Qualifying

“An early start for qualifying at 08:30 at a wet Oulton Park. 28 cars on the grid and a respectable 17^th on the grid for race one, which considering the classes of the cars on the grid was a great achievement. Lots of others complained of little to no grip on the circuit but I never found it an issue during the session and had total confidence in the car.�

Race One

“With a pack of higher-class cars behind me, keeping my place in the middle of the pack was always going to be challenge and although off the start a couple of places were lost, as the race evolved and progressed, places were taken back and good clean racing was had by all on circuit. The car was faultless and the brakes remain a key part in being able to brake later than others, giving me an advantage heading into heavy braking zones on the international circuit. Maximum points and a class win were secured and leading to a good place on the grid for race two and its typically unpredictable April weather.�

Race Two

“Tyre choice was key for race two, with torrential rain followed by warm spells of sunshine and the choice of tyres was left until the last second in the hope of gaining an advantage in the race. I opted for an intermediate tyre and it paid off; turn one was tricky at the start and caution was applied through the next couple of laps with cars on the wet choice of tyres making the most of the conditions whilst they could.

“However, a dry line appeared fairly quickly with just a few wet and damp sections remaining, especially in the braking zones at Cascades and Lodge.

“Pace-wise – considering the tyre choice and conditions – was good again, with a further advantage in key braking zones and happy to report a further class win and a maximum points haul for the weekend.

“The conditions were tough and challenging and yet again, 91´«Ã½ Racing came through the test giving me confidence throughout.â€�

Cadwell Park

“I arrived at Cadwell Park with a nervous energy; I had never set a tyre on the circuit before in any form, so it was always a case of learning and getting better. We also debuted a new greener look to the car to change it up slightly – it certainly was more noticeable!

“Qualifying saw some beautiful track conditions and, as I heading out, I felt at home almost instantly. Getting quicker, I managed to sneak in the top 15 overall and 5th in my class, the car itself felt superb and the stopping power of the RP-X pads meant I had the confidence into the harder hairpin turns around the mountain. Game on!”

“Race 1: a good start on a tight grid meant the first few laps were a case of trying to find room to get into a flow and progress up the field. After the field had spread itself out more, the lap times quickly came tumbling down and I shaved a whopping two seconds off my qualifying time. The class podium was a realistic target and after dispatching the Mk1 Escort of Gary Johnson, I got my head down and worked on holding 3rd in class and a bank of points involved… My only problem was the turbo Puma catching me that wanted the same podium spot! Lap after lap of defensive driving in my most vulnerable areas and utilising my superior braking performance meant when the flag came it was a podium for me once again! 3rd in Class and 11th overall on my first race EVER at Cadwell Park. 

“Race 2: after a driveshaft change overnight (a weak point on this setup this year) I started race 2 with even more confidence and quickly moved inside the top 10 and 2nd in class, Hot on the heels of Chris Baker, I got past on lap 3 and got my head down aiming for a class win into the 1:40.1 lap time. Then, it all came tumbling down: as I rode the kerb over Chris Curve, it ripped the boost pipe off and that was the race done. Gutted! We go again…�

Brands Hatch

“Brands Hatch is always the highlight meeting for the year in the Modified Fords series, with crowds of 15,000 celebrating all things ‘blue oval’ as part of the Ford Power Live show. A grid walk allowed people to get close to the race cars and I had a lot of interest in my car in particular. Testing went okay but by the time we went out for qualifying, I knew the car was getting tired from a hard season’s racing: a failed connector pin had made sure I didn’t get a lap in qualifying which was really frustrating. Starting from the back of the grid, I made up a lot of spaces and was quickly battling my class competitors for the podium once again. Iain Blackley’s Puma was in 3rd and as he made a mistake coming out of McLaren, I looked to capitalise… Just as cylinder 4 dropped. Coil failure. Once again, a great result slipped through due to mechanical issue.”

