Leo Voyazides scored two assured victories as the 2018 Pre ’80 Endurance Series started on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit during the HSCC International Trophy (16/17 June).
While Voyazides charged to a double win in the pair of 30-minute races in his stunning DFV-powered Lola T282, other battles raged down the order as the Lola T290s of Robert Oldershaw and Mark Richardson shared the podium with the March 717 of Nick Adams.
However, it could have been a different story for Voyazides if the Can-Am McLaren M8F of Dean Forward had not been sidelined by engine issues after setting pole. “It’s big and daft,” said Forward of the 8-litre monster, the former John Foulston car now owned by Jamie Thwaites.
Forward put the McLaren on pole from Voyazides, Richardson and Oldershaw, while heading their respective classes on the grid were Adams, John Sheldon (Chevron B16) and Jonathan Loader (Tiga SC80) in the Sports 2000 division.
With pole position vacant, Voyazides rushed away at the start of Saturday’s race and quickly built a decisive lead with a series of quick laps. Oldershaw slotted the newly completed Lola into second but his strong run came to an end on the fourth lap when the throttle cable broke. That allowed Richardson to step up to second although Adams was never too far behind in the huge Can-Am March of Richard Dodkins.
Into fifth went Kevin Cooke in his first race in the ex-Greg Hart/Richard Piper March 75S as Bob Brooks (Lola T212) wrapped up the top six, while Sheldon was as quick and neat as ever to win the SP1 class.
One place back, Loader drove a storming recovery drive to win the Sports 2000 class. An inadvertent knock on the opening lap pitched his Tiga into a spin and by the time he rejoined, the rest of the pack was out of sight. However, lap by lap Loader fought back and was able to battle ahead of David Axisa (Tiga SC79) and Sports 2000 newcomer and former Le Mans racer Ross Hyett (Tiga SC83) to win the class. “It was great fun: half an hour like a qualifying lap,” said Loader.
A quick overnight dash back to Lincolnshire for a replacement throttle cable had Oldershaw ready to start the second race from the tail of the grid and he was up to fourth by the end of the first lap. It got harder after that as Richardson and Adams battled for second as Voyazides made his escape.
Eventually, while Voyazides won by nearly 17 seconds, Adams managed to repel the 2-litre Lolas to take second which was a commendable result for the 1989 Group C2 World Champion. Richardson completed the podium as Oldershaw dropped away a little as brake woes reduced his pace over the closing laps. Brooks turned the tables on Cooke this time to take fifth as Sheldon and Loader again won their classes.
After an entertaining battle, young Charlie Besley took second in the Sports 2000 class in the Tiga SC82 raced by his brother Hugo in the first race. Despite missing qualifying due to car gremlins, both Besleys showed very well and for Hugo it was a very encouraging race debut. Charlie has a little more experience from a couple of previous races, including in the Formula Junior Elva of his father Crispian.
The second round of the Pre ’80 Endurance Series will take place on the fabulous Grand Prix circuit at Brands Hatch during the annual high-profile Legends of Brands Hatch Super Prix (30 June/1 July).
Report by Paul Lawrence. Photos by John Retter Photography
Related Posts: GT and Sports Car Cup report & HSCC Races
Class Winners:
SP1 John Sheldon, Chevron B16
SP2 Nick Adams, March 717
SP3 Mark Richardson, Lola T290
SP4 Leo Voyazides, Lola T282
SP5 Robert Oldershaw, Lola T290
S20 Jonathan Loader, Tiga SC80
Invitation Class, Bob & Vicky Brooks, Lola T212
