Dunlop TVR European Challenge Dates 2009

These are provisional at the moment, but things look fairly solid at the moment. And what cracking dates they are and Double Headers all the way!!! John Reid and the BRSCC have really excelled themselves this year.

The season kicks of with our usual arctic trip to Cadwell Park in Lincs. It’s a long schlep up there, but it never disappoints on the racing action. All serious Championship contenders will be there and you can bet that Deano Cook and Sammy Head will be head to head from the get go and Mike Saunders will be pushing hard in his Cerb.

Next it’s off to Donnington Park for the 20th Anniversary Do. Tuscan Challenge cars are 20 years old this year, and to celebrate we are back at Donnington for the first time in a long while. I believe that the series was launched here, and with the Britcar GTs racing on the same bill with 2x 90 min races, there’s a very good chance that all of the Sagaris based cars will be there like Topcats, Racesports, Tim, Fred, Steve with their GTFs and Team Holden Racing too. Should be a TOP weekend with the TVRCC attending in force.

Summer will be well in by the time we get to Brands Hatch for Rounds 5 & 6. Short but very technical, this place is non-stop action for the whole 20mins. No sooner have the pack settled down, than the leaders start breaking through the pack again. A great place to watch as the whole Indy circuit can be seen from the Paddock stand. Always strong local support too, so we try to put on a good show.

Halfway through the season now and the title contenders will be pushing ahead. With every meet being a Double Header (two races) no serious tile contender can afford to miss an event. Mallory Park is nice and central and as the GTFs are based only a few miles away it should another spectacular day. Gerrads in a GTF must be something REALLY special, I imagine that they be lapping me on the outside!

On to Castle Combe. Another great “Challenge” venue, this will be something special for me as I watched my hero’s race here in their Tuscans many times. Another strong TVR area, we should have a good crowd, particularly as the Britcar GTs are with us again. Bumpy as hell, very fast and in the height of summer…fantastic!

Anglesey is up next for our second visit. This was quite a weekend last year, with one seriously shortened Tasmin, another with major “modifications” and all types of weather. How will the season be shaping up by Rounds 11 and 12? Mickey Holden should still be right up there and he may have a demon or two to sleigh here. I understand that the regs mean that Mickey will have to move up to Group B with his current car, or maybe even go to Group A with a new car. Either way, you can be sure that he’ll be in the hunt for the title for certain.

Our usual Series finale will be at Oulton Park. Another Challenge favourite it’s TVRs “Local” Circuit and as such well supported. Old Hall, Shell, Cascades all provide some serious action, and the Title has been up for grabs here more times than I can remember. Here’s to a great 2009!

18 April	Cadwell Park	Louth, Lincs
2-3 May	Donnington Park (TV)	Castle Donnington, Derby, 20th Anniversary with Britcar GTs
13-14 June	Brands Hatch Indy	Longfield, Kent
27 July	Mallory Park (TV)	Kirkby Mallory, Leics
8-9 August	Castle Combe (TV)	Chippenham, Wilts with Britcar GTs
26-27 Sept	Anglesey (TV)	Anglesey, N Wales
17 October	Oulton Park (TV)	Tarporley, Cheshire

(TV indicates a Televised Meeting)