1987 Dunlop RAC British Touring Car Championship - Discussion & Results

[Jesper OH]

About to be ready for the first of twelve 1987 races. As I have a full set of 1987 Autosports I have not only results and grids - at times partly - but also reports regarding each race. Therefore an altered format for my presentation. Hope you will enjoy, learn, add, correct in the good spirit the last week has been experienced by me

1987 RAC Dunlop British Touring Car Championship

New head sponsor and a twelve round series compared to nine rounds in 1986. Four classes retained from the previous year but all of them alteret a bit towards bigger engine displacement. Class A was open for unlimited ccs for the first time since 1975?

Classes:
Class A: above 2500 cc
Class B: 2001-2500 cc
Class C: 1601-2000 cc
Class D: under 1600 cc (possible 1001-1600 cc)

Points distribution according to the F1 style 9-6-4-3-2-1 points scale for top-6 class finishes with an additional 1 point for fastest lap time. Fewer than four starters drops the maximum score, but more about that later.

Jesper

[Jesper OH]

Round 1 – April 12 1987, Silverstone

Support race to the FIA International F3000 championship opening round and was the first meeting where the new left-right chikane before Woodcote was used, presumably replacing the Woodcote chikane. British F3, Formula Ford and Renault 5 Elf Turbo UK Cup also on the bill.

Tim Harvey taking the start only to loose his engine on the second lap, thus leaving Dennis Leech and Andy Rouse to fight over the lead untill the Ford settled things two thirds of the way for a premier BTCC win for the new Sierra RS Cosworth.
David Carvell won what was initially a four way battle for third in his Rover, while the Sierras of Peter Hall and Graham Goode clashed at the new chikane on the very last lap. This was still good enough to net forth and fifth as sixth placed Graham Scarborough had a misfire throughout most of the race.
In the classes Mark Hales was pushed in the early going but won convincingly in the end. Jon Dooley pushed the Escort over the early laps in his new Alfa 75 Turbo, only to fall off the pace with failing boost pressure. Alfa teammate Rob Kirby was a spectator as his 75 wasn't ready in time.
Colin Pearcy was only class C starter when a Renault 5 GT Turbo failed to make the start.
Chris Hodgetts led a 1-2-3 CHMS Toyota succes but only because Geoff Kimber-Smith dropped out from second late in the race.

Roger Saunders won the supporting Renault 5 cup-race only to be disqualified ”for having a modified wastegate valve seat and a machined carburettor” in his Bedford Tyres/Unique entered car, according to Autosport. Was this Saunders own team?
Of other tid-bits the 2009 World Touring Car Champion Gabriele Tarquini finished 10th in the F3000 race while fellow WTCC competitor Alain Menu finished 6th in the Formula Ford race. Gary Brabham won the F3 race.

Grid:
1.Andy Rouse, 1:39.87 – class A pole
2.Dennis Leech, 1:42.84
3.Tim Harvey, 1:42.93
4.Peter Hall, 1:43.68
5.Graham Scarborough, 1:44.72
6.Graham Goode, 1:45.62
7.David Carvell, 1:46.32
8.Mark Hales, 1:48.22 – class B pole
9.Chris Hodgetts, 1:49.74 – class D pole
10.Colin Pearcy, 1:51.87 – class C pole
11.Jon Dooley, 1:52.30
12.Alan Minshaw, 1:53.69
13.Geoff Kimber-Smith, 1:53.92
14.Tony Crudgington, unknown – DNS
15.Paul Longfield, 1:57.25
16.unknown Renault 5, unknown time – DNS
17.unknown Mitsubishi, unknown time – DNS
18.Kevin Eaton, 2:35.53

An educated guess would suggest that 18 cars were present for the first round of the 1987 British group A series, 15 of those started the race. From the race report a standing start from a 2-2-2-etc. grid format seems likely.

Result:
1./ #1 / Andy Rouse / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 25m58.83s / FL
2./ #4 / Dennis Leech / Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26m00.43s
3./ #? / David Carvell / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26m20.88s
4./ #2 / Peter Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 26m27.29s
5./ #6 / Graham Goode / Goode / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 26m36.48s
6./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 27m05.59s
7./ #? / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 15 laps / 27m33.56s / FL
8./ #66 / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 15 laps / 27m34.28 / FL
9./ #31 / Jon Dooley / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 14 laps
10./ #? / Alan Minshaw / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps
11./ #55 / Colin Pearcy / Pearcy? / C / MG Metro Turbo / 14 laps / FL
12./ #? / Paul Longfield / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps
DNFs
#? / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT /12 laps / engine
#? / Kevin Eaton / Eaton? / B / Nissan Bluebird Turbo / 2 laps / unknown
#8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 1 lap / engine
DNS's
#? / Tony Crudgington / Crudgington / D / Toyota Corolla GT / electrics
#? / Graham Rose? / unknown / A / Mitsubishi Starion Turbo / water leak / prod. Saloon
#? / unknown / unknown / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / unknown / cup car
DNA
#30 / Rob Kirby / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / car not ready

Championship positions – Autosport
1.Andy Rouse, 10 points
1.Chris Hodgetts, 10 points
3.Mark Hales, 7 points
4.Dennis Leech, 6 points
4.Alan Minshaw, 6 points
6.Colin Pearcy, 5 points
..the rest are my calculations
7.David Carvell, 4 points
7.Jon Dooley, 4 points
7.Paul Longfield, 4 points
10.Peter Hall, 3 points
11.Graham Goode, 2 points
12.Graham Scarborough, 1 point

Seems as if four starters appeared in a class a full set of 9 points for a class win were up for graps. Three starters would drop the winning points figure to 6, while 1 (perhaps 2) would result in 4 points for a win.

Jesper

[Jesper OH]

Round 2 – Good Friday April 17 1987, Oulton Park

New chikane introduced at Foulstons, so a new set of lap records will be established on the 4.456 km circuit.

This and the following race clashed with round 2 of the WTCC at Jarama held over the same weekend, depriving the Brits of Andy Rouse. Chris Hodgetts managed to squeeze in all three races though. Dennis Leech was at home nursing a hand that somehow got involved with a lawnmover (!), while Toyota drivers Tony Crudgington and Geoff Kimber-Smith hadn't sorted out their engine troubles from the opening round only five days earlier and was on the missing list as well. This would make the three CHMS Corollas the sole class D entries, with Hodgetts joined by Chuck Nicholson and Alex Moss for this race. Colin Pearcy was also missing from action, reason unknown.
The second Alfa 75 Turbo was ready though adding Rob Kirby to the field as would now former Renault Cup racer Roger Saunders. A third new entry was the Alan Docking run Holden Commodore VK for Mike O'Brien. The car had raced in the hands of Allan Grice back in Australia only five weeks earlier. The Mike Newman BMW 635CSi had been on British soil for some considerably longer time and would also see it's first 1987 race here at Oulton Park. This still only managed to end with 14 starters for the race.

Grid:
1.Mike O'Brien, 1:45.53 – class A pole
2.Tim Harvey, 1:45.92
3.Mike Newman, 1:47.97
4.David Carvell, 1:48.18
5.Graham Scarborough, 1:48.88
6.Graham Goode, 1:49.49
7.Peter Hall, 1:50.20
8.Chris Hodgetts, 1:50.40 – class D pole
9.Chuck Nicholson, 1:53.88
10.Jon Dooley, 1:55.76 – class B pole
11.Roger Saunders, 2:02.67 – class C pole
? Mark Hales, no time – 10 second delay at start
? Alex Moss, no time – 10 second delay at start
? Rob Kirby, no time – 10 second delay at start

Mike O’Brien took advantage of his pole and horse power to lead away from the grid, but was harassed by fellow front row man Tim Harvey. The Rover, with its front spoiler askew, was all over the back of the Holden Commodore and made a decisive move at the right hand Knickerbrook on lap 2. Harvey would soon be alone in front as the Australian V8 machine became a V7 and O’Brien an early retiree.
This left Mike Newman and his BMW 635 CSi in second, with David Carvell, Graham Goode and Graham Scarborough contesting third in the early laps. Goode brought the Listerine Sierra into contention by leaving this group and hunting down Newman, who he deposed of at mid-distance and even started to make in rows into Tim Harvey’s race lead. A couple of quick circuits by Harvey settled the matter. Mike Newman held on to third at the finish, but had Graham Scarborough and a slow starting Peter Hall on his tail by then. David Carvell fought deteriorating tyres and dropped out of this battle and finished a lonely sixth.
As at Silverstone Mark Hales finished best of the rest, but only when Chris Hodgetts decided to play a little with his teammates Chuck Nicholson and Alex Moss near the end of the race. The Alfa Romeo Dealer Team was up to two cars with Rob Kirby joining in a second 75 Turbo, but retired after but two laps with a melted piston, leaving Jon Dooley to challenge Mark Hales for class B honours. He did fine until a couple of wheel bolts left early in the race and had to settle for 12th and last beaten by lonely class C competitor Roger Saunders.

