Walter Hayes Report and Pictures Thread

Gavin Wills, Peter Daly and Matthew Rivett all progressed to the semi-finals of the Walter Hayes Trophy with victories in their heats. Wills had the most comfortable win, while Daly was challenged hard by Stephen Roberts and Rivett overcame a spin and contact with Joey Foster in the third.

John Hutchinson (Van Diemen RF90) got the best start to lead The White Horse, Silverstone Heat 1 grid away but Wills was ahead by Becketts on the first lap. Justin Dawkins (Van Diemen RF90) got bags of wheelspin at the start and lost out to the orange Lola T200 of 2001 Trophy winner Neil Fowler.

Wills (Van Diemen RF00) relentlessly pulled out an advantage, eventually beating Hutchinson by six seconds. The NW FF1600 champion suffered carburettor problems later in the race allowing Dawkins to start to reel him in. Earlier, Dawkins had taken three laps to finally see off Fowler's aggressive challenge, third position changing hands on a number of occasions.

Fifth place went to Neil Hunt who had a lonely race until Philip Austin threatened in the closing stages. Jon Lowes and Matt Green completed the eight qualifiers after a race-long battle with Nathan Freke.

The Turner Carriages Heat 2 provided the best lead scrap of the day with Daly and Roberts battling it out throughout. "I made it hard it work for myself," claimed the Star of the Midlands champion, who had led initially only for the the pair to swap places a number of times in the ensuing laps.

Daly (Reynard 89FF) managed to keep ahead for the final couple of laps but his winning margin over Roberts (Van Diemen RF92) was a slender 0.172s. Neville Smyth took third place, the Irish Vector MG94 driver having passed Richard Misters' Swift SC93 en route.

Steve Mellish emerged at the head of a frenetic battle for fifth with Gareth Hall, Paul Sleeman and David Leslie, who completed the qualifiers in his 1977 BARC FF1600 Championship-winning Royale RP24. Leslie had made his way up to fifth at one point after a poor start but lost three places on one lap as the race drew to an end.

There was controversy in the Cloverleaf Media Heat 3 with Foster and Matt Rivett clashing at Brooklands on the first lap. Foster (Reynard 92FF) had to concede the lead to Rivett's Ray 97 at the start but the pair ran down National Straight side-by-side. Rivett was on the inside trying to retain the lead spun round, clipping the Reynard and sending Foster into the gravel.

Rivett continued in third place, behind Steve St Clair's Swift SC94 and Chris Whittingham's Reynard 89FF, but a pulled a blinding move to pass both into Copse at the start of lap three. Rivett pulled away from the next two, who had Stephen Lane's Lola T200 for constant company.

Down the order, John Pearson claimed fifth and Julian Heap sixth while Foster recovered to snatch seventh from last qualifier Dave Morgan on the final lap.

"I got up the inside of Joey and he didn't leave me an awful lot of room. I spun, we touched and he spun," said Rivett afterwards. Predictably, Foster said he thought there was plenty of room.

With all the big-hitters straight through to the semi-finals Sunday promises to be a great day. Adding to the interest is Foster's position well down the order - the Formula Ford Festival winner has been the quickest driver all weekend and one of just a handful to make it into the 1m 03s bracket.

Full report on the Last Change Race, Semis and Final will appear here tomorrow.

Justin Dawkins showing why he was so keen for the minimum weight rule changes to go through. It's because he eats too many Mars Bars!

Peter Daly has good reason to look this smug - he has just qualified on pole position for his heat. He's talking to commentator Chris Hartley.

Chris Hartley again - where did he get that hat!? David Leslie is talking to him on his return to FF1600 racing.

Great work Ian!! You should get a job at Autosport!!!

See you tomz

After his clash with Matt Rivett, Joey Foster gives his point of view to Autosport's Dud Candler.

Justin's Mars Bar-munching pays off as he passes me in a blur at Luffield. Neil Fowler is behind.

Matt Rivett emerges from his garage to go out for qualifying.

Foster mentally prepares himself for the qualifying session ahead...

That's the last one for now. Apologies to anyone with a slow connection.

did you get any pics of my car???

Maybe tomorrow Chris :)

cool! See you then. Got to go as I am on my brother in laws PC!! Just wanted to check how things had gone

Great work Ian !
Thank you for your support of the BRDC Walter Hayes Trophy.

