Tongham 15 June 2025

TONGHAM MOTOR CLUB ROUND 5

1 June 2025

It was another dry and dusty day, with lots of track watering needed, for Tongham’s fifth meeting of the season. 104 race cars, plus 50 Bangers, made it as busy as Tongham’s meetings always are at the moment, with quite a few incidents and race stoppages. Unfortunately some problems behind the scenes meant that we were unable to get sight of any official results on the day, so this time we’ll just have to report the races as we saw them through our lens, which might not be quite the same as the official version!

A nineteen car grid of PRODUCTION As set off into clouds of dust, with Chris Bealing losing the lead to Cameron Wellgreen before Chris’ Nova was left facing the traffic, bringing out the red flag, and the water cart. From the restart, Tom Logan, in one of a pair of immaculately presented Micras, led all the way in the shortened race, with Oliver Hester coming home second, in front of Zak Gorrie, who’d worked his way from the back to the front of a big group comprising Justin Johnson, Willow King, Matt Gurr, Alan Goddard, Joe Morgan, Lee Boulden, Cherie Wells and Sadie Plant. Dennis Lee, upgraded straight to red after his success at the previous meeting, was in front of Cameron Wellgreen, Jake Kurn, Jamie Dade and Charlotte Light, while James Mitchell and Adam Dade pulled off.

The second race was red flagged twice, firstly after a tangle at the start between Alan Goddard and Willow King and again when James Mitchell and Chris Bealing spun. Although barely at half distance there wasn’t another restart, so we assume Oliver was the winner, with Tom Logan second from Zak Gorrie, who again came though very quickly to head Jake Kurn, Joe Morgan, Adam Dade, Matt Gurr, Cherie Wells, Jamie Dade, Lee Boulden, Justin Johnson and Sadie Plant, in very approximately that order.

Sixteen cars started the final, with Alan Goddard, Dennis Lee and Charlotte Light missing. Chris Bealing led away, soon passed by Justin Johnson, but with an uninterrupted race distance this time, Zak Gorrie was able to complete his drive through the field and took the win well clear of Justin, who held of Willow King and Cherie Wells. Jake Kurn and Justin Johnson headed the main pack from Lee Boulden, Joe Morgan, Jamie Dade, Tom Logan, Cameron Wellgreen, Sadie Plant and James Mitchell, with Chris Bealing lapped at the end and Matt Gurr and Adam Dade pulling off. Overall Oliver took the win on points, with Zak second and Tom Logan third.

PRODUCTION B had thirteen entries, including Lewis Jewer, who’s moved from Prod A in search of a bit less damage. From fifth on the grid Lewis was quickly into the lead of the first heat and held it all the way, with Laura Connors moving up to second in front of Shane Phillips, Thomas Connors and Mo Penfold, with Fin Chance chasing this lot home. Aaron Culley was next, from Bob Salter and Martyn Culley, with Ray Balmain, Addison Sibley and Ryan Stafford completing the field after Kev Beck retired.

The second race, on a watered track, was again led by Lewis Jewer, with Laura Connors again heading the red graders, but this time Laura caught Lewis and went through to take the win, with Lewis just holding off Fin Chance, Shane Phillips and Mo Penfold for second. Addison Sibley was in front of Martyn Culley, Ray Balmain and Bob Salter, with Aaron Culley lapped after a visit to the fence. There were a couple of scary moments, with Kev Beck spinning onto the infield at the start, and Ryan Stafford spinning on the finish line and reversing all the way round the pits bend to try and get out of the way, only to be stuck facing the traffic on the bottom straight. Thomas Connors missed it all after he had to pull off the grid.

Shane Phillips had blown his head gasket and couldn’t make the final, and then Lewis Jewer didn’t get away, bringing out the reds at the start. Kev Beck then led the first couple of laps, but Mo Penfold came through to lead the rest of the way, taking a good win as Martyn Culley beat Fin Chance and Laura Connors for second. A misfiring Thomas Connors managed fifth ahead of Aaron Culley and then came Addison Sibley, Bob Salter, Kev Beck, Ray Balmain and Ryan Stafford. Laura’s excellent day earned the first overall trophy, with Mo second and Fin third.

The 1450 HOT RODS brought out the current seven regular entries, and the dusty first heat saw Kodi Page’s Blackbird-powered Cinquecento finally running as it should, taking a runaway win as James Rich passed Rob Salter for second, with Sam Harriss fourth from Neil Hudson, en Stockley and Micky Hopcroft. Kodi again dominated the second heat, with Neil Hudson’s Horizon going very well, passing Micky Hopcroft’s Nova to head the FWD battle before clipping the inside armco and dropping back. Sam Harriss got past Rob Salter on the last lap to take second, with James Rich a close third. Kodi then led the final all the way, although he was given a closer chase this time by James Rich, while Ben Stockley took third from Rob Salter and Sam Harriss. Neil Hudson and Micky Hopcroft completed the order. Obviously Kodi’s unbeaten day brought him first overall, from James and Rob.

