Ansmann GP 2009 - West London - report by Craig Morgan

The August bank holiday weekend is regarded by many touring car drivers as the annual "summer holiday" to the wonderful venue of West London. A fast technicical track that rewards a good setup and a very brave driver.

For 2009 three Much-more supported Top photons would be racing at the event. Long time TOP driver Mark Young in the 13.5 "super stock" class. In pro-stock young up and coming driver Jordan Howe, who was hoping for a good weekend after a string of impressive results from the juniors and also his First A-final at national level the week before. As well as Jordan, Craig Morgan would be supporting him in the pro-stock class, who was looking for a better weekend than he had at a tricky Snetterton national.

Saturday was a practise day, which allowed the team to work together through a number of setup changes and other parts. After a long day's testing a good setup was had on all three cars, which incidentally was not that far from what has been used at other tracks. A standard base setup looks very promising after only a short space of time with the cars, shows how impressive the photon chassis is.

Qualifying

Sunday was to be qualifying day. Using most of the rules from the nationals but with only 2 rounds of the 5 to count instead of the usual 3. This was to prove quite important later in the meeting. Another big factor was a reduced weight limit of 1400g for all cars. Personally this is a big step forward as wear on the cars is reduced, tyre wear is also down and the cars seemed to handle that little bit better.

In the first few rounds of qualifying it was Jordan Howe leading the Top charge with a fantastic qualifying effort of 2, 1 and 3 at the end of Sunday. Beating many more established racers, and second only to national winner Jay Westwood. Craig Morgan had a steady day at a track he finds difficult to have a 16, 15 and another 16 to end the day 19th Overall. In the pro-stock class Mark Young had a good day to end it in 6th with 3, 6 and 8.

Monday morning was slightly overcast and looked at one point that we might get a little wet. This lead to a long line at the tyre markers as people got a set of tyres marked for the final round of qualifying. Jordan once again had a good solid final round to take a 3rd. Craig Morgan had some electrical problems which meant that he did not start the round, this was to prove very bad for him as it was going to be a new tyre run as he had managed to do the whole previous day on one set. Proving that the lower weight limit is a good thing. Mark Young once again had a good run to go 5th after that round.

After the final round of qualifying, Top had two cars in A finals with Craig Morgan unlucky not to make the B as he slipped two places down to 21st overall 1 point away from the B.

Craig Morgan in the C final was up first. Some slight confusion insured as after qualifying in 21st place, found himself 2nd on the grid in the C. A measured drive in the finals meant an overall position of 2nd place.

Jordan Howe during the first final had what could be the drive of the day. Using old tyres when other people ran new tyres managed to stay in seconds from lights to flag, and managed to fend off the attentions of Ashley Wiffen local man, who was using new tyres. A fantastic drive to take on so much pressure for the whole of the first final. With new boots strapped on for the second final another second place insured for young Jordan, and with that guaranteed himself second overall, behind Jay Westwood.

Mark Young had two storming drives from 5th on the Grid. In the first final a 3rd place backed up by a 4th in race two secured himself 3rd overall in the 13.5 class.

So after three long days, and three trophies for the drivers. The photon certainly is picking up the results quickly for such a new chassis. Proving itself on the fast open tracks to the more technical circuits. One more stop on the outdoors calendar sees the pro-stock team at Mendip for the last round of the national championships. Before heading indoors during the winter.