The date for the 2004 BRDC Walter Hayes Trophy has been confirmed as 6-7 November.

Again all information from: James.Beckett@brdc.co.uk

Here is to a great day of action tomorrow !

Are the results on the Internet anywhere? MST don't seem to be covering this event.

Silverstone Racing Club and Seagrave Photos Last Chance Race

Nathan Freke scored his maiden car racing win in the eight-lap sprint that was the last chance race. With all the drivers guaranteed a place in one of the semi-finals the battle for grid positions was all important.

Former gearbox karter Freke (Jamun M89) made a good start and managed to hold the lead all the way as tussles went on behind. The prime mover was John Goldsmith, who hustled his Elden Mk8 up the order from eighth on the grid. The Reading driver snatched second place from Neil Davies (Lotus 61) and Neil Marshall (Van Diemen RF78) with a dive inside both at Brooklands.

After an off in his heat on Saturday Derek Rodgers made it up to third in his Swift SC92, ahead of Tristram Chattin (Ray 98) and the recovering Jason Minshaw (Merlyn Mk20). Minshaw had started at the back after missing the heats but soon forged up to fourth only to have a moment and slip back to 13th on the second lap. Marshall completed the top six.

MSO.net Semi Final One

By common consent this was the trickier semi of the two with the heat results haveing conspired to leave the grid top-heavy with big names. The biggest of all was Joey Foster, who started back in 11th place after his tangle with Matt Rivett on Saturday.

It was Rivett (Ray 98) that made the best start from the outside of the front row but with Stephen Roberts (Van Diemen RF92) sneaking ahead of Gavin Wills (Van Diemen RF00) on the run to Copse it was the North West driver that took the early lead. Foster's progress was phenomenal, however, Joey springing up to sixth position by the end of the opening lap.

He was up to third by the end of lap three with a pass on Wills at Luffield with Rivett his next target. Both continued round the lap as Richard Misters spun his sixth-placed Swift SC93 into the gravel at Woodcote. Meanwhile, Joey took the outside line into Brooklands for the fourth time and swept past Rivett without contact: now only Roberts stood in his way.

Foster was with Roberts by Becketts on lap five and had little trouble in getting ahead as the rain started to fall. Foster gradually amassed an advantage that reached 3.7-seconds by the time the chequered flag greeted him. Roberts was equally solid in second with Wills taking third despite not being able to maintain his pace in the dampening conditions. He'd got ahead of Rivett when the Stratford-upon-Avon man made a mistake at Becketts, Justin Dawkins (Van Diemen RF90) also taking advantage. Rivett's race ended prematurely with a spectacular engine blow as he went past the pits at the end of lap nine.

Dawkins was fourth, well clear of David Leslie (Royale RP24). The former BTCC star had an epic fight for fifth position with Steve St Clair's Swift SC94. On the back of his form in the repechage Derek Rodgers made it to seventh, eventually putting daylight between himself and eighth position man John Pearson. Neil Hunt and Nathan Freke rounded off the top ten, with that man Jason Minshaw 11th.

Mervyn Garton Vehicle Movements Semi Final Two

The first semi may have looked the strongest, but this should have been the battle of the champions with Midlands hero Peter Daly lining up alongside North West counterpart John Hutchinson. Just one fly in the ointment - it was getting pretty wet.

The increasingly treacherous conditions caused Hutchinson (Van Diemen RF90), who was behind Daly despite a solid start, to spin at Luffield on the first lap. It cost him six places. That handed Daly a big lead, and one that wasn't destined to get any smaller in the remaining 11 laps. Supreme in the wet Daly (Reynard 89FF) stormed away from the field with little problem, exploring the track as he went to determine those parts which had the most grip in preparation for the final. His eventual winning margin was just a fraction shy of half a minute.

The man in second place was Neil Fowler (Lola T200) proving that in the wet the Historic FF1600 cars really do come into their own. Fowler moved into second when Neville Smyth (Vector MG94), like Hutchinson, spun at Luffield. Fowler pulled away from the pack and wasn't troubled again.