“Then came race 2. Once again starting from the rear of the grid, I made my way through the field and onto the rear of Ian Blackley’s Puma once more. The handling characteristics of the cars are the same, but I found once again that under brakes, I had a significant advantage. The only problem with all of this was that Ian was driving a consummate defensive race. My final chance came on the last lap of the race. Using the superior braking advantage, I hung around the outside of the Puma at Druids and got the inside line for Graham Hill Bend… Podium once again! And retribution for a difficult start to the weekend.â€�

Qualifying

“Oh dear, a complete non-starter – I headed to the holding area for noise testing and to await release on to the circuit. All seemed find until the circuit opened, when the car started holding its revs at 5000rpm. Back to the pit garage and a sticky throttle position sensor was found to be the culprit, along with an alternator that decided not all parts were required and started to break apart, how is your luck! So, parts were changed but qualifying was missed meaning I had to start from the back of grid for race one, I guess that’s racing.�

Race One

“The best start of my life, as the lights when out, I was off, and took three cars before reaching the congested Paddock Hill Bend before taking a fourth car before Druid. Within two laps, I had moved up eight places and was on the charge. As the racing intensified, 3^rd place was in my sight, but a safety car put pay to a space on the class podium with the race being finished under safety car conditions, following a collision between two cars at Surtees. However, I had made up 12 places throughout the race, giving my support and sponsors some exciting racing to watch as I cut through the field, finishing 4^th in class.�

Race Two

“Is it wet or is it dry?! With seconds to go, I made the decision to run on intermediate tyres. Thinking fortune favours the brave seeing as most others were on full wets, It looked a good choice until we placed on the grid when the heavens opened! Paddock Hill was very interesting on the first lap with plenty of ‘moments’ from others and myself, however considering the tyre choice, the race was on for a podium spot with Aaron Tucker from HT Racing in his 1800 Pinto-Powered Sierra (who is also my engine tuner) and after a few laps of chasing him down, the conditions held and I was able to get by before fending him off for the last couple of laps to take 3^rd on the class podium. Given how the weekend started with qualifying and then the changeable weather what started out as a disaster turned into a great weekend’s racing. As for the brakes, superb throughout in both the wet and dry, keep up the good work all at EBC.�

Qualifying

“2^nd in class and a personal best time.�

Race 1

“A very congested start to race one as we headed down the main straight to the first corner, however I was able to make up some overall places and get ahead of some of the higher-powered cars. Class leader Steve Primett however was able to pull a gap that I was never able to claw back, however all was not lost with a solid 2^nd in class round a circuit I have historically struggled at. As the race settled, I found myself having to defend my overall position from some of the higher class cars and enjoyed some real battles which was to be a theme of the afternoon for me.�

Race 2

“I have never been under so much pressure to defend! From the start, I was under pressure from the 2023 Champion, Kevan Hadfield, and so we battled for 2^nd in class on every straight and in every corner and even exchanged paint at one point as the battle intensified, however having to let a chase for 1^st in class go due to the battle Kevan and I am pleased to have grab the 2^nd in class but only a couple of tenths of a second!�

“2025 has started off rather tough for the ‘EcobooST170’. During the opening round at Snetterton, I really fancied getting among my Class leaders after some changes to the car over the winter, including a full respray and chassis strengthening, as well as installing new versions of the superb RP-X and Bluestuff brake pads. 

“Qualifying was promising as I sat within reach of the podium. As Race 1 got underway, I battled with cars in classes well above mine and came off second best, damaging my car around Corum with a high-speed off. Eventually, I limped home to finish P5 in class and aimed to make up for lost places in Race 2. However, this was an early retirement due to hidden damage sustained during my off in Race 1 and my gearbox snapped a mount on Lap 1: gutting all round, but I never give up a good fight with the car under me.”

“Oulton Park was a very quick three weeks later, with a tight turnaround to repair the car from Snetterton. On a gloomy morning, I qualified the car P15 Overall and P4 in class.

“Staring as the class podium once again, the race started off with some close racing and positions gained. I sat P2 as the car headed towards the checkered flag. Then, as I headed to Deer Leap, it came… BANG! A driveline failure had ruined a chance of a P2 as I crawled over the timing line in the pitlane in P4 on the last lap.

“I genuinely thought that was game over for the weekend, but with a new driveshaft and associated parts sourced from other competitors and being willed on by the paddock, we got the car together and took the start for Race 2 at the rear of the grid. I drove from the back to P6 overall and P3 in class. FINALLY! A result worthy of the hard work. The best part about that result? It was the great brakes provided by EBC that allowed me to perform some of the overtaking on my competitors; the confidence in knowing that the braking performance is there when I need it the most. 

