Up to Speed: 1-2 October 2022

Thursday 29 September 2022

One British title will be decided on the Isle of Man this weekend, as the Chris Kelly Memorial Manx Stages and the Asphalt Rally Championship light up the Isle of Man.

Elsewhere, Anglesey hosts a double header of British Sprint Championship action, and there’s the usual jam-packed programme of circuit racing and grassroots events – including StreetCar – to get stuck into.

Let’s get you up to speed:

StreetCar / Around the Clubs

With only a handful of British Championships in action this weekend, there’s never been a better time to find your local motor club and kickstart your motorsport journey.

Five StreetCar events headline the bill, representing a broad range of the disciplines on offer. From the Blackpalfrey MCK’s Classic Touring Assembly, to Clwyd Vale Motor Club’s Clwydian AutoSOLO, or the Woolbridge Motor Club’s Hogcliff Trophy Trial, there’s something to cater for everyone.

StreetCar events can be contested in your everyday road car, using a free Motorsport UK RS Clubman licence. To find out more, visit the website here: https://streetcarmotorsportuk.com/

Around the Circuits

Castle Combe will reverberate this weekend to the sound of Grand Finals Day, as a whole host of the Wiltshire circuit’s championships stage their title deciders.

With action from Saloons, GTs, Formula Ford 1600, Hot Hatch and the Mighty Minis, spectators – and those following live on Castle Combe TV (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7BSlVK7axs) are in for a thrill.

Across at Snetterton, it’s 750 Motor Club action, with a packed programme including BMWs, Clios, F1000s and Mazdas set to tackle the Norfolk circuit’s 300 layout.

British Sprint Championship – Anglesey Circuit

Terry Holmes still holds a slender six-point lead over Graham Blackwell as the British Sprint Championship prepares for a double header this weekend at Anglesey.

With action across two different layouts – one day on the National circuit, the other on the full International loop – the race for championship honours is hotting up, but it’s neither Holmes nor Blackwell who arrive with the bragging rights from Blyton Park last time out.

That honour goes to Matthew Hillam, who steered his two-litre Dallara F399 to a brace of Run-Off wins, Peter Goulding the only man to get within a second of Hillam on either occasion.

To follow the action, keep tabs on the British Sprint Championship on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BritishSprintChampionship

Asphalt Rally Championship – Chris Kelly Memorial Manx Stages

This weekend marks the conclusion of the Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship, with the stars – and cars – descending on the Isle of Man for 130 miles of competitive action across 16 stages around the island.

The event, now held in memory of former Manx Auto Sport Club Chairman Chris Kelly, will decide the destiny of this year’s title fight.

Steve Wood is currently seven points to the good out front alongside co-driver Dale Bowen, the Ford Fiesta WRC crew leading nearest rivals John Stone and Laura Connell’s Volkswagen Polo GTI R5.

Neil Roskell/Andrew Roughead (Ford Fiesta R5) and Brad Cole also remain mathematically in contention, just a further two and three points respectively behind. With 25 points on offer for the top prize, the race for the coveted crown is set to go down to the wire.

Follow the action live on Special Stage’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/specialstage