Results:
1./ #8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 14 laps / 25m36.81s / class winner - FL
2./ #6 / Graham Goode / Goode / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 14 laps / 25m39.55s
3./ #10 / Mike Newman / Newman / A / BMW 635CSi / 14 laps / 25m50.13s
4./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / Letchworth Roofing / A / Rover Vitesse / 14 laps / 25m51.43s
5./ #2 / Peter Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 14 laps / 25m53.49s
6./ #? / David Carvell / Appleyard / Rover Vitesse / 14 laps / 26m14.76s
7./ #? / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 14 laps / 26m48.72s / class winner – FL
8./ #66 / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps / 27m12.91s / class winner - FL
9./ #? / Chuck Nicholson / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps / 27m13.17s
10./ #? / Alex Moss / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps / 27m13.62s
11./ #45? / Roger Saunders / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 13 laps / class winner – FL
12./ #31 / Jon Dooley / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 13 laps
DNFs
#7 / Mike O'Brien / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 4 laps / overheating
#30 / Rob Kirby / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 2 laps / piston

Championship standing – my notes
1.Chris Hodgetts, 17 points (10+7)
2.Mark Hales, 14 points (7+7)
3.Andy Rouse, 10 points (10+0)
3.Tim Harvey, 10 points (0+10)
5.Graham Goode, 8 points (2+6)
6.5. Jon Dooley, 8 points (4+4)
7.Dennis Leech, 6 points (6+0)
7.Alan Minshaw, 6 points (6+0)
9.David Carvell, 5 points (4+1)
9.Peter Hall, 5 points (3+2)
9.Colin Pearcy, 5 points (5+0)
9.Roger Saunders, 5 points? (0+5?)
13.Mike Newman, 4 points (0+4)
13.Graham Scarborough, 4 points (1+3)
13.Paul Longfield, 4 points (4+0)
13.Chuck Nicholson, 4 points (0+4)
17.Alex Moss, 3 points (0+3)

Jesper

[Jesper OH]

The stature of the British Saloon/Touring Car Championship as seen through Autosport. I have a full set of 1982 and 1987 and most copies from late 1988-2000. In '82 race reports were usually up front spanning 2-3 pages including separate qualifying and race results. By early 1987 this was reduced to reports and results squeezed into a pair of columns, sometimes just before the international second tier series. As the season progressed - as the actual racing proved to be quite good - the reports grew back to the sort of 1982 standard and stature, but is this rightly assumed?

A few thoughts about Brian Chatfield, too. He did have quite a few cars at his disposion, some with a historic record, but that also meant that they were obsolete when he raced them in the BTCC - did he have a money tree or a rich uncle? I remember him from the late 80s/early 90s when he seemed to have specialised in ancient group 2 or 5 BMWs, running in various modified saloon/Thunder Saloon series.
The story of his 1985 GAA engine block in his Capri makes me wonder why he would pull such a stunt, but then again, I don't know the person or his personality - or if that explains his moves.

Jesper

[KA]

Originally Posted by Jesper OH

Round 2 – Good Friday April 17 1987, Oulton Park

This and the following race clashed with round 2 of the WTCC at Jarama held over the same weekend, depriving the Brits of Andy Rouse. Chris Hodgetts managed to squeeze in all three races though. Dennis Leech was at home nursing a hand that somehow got involved with a lawnmover (!), while Toyota drivers Tony Crudgington and Geoff Kimber-Smith hadn't sorted out their engine troubles from the opening round only five days earlier and was on the missing list as well. This would make the three CHMS Corollas the sole class D entries, with Hodgetts joined by Chuck Nicholson and Alex Moss for this race. Colin Pearcy was also missing from action, reason unknown.

According to my version of the result (from acombination of this Autosport report, and the Motoring News report, Alan Minshaw also appeared here in free practice at least, and possibly in official qualifying in one of the CHMS Corollas- I think the Nicholson car. He may well have qualified (I have a time of 1m57.41 recorded) but clearly didn't race. I wonder, was this an insurance policy for the team to have 3 drivers present and qualified in case Chris couldn't get back from Jarama in time, or was there some question over who would race the Nicholson car

[KA]

Originally Posted by Jesper OH

Round 1 – April 12 1987, Silverstone

Support race to the FIA International F3000 championship opening round and was the first meeting where the new left-right chikane before Woodcote was used, presumably replacing the Woodcote chikane. British F3, Formula Ford and Renault 5 Elf Turbo UK Cup also on the bill.

Roger Saunders won the supporting Renault 5 cup-race only to be disqualified ”for having a modified wastegate valve seat and a machined carburettor” in his Bedford Tyres/Unique entered car, according to Autosport. Was this Saunders own team?

Grid:
1.Andy Rouse, 1:39.87 – class A pole
2.Dennis Leech, 1:42.84
3.Tim Harvey, 1:42.93
4.Peter Hall, 1:43.68
5.Graham Scarborough, 1:44.72
6.Graham Goode, 1:45.62
7.David Carvell, 1:46.32
8.Mark Hales, 1:48.22 – class B pole
9.Chris Hodgetts, 1:49.74 – class D pole
10.Colin Pearcy, 1:51.87 – class C pole
11.Jon Dooley, 1:52.30
12.Alan Minshaw, 1:53.69
13.Geoff Kimber-Smith, 1:53.92
14.Tony Crudgington, unknown – DNS
15.Paul Longfield, 1:57.25
16.unknown Renault 5, unknown time – DNS
17.unknown Mitsubishi, unknown time – DNS
18.Kevin Eaton, 2:35.53

An educated guess would suggest that 18 cars were present for the first round of the 1987 British group A series, 15 of those started the race. From the race report a standing start from a 2-2-2-etc. grid format seems likely.

Result:
1./ #1 / Andy Rouse / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 25m58.83s / FL
2./ #4 / Dennis Leech / Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26m00.43s
3./ #? / David Carvell / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26m20.88s
4./ #2 / Peter Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 26m27.29s
5./ #6 / Graham Goode / Goode / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 26m36.48s
6./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 27m05.59s
7./ #? / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 15 laps / 27m33.56s / FL
8./ #66 / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 15 laps / 27m34.28 / FL
9./ #31 / Jon Dooley / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 14 laps
10./ #? / Alan Minshaw / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps
11./ #55 / Colin Pearcy / Pearcy? / C / MG Metro Turbo / 14 laps / FL
12./ #? / Paul Longfield / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps
DNFs
#? / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT /12 laps / engine
#? / Kevin Eaton / Eaton? / B / Nissan Bluebird Turbo / 2 laps / unknown
#8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 1 lap / engine
DNS's
#? / Tony Crudgington / Crudgington / D / Toyota Corolla GT / electrics
#? / Graham Rose? / unknown / A / Mitsubishi Starion Turbo / water leak / prod. Saloon
#? / unknown / unknown / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / unknown / cup car
DNA
#30 / Rob Kirby / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / car not ready

From my notes, the mystery prodsaloon Starion might have been the car of Graham Rose- who I must admit to knowing absolutely nothing about.
I don't have any indication of who the Renault was- maybe Saunders?

Thanks for posting this- although I've got the race results for the whole season, some of them are missing times, qualifying times etc, and the original source material I used for my notes is stored 200 miles away...

[Jesper OH]

Round 3 – Easter Monday March 20 1987 Thruxton

Third race within 8 days.

17 cars turned up for the third round of the 1987 BTCC. This was reduced to 15 when series leader Chris Hodgetts crashed his Corolla during qualifying and Rob Kirby loost the engine in his Alfa 75. The Hodgetts accident would start a session of musical chairs within the CHMS team, with Paul Longfield handing over his car to the boss, only for Longfield himself replacing Alex Moss in the third team car.

Grid:
1.Dennis Leech, 1:25.59 – class A pole
2.Graham Scarborough, 1:26.21
3.David Carvell, 1:26.73
4.Tim Harvey, 1:27.00
5.Mike O'Brien, 1:27.12
6.Mike Newman, 1:27.24
7.Peter Hall, 1:28.33
8.Chris Hodgetts, 1:28.52 – class D pole
9.Graham Goode, 1:29.78
10.Mark Hales, 1:31.00 – class B pole
11.Geoff Kimber-Smith, 1:31.70
12.Jon Dooley, 1:33.05
13.David Grimshaw, 1:35.49 – class C pole
14.Paul Longfield, 1:38.62
15.Roger Saunders, 1:47.97
16.Rob Kirby, no time – piston

15 drivers and their teams headed off for 16 laps into the unknown regarding tyre wear on the new surface. From pole Dennis Leech lead away to a start to finish win with his nearest challengers gradually falling off. Graham Scarborough and Mike Newman was disputing second position from the first lap with Scarborough the winner thus giving him opportunity to haunt Leech for the lead. It ended at Allard on lap 5 at which point Newman was already on a down slide eventually finishing seventh with the remains of his tyres. This graduated Tim Harvey as nearest challenger for the lead, only to find himself in tyre trouble and pit bound for a new set of rear covers. The stop only made matters worse for the front tyres and at lap 10 Tim joined the list of retirees.
David Carvell made a bit for the lead midway through the race but found the two class C Renaults in his path which gave Graham Goode a chance to catch up. So he did and within a lap the Sierra was in second to the finish. A tyre troubled Mike O’Brien was a distant fourth while Chris Hodgetts, Class D contender and spare car et all, was fifth ahead of an anominous Peter Hall in the sole ICS Sierra.
While Hodgetts was harassing the big boys fellow Corolla contender Geoff Kimber-Smith spent the race challenging Mark Hales and his Turbo Escort for eight overall with Paul Longfield a distant 10th – Alex Moss never made the trip. Roger Saunders won the Renault class C by default as David Grimshaw was disqualified for a fire extinguisher infringement, while Jon Dooley finished as tail end Charly for the second race in a row. This time it was tyre related.

