Cusses Gorse 2023
Times Are Changing
Last weekend the SXS Racing Team heading to the ever popular Cusses Gorse in Salisbury. There was a cloud hanging over the event as it was the last ever race at the venue as it is due to close later this month. This is a huge loss to off road racing and a large hole to fill in the SXS Calendar for future years. That aside there was racing to be done and that’s exactly what we did.
Open Pro
Qualifying
In this class the main battle remains for the minor places, so this session was an important one. The powerhouse car of Paul Severn pinned himself to the top early, but the result changed lap after lap as the track bedded in. It was close to say the least, but Championship leader Paul Severn took the top spot chased in hard by the returning Kevin Haran. Shaun Jenkinson got the best of the minor places taking third place ahead of rivals Adrian / Callum Loveridge in fourth. Tom Welbourn was disappointed in fifth after a blown shock brought his session to an early end. Work to do for several cars but a solid first session.
This race was a battle from the flag drop. The one to watch was the battle at the front as Paul Severn battled lap after lap to hold off the charging Kevin Haran. It wasn’t to be as late on Kevin Haran to the lead and held on to the finish flap, what a session so well done both drivers. Adrian / Callum Loveridge continued their solid season with third please holding off the class newcomer Tom Welbourn in fourth place. Sean Jenkinson recovered from and early spin crossing the line fifth securing every possible point for the Championship.
Race 2
Race two started and the battle at the front resumed. Kevin Haran and Paul Severn swapped paint from the first corner and battled on to end. Kevin Haran again took the top spot chased in by Championship leader Paul Severn in second. Shaun Jenkinson improved to third taking the advantage back from fourth Adrian / Callum Loveridge in the battle for Championship second step. Tom Welbourn was the last of the finishers in another cracking session. Two great races from the Open Pros setting up a strong Championship finish. Well done everyone.
Overall Results
1st – Kevin Haran #59
2nd – Paul Severn #7
3rd – Adrian / Callum Loveridge #17
Fastest Lap Bonus Point – Kevin Haran #59
Clerks Driver Of The Day – Kevin Haran
Veterans Class
Qualifying
This session seen more of the familiar names at the top as Simon Grantham pinned him name firmly to the top spot. Nick Barker chased hard in second spot with the cars at some points touching as they battled hard on track. Third place went to Nick Payne in a solid performance in a relatively new car. Simon Medleycott returned to racing in a strong fourth, beating Mike Proctor in fifth. Carl day again returning from a layoff posted a decent time that was enough to secure sixth spot ahead of Wayne Harris seventh. Closing off the grid was Mark Scotney and