Ron Watson’s Treble Championship winning has now been sold - 24/05/06

Bob Town has recently purchased Ron Watson's Championship winning Mini and we're pleased to inform that he hopes to be competing in the SEMSEC intermediate saloon championship. Originally built by Bill Richards Racing from new parts and all the right bits, it won the 2003 SEMSEC Intermediate Modified Production Saloon Car Championship outright and also won the Lydden Circuit Champion of Champions competition by winning more points than any other saloon car that year. Car and Driver then won their class outright in the 2004 season. The team would like to wish Bob good luck with his new acquisition and we hope to bring you news of how he gets on in the near future 

Bill Richards Racing - SEMSEC at Lydden Hill 13/05/06 

The Bill Richards racing team headed to Lydden Hill for their first outing in the SEMSEC championships this season, the meeting would also see the return to action of Bessie the veteran Cosworth powered Metro (the Metro missed the latter half of last season following a suspension failure at Lydden).  Before the afternoons racing could get underway there were the morning trackday sessions to negotiate – Bill has been recruited to act as an instructor and spent the morning on circuit with numerous drivers and sampling life in the passenger seat for a change! 

Intermediate Saloons Qualifying 

The Mini headed out for qualifying using the longer gear ratios that were used at Silverstone – this was done as a test to compare the driveability of the longer ratios compared with the normal Lydden gearing.  After several slow laps to build up tyre and brake temperatures the Mini began to pick up the pace and post some quicker lap times.  After spending the majority of the session on the tail of a Cosworth the Mini returned to the paddock early to allow some final setup work to be done to the Metro before its session.  The fastest time recorded by the Mini was good enough for 4^th on the grid. 

South East Sports & Saloons Qualifying 

Over the winter the Metro had had last seasons serious front end damage repaired, the cars unique shape restored to its full glory.  The early part of qualifying was used as a brief shakedown to check that both car and engine were performing as expected.  Once happy that all was well the Metro built up speed and the lap times began to fall as the glorious sound of the Cosworth BDH rang out around Lydden.  For the remainder of the qualifying session the Metro traded lap times and track space with a monster V8 powered Escort, the two cars having a very similar pace around the circuit – a sign of things to come for the race.  The session ended with the Metro sitting on the front row of the grid alongside the Escort for the race. 

Intermediate Saloons Race 

A good start saw the Mini challenging for 3^rd on the run down to the first corner, just unable to grab the place the Mini settled into 4^th for the early part of the race.  With the leading trio edging away the Mini ran in clear air for a number of laps before a Cosworth started to close in.  The Mini held off the Cosworth and it looked as though the Mini would be able to hold the place to the flag but as the Minis tyres degraded the Cosworth was able to take advantage and dive through to take the place.  As ever the Mini doggedly held on and harassed the Cosworth to the chequered flag. 

South East Sports & Saloons Race 

The Metros superb performance in qualifying saw it sitting on the front row of the grid alongside the V8 powered Escort – the closeness in qualifying hinting at the potential for a superb race.  As the lights went out the Metro rocketed off the line briefly snatching the lead before disaster struck – the car popped out of second gear and left the Metro stranded as the field rushed past towards the first corner!  With the gear re-engaged the Metro set off in pursuit of the pack and soon passed a Lotus before quickly dispatching a supercharged BMW MINI.  In the following laps further passes were made on another Lotus, a Ka and an Ariel Atom as the Metro sliced its way through the field picking off the opposition decisively as it charged back through the field. 

Having cleared the main pack the Metro set off after the race-leading Escort gradually closing the gap lap on lap.  Finally latching onto the tail of the beast the diminutive Metro set about trying to pass the Escort, the following laps provided some of the most intense racing imaginable with the two cars trading places as the Metro snatched the lead only for the Escort to rumble past again on the run down to Paddock Hill Bend.  The battle continued to rage with the two cars separated by mere fractions of a second around the whole circuit. As they started the final lap the Metro again snatched the lead but still the race was not over as once more the Escort took advantage of its greater speed down the hill to snatch the lead on the final corner, the Metro fought back carrying more speed out of the corner but as the flag fell the Escort was fractionally ahead and took the win from the charging Metro. 

It was another great weekend for the team with a successful test for the Mini culminating in another class win whilst the return to action of the Metro gave the whole team a boost as the charismatic veteran is a delight to see and hear in full flight.  The race performance of the Metro was also encouraging as during its charge through the field it set the fastest lap of the race, the intensity of the racing was also much appreciated by those watching – the Metro having won itself some more admirers in the process.

BARC Dunlop Track & Race Car Championship at Silverstone - 29/04/06

The second round of the championship took place at Silverstone with the ‘National’ circuit configuration being used - another of the power circuits that dominate the early stages of this seasons championship.