Results:
1./ #4 / Dennis Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:16.12 / class winner
2./ #6 / Graham Goode / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:20.67
3./ #? / David Carvell / RW Potter / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:25.86
4./ #7 / Mike O'Brien / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 16 laps / 23:40.46 - FL
5./ #? / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 23:48.45 / class D winner – FL (car intended for Paul Longfield)
6./ #2 / Peter Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 16 laps / 23:59.98
7./ #? / Mike Newman / Newman / A / BMW 635CSi / 16 laps / 24:03.91
8./ #? / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 16 laps / 24:19.44 / class B winner – FL
9./ #? / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 24:20.08
10./ #? / Paul Longfield / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 24:50.21 / (car intended for Alex Moss, who did not arrive)
11./ #45 / Roger Saunders / Saunders? / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 15 laps / class C winner – FL
12./ #31 / Jon Dooley / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 15 laps
DSQ
#? / David Grimshaw / unknown / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 15 laps / fire extinguisher infringement
DNFs
#8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 10 laps / handling
#3 / Graham Scarborough / Letchworth Roofing / A / Rover Vitesse / 4 laps / unknown
DNSs
#30 / Rob Kirby / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / piston
#66? / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / accident

Points – my notes
1.Chris Hodgetts, 24 points (10+7+7)
2.Mark Hales, 19 points (7+7+5)
3.Dennis Leech, 15 points (6+0+9)
4.Graham Goode, 14 points (2+6+6)
5.Jon Dooley, 11 points (4+4+3)
6.Andy Rouse, 10 points (10+0+0)
6.Tim Harvey, 10 points (0+10+0)
8.David Carvell, 9 points (4+1+4)
9.Paul Longfield, 7 points (4+0+3)
9.Peter Hall, 7 points (3+2+2)
11.Alan Minshaw, 6 points (6+0+0)
12.Colin Pearcy, 5 points (5+0+0)
12.Roger Saunders, 5 points (0+0+5)
12.Mike Newman, 5 points (0+4+1)
15.Chuck Nicholson, 4 points (0+4+0)
15.Geoff Kimber-Smith, 4 points (0+0+4)
15.Mike O'Brien, 4 points (0+0+4)
15.Graham Scarborough, 4 points (1+3+0)
19.Alex Moss, 3 points (0+3+0)

Jesper

[KA]

Originally Posted by Jesper OH

Round 3 – Easter Monday March 20 1987 Thruxton

Results:
1./ #4 / Dennis Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:16.12 / class winner
2./ #6 / Graham Goode / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:20.67
3./ #5 / David Carvell / RW Potter / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:25.86
4./ #7 / Mike O'Brien / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 16 laps / 23:40.46 - FL
5./ #66? / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 23:48.45 / class D winner – FL (car intended for Paul Longfield)
6./ #2 / Peter Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 16 laps / 23:59.98
7./ #10 / Mike Newman / Newman / A / BMW 635CSi / 16 laps / 24:03.91
8./ #38 / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 16 laps / 24:19.44 / class B winner – FL
9./ #71? / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 24:20.08
10./ #? / Paul Longfield / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 24:50.21 / (car intended for Alex Moss, who did not arrive)
11./ #45 / Roger Saunders / Saunders? / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 15 laps / class C winner – FL
12./ #31 / Jon Dooley / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 15 laps
DSQ
#? / David Grimshaw / unknown / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 15 laps / fire extinguisher infringement
DNFs
#8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 10 laps / handling
#3 / Graham Scarborough / Letchworth Roofing / A / Rover Vitesse / 4 laps / unknown
DNSs
#30 / Rob Kirby / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / piston
#66? / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / accident

Added missing race numbers in bold. No idea which numbers ended up on the CHMS Corollas, I'm assuming Hodgetts ran with his regular #66

[Jesper OH]

Round 4 – Monday May 25 1987, Thruxton

After a five week break the British touring car fraternity was at it again, and as at the previous round Thruxton was the scene. Andy Rouse was back in the second ICS Ford Sierra RS Cosworth in a much respected shared third within the class A championship with Tim Harvey. New on the scene was Bill Griffin in an ex-Jean-Louis Schlesser Rover Vitesse that had previously seen action in the 1985 French series, and thus the Griffin entry was still sporting the distinct white and Day-Glo red Marlboro paint job. This made it a season record of 10 cars in the top division. Class B was still about Mark Hales and his Terry Drury Escort RS Turbo and the two Alfa Romeo 75 Turbos. This time Jon Dooley would be the spectator with a broken engine. Roger Saunders would be the lonely Class C contender in his Renault now upgraded to full group A specification, while Chris Hodgetts would concentrate on just one Corolla, but joined by fellow Toyota contenders Geoff Kimber-Smith and Tony Crudgington. After a 18 month lay off Phil Dowsett would make it the crucial maximum point scoring forth class C contender with the Julian May run Ford Escort RS1600i.

Grid:
1./ #1 / Andy Rouse / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 1:22.58 / class A pole
2./ #8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 1:24.55
3./ #4 / Dennis Leech / Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 1:25.13
4./ #5 / David Carvell / Richard Potter / A / Rover Vitesse / 1:25.74
5./ #6 / Graham Goode / Goode / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 1:26.12
6./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 1:26.15
7./ #10 / Mike Newman / Newman / A / BMW 635CSi / 1:26.47
8./ #2 / Pete Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 1:26.51
9./ #7 / Mike O'Brien / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 1:26.98
10./ #66 / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 1:27.49 / class D pole
11./ #? / Bill Griffin / Griffin? / A / Rover Vitesse / 1:28.65
12./ #38 / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 1:29.30 / class B pole
13./ #71? / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 1:29.71
14./ #? / Tony Crudgington / Crudgington / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 1:30.53
15./ #31 / Jon Dooley / ARDT / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 1:30.89
16./ #30 / Rob Kirby / ARDT / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 1:31.40
17./ #? / Phil Dowsett / North Essex Racing / D / Ford Escort RS1600i / 1:32.26
18./ #45 / Roger Saunders / Saunders? / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 1:34.43 / class C pole

Come race day and it was the Tim Harvey Rover that took the lead from the pole sitting Ford Sierra of Andy Rouse. The front row twins would have a dog fight through out the whole race with Harvey leading the first two thirds. Rouse made a successive bid for the lead on lap 9 only to face the Vitesse tail lights four laps later. Harvey had obviously learned a thing about tyre choices from the previous round, but was still the looser to a late race Rouse attack. Andy put in a decisive last lap to leave Tim a healthy three seconds adrift in second. Rover men David Carvell and previous round winner Dennis Leech was at it for third. Suffering from some wrong noises from the rear axle, Leech finally lost the battle in a last lap clash with Carvell. While Leech was busy pointing his car in the right position, Carvell crossed the line in third. Fifth went to an unspectacular Mike O’Brien and his Australian Commodore beating a once again tyre troubled Mike Newman. Class A contenders Graham Scarborough and the misfiring Ford Sierra of Peter Hall made it to the line too but in a distant seventh and eleventh overall. After a pair of fine second place finishes, Graham Goode lost his turbo and retired midrace, while Bill Griffin lasted a few laps longer before his engine expired.
Among the rest Geoff Kimber-Smith did the best beating Chris Hodgetts. Hodgetts held the initial lead but was beaten by tyre wear and once again followed the taillights of the class B winning Mark Hales Escort to the flag. Rob Kirby would do what Alfa Romeo teammate Jon Dooley did in practice retiring with a broken turbo. Tony Crudgington finished third in class D beating Escort mounted Phil Dowsett in the process. Class C winner Roger Saunders managed a finish in between the two to add another unchallenged win.

Result:
1./ #1 / Andy Rouse / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 16 laps / 22:45.29 / FL
2./ #8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 22:48.53
3./ #5 / David Carvell / Richard Potter / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:08.17
4./ #4 / Dennis Leech / Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:21.59
5./ #7 / Mike O'Brien / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 16 laps / 23:40.70
6./ #10 / Mike Newman / Newman / A / BMW 635CSi / 16 laps / 23:43.00
7./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 16 laps / 23:53.47
8./ #71? / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 23:59.34
9./ #38 / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 16 laps / 24:04.25 / FL
10./ #2 / Pete Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 16 laps / 24:07.21
11./ #66 / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 16 laps / 24:08.23 / FL
12./ #? / Tony Crudgington / Crudgington / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 15 laps
13./ #45 / Roger Saunders / Saunders? / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 15 laps / FL
14./ #? / Phil Dowsett / Julian May / D / Ford Escort RS1600i / 15 laps
DNFs
#? / Bill Griffin / Griffin? / A / Rover Vitesse / 9 laps / engine
#? / Graham Goode / Goode / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 7 laps / turbo
#30 / Rob Kirby / ARDT / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 6 laps / turbo
DNS
#31 / Jon Dooley / ARDT / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / turbo

Championship standings:
1.Chris Hodgetts, 31 points (10+7+7+7)
2.Mark Hales, 24 points (7+7+5+5)
3.Andy Rouse, 20 points (10+0+0+10)
4.Dennis Leech, 18 points (6+0+9+3)
5.Tim Harvey, 16 points (0+10+0+6)
6.Graham Goode, 14 points (2+6+6+0)
7.David Carvell, 13 points (4+1+4+4)
7.Geoff Kimber-Smith, 13 points (0+0+4+9)
9.Jon Dooley, 11 points (4+4+3+0)
10.Pete Hall, 7 points (3+2+2+0)
10.Paul Longfield, 7 points (4+0+3+0)
12.Alan Minshaw, 6 points (6+0+0+0)
12.Mike Newman, 6 points (0+4+1+1)
12.Mike O'Brien, 6 points (0+0+4+2)
15.Colin Pearcy, 5 points (5+0+0+0)
15.Roger Saunders, 5 points (0+0+5+0)
17.Graham Scarborough, 4 points (1+3+0+0)
17.Chuck Nicholson, 4 points (0+4+0+0)
17.Tony Crudgington, 4 points (0+0+0+4)
20.Alex Moss, 3 points (0+3+0+0)
20.Phil Dowsett, 3 points (0+0+0+3)


Jesper

[Jesper OH]

Round 5 – Sunday June 7 1987, Silverstone

The entry list was virtually a copy of the previous Thruxton date two weeks earlier, making it five Rovers and a Commodore to make up the V8 brigade with Mike Newman’s 635 adding another normally aspirated class A car against the three Turbo Sierras of Andy Rouse, Peter Hall and Graham Goode. In class B both Alfa Romeos were sort of running against Mark Hales, while Roger Saunders once again was sole class C contender. Among the toddlers it was another Chris Hodgetts vs. Geoff Kimber-Smith Corolla battle against Tony Crudgington and Phil Dowsett. Hodgetts making things busy by also racing at the Zolder ETCC meeting as well.

