the Locost Series.
Qualifying 12th on the grid for Round 3, Steve fought off several challenges whilst moving through the pack to finish 9th overall.
Sunday saw even worse conditions trackside and starting from 11th on the grid made a solid start to place 6th at the end of the first lap. Despite oil being dropped by another competitor on the waterlogged circuit, Steve continued to progress through the field rising to 2nd place and chasing down the leader, Stuart Sellars from Lincolnshire.
The penultimate lap saw Steve sliding on oil through the daunting Paddock Hill Bend dropping to 4th on the exit to Druids Hairpin. On the final lap, Steve battled hard to take 3rd place just before the chequered flag, securing his first podium finish.
After the race, Steve thanked his team Brian Robbins from Newport and Daniel Westwood from East Cowes who together with Steve have developed the car over the past 3 seasons.
Coming up
Rounds 5 & 6 of the National Locost Championship are due to be held at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire on the weekend of 26th and 27th May.
Notably at the very same venue our very own car club membership secretary, Matthew Price AKA Basra also took the leap into competitive circuit racing in his self prepared Citroen Saxo. Matt has been preparing and testing his car over the last year or so and finally got onto the grid. Finishing his first two ever events is a very commendable effort in the tightly and fiercely battled Stock hatch championship.
Well done to both of our home grown racing drivers, it is so nice to see the natural progression from track days to IOW Car club auto tests to competitive circuit racing. Long may it continue and good luck with the rest of the season.