Hutchinson, meanwhile, had clawed his way back up to third place by lap three and ran at the head of a three car gaggle (with Smyth and Macon MR8 driver Paul Sleeman) until he threw it away again at Becketts on the ninth lap. It wasn't quite as costly this time and he came home fifth on the road after passing Philip Austin (Van Diemen RF90) on the drag across the line.

Smyth and Sleeman finished ahead, with Smyth excluded for a yellow flag infringement only to be reinstated for the final. Behind Hutchinson and Austin came John Goldsmith, who took seventh away from Chris Whittingham on the last lap. Julian Heap and Stephen Lane completed the top ten finishers.

good work again Ian! We never got to meet today!! I was on the look out for you. Hutch didn't quite throw it away in the semi. Smyth had passed him under yellows and then took a wide line in to Becketts hutch thought this was him letting him through because of gaining advantage after passing under yellows but Smyth shut the door and they touched and Hutch spun

Silverstone Racing Club BRDC Walter Hayes Trophy Final

The stage was set in the final for a fantastic fight to the flag between Joey Foster and Peter Daly. The track was wet - much to Peter's liking as his Semi victory and double-win at Mallory Park last weekend showed. Foster was awesome in the dry, but would he be as impressive in the streaming conditions faced by the 33 starters? The answer was an emphatic "yes".

From pole position, Joey led into Copse with Daly following him closely on the way up to Becketts. Good starts were made from Gavin Wills (into third from fifth) and David Leslie (fifth from ninth); a less good one was made by Stephen Roberts (from third to ninth by the end of the first lap).

The gaps were building but the top three were getting away as the race unfolded, but proceedings were interrupted by the caution flags at the start of lap four: Philip Austin was beached in the gravel on the edge of Woodcote corner. Foster's 2.4-second advantage was nullified at a stroke.

When the green flags flew two laps later Daly got a bit of a run on Foster on the way to Copse, with the pair running side-by-side until the 20-year-old Cornishman nosed back ahead towards Becketts. Wills kept a watching brief in third, having a more competitive race than he might have expected given that his converted RF00 isn't the best car in the wet. There was a fight for fourth with Leslie getting the better of Neil Fowler into Copse on lap seven while Justin Dawkins watched on.

Before too much longer the cars were slowing to 50mph once more for another caution period, with the lap between the leading pack of cars and the remaining eight reaching almost two-thirds of a lap by the time racing resumed. This posed problems for Foster, who caught backmarkers at Luffield who hadn't even got as far as the green flag!

Foster had little trouble picking his way through, but Daly had more of an issue. Coming up the National Straight for the 12th time the Leicester man found himself boxed in, giving Wills the chance to pounce. He wasted little time and was ahead by Brooklands, while Daly momentarily lost third to David Leslie on the next lap.

With two laps to go Foster was already set for victory but Wills faced increasing pressure from a resurgent Daly. Ultimately it proved too much, with Wills' Van Diemen arcing gracefully into the Brooklands gravel. That left Daly to clinch second place, 4.4-seconds behind Foster, with Leslie in a fantastic third position on his return to single-seater action.

Fourth position went to Fowler, winner of the Walter Hayes Trophy in 2001 when it was contested only by Historic cars. Considering the calibre of the drivers ahead of him Dawkins did excellently to finish as high as fifth position. Paul Sleeman completed the top six after an extended dice with the likes of Roberts, John Hutchinson and Neville Smyth.

Sadly, Roberts and Smyth both hit problems in the last couple of laps, Smyth joining Wills in the kitty litter at Brooklands just yards from the chequered flag. Hutchinson did make it all the way and came seventh while Nathan Freke in eighth place was one of the surprise packages of the weekend. There was a spirited climb up to ninth place from Jason Minshaw, who finished ahead of Stephen Lane.

Mentions must also go to the other finishers: Steve St Clair, Derek Rodgers, Chris Whittingham, John Goldsmith, Julian Heap, Paul McMorran, John Pearson, Dave Morgan, Matt Green, Greg Thornton, Tristram Chattin, David Wild, John Lowes, Wills (he limped out of the gravel), Steve Mellish and Gareth Hall made it home in that order and all contributed to a great weekend. So did Smyth, Roberts, Steve Pearce, Paul Hubbard, Colin Williams, Austin and Neil Hunt, but they weren't lucky enough to see the chequered flag.