“Now we look forward to Mallory with four races on the very fast circuit; this should suit the car perfectly as it’s a perfect equaliser to the higher-powered cars in my class. Let’s give it a go!�

Qualification

“An early start for Qualifying saw the field take to the track at 08:30am. The session became broken up due to a stranded car on the circuit, but I managed to place the car 2^nd in class and put in a personal best in what I would argue is the best track in the UK.�

Race One

“An odd start to round 3 of the Modified Fords, with some confusion around the start with some cars expecting to be placed on the grid with others keeping an eagle eye and taking advantage to gain places and put space between them and the nearest rivals. I am pleased to report I was one of the eagled eyed who made good progress and put several car lengths between the 3^rd in class car piloted by Keven Hadfield and headed into Old Hall with a surprising amount of space. The race soon settled given the space that had happened due to the start, and try as I might, I was unable to catch Steve Primmet’s BDA-powered Mk1 Escort, but managed a solid drive taking a 2^nd in class and moving up the field in the process, continuing the solid start to the season.�

Race Two

“No mistakes this time by anyone at the start and cars went into Old Hall, Avenue and Cascades 3 and 4 deep; everyone kept it clean and drove with respect with close, fast and fair racing. Again, as per round 2 at Snetterton, the 2022 Champion Keven Hadfield and his Ford Puma gave me a hard time, so some very late braking and defending was required to keep him at bay, giving the spectators some excellent, exciting racing! Again, Steve Primmet was proving hard to catch, but perhaps he just pushed a little too hard to keep a distance from me and suffered an off at Cascades. I was close enough to take advantage and took the class lead with 3 laps to go and took the chequered flag for the class win. The brakes were faultless all weekend and were well and truly punished given how close the racing was. Again, many thanks to my sponsors, especially 91´«Ã½ whose stoppers never cease to amaze me.â€�

“Snetterton is a circuit that historically I have no luck at, so having just repaired the gearbox on the car and testing being at a premium, I headed into qualification with some concerns, however a solid qualification was had, with 3^rd in class and a good chance to get to a feel for the repairs and to bed in the new Front RP-1s and Rear upgrade from Greenstuff to Bluestuff.�

Round One:

“A frantic start to race one saw a congested pack head into the fast right-hander at Riches with a few changes of positions taking place, as the race settled I was able to put together some great laps and pull back some of the time that had been lost on the 1^st corner and gaining a personal best time at the circuit.

“Both Steve Primmet in his superb Mk1 Escort powered with a 1600cc BDA and Justin Fuller in his super quick 1700cc Puma had the legs on me on long straights of Snetterton’s 300 circuit, however, Steve had problems with the Escort and I was able to gain a place and put fair distance between myself and another 1700cc Puma piloted by the 2022 Champion Kevan Hadfield to claim 2^nd in Class.

“Unfortunately, the race was cut short by a lap or two following a nasty off and red flags being deployed with a few minutes remaining.â€�

Round Two:

“A difficult start was had by all in the middle and back of the grid in race two after the circuit had to switch to starting the race with the national flag, rather than lights, following a recovery truck incident that saw the light gantry badly damaged, however I managed to gain a good start and stayed ahead of the Kevan Hadfield who was behind me on the starting grid, as the race settled the battle of the day in class C commenced with Kevan applying maximum pressure to me throughout the last 4 laps. However, I managed to prevail and held on to another class 2^nd making for a solid start to my title defence, ending the weekend as class leader.

“The car was faultless all weekend and I gained further confidence into the high-speed braking zones with the upgraded pads, and hands on support from Chris at MTS Motorsport, Neil from Blue Blue and Dan from Ellmore Clothing.

“The Modified Fords head next to the amazing track at Oulton Park on the 26^th April, here’s to another solid weekend.â€�

Donington Park

“Following on from promising pace at Castle Combe, I headed to Donington Park with three races to do in one day and a lot of high hopes! After a reasonable Qualifying, the car made sure I got knocked down to earth in Race 1 with a bump: a two-race-old genuine ford Turbo solenoid hose failed, putting me to the back of a 40-car grid once again!

“In Races 2 and 3, I battled my way back through the pack to respectable finishes in Class (4th and 5th) and more lessons learned with the new turbo engine.�

Snetterton

“We then headed to Snetterton with some confidence; it’s a circuit I always test at and one of my favourites to drive. Qualifying was awesome – I qualified 3rd in Class and 10th overall on a 41-car grid… and fastest FWD on the grid! 