Grid:
1.Andy Rouse, 1:40.01 – class A pole
2.Tim Harvey, 1:42.17
3.Graham Goode, 1:43.41
4.Pete Hall, 1:44.50
5.David Carvell, 1:44.98
6.Mike Newman, 1:45.68
7.Graham Scarborough, 1:45.83
8.Mike O'Brien, 1:46.11
9.Dennis Leech, 1:46.37
10.Chris Hodgetts, 1:50.13 – class D pole
11.Jon Dooley, 1:51.72 – class B pole
12.Geoff Kimber-Smith, 1:51.87
13.Mark Hales, 1:52.50
14.Tony Crudgington, 1:53.18
15.Rob Kirby, 1:57.20
16.Roger Saunders, 1:57.31 – class C pole
17.Phil Dowsett, 1:57.89
18.Bill Griffin, 2:05.88

In a repeat performance from the opening round Tim Harvey started proceedings by squeezing Andy Rouse up against the pit wall and took the lead while Mike O’Brien blew the clutch and retired on the spot. The frantic battle for the lead between Harvey and Rouse allowed Graham Goode, Peter Hall and Dennis Leech to join in on the fun with the occasional swapping of paint. It was lap 7 when the Rover V8 engine spluttered immediately allowing Rouse, Leech and Hall through. Peter Hall was soon to loose out with a spin at Club repeating the feat on two consecutive laps! At the first spin Graham Goode was delayed. Hall team mate and race leader Andy Rouse pitted into retirement on lap 13 with a blown turbo, leaving the lead and victory to Tim Harvey. Dennis Leech was second nursing a front tyre cut into by dented bodywork. This allowed Graham Goode to close right up to the black Rover at the finish. David Carvell was a fine if lonesome forth ahead of Mike Newman who just managed to keep onto fifth from a hard charging Peter Hall, who had the honour of posting the fastest race lap. Bill Griffin was final class A finisher just outside the points in seventh position.
Jon Dooley lead away in class B only for his gearbox to blow on lap two, while Rob Kirby was unceremoniously punted into the barriers at Stowe while being lapped by Dennis Leech mid race. This left Mark Hales unopposed to a fifth class B win on the trot and best of the rest in eight. Chris Hodgetts brought order back to class D by winning with a four second margin over Geoff Kimber-Smith. Phil Dowsett broke the Corolla stranglehold by beating Tony Crudgington in the fight for third in class sandwiching class C winner Roger Saunders in the process.

Results:
1./ #8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26:01.15
2./ #4 / Dennis Leech / Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26:02.29 / class A win
3./ #6 / Graham Goode / Goode / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 26:02.66
4./ #5 / David Carvell / Potter / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26:29.95
5./ #10 / Mike Newman / Newman / A / BMW 635CSi / 15 laps / 26:40.71
6./ #2 / Pete Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 26:40.82 – FL
7./ #? / Bill Griffin / Griffin? / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 27:07:45
8./ #38 / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 15 laps / 27:40.95 / class win – FL
9./ #66 / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 15 laps / 27:47.30 / class win – FL
10./ #71? / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 15 laps / 27:51.71
11./ #? / Phil Dowsett / North Essex Racing / D / Ford Escort RS1600i / 14 laps
12./ #45 / Roger Saunders / Saunders? / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 14 laps / class winner – FL
13./ #? / Tony Crudgington / Crudgington / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps
DNFs
#1 / Andy Rouse / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 13 laps / turbo
#30 / Rob Kirby / ARDT / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 8 laps / accident
#3 / Graham Scarborough / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 1 lap / unknown
#31 / Jon Dooley / ARDT / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 1 lap / gearbox
#7 / Mike O'Brien / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 0 laps / clutch

Championship standings
1.Chris Hodgetts, 41 points (10+7+7+7+10)
2.Mark Hales, 31 points (7+7+5+5+7)
3.Tim Harvey, 25 points (0+10+0+6+9)
4.Dennis Leech, 24 points (6+0+9+3+6)
5.Andy Rouse, 20 points (10+0+0+10+0)
6.Geoff Kimber-Smith, 19 points (0+0+4+9+6)
7.Graham Goode, 18 points (2+6+6+0+4)
8.David Carvell, 16 points (4+1+4+4+3)
9.Jon Dooley, 11 points (4+4+3+0+0)
10.Pete Hall, 9 points (3+2+2+0+2)
11.Mike Newman, 8 points (0+4+1+1+2)
12.Paul Longfield, 7 points (4+0+3+0+0)
12.Tony Crudgington, 7 points (0+0+0+4+3)
12.Phil Dowsett, 7 points (0+0+0+3+4)
15.Alan Minshaw, 6 points (6+0+0+0+0)
15.Mike O'Brien, 6 points (0+0+4+2+0)
17.Colin Pearcy, 5 points (5+0+0+0+0)
17.Roger Saunders, 5 points (0+0+5+0+0)
19.Graham Scarborough, 4 points (1+3+0+0+0)
19.Chuck Nicholson, 4 points (0+4+0+0+0)
21.Alex Moss, 3 points (0+3+0+0+0)

Jesper

[Jesper OH]

I will probably be off line for some days - computer related issues it seems. Please do keep up with additions, deletions, corrections or what ever takes you.

Jesper

[Splendid Cat]

Mike O'Brien won at Snetterton soon after.

I remember the Autosport Caption "Holden Sway".

[KA]

Just to keep the thread ticking over- I don't have the full race report, but I think this is most of the result, plus my own thoughts on the entry. I'm missing the qualifying times and some of the race times

Round 6, Silverstone, 12 July 1987 British GP support. 15 laps.

As usual in this period, the GP support brought out a quite a few extra cars. Several were making their first appearances of the year, including the return of Dave Brodie's Starion, Brian Chatfield debuting an ex-TWR Bastos Rover, Karl Jones in a Duckhams-backed Escort RS Turbo and Alan Minshaw's Golf (Did Minshaw run his Group A Golf here, or his Prodsaloon? Similarly, was Jones in his regular Prodsaloon Escort, or a Group A example?)
Rob Kirby's troublesome Alfa was back in 1986 V6-spec, rather than as the 75 Turbo seen in earlier races.
The debutants also included a couple of very significant additions to the entry list- the debut of Frank Sytner's Prodrive M3 and Tiff Needell in the TOM'S GB front-drive Corolla. Both would have a major impact in their respective classes in the future.
A number of Prodsaloon Cosworths, Renault 5 Turbo Cup cars and Paul Harmer's Prodsaloon Astra also joined the party

There were also a couple of significant absentees from the originally published entry list- TWR originally entered two cars, one of their so far unraced Commdores for Walkinshaw, and a Rover for Jeff Allam. Tom and Jeff went instead to the Nurburgring WTCC round with the VL. As I remember, this turn of events was rumoured in the previews for both races in either Autosport or MN
Andy Rouse was also absent on WTCC duty, but his ICS Cosworth was present, in the hands of Win Percy, who qualified on pole,from the returning Brodie, and the Rovers of Tim Harvey and Dennis Leech. Fastest class B runner was Sytner in 5th. I think Hodgetts was fastest 1600, but I don't know who took Class C pole

The race went to Percy, Sytner taking Class B, Roger Saunders Class C, and Hodgetts Class D.

Full result:

1./#1/Win Percy/Rouse-ICS/A/Ford Sierra RS Cosworth/15 laps/ 25m51.29
2./#9/Dave Brodie/BBW Turbosport/A/Mitsubishi Starion/15 laps/25m54.04
3./#33/Frank Sytner/Prodrive/B/BMW M3/15 laps/15 laps/25m56.23
4./#6/Graham Goode/Goode/A/Ford Sierra RS Cosworth/15 laps/25m58.41
5./#8/Tim Harvey/Maguire-Istel/A/Rover Vitesse/15 laps/26m00.63
6./#2/Pete Hall/Rouse-ICS/A/Ford Sierra RS Cosworth/15 laps/26m04.68
7./#4/Dennis Leech/Leech/A/Rover Vitesse/15 laps/26m04.96
8./#7/Mike O'Brien/Docking/A/Holden Commodore VK/15 laps/26m34.72
9./#3/Graham Scarborough/Letchworth Roofing/A/Rover Vitesse/15 laps/26m36.74
10./#10/Mike Newman/Newman/A/BMW635CSi/15 laps/26m41.48
11./#??/Brian Chatfield/Chatfield/A/Rover Vitesse/15 laps/26m45.63
12./#66/Chris Hodgetts/CHMS/D/Toyota Corolla GT/14 laps
13./#71/Geoff Kimber-Smith/AGK/D/Toyota Corolla GT/14 laps
14./#??/Will Hoy/CHMS/D/Toyota Corolla GT/14 laps
15./#30/Rob Kirby/ARDT/B/Alfa Romeo 75V6/14 laps
16./#70/Tiff Needell/TOM'S GB/D/Toyota Corolla GT (fwd)/14 laps
17./#??/Roger Saunders/UniqueAir/C/Renault 5GT Turbo/14 laps
18./#31/Jon Dooley/ARDT/B/Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo
19./#74/Phil Dowsett/North Essex/D/Ford Escort RS1600i
20./#55/Colin Pearct/Smith & Latimer/C/MG Metro Turbo
21./#62/Tony Crudgington/Crudgington/D/Toyota Corolla GT
22./#42/Alan Minshaw/Demon Tweeks/C/VW Golf GTi
23./#??/Alex Postan/Postan/C/Renault 5GT Turbo
24./#??/David Grimshaw/Darlington Garages?/C/Renault 5GT Turbo
25./#??/Niki Phillips/Phillips/Renault 5GT Turbo
26./#??/Les Germain/Germain/C/Renault 5GT Turbo
27./#??/Anthony Pownall/Pownall/C/Renault 5GT Turbo
28./#??/Paul Harmer/Harmer/C/Vauxhall Astra GTE 8v (prodsaloon)

DNF
#16/Robb Gravett/Hathaway-Arquati/A/Ford Sierra RS Cosworth(prodsaloon)- overheating?
#22/Karl Jones/Asquith/B/Ford Escort RS Turbo- turbo failure?
#5/Dave Carvell/R.A. Potter/A/Rover Vitesse- ??
#18/Jerry Mahony/Dowson-Arquati/A/Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (prodsaloon) -overheating?
#19/Dave Morgan/TCCS Racing/A/Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (prodsaloon)- engine?
#38/Mark Hales/Drury/B/Ford Escort RS Turbo- 5 laps- overheating
#15/Mike Smith/Abbott Racing-Mobil 1/A/Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (prodsaloon)- 4 laps- puncture
#32/Kevin Eaton/East Midlands Transport/B/Nissan Bluebird Turbo- gearbox

[KA]

Round 7, Brands Hatch 26/7/87. Not sure of the race distance, and I don't seem to have the grid or race times.