Joey Foster capped a brilliant two months - a period that saw him net wins in the UK Formula Ford Championship, secure the Formula Ford Festival title and shine in the Formula Renault Winter Series - with victory in the Walter Hayes Trophy. He was presented the trophy (which, incidentally, is retained by the BRDC - Joey takes home a replica) by Jackie Stewart and Walter's daughter Harriet in the BRDC club house following the race.

Foster had exactly the right attitude to the weekend - he was out to enjoy it, just like any other club racer. He was genuinely excited to be in the Don Hardman-run car and was delighted with his success. Not one of his competitors will begrudge him this latest success.

There were, meanwhile, other honours to be handed out. Remarkably, the four class winners filled the first four places so Daly, Leslie and Fowler all had extra reason to smile. The Smart Turnout Grand National award went to the Star of the Midlands team of Daly, Dawkins and Wills who, save for Wills' late error had an ultra-consistent weekend. Minshaw, meanwhile, took the Advancer award for making up the most places in the final.

The date for the 2004 BRDC Walter Hayes Trophy is already set for November 6/7. The 2003 event was a great success, there's no reason to believe that next year's won't be even better.

Ah well Chris, you obviously didn't look hard enough! I was shuttling between Luffield and the pit garages, trying to stay warm and dry!

Sorry about the slight error re Hutchinson (and anyt others, I'm sure there are plenty!) but I can only see so much of the track, for the rest of it I had to rely on the commentators. Well done to David Addison, Chris Hartley and Andrew Wilkins for a top job throughout the weekend by the way.

Well done Ian. I could not get away this weekend - work pressures, but your reports make me feel I was there! Terrific. I WILL be at the 2004 event for sure.

I did promise! Redracer57's car was in the hands of John Hutchinson this weekend.

"Well, didn't we have some exciting weather ladies and gentleman as the drivers battled it out in their pencil-slim cockpits. What a blare of sound and colour they made!". Andrew Wilkins didn't say this at the presentation, but regular Mallory-goers will know where I'm coming from!

One great of the past, one great of the future? Joey explains to Jackie how he won the BRDC Walter Hayes Trophy Final.

"I didn't win three world championships by eating Mars Bars." JYS explains his secret to Justin Dawkins.

A Freke result? Nathan won the Last Chance race and impressed thereafter.

Good Reports Ian, less of the mars bar jokes though!

I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say that it was a fabulous weekend. James Beckett is an absolute star - well done to him!

To explain why I was in the car reading and eating a mars bar, my Dad was tightening the rear hubs, and I had to keep my foot on the break for a long period of time - got a bit boring!

Thanks Ian, got it now! Yay! Cornwall beats all the other home countries!!

my pics will be online from about 9am tomoorow...cant really comment on quality as they all look grey and murky on the camera..bit like real life then :laugh:

Conclusive proof that the Star of the Midlands is the best FF1600 Championship. Gavin Wills, Justin Dawkins and Peter Daly combined to win the Smart Turnout Grand National prize.

sounds like a great weekends racing. Gutted to have missed it.

A real nice change to get a good review of the goings on.

Well done to all

Time to get in shape for '04 I'll start stocking up on Mars bars now then

It was worth turning up! Jason Minshaw collects his Advancer award from Jackie Stewart.

Neil Fowler won his class in the Final. Here he is seen being presented with his award by Jackie Stewart and Harriet, daughter of Walter Hayes.

The last photo I am going to post here and I am sure James will wish I hadn't! After the race James Beckett was presented with a commemorative plate and a race programme signed by all of the drivers who competed in the Walter Hayes Trophy. A certain Star of the Midlands driver organised this to allow the drivers to show their appreciation for the effort he put into organising this event. Definitely the most well-deserved award of the lot!

Grand National - North West Cry "FOUL"

It was so unfair to have track conditions so slippery just one week after the SOM boys had a double header practice in the same conditions at Mallory !!!
Seriously though, very well done to Peter, Justin and Gavin.

Another well done to Ian Sowman for letting the world see what has been going on this weekend via TT and so very quickly after it happened.

And a mega well done to James Beckett for bringing it all together.