“Race 1 then produced some hard racing including a very bum-twitchy moment heading into Murrays – Neil Argrave lost his Escort on the gearbox oil dropped on the outside and made for some superb photos! Needless to say, I was rather happy to come out unscathed! 4th in class and 17^th overall after some of the big power cars made it past, I was happy with that! Race 2 resulted in an early retirement after a driveshaft failed.�

The British Motor Show

“I am both lucky and privileged enough to represent and be an ambassador for a brilliant mental health charity called Driven Minds, the car was on display at the British Motor. Show in the Motorsport area right next to Petrolheadonism! I had a great time over the show talking about the racing and spreading the word about Driven Minds and the superb 91´«Ã½.â€�

Brands Hatch Ford Power Live

“This was the highlight event of the Modified Fords calendar, including a very busy grid walk! Both races were in front of a 20,000-strong crowd as part of the Ford Power Live show. After a reasonable qualifying putting me 14th overall and 7th in class, before working my way through in Race 1 and 2 to 10th/7th overall (and 5th/4th in class finishes). These results then earned me the overall Driver of the Day award presented by the series sponsor Scalextric. Really proud to earn that at the series highlight event. 

“That rounds up my 2024 racing exploits. As for 2025… the plan is a full rebuild of the car with some fresh chassis work, some potential gearbox tweaks and of course… 91´«Ã½ stopping me!â€�

Qualifying:

“I qualified 2^nd in class, from 9 in class C and 12^th overall from a total of 26, I also set a personal best of 56:9 on the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit, there is no doubt the new RP-X pads made a significant difference in my ability to out-brake others.�

Race One:

“A very busy start to the race due to my qualifying position in the middle of the pack and a tricky first corner at Paddock Hill with cars four abreast in places and bumper to bumper. However, as we headed into Graham Hill, space started to develop and although the class C pole sitter had managed to gain a lead, a squabble between Aaron Tucker in his HT Racing Sierra 1.8 Pinto developed, and we enjoyed close, fast and fair racing for long periods until Aaron was able to get the better of me into the Cooper Straight, having just that bit more torque. However, I was happy to take 3^rd in class and was happy it gave my new sponsor BlueBlue.uk and their clients something to cheer.�

Grid Walk:

“Ford Power Live also had an exclusive Modified Fords Grid Walk during the lunch period between Races One and Two and this saw the grid packed with show and race fans asking many questions about all the cars, their setups and gave younger fans a chance to enjoy a seat in the cars and grab some autographs and photos.�

Race Two:

“Race two again saw a busy start into Paddock Hill as is expected at Brands Hatch, and I lost a place in the class to Gary Littlewood who was also on his home circuit putting me into 4^th in class. Gary and I have had some superb battles this season and Race Two was no different, with 3^rd and 4^th places swapping multiple times and in the end to my favour before Gary had to retire with a puncture. The racing gods were also in my favour during the race with Aaron Tucker who had 2^nd in class having to retire pushing me into 2^nd place behind the class pace setter Justin Fuller and his Puma.

“However, I am pleased to announce that my finishes over the weekend a 3^rd and 2nd were enough for top honours in Class C and overall for 2024!!

“The Modified Fords now move onto the last round of the season at MSV’s Navarra Circuit in Northern Spain, were I am sure the racing will again be hugely competitive.

“I am so impressed with the brake pads! Personally, I think they are a much more suitable pad for me than the RP-1; they are much better from cold and the braking power is so much better whilst still giving great pedal feel, I had so much confidence in them and was able to brake so much later which reflected in my times over the whole weekend.�

Qualified: 28^th out of 36 (2^nd in class by 4/10ths)

Race One: Finished 23^rd out of 36 (1^st in class)

Race Two: Finished 22^nd out of 36 (1^st in class)

“Qualifying was more a test than a qualifying session, following repairs and upgrades from last round’s DNF at Snetterton, and was cut slightly short due to incidents on the circuit. However, I qualified 2^nd in class (4/10ths of a second behind the class pole).

“Race One was saw close racing between Gary Littlewood and myself throughout and following a slight mistake from Gary running wide at Copse, I seized the chance to pass and led the class for the remain five laps, taking the class win.

“Race Two’s start was chaotic with lots of congestion going into Copse and Maggots and Gary Littlewood pulled the same move on me as I had on him in race one, however once the field spread I was able to get back past Gary on the Wellington Straight and led the class for the entire race, building a gap of approximately half a straight, taking maximum points for the weekend.

“Brakes were perfect all weekend! And I have now extended my lead in the class and overall championship, putting me in a good position going into the two last rounds at Brands Hatch and Navarra. Fingers crossed the car and I perform!