After the GP support, the entry reduced to more usual proportions, although there were still a few extra cars here at Brands

Result as far as I know

1./#8/Tim Harvey/Maguire-Istel/A/Rover Vitesse
2./#4/Dennis Leech/Leech/A/Rover Vitesse
3./#1/Andy Rouse/Rouse-ICS/A/Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
4./#2/Pete Hall/Rouse-ICS/A/Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
5./#7/Mike O'Brien/Docking/A/Holden Commodore VK
6./#??/Brian Chatfield/Chatfield/A/Rover Vitesse
7./#66/Chris Hodgetts/CHMS/D/Toyota Corolla GT
8./#71/Geoff Kimber-Smith/AGK/D/Toyota Corolla GT
9./#31/Jon Dooley/ARDT/B/Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo
10./#??/Alex Moss/CHMS/D/Toyota Corolla GT
11./#55/Colin Pearct/Smith & Latimer/C/MG Metro Turbo
12./#??/Alan Minshaw/Demon Tweeks/C/VW Golf GTi
13./#??/Roger Saunders/UniqueAir/C/Renault 5GT Turbo
14./#38/Mark Hales/Drury/B/Ford Escort RS Turbo
15./#??/Peter? Gottlieb/Gottlieb/C/Renault 5GT Turbo
16./#??/Paul Harmer/Harmer/C/Vauxhall Astra GTE 8v (prodsaloon)

DQ#22/Karl Jones/Asquith/B/Ford Escort RS Turbo-any idea why he was disqualified?

DNF
DNF./#??/Les Germain/Germain/C/Renault 5GT Turbo
DNF./#18/Jerry Mahony/Dowson-Arquati/A/Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (prodsaloon)
DNF./#5/Dave Carvell/R.A. Potter/A/Rover Vitesse
DNF./#30/Rob Kirby/ARDT/B/Alfa Romeo 75V6
DNF./#33/Frank Sytner/Prodrive/B/BMW M3
DNF./#3/Graham Scarborough/Letchworth Roofing/A/Rover Vitesse
DNF./#6/Graham Goode/Goode/A/Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

[Jesper OH]

I'm taking my imaginary hat off for you, KA. Thank you for posting these two mid season race results. Especially as I didn't knew the full results of the GP support race anyway, but only had top 6 class results to go by. I will return in a short while and continue with results for the 1987 season. Untill then it's a merry Christmas to everybody.

Jesper

[Jesper OH]

Originally Posted by KA

Round 7, Brands Hatch 26/7/87. Not sure of the race distance, and I don't seem to have the grid or race times.

DQ#22/Karl Jones/Asquith/B/Ford Escort RS Turbo-any idea why he was disqualified?

Jones had flats on both rear tires and eventually black flagged for trailing an air scoop. Don't know if this is supposed to be a hose leading air to one of the rear brakes?

I have Graham Goode finishing 15th a lap down with Paul Gottlieb and Paul Harmer demoted a spot each to 16th and 17th. That's how Autosport reported things.

I will shortly pick up the thread for the remaining 1987 races.

Jesper

[Jesper OH]

Round 8 – August 2 1987, Snetterton

With WTCC action at Spa-Francorchamps Andy Rouse would be off to Belgium concentrating on just the Peter Hall entry on the British isles. Graham Goode was there as usual in his Sierra, while Mike Newman was back, his holiday over. Mike O’Brien and the Alan Docking team had had time for some much needed testing of the Holden Commodore sorting out both handling and carburators.
Also out testing was Tim Harvey and the John Maguire team, but suspected broken hub had sent Harvey hard into the barriers at Coram, seriously damaging the Rover Vitesse. The usual phalanx of Rover Vitesses was in place for Dennis Leech, Graham Scarborough, David Carvell and Brian Chatfield. Class B was somewhat depleted not unsurprisingly missing the totalled Alfa 75 of Rob Kirby, making Jon Dooley the only Alfa representative at Snetterton. With both Frank Sytner and Karl Jones giving the race a miss too it left Mark Hales and series debutant Lionel Wiffen in a second Terry Drury Escort as only starters. Things were even worse in class C as only Colin Pearcy and Roger Saunders were takers here, Pearcy featuring a genuine group A Roger Dowson engine. Class D was also affected by the 24 hour enduro at Spa as Tony Crudgington was off to Belgium, while Chris Hodgetts had entered both races. With only Geoff Kimber-Smith and Patrick Watts, the last one replacing Spa bound Phil Dowsett in the Julian May Escort, class D was down to just three.

Grid:
1.Mike O'Brien, 1:11.23 – class A pole
2.Dennis Leech, 1:11.54
3.David Carvell, 1:11.61
4.Pete Hall, 1:11.64
5.Graham Goode, 1:11.91
6.Graham Scarborough, 1:11.92
7.Mike Newman, 1:12.23
8.Brian Chatfield, 1:12.77
9.Tim Harvey, 1:12.92
10.Chris Hodgetts, 1:14.30 – class D pole
11.Mark Hales, 1:14.81 – class B pole
12.Colin Pearcy, 1:15.05 – class C pole
13.unknown, unknown time – unknown class
14.Geoff Kimber-Smith, 1:15.54
15.Patrick Watts, 1:16.19
16.Roger Saunders, 1:16.49 – DNS/engine
17.Jon Dooley, 1:16.65
18.Lionel Wiffen, 1:22.31

Mike O’Brien was fastest in the Holden heading the Vitesses of Dennis Leech and an on form David Carvell. Peter Hall won the Ford Sierra contest from Graham Goode in forth, with Graham Scarborough, Mike Newman, Brian Chatfield and the bend Vitesse of Tim Harvey in a lowly ninth. Chris Hodgetts was best of the rest ahead of Mark Hales, while Colin Pearcy headed class C.

Dennis Leech would make it to the front from the start leading Mike O’Brien who would reassert himself in the lead come lap two. That was when things became academic with Roger Saunders having landed his Renault 5 on its lid after a broken front hub. With the race stopped for clearing of the remains, the race was restarted over 18 laps, once again with Dennis Leech taking the lead. Mike O’Brien and David Carvell was close behind, while Peter Hall left Graham Goode in the battle for forth eventually making it four some scrap for the lead. Leech looked in command from Carvell but on the 14th lap Mike O’Brien powered past Carvell and a lap later he pressed ahead of Leech at the Esses. Now Leech had started to look a little vulnerable making a very untidy exit at Sear on the final lap allowing David Carvell and Peter Hall through. Graham Goode was fifth from final class A finisher Mike Newman. No less than three Rovers were sidelined well before the finish with Tim Harvey being the first. Up to seventh on lap 3 he felt a vibration from the front left wheel and decided to retire to the pits while Graham Scarborough lasted a lap longer before a bearing in the engine let go. Finally Brian Chatfield had to park his Vitesse with a broken differential mid way through.
Chris Hodgetts and Geoff Kimber-Smith slugged it out all through the race with GK-S setting the fastest lap, but Hodgetts once again coming out on top. Patrick Watts did his curb jumping best in the North Essex Racing Escort but could do no better than third in class to finish 10 overall. Jon Dooley was once again in fine form winning for the second time in succession helped greatly it has to be said by Mark Hales breaking a bearing in the Escort engine. This left his debuting Terry Drury team mate Lionel Wiffen taking an undisputed second in class B. Lonely class C runner Colin Pearcy would take 12th and last.

Results:
1./ #7 / Mike O'Brien / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 18 laps / 21m41.27s – fastest class A lap, shared with Hall
2./ #5 / David Carvell / Potter / A / Rover Vitesse / 18 laps / 21m42.00s
3./ #2 / Pete Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 18 laps / 21m42.68s – fastest class A lap, shared with O'Brien
4./ #4 / Dennis Leech / Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 18 laps / 21m43.00s
5./ #6 / Graham Goode / Goode / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 18 laps / 22m02.55s
6./ #10 / Mike Newman / Newman / A / BMW 635CSi / 18 laps / 22m11.46s
7./ #66 / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 18 laps / 22m41.29s
8./ #71 / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 18 laps / 22m41.65s – fastest class D lap
9./ #31 / Jon Dooley / ARDT / B / Alfa Romeo 75 TE / 17 laps
10./ #? / Patrick Watts / May / D / Ford Escort RS1600i / 17 laps
11./ #? / Lionel Wiffen / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 17 laps
12./ #55 / Colin Pearcy / Pearcy / C / MG Metro Turbo / 16 laps – fastest class C lap
DNFs
#? / Brian Chatfield / Chatfield / A / Rover Vitesse / 9 laps / Differential
#3 / Graham Scarborough / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 4 laps / bearing
#38 / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 3 laps / bearing – fastest class B lap
#8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 3 laps / vibration
DNF/DNS?
#? / unknown
DNS
#45 / Roger Saunders / Saunders / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / accident

Jesper

[Jesper OH]

Round 9 – August 16th 1987, Donington Park

20 laps of the 1.957 mile circuit. Grid formation 3-2-3-2 for a standing start.