From what I heard around the garages about what a brilliant weekend they had all had and comments from other FF1600 drivers, who were "just down for a look", the 2003 Walter Hayes will be talked about for a long time. Believe me, the numbers in 2004 will be well up. I can't wait.

I thought you might have to say something about my rather confident assertion Diz!

I can echo everyone elses comments: fantastic report and I'm definitely looking forward to 2004. When I'm sure us NW guys will be back in greater numbers. Well done to all concerned

I've finally managed to upload images and to be quite frank they are on the whole a bit grotty..some of the assembly area shots are nicer

http://www.paulsands.streamlinenet.co.uk/sil091103/whayes.html

Despite the conditions I thought Sunday was great and ts was good to see that a Formula Ford is a Formula Ford is a Formula Ford...the great equaliser old and new mixing it.

Kudos to all the drivers out there in such tricky conditions...I felt sure I was on a banker at Copse for the final but you all got round and robbed me of that shot :laugh:
This may have to go onto my annual not to be missed event list

Does anybody else agree with me about that young David Leslie guy being one to watch for the future ? :laugh:

"young David Leslie" yup one to watch a good drive all round....but what about jason minshaw he really showed his class. Just goes to show what a leveller the rain was look how many old cars finished in the top ten!!!!

lets get some views on drive of the weekend....best overtaking move....best prepared car etc.......

Thanx mr st clair your so kind !!
J.

Just honest mate.....just think what could have been if you left the ponies alone and put in a full weekend LOL

On a serious note. I don't know how many people who were in the final thought how dangerous the cars were that didn't have LED style rain lights on, you were virtualy on top of them before you knew it where you had another 10 feet or so with the LED style.Is it something that should be manditory in the future ?

Have to agree that some of the lights were poor but the last led lights I ran vibrated themselves to bits.....so that only a few were ever lit....so I changed back.I do think that something should be done though????

I've mounted mine on a piece of ally which i agree does vibrate but it cracks the ally rather than the internals of the unit. You just have to check the ally every so often .

have to give it a try......for sure they are brighter

I would have to say I was very envious watching you all line up in the semis sat in the grand stand, but when it got to the final I was quite pleased due to the weather!!! You all drove very well under the conditions. All the guys in the final could do with an applause. Driving standards looked spot on compared to the Festival!!

The whole weekend was about attitude,everyone was there to do the best they could do and enjoy it.I have to add that the meeting in its entirity was an example of how it should be done....starting with the organiser (thanks again James) through the scruitineers,marshals,then down to the competitors..... if this is Formula Ford....give us more.

Originally posted by steve27
..... if this is Formula Ford....give us more.
hear hear

the little edge of rivalry, not needle, between the series was nice too...I think the Star of the Midlands guys just edged that one :laugh:

ooooh and who's this
http://www.paulsands.streamlinenet.co.uk/sil091103/slides/IMG02100.html
I reckon he looks like a young Jean Alesi (on his helmet at least) :laugh:

Mods can you merge the two threads going about this perhaps? Im a lazy sid...

So anyway the question I now pose to you is this - which is the bigger Kent run-offs, Brands Festival or Walter Hayes??

Walter Hayes every time, who the hell wants to go all the way to Brands for the best part of a week !!!!
BRDC = value & professionalism .

Originally posted by PaulSands
ooooh and who's this
http://www.paulsands.streamlinenet.co.uk/sil091103/slides/IMG02100.html
I reckon he looks like a young Jean Alesi (on his helmet at least) :laugh:

Steve Mellish in his extremely shiny Melectronics VD RF89.

thanks for that...he wasn't listed in the program

Originally posted by jminsh
Walter Hayes every time, who the hell wants to go all the way to Brands for the best part of a week !!!!
BRDC = value & professionalism .

Agreed Brands is a bit strung out, but then its a tradition - like the Month of May at Indy ...

Originally posted by ghinzani
Mods can you merge the two threads going about this perhaps? Im a lazy sid...

So anyway the question I now pose to you is this - which is the bigger Kent run-offs, Brands Festival or Walter Hayes??

Having done both this year.....the WH was by far the best and this was in every way from price,entry,value for money,enjoyment and the sheer enthusiasm of the organisers

What were the respective entry fees?

£200 for upto 4 races

That was Walter Hayes I take it?

yes