Qualifying

The Mini headed out into qualifying under grey skies as the promised sunshine was notably absent, the cooler temperatures forcing the Mini to spend the early part of the session building temperature into the tyres as well as bedding in a new set of brake pads. With these tasks complete the Mini upped the pace and set about the serious business of setting a good qualifying time. However, for the second time already this season the qualifying session was disrupted as another competitor detonated on the main straight depositing oil on the run into the high speed first corner. The presence of oil at such a critical point on the circuit rendered the rest of the session useless so the Mini returned to the paddock before the end of the session.

Race 1

Despite the aborted qualifying session the Mini lined up in the middle of the packed grid - alongside and immediately behind Cosworth powered cars - a superb effort considering the Minis power deficit to the turbo charged monsters. As the lights went out the Mini rocketed off the grid gaining several places on the run to the first corner. As expected though the Mini again suffered at the hands of the larger engined cars on the long straights before retaking the initiative through the technical corners towards the end of the lap. A great scrap developed between the Mini, a Nova and a Fiesta - the three cars vying for the same piece of Tarmac and going nose to tail for the full length of the circuit. This battle raged until the chequered flag fell with the Fiesta narrowly edging out the Mini to lead the trio home, this result however was encouraging for the team as the Mini had showed good pace and battle would be rejoined in the second race.

Race 2

Between the races the team had made some minor adjustments to the setup of the car to try and wring out every last tenth of a second the car mini was capable of as it was clear the Mini would once again be involved in wheel to wheel combat from the moment the lights went out. As the race started the Mini immediately took the fight to the Fiesta that had edged it out in the first race, the two squabbling cars gradually breaking clear of those behind as they drove each other onwards. The Mini clung tenaciously to the back of the Fiesta never letting it rest, several times the agile mini was able to draw alongside the Fiesta on the as they exited the final turn but the Fiesta had the edge in a straight line and held its position. As the race progressed the Mini continued to harass the Fiesta constantly looking for a way to get past. Eventually the pressure told and the Fiesta braked too late for a corner and went off into the gravel trap! Now released from the trials of combative racing the Mini began to put in increasingly impressive lap times as it began to haul in the cars ahead. The remaining laps flew past as the Mini closed rapidly on its next target, as the chequered flag fell with the Mini less than a second behind the car ahead the two cars crossing the line almost as one.

The team can be well satisfied with their weekends work, the Mini again performed faultlessly and turned in a superb result on another of the circuits where its small engine counts heavily against it. The Mini again showed its qualities as a fighter - making the most of the technical areas of the circuit and pulling off some superb overtaking moves throughout both races. Running in clear air in the second race the mini also posted its fastest ever lap time of the Silverstone National circuit - proving that the development effort put into the car is reaping rewards.

Sponsors Wanted for Monte Carlo Historique Rally - 23/04/06

Bill and John Morrow, once again competing as "Mad Dog Rallying", intend to enter the 10th Monte Carlo Historique rally in January 2007. The crazy canines have a very exciting line up and will be exceptionally well organized with Jim Wirtz in the role of team boss. In 2005 Bill and John were 9th on one stage of the event but unfortunately an altercation with a stone wall on the final run over the Col de Turini took them out of the running. The team is very optimistic about its chances in 2007 and is now seeking sponsorship. Substantial publicity can be offered in return for support. If you think you would like to help Mad Dog Rallying on the most prestigious and high profile event in the classic motor-sport calendar please give Bill Richards a call.

Dunlop BARC Track & Race Championship at Brands Hatch - 15/04/06

The start of the new season saw the team making the short journey to Brands Hatch for the opening rounds of the championship.  Unlike previous visits however the longer Grand Prix track layout would be used instead of the more familiar and compact Indy circuit, this was therefore expected to be a challenging weekend for the Mini as the nature of the circuit would count against the smaller engined cars. 

Qualifying 

The Mini headed out for the qualifying session with the dual tasks of setting a quick time and learning the circuit (the configuration of the Grand Prix circuit layout had changed several times since it was last used by the team).  The early laps of the session were primarily concerned with getting the brakes and tyres up to optimum temperature before attempting to set some quicker times.  Lap by lap the Minis times were falling as the circuit became more familiar and the correct lines were established, however, the session was soon red flagged to allow several stricken vehicles to be removed from the circuit.  With so few laps covered the Mini was unable to show its true potential and would line up in the middle of the large field of entries for the first race. 

Race 1 

The Mini exited the pit lane behind the safety car for the formation lap, holding position in preparation for the rolling start.  As the safety car left the circuit the lights went out and the pack headed for the first corner, the Minis main objective on the opening lap was to stay out of trouble – the size of the grid coupled with the nature of the first few corners had serious potential for contact as the field tried to thread their way through a very congested opening lap.  The Mini survived intact and set about making progress through the field. 