Graham Goode made good use of the two week break from the previous Snetterton race. The silver Listerine Ford Sierra RS Cosworth was updated to the never RS500 evolution. Having previously raced an Andy Rouse customer engine this race also marked the first occasion where an in house Goode engine was used. Rival Rouse Sierra runner Pete Hall had to make due with his usual RS Cosworth, while teamleader Andy Rouse was off to the Brno WTCC race. Another missing at Donington was Snetterton winner Mike O’Brien racing trucks at Brands Hatch instead. The John Maguire crew had performed a total rebuild of the Istel Rover of Tim Harvey while Dennis Leech, David Carvell and Graham Scarborough represented the remaining Rover runners with Mike Newman making it the seventh class A runner with his 635. In class B Frank Sytner was back with the BMW M3 as was Kevin Eaton and the Nissan Bluebird Turbo. Mark Hales and Lionel Wiffen were once again racing a Terry Drury Escort each, while Jon Dooley brought class contenders to five. Roger Saunders had re-shelled his Renault 5 from his Snetterton shunt to join Colin Pearcy and Allan Minshaw, who still had to make do with his production saloon VW Golf. In class D Chris Hodgetts was down to two cars, his original “01” chassis badly damaged at the Spa 24 hour race two weeks previously. This meant that teamleader Hodgetts was in his usual “03” car, while Tony Dron was a late addition to the entry list in the Demon Tweeks “02” car. Geoff Kimber-Smith was likely to be closed opposition while Phil Dowsett was back in the Julian May Escort.

Grid:
1.Frank Sytner, 1:17.57 – class B pole
2.Graham Goode, 1:17.58 – class A pole
3.Tim Harvey, 1:17.98
4.David Carvell, 1:18.30
5.Dennis Leech, 1:18.45
6.Pete Hall, 1:18.96
7.Graham Scarborough, 1:19.47
8.Mike Newman, 1:19.63
9.Kevin Eaton, 1:21.79
10.Mark Hales, 1:22.09
11.Chris Hodgetts, 1:22.12 – class D pole
12.Jon Dooley, 1:23.13
13.Geoff Kimber-Smith, 1:22.48
14.Colin Pearcy, 1:24.20 – class C pole
15.Lionel Wiffen, 1:24.40
16.Phil Dowsett, 1:25.08
17.Tony Dron, 1:25.39
18.Roger Saunders, 1:26.72
19.Alan Minshaw, 1:25.75!

It was quite a sight to see David Carvell off into the lead from the second row, heading Frank Sytner. Graham Goode was slow of the line even being rammed from behind. Worst off though was Tim Harvey when his driveshaft snapped at the line, immediately joining the list of retirees. Meanwhile Sytner seized up Carvell and made his bid for the lead on lap 3. Dennis Leech was third while Graham Goode was happy to be forth for the moment. With Sytner disappearing up front Goode was the mid race mover passing Leech and on lap 11 Carvell too. Leech tried a repeat performance on Carvell but the two collided at Redgate leaving Leech in third and Carvell into retirement thanks to a puncture. Up front Graham Goode used his power advantage to reel in Frank Sytner, but as the race neared its conclusion traffic blocked Goode’s attempts. And so Frank Sytner became the sixth winner of this years championship from Graham Goode who won his first class A race with the Sierra. Dennis Leech a clear number three from Peter Hall while Graham Scarborough held on to fifth from Mike Newman despite brake problems.
Kevin Eaton had another fine run in the Nissan this time netting him a fine second in class B ahead of Jon Dooley, while the two Terry Drury Escorts failed miserably. Mark Hales was a misfiring forth while Lionel Wiffen retired his mount with an overheating engine. Colin Pearcy was unchallenged for class C honours beating Roger Saunders, while Chris Hodgetts was a sure winner in class D. Geoff Kimber-Smith fought a vibration to end second in class while Tony Dron took third from Phil Dowsett.

The result all but secured Chris Hodgetts of a second consecutive British touring car title with Mark Hales and Geoff Kimber-Smith joined in second. Second in class for Dennis Leech and the demise of Tim Harvey meant Leech would take the class A lead. For those unlucky at Donington there was only a week to reassemble before the 1 hour two driver enduro at Oulton Park round 10.

Result:
1./ #33 / Frank Sytner / Sytner / B / BMW M3 / 20 laps / 26m48.38s / fastest class B lap
2./ #6 / Graham Goode / Goode / A / Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth / 20 laps / 26m48.84s / fastest class A lap
3./ #4 / Dennis Leech / Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 20 laps / 26m52.06s
4./ #2 / Pete Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 20 laps / 26m58.45s
5./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 20 laps / 27m06.74s
6./ #10 / Mike Newman / Newman / A / BMW 635CSi / 20 laps / 27m20.59s
7./ #32 / Kevin Eaton / Eaton / B / Nissan Bluebird Turbo / 20 laps / 28m02.30s
8./ #31 / Jon Dooley / ARDT / B / Alfa Romeo 75 TE / 19 laps
9./ #66 / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 19 laps / fastest class D lap
10./ #38 / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 19 laps
11./ #71 / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 19 laps
12./ #55 / Colin Pearcy / Pearcy / C / MG Metro Turbo / 19 laps / fastest class C lap
13./ #67? / Tony Dron / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 19 laps
14./ #45 / Roger Saunders / Saunders / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 19 laps
15./ #? / Phil Dowsett / May / D / Ford Escort RS1600i / 17 laps
DNFs
#? / Lionel Wiffen / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 14 laps
#5 / David Carvell / Potter / A / Rover Vitesse / 12 laps
#? / Alan Minshaw / Minshaw / C / VW Golf GTI 16V / 6 laps
#8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 0 laps

[Jesper OH]

Round 10 – August 22nd 1987, Oulton Park

1 hour or 30 laps? Rolling start

And so it was time for an endurance race of the British series. With Chris Hodgetts having already sewn up the title, there were merely class honours to race for. The two class A Ford Sierras were now both in RS500 evo trim with Andy Rouse joining Pete Hall, while Win Percy would switch to the Graham Goode car for this race. The Rovers were down to the usually seen four cars with class A points leader Dennis Leech being joined by ? Innes, while Tim Harvey would have current Ecosse C2-driver David Leslie as driving partner. David Carvell brought Jeff Allam in for a rare '87 race in the car Allam raced at Bathurst '84, while Graham Scarborough had enlisted the service of Lionel Abbott. Mike O’Brien was back with the Holden Commodore adding a considerable Australian flair to the equipe by having the driving talents of Gary Brabham. Finally Mike Newman had his BMW 635 CSi for himself and Robert Speak.
Just three cars would make the class B grid with Frank Sytner and production saloon racer Mike Smith being firm favorites while Mark Hales and Lionel Wiffen would share one of the Terry Drury Escorts. The other Drury Turbo – the expected Hales car - had a driveshaft shear leaving Phil Dowsett and Graham Hathaway without a drive. Rob Kirby would be back in BTCC action partnering Jon Dooley in the surviving Alfa 75 Turbo. Class C had Colin Pearcy with former Metro Turbo racer Paul Taft alongside, while Roger Saunders and Holman Blackburn would share the Renault 5 GT Turbo of Saunders. Allan Minshaw had the service of Vic Lee in the Demon Tweek VW Golf, presumably still the production saloon GTI. Finally class D had three entries with Chris Hodgetts and Tiff Needell sharing both CHMS Corollas, the idea being to swap cars during their mid way pit stop. If plans should fail Win Percy was also qualified for both entries. Final contender was Geoff Kimber-Smith who had Garry Marshall along.

Grid:
1.#2 Pete Hall/Andy Rouse, 1:42.0 – class A pole
2.#6 Graham Goode/Win Percy, 1:43.2
3.#5 David Carvell/Jeff Allam, 1:45.0
4.#8 Tim Harvey/David Leslie, 1:45.6
5.#33 Frank Sytner/Mike Smith, 1:46.0 – class B pole
6.#4 Dennis Leech/? Innes, 1:46.1
7.#7 Mike O'Brien/Gary Brabham, 1:46.6
8.#10 Mike Newman/Robert Speak, 1:47.4
9.#3 Graham Scarborough/Lionel Abbott, 1:48.1
10.#66? Chris Hodgetts/Tiff Needell, 1:50.4 – class D pole (Win Percy DNS)
11.#67? Tiff Needell/Chris Hodgetts, 1:51.2 (Win Percy DNS)
12.#77 Geoff Kimber-Smith/Gerry Marshall, 1:54.6
13.#31 Jon Dooley/Rob Kirby, 1:55.4
14.#38 Mark Hales/Phil Dowsett or Graham Hathaway, unknown time, DNS
15.#55 Colin Pearcy/Paul Taft, 1:56.4 – class C pole, DNS
16.#45 Roger Saunders/Holman Blackburn, 1:56.8
17.#? Lionel Wiffen/Mark Hales, 1:57.3 (Phil Dowsett or Graham Hathaway DNS)
18.#? Alan Minshaw/Vic Lee, 1:58.3

As competitors awaited their afternoon slot for the one hour race a massive down pour flooded the track leaving tyre choice an easy matter. Rain tyres was thus seen on all cars bar the Newman 635 and very late the Listerine Sierra, while the ICS Sierra sported intermediates. As the pack went away from the rolling start the rain had disappeared and a slightly dry line had appeared on the track. Win Percy used his slicks to the full launching him into an immediate lead while the electrics of the ICS car played up forcing Andy Rouse into retirement after only three laps. Tim Harvey was second in the Istel Rover from David Carvell, Frank Sytner, Dennis Leech, Mike O’Brien and Mike Newman. In front Percy was simply astonishing leaving his pursuers a full minute in areas at the scheduled mid race pit stop, alas the stop never materialised. As co driver and car owner Graham Goode was all set to take over the driveshaft of the Sierra snapped and the good job undone. Meanwhile Mike Newman used his slicks to take advantage of the stricken Sierra and not even the pit stop for Robert Speak to take over could oust the venerable 635 from the lead. Jeff Allam, in for David Carvell put in a spirited last half of the race but still fell 8 seconds short in the end despite fastest lap of the race, a lengthy tyre change putting paid to their chances. Mike O’Brien and Gary Brabham was looking set for third when the driveshaft sheared with just four laps remaining. In the CHMS Corolla started by Tiff Needell Chris Hodgetts thus finished an excellent third overall while Needell fought increasingly worn rain tyres on the second team car to finish fifth overall, sandwiching the Scarborough/Abbott Rover in forth. Gerry Marshall was also mixing it with the two CHMS Corollas, but later faded and eventually ended ninth. With Tim Harvey being severely delayed Dennis Leech took little advantage in the points game by finishing only sixth overall, forth in class. The Sytner/Smith M3 never featured in the race being plagued by a misfire that saw its demise after 19 laps. This made class B honours a battle among the Drury Escort and the ARDT 75. Jon Dooley lead this battle but a neat move by Lionel Wiffen saw the Escort in front to take the class win in seventh overall. Incredibly the Minshaw/Lee VW Golf would take class C honours from the Saunders/Blackburn Renault.