The SUPER SALOONS had seven entries, but Nathan Sweeney’s twin CBR-powered Cinquecento didn’t make the first race, and Chris Jewer was a casualty in that race, with terminal engine problems. Chris Carter came quickly through the field to take the win from Graeme Taylor and Laurence Connors, with Rian Sawkins fourth after bogging down on the line. Nathan Sweeney joined in for the second heat, but was struggling with clutch problems and, after taking a rolling start, soon retired. Again Chris Carter’s Hayabusa Pickup took the win, chased closely this time by Graeme Taylor’s Hot Rod Corsa, with Rian Sawkins’ Duratec-powered 206 heading Lawrence Connors, and Shaun Maynard completing the finishers with his Civic. This result was repeated in the final; Chris chased by Graeme for the win with Rian having another good run to beat Lawrence, with Shaun’s more standard car bringing up the rear. Chris won overall from Graeme and Rian took the third trophy.

Ten SPECIALS were signed on, but problems for Stuart Jewer and Lacey Chance meant only eight lined up for the first heat, and Danny Croucher also pulled off before the start. Those that were left, though, included Josh Cole, returning to Tongham with the ex-Mark Stephens SEGTO championship winning ARD-Hayabusa, Josh having been away for a while racing with Spedeworth. He announced his return with a flag to flag win in the dust storm, with Jason Woodgate heading Ash Lock home for second and Chris Carter passing David Baigent and Poppy Carter on the last lap for fourth, while Graham Baker’s ex-Danny Stafford car came in seventh.

The second race saw Danny Croucher take an early lead before breaking down. Josh Cole then led briefly before spinning and bringing out the read flags; Josh’s car had to be lifted off having suffered a seized brake master cylinder. Poppy Carter led from the resrart, while dad Chris suffered from a misfiring engine and stopped on the last lap. Jason Woodgate came through to win, chased by Ash Lock, with Poppy third and David Baigent, also with a sick engine, struggling home fourth.

Six cars made the final. Josh Cole led until his engine cut out, then Poppy and Ash both had turns in front before Jason Woodgate took over to win from Ash, with Poppy repassing Chris on the last corner and Danny Croucher completing the finishers. Jason was the overall winner, from Ashley and Poppy.

The THUNDER RODS brought out fifteen cars, headed away in the first heat by Shane King, in a Focus. He was caught and passed at half distance by John Burt’s MG, these two finishing half a lap clear of the rest. Connor Wright’s Audi TT came in third from Trev Stamp’s Fiesta, Gary Godsmark’s BMW, Jordan Dell’s Fiesta, Elouise Powell’s Fiesta, David Lock’s Astra, Lee Jones’ BMW, Charlie Freeland’s MG and Jacob Lock’s Astra. Non finishers were Jayden Voss’ BMW, Chris Snook’s BMW Mini, Paul Gadman’s Fiesta and Jordan Emery-Barker’s Mondeo.

Shane King led again in the second heat but lost drive and pulled off, leaving Lee Jones to lead to the end, chased by John Burt. Trev Stamp took third from Jordan Emery-Barker, with Elouise Powell heading the closely bunched Gary Godsmark, Jordan Dell, Paul Gadman, David Lock, Charlie Freeland, Jacob Lock and Jayden Voss.

The final was led all the way by Lee Jones, after shaking off Jordan-Emery Barker, who was then beaten to second by Jordan Dell. Trev Stamp held off John Burt for fourth, with David Lock, Elouise Powell, Chris Snook, Connor Wright and Jacob Lock taking the other places. John Burt took the overall win from Lee Jones and Trev Stamp.