As ever the Mini was superb through the tighter sections of the circuit, the nimble little car braking later than the larger cars around it and carrying more speed through the corners.  Once onto the long straights however the Mini was at a distinct disadvantage – having one of the smallest engines in the entire field the Mini was out-dragged by the larger engined cars and the places gained slipped away again.  This process was repeated throughout the race as time and again the Mini made full use of the tighter sections to claw back ground from the cars ahead. 

At the end of the race the Mini had gained several places and as a result would have an improved grid position in the second race, the team also had some setup changes to make to the car that would further improve the cars speed advantage through the tighter sections of the circuit. 

Race 2 

With the setup changes complete the teams plans were about to change drastically – the heavens opened and steady rain began to fall, the second race would now take place on a waterlogged circuit.  The team softened the Minis suspension setting and fitted the new treaded wet tyres – this would be the first time the Mini had run on wet tyres since the change to the larger diameter wheels part way through last season. 

The Minis progress in the previous race coupled with the failure of several vehicles to make the second race saw the Mini starting further up the field for the second race.  After another lap behind the safety the car the field again headed into the first corner as one, the Mini successfully negotiated the congestion once more and began to attack – the wet weather increasing the Minis advantages in the corners whilst negating some of the power deficit. 

The falling rain combined with heavy spray from vehicles in front severely reduced visibility but the Mini continued to press hard and close in on those ahead.  However visibility was soon reduced even further as the windscreen began to mist up!  The Mini fought on and snatched another place on its charge through murk, before more progress could be made the red flags were out once more to bring the race to a premature conclusion, the Mini having put in another battling performance from start to finish. 

Get some expert tuition from Bill Richards at Lydden circuit - 31/03/06

Lydden circuit in Kent holds regular track-days throughout the year, however this year there's a new twist - there's going to be an expert race-driver on hand to provide tuition. In fact the expert in question is none other than our very own Bill Richards. Lydden is the most local race-track to the Bill Richards Racing HQ and the team have clocked up a vast number of miles at Race, Sprint and track-day events at the twisty Kent venue. For more details, please contact Pauline at Lydden circuit via e-mail or give them a call on 01304 830557. Their website gives more details about the venue and events held there: 

  http://www.lyddenracecircuit.co.uk/home.htm

If you going to be taking part at a Track-day, it's always nice to be comfortable and look the part, so Bill will be carrying a stock of Proban race suits ideal for track-days and sprinting. The suits are supplied by Advance Wear and Safety (AWS),  Bill is hoping to have a selection of sizes available for sale so this is a good opportunity to see what size is the one for you. Your webmaster has a Proban Marshalling suit supplied by AWS - it's very comfortable and hard wearing, so it gets my vote. Click on their logo to see their range of top quality racing kit.

Monte Carlo Historique Rallye 2006 - 07/02/06

Race report:  Geoff O’nion and David Wilkinson in a 997 Mini Cooper

The 2006 Monte Carlo Historique Rallye was destined to be a classic before it started with the prediction of horrendous winter weather across Southern France. It was not to be wrong, the concentration leg from Monaco to St Etienne was driven in a blizzard, finding the first snow 40 km out of Monaco and not to lose it for the rest of the leg. As it was the final part of the leg was cancelled to get the cars to St Etienne. 

As it was Dave’s first ever rally we decided to swap positions so he could get experience both at navigation and driving, so on the classification leg Dave drove and despite the difficult conditions we did well getting to 44^th position overall. 

On the first commune leg we changed over with myself in the driving seat. The first regularity of the day went extremely well but, just before the end of the second regularity disaster struck when the left rear radius arm failed. We completed the regularity on three wheels the fourth jammed solid against the rear wheel arch. On inspection it was the inner end of the radius shaft which had snapped. 

With some ingenuity and bits of wood we managed to block the suspension such that we could drive the remaining 100km to Gap to stay in the rally. 

Next day we drove a torturous route back to my home outside Monaco stopping many times to repack the suspension with wood. On arrival it took us just 25 minutes to drop the radius arm and welded in steel plate instead of wood, getting to the control in Eze just 10 minutes late. 

We then completed the night loop at race speed on a floating radius arm arriving back in Monaco on time to complete the rally. 

Cause of the failure was simple, the rubber water protection was found damaged allowing water to enter the shaft and despite greasing, the needle bearing had part corroded and started to seize, the increased torque on the shaft fatigued the threaded section which eventually snapped. 

Geoff O'nion

Stop Press - Renewed Sponsorship deal for 2006 - 07/02/05  

Bill Richards Racing are very pleased to announce that Ovenden have agreed to renew their sponsorship of the team for the 2006 season.

Monte Carlo Historique 2006 - 31/01/06