The result assured Chris Hodgetts of the 1987 title leaving Mark Hales second from Dennis Leech and a number of other. A four week break would follow before the championship would see round 11 in action at Donington Park on 20 September, but of course a number of teams and drivers would be off to the WTCC counter of the Silverstone Tourist Trophy two weeks before that.

Result:
1./ #10 / Newman, Speak / Newman / A / BMW 635CSi / 30 laps / 59m21.8s
2./ #5 / Carvell, Allam / Potter / A / Rover Vitesse / 30 laps / 59m29.6s – fastest class A lap by Allam
3./ #66? / Hodgetts, Needell / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 30 laps / 61m09.8s – fastest class D lap by unknown driver
4./ #3 / Scarborough, Abbott / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 29 laps
5./ #67? / Needell, Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 29 laps
6./ #4 / Leech, Innes / Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 29 laps
7./ #? / Wiffen, Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 28 laps
8./ #31 / Dooley, Kirby / ARDT / B / Alfa Romeo 75 TE / 28 laps
9./ #77 / Kimber-Smith, Marshall / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 28 laps
10./ #? / Minshaw, Lee / Minshaw / C / VW Golf GTI 16V / 27 laps
11./ #45 / Saunders, Blackburn / Saunders / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 26 laps – fastest class C lap by unknown driver
NC/DNFs
#8 / Harvey, Leslie / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 26 laps / not classified
#7 / O'Brien, Brabham / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 26 laps / differential
#33 / Sytner, Smith / Sytner / B / BMW M3 / 19 laps / misfire / fastest class B lap driver unknown
#6 / Goode, Percy / Goode / A / Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth / 19 laps / differential
#2 / Hall, Rouse / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth / 3 laps / electrics
DNS
#38 / Hales, Dowsett or Hathaway / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / halfshaft
#55 / Pearcy, Taft / Pearcy / C / MG Metro Turbo / turbo

It seems as if some guest drivers received points while only the regular driver of other entries was handed points.
It seems that the two Terry Drury Escorts were intended for their regular drivers Mark Hales and Lionel Wiffen as lead driver in their usual cars. Technical issues with the Hales car meant that the line up was altered for the race, but who was Phil Dowsett supposed to partner and who was Graham Hathaway supposed to partner?

Jesper

[KA]

Originally Posted by Jesper OH

It seems that the two Terry Drury Escorts were intended for their regular drivers Mark Hales and Lionel Wiffen as lead driver in their usual cars. Technical issues with the Hales car meant that the line up was altered for the race, but who was Phil Dowsett supposed to partner and who was Graham Hathaway supposed to partner?

Jesper

That one's been puzzling me for a while- If anyone's got a copy of the race programme for Oulton with the original entry list...
I've got a vague suspicion that the originally intended pairings might have been Hales/Dowsett and Wiffen/Hathaway but wouldn't like to swear to it....
At least you seem to have cleared up the question of which car which car actually raced- Wiffen's #39 (I think) rather than Hales' #38, a detail that I think I've missed out of my transcription of the results- I'll check when I've got access to them again after tomorrow

[Jesper OH]

Description: Round 11 of 12 of the 1987 Dunlop tyres RAC British Touring Car Championship held over 15 laps at the 4.023 kilometer/2.500 mile Donington Park circuit on Sunday 20 September 1987.

With the penultimate round shaping up it was the usual suspects that turned up with a few changes. Rover mounted Dennis Leech was out to defend his hard won points lead from the similar car of Tim Harvey, with Graham Scarborough and David Carvell making it four usual Vitesses. Mike O’Brien was back in the Alan Docking Commodore as was endurance winner Mike Newman in his 635. The damage to the Graham Goode Ford Sierra at the Silverstone TT was worse than expected and the silver Listerine car would be missing, but Andy Rouse and Peter Hall would make it two ICS RS500s in class A. Class B would be almost crowded with six takers. Frank Sytner would once more be the impossible quick yard stick despite racing the only non-turbo car, while Mark Hales was out to secure his second in the overall point standings in his Terry Drury Escort RS Turbo. Lionel Wiffen was backing Hales' efforts in the second Drury car while Karl Jones was back for more Group A action in the Longman/Duckhams Turbo. Kevin Eaton in the Nissan Bluebird and Jon Dooley in the Alfa 75 would make it five Turbo cars in this class. Colin Pearcy in the MG Metro Turbo still had to contend with Roger Saunders for class C honours with David Kay in a second Renault 5 GT Turbo. Allan Minshaw was final class contender in the Demon Tweeks VW Golf GTI 16V. Finally Chris Hodgetts was out to celebrate his championship in a singleton CHMS Corolla with Geoff Kimber-Smith as only other rwd Corolla for the race. Tiff Needell would make a return with the front drive TOM's GB Corolla with the class D backed up by a pair of Ford Escorts. Keith Norman would make his debut in the North Essex car while Richard Belcher was more familiar with the ropes of his Alan Gaunt mount. This would make for a fine 23 car entry list, on the second visit to the Northamptonshire track, this time using the full Grand Prix circuit.
A little unusual for a BTCC round all action was compressed to Sunday only which would affect two contesters severely. At the early time slot of 9 AM Sunday morning the track was still damp for first qualifying while the later second session saw a lot of oil greasing the track.

Grid:
1.A – Andy Rouse, 1:45.41
2.B – Frank Sytner, 1:48.45
3.A – Mike O'Brien, 1:48.94
4.A – David Carvell, 1:49.73 – DNS due to accident
5.A – Graham Scarborough, 1:50.40
6.A – Tim Harvey, 1:50.89
7.A – Mike Newman, 1:51.43
8.B – Kevin Eaton, 1:53.39
9.D – Chris Hodgetts, 1:53.85
10.B – Jon Dooley, 1:54.05
11.A – Pete Hall, 1:54.27
12.D – Tiff Needell, 1:54.59
13.A – Dennis Leech, 1:55.28
14.B – Mark Hales, 1:56.10
15.C – Alan Minshaw, 1:57.20
16.D – Richard Belcher, 1:57.33
17.D – Geoff Kimber-Smith, 1:57.55
18.C – Roger Saunders, 1:57.88
19.D – Keith Norman, 1:59.97
20.C – Colin Pearcy, 2:01.34
21.C – David Kay, 2:04.42
22.B – Lionel Wiffen, 2:09.33 – DNS due to accident
23.B – Karl Jones, 3:26.08

Once again the pole sitting Sierra would make a mess of the start panicking a few competitors behind. This time Graham Scarborough just made it by while a fast starting Dennis Leech was bringing himself into trouble for the deed taking to the grass to avoid hitting anything. This saw Frank Sytner and Mike O’Brien leading from Tim Harvey up from sixth. But Andy Rouse was the mover, quickly disposing of Harvey and then O’Brien to bring himself in front from Sytner by lap three simply powering his way through every time. Rouse would soon make a break from Sytner who in similar action left O’Brien and the rest well behind. Although the winning margin was only 2 seconds at the finish victory was never in doubt in what was for once a processional race. Mike O’Brien kept the Commodore in fine shape through out helped by Tim Harvey with a slightly sick V8 engine. Graham Scarborough and Dennis Leech was disputing fifth early on decided their fight with in a clash that left Leech with a puncture and a pit call. This left him 16th and last but still netting him a single point for sixth in class A. Mike Newman fell from contention with a spin but still netted seventh in the end. Peter Hall had his Sierra breaking a cwp early on.
Kevin Eaton was holding station to finish best of the rest in the class B Nissan while Mark Hales resettled orders by beating Jon Dooley to last in class, Karl Jones losing his Turbo early on. Colin Pearcy took the undisputed class C honours as only survivor. David Kay retired his Renault with overheating at the very beginning but did win the supporting Cup race. Roger Saunders went off to the escape road at the same time but would return only to retire with a failed hub on the 10th lap. Shortly afterwards Allan Minshaw had a driveshaft failure on his Golf ending a miserable class C scrap. No such worries to be found in class D as Chris Hodgetts would celebrate his overall championship win another class win – his tenth of the year. Tiff Needell would take second helped by a spin by Geoff Kimber-Smith. Richard Belcher won the Escort battle from Keith Norman.

A two week break ensured before Silverstone would take contesters through to the 12th and final round. Chris Hodgetts and Mark Hales would be secure in first and second, while Colin Pearcy had all but wrapped up class C. Only Dennis Leech and Tim Harvey were in for a real fight for class A honours.

Result:
1./ #1 / Andy Rouse / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth / 15 laps / 27m18.66s / FL
2./ #33 / Frank Sytner / Sytner / B / BMW M3 / 15 laps / 27m20.54s / FL
3./ #7 / Mike O'Brien / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 15 laps / 27m39.41s
4./ #8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 27m52.95s
5./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 28m00.74s
6./ #10 / Mike Newman / Newman / A / BMW 635CSi / 15 laps / 28m08.13s
7./ #32 / Kevin Eaton / Eaton / B / Nissan Bluebird Turbo / 15 laps / 28m25.18s
8./ #66 / Chris Hodgetts / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 15 laps / 29m03.89s / FL
9./ #38 / Mark Hales / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 15 laps / 29m19.56s
10./ #70 / Tiff Needell / TOM'S / D / Toyota Corolla FX / 14 laps
11./ #77 / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps
12./ #? / Richard Belcher / Gaunt / D / Ford Escort RS1600i / 14 laps
13./ #? / Keith Norman / May / D / Ford Escort RS1600i / 14 laps
14./ #55 / Colin Pearcy / Pearcy / C / MG Metro Turbo / 14 laps
15./ #31 / Jon Dooley / ARDT / B / Alfa Romeo 75 TE / 14 laps
16./ #4 / Dennis Leech / Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 14 laps
DNFs
#? / Alan Minshaw / Minshaw / C / VW Golf GTI 16V / 10 laps / driveshaft
#45 / Roger Saunders / Saunders / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 9 laps / hub
#22 / Karl Jones / Longman? / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 5 laps / turbo
#2 / Pete Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth / 4 laps / cwp (suspension?)
#? / David Kay / unknown / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 0 laps / overheating
DNSs
#5 / David Carvell / Potter / A / Rover Vitesse / accident
#39 / Lionel Wiffen / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / accident

I have conflicting info regarding the entrant of the Karl Jones Escort – either a Longman or an Asquith entry?
With Chris Hodgetts a car down since Spa and a car committed to the forthcoming Bathurt, would be my guess for one car present at Donington.

Jesper

[KA]

Originally Posted by Jesper OH

#2 / Pete Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth / 4 laps / cwp (suspension?)

CWP= crownwheel and pinion- in other words, differential failure

Originally Posted by Jesper OH

I have conflicting info regarding the entrant of the Karl Jones Escort – either a Longman or an Asquith entry?
With Chris Hodgetts a car down since Spa and a car committed to the forthcoming Bathurst, would be my guess for one car present at Donington.

Jesper

I'm pretty sure Karl was run by Asquith, who ran his prodsaloon Escort- though I suspect he used a Longman car. There was a Tiff Needell track test in Autosport towards the end of the year comparing Group A and Prodsaloon versions of the RS Turbo which used the Jones car, and I think mentioned the origin of the car

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by KA

I'm pretty sure Karl was run by Asquith, who ran his prodsaloon Escort- though I suspect he used a Longman car. There was a Tiff Needell track test in Autosport towards the end of the year comparing Group A and Prodsaloon versions of the RS Turbo which used the Jones car, and I think mentioned the origin of the car

Yes I think it was Asquith Autosport too. formerly onr half of Marshall Asquith Racing?

[R59]

5./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / unknown / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 28m00.74s

Seeing entries like this, Skid was running a Martin Thomas car IIRC.
There are a few "unknown" against Rover Vitesse entries, and they look like Martin Thomas jobbies too.

[Jesper OH]

First of all, thank you guys for the recent team ID on the Karl Jones and likely Graham Scarborough entries.

Description: Round 12 of 12 of the 1987 Dunlop tyres RAC British Touring Car Championship held over 15 laps at the 4.778 kilometer Silverstone Grand Prix circuit on Sunday 6 October 1987.

Yet another clash with a World champion counter, this time at Mount Panorama, Australia, and a bit of musical chairs saw an altered line up for the final round of the BTCC. Dennis Leech and Tim Harvey were in their usual Rovers with the ever more competitive David Carvell and Graham Scarborough along in their similar cars. With Graham Goode still sidelined and Andy Rouse down under, Peter Hall was sole RS500 runner although joined by Australian Rex Muldoon in his Group A RS Cosworth rally version. Mike O’Brien was also out to see some action with historic racer Chris Aylett joining the fray with the David Brodie Mitsubishi Starion, so far only seen at the GP support race in July.
Frank Sytner was absent in class B, the BMW M3 sold to Allan Minshaw who was missing from the entry list anyway. With Mark Hales secure of the class B title as well as second overall Graham Hathaway would take over the lead Terry Drury Escort joining Lionel Wiffen in the straightened second car. Karl Jones made it once more in the Asquith/Duckhams version while Jon Dooley would finish the line-up in his Alfa 75 Turbo. Colin Pearcy and Roger Saunders were only class C contenders. If not exactly in a direct points battle they were tied on five class victories before the Silverstone finale. With the championship in the bag for the second year Chris Hodgetts was down under, with usual class B runner Mark Hales replacing him in the lone CHMS Corolla with the previous round Corollas as selective opposition in the hands of Geoff Kimber-Smith and Tiff Needell present. Tony Crudgington would make a return to the series with his Corolla while the series' two Escort RS1600is would be driven by Phil Dowsett (May) and Mark Goddard (Gaunt).

Grid:
1.A – Pete Hall, 1:40.40
2.A – David Carvell, 1:41.43
3.A – Dennis Leech, 1:42.14
4.A – Tim Harvey, 1:42.17
5.A – Mike O'Brien, 1:43.28
6.A – Graham Scarborough, 1:43.47
7.A – Gary Aylett, 1:44.68
8.A – Rex Muldoon, 1:47.67
9.B – Karl Jones, 1:48.46
10.D – Tiff Needell, 1:48.98
11.D – Mark Hales, 1:49.31
12.B – Graham Hathaway, 1:49.56
13.B – Jon Dooley, 1:50.14
14.D – Geoff Kimber-Smith, 1:51.09
15.B – Lionel Wiffen, 1:51.70
16.D – Tony Crudgington, 1:52.03
17.D – Phil Dowsett, 1:52.04
18.D – Mark Goddard, 1:52.07
19.C – Colin Pearcy, 1:52.38
20.C – Roger Saunders, 1:52.55
21.B – Kevin Eaton, 1:53.19

Despite being a bit slow off the line Peter Hall rounded the first turn in second but soon powered past lightning starting Dennis Leech for the lead. David Carvell and Tim Harvey joined Leech in a three way Rover dash with attention focusing on the close points battle among Leech and Harvey. The action also allowed Mike O’Brien to join the fun but soon dropped back with an alternator problem. Out front Peter Hall could secure his first victory of the year in very commanding fashion. Behind Dennis Leech fought off the attention of David Carvell but midway through Leech opened up for Carvell to have a go at the chikane. It would only be at Copse that the white Rover was in front even bringing Harvey with him. But then the Istel car went slightly off at Club half a lap later. With David Carvell already off into the distance towards a well deserved second, Harvey was pressuring Leech for third when the pair arrived at the Woodcote chicane on the 11th lap. Harvey took the inside line from a momentarily brakeless Leech. A frantic pumping of the pedal brought back the stopping power to the black Rover but sending him off into the gravel and the first retirement of the year. Tim Harvey was thus third and class A winner in the championship stakes. Mike O’Brien and Graham Scarborough was next a long way ahead of Rex Muldoon. Chris Aylett had a driveshaft let go after 11 laps joining Leech on the retirement list.
Karl Jones took an immediate lead in class B only to see the tail lights of Kevin Eatons Bluebird within a short time. Unfortunately the Nissan engine cried enough on the forth tour ending his race. For Jones a misfire halted progression leaving the class win to Graham Hathaway in the lead Drury Escort. Jon Dooley took second despite an off song engine, but obviously matters were worse for Karl Jones who finally managed third from Lionel Wiffen. Colin Pearcy took yet another uncontested class C win in the Metro when the engine in the Roger Saunders Renault 5 expired on lap 10. Mark Hales assured the Chris Hodgetts outfit of an 11th win of the season when Tiff Needell was first caught out by a momentarily stranded Muldoon Sierra at the start and then finally a wiring problem by lap six. With Tony Crudgington left at the start with a broken gearbox and Geoff Kimber-Smith retiring with an engine failure on the very last lap, it was left for Escort drivers Mark Goddard and Phil Dowsett to take the final class D podium finishes.

Result:
1./ #2 / Pete Hall / Rouse / A / Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth / 15 laps / 25m49.03s / FL
2./ #5 / David Carvell / Potter / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26m00.61s
3./ #8 / Tim Harvey / Maguire / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26m04.71s
4./ #7 / Mike O'Brien / Docking / A / Holden Commodore VK / 15 laps / 26m08.09s
5./ #3 / Graham Scarborough / Thomas / A / Rover Vitesse / 15 laps / 26m14.09s
6./ #? / Rex Muldoon / Muldoon? / A / Ford Sierra RS Cosworth / 15 laps / 27m26.77s
7./ #38? / Graham Hathaway / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 15 laps / 27m35.70s / FL
8./ #31 / Jon Dooley / Dooley / B / Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo / 14 laps
9./ #66? / Mark Hales / Hodgetts / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 14 laps / FL
10./ #22 / Karl Jones / Asquith / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 14 laps
11./ #39 / Lionel Wiffen / Drury / B / Ford Escort RS Turbo / 14 laps
12./ #55 / Colin Pearcy / Pearcy / C / MG Metro Turbo / 14 laps / FL
13./ #? / Mark Goddard / Gaunt / D / Ford Escort RS1600i / 14 laps
14./ #74 / Phil Dowsett / May / D / Ford Escort RS1600i / 14 laps
DNFs
#77 / Geoff Kimber-Smith / Kimber-Smith / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 13 laps / Engine
#9 / Chris Aylett / Brodie / A / Mitsubishi Starion Turbo / 11 laps / Driveshaft
#4 / Dennis Leech / Leech / A / Rover Vitesse / 10 laps / Accident
#45 / Roger Saunders / Saunders / C / Renault 5 GT Turbo / 10 laps / Engine
#70 / Tiff Needell / TOM's GB / D / Toyota Corolla FX / 6 laps / Electrics
#32 / Kevin Eaton / Eaton / B / Nissan Bluebird Turbo / 3 laps / Engine
#62 / Tony Crudgington / Crudgington / D / Toyota Corolla GT / 0 laps / Gearbox

I will return with a stab at the point standings as well as thoughts about the drivers and the season as a whole, but for now I will wish you all a Happy New Year

Jesper