Results are academic for the NOVICE JUNIORS, who don’t score any points, and usually who wins the races depends on whether you’ve assumed the cars lined up on the bottom straight are starting behind or in front of the ones on the start/finish line. There were seventeen cars for the first race, reduced to thirteen for the final, with one of the missing ones being Tyler Hales, who had already been identified as ready to move up to the main Junior group. Nearly all the novices were getting well up to speed now, most were finishing on the lead lap, and there weren’t too many race stoppages needed. The first race was led all the way by Hayden Bullen, chased by Leo Wild, having his first Tongham outing after a season at Smallfield, while Tyler Hales was rapidly catching up after starting further back. For the first time in a while there were two Minis on the grid, with Harry Williams joining Louisa Field. Harry had a promising debut, finishing all the races in a good position, although Louisa unfortunately broke down early on. The second race also saw Hayden Bullard and Leo Wild in close company at the front of the field, while Harvey Mawdsley’s Corsa finished at the front of a close group including Isle of Wight based Kurtis Dunleavy’s Peugeot 205, Brooke Mitchell’s Saxo, Tyler Hales, George Muirhead, Esme Powell and William Thomas. Also running well were Harry Williams in the Mini, Alfie Symonds, Riley Cushing, Ellie Lines, Freddie Salter’s Saxo and Tia Stephens, while Leah Gregory was unlucky in this one with her AX, clipping the inside armco. The last race was stopped early after a spin for Esme Powell, but Hayden Bullen was just in front of George Muirhead at the front of the field. Trophies are awarded to a selection of the most improved drivers, but this time these weren’t entered on the day’s trophy sheet, so we can only say that everyone deserved them!

A recent promotion from the Novices to the SEGTO JUNIOR class is Jake Liyanage and, now in the yellow grade, he got off to a good start in the day’s first heat. There were red flags after Alexia Bowen and Freya Dixon came together on the first corner, but from the restart Jake led all the way, initially chased by Callum Bealing and Kara Duff, and in the end just holding off the fast closing Tiger Kemp for the win. Kara pulled out on the last lap and Riley Boulden beat Callum Bealing and points leader James Rich for third. Elliott Simmonds held off Jack Stacey for fifth and Tyler Cushing headed the next group from Jaymee-Lee Gorrie, Cortney Hales and Jay Hopcroft, with Charlie Plant completing the finishers after Kaci Rogers retired.

The second race lost Tyler Cushing with a broken driveshaft in the entry lane. Jake Liyanage led away again, but was passed by Callum Bealing and Tiger Kemp, and Tiger then led until he was unfortunately taken out by a car trying to pull onto the infield. Jaymee-Lee Gorrie took up the lead but was beaten to the flag by Jack Stacey, with Riley Boulden, Tiger Kemp, Elliott Simmonds and James Rich right with them. Callum Bealing, Alexia Bowen, Charlie Plant and Freya Dixon were the remaining finishers, while Jake Liyanage had a puncture and Kara Duff was also a victim of the developing rut in the first corner, losing a tyre and bumper.

On a watered track for the final, Jake Liyanage led away before sliding straight on at the Farm bend, but he got a second chance as the reds came our for various other incidents. Jake led from the restart and built a good lead as James Rich, despite his front bumper falling off, detached himself from a second place battle featuring Callum Bealing, Kara Duff, Charlie Plant and Cortney Hales. Kara got involved in a couple of incidents and the red flag was thrown again with four or five laps to go, so we’d assume the result was taken from wherever they were a lap previous. Tyler Hales started his first race in the class from the back, but he was immediately on the pace of the red tops in front of him, finishing just behind Jack Stacey in around sixth place.Jake Liyanage was the overall winner from Callum Bealing and Riley Boulden.

The ALLCOMERS race was split, although not all the signed on cars came out. The Unmodified group was led all the way by Willow King, with Laura Connors taking second from James Mitchell, Addison Sibley, John Burt, Trev Stamp, Sadie Plant and Connor Wright. The Modified/Specials group just brought out four cars, Josh Cole winning from Shaun Maynard, who held off Micky Hopcroft, while Chris Carter came out in Poppy’s car but exited backwards at half distance.

The ”disappearing” paperwork in race control meant we didn’t find out who was in the ten cars that turned out for the MECHANICS’ RACE but it was won by Lewis Jewer’s Prod B car from Joe Morgan’s Prod A and Elouise Powell’s Thunder Rod, although Oliver Hester’s Prod A led most of the way before pulling off.

The ROOKIE BANGERS, as always, kicked off each round of racing, with 23 cars in the line-up for the “large” 1800cc group and 27 for the “small” 1400 division. Without any results to hand it’s fairly hard to say who did what, bar the fact that Jamie Duff dominated the “large” races in his latest Focus, winning both the dusty first heat and the wet second heat from the front of the grid. The Isle of Wight man was moved to the back for the final, but still came through to win. In the smaller group Marc Gray led the first heat all the way, but all the attention was focused on a car that barely moved more than a yard as former Prod A champion Aaron Hough shuffled backwards and forwards inviting passing traffic to hit him. The second heat had Ryan Blair’s Micra in front when it was red flagged and abandoned, with a big pile-up almost taking out the first corner marshals’ post. In the final a few drivers forgot they were in a “nudge and spin” class and piled into stationary cars until the one at the front of the queue, Aaron Hough again, took a “little nap” in his words, bringing out the red flags and ambulance. After all that, only three cars made the final allcomers’ race and only one, seemingly not under its own power, attempted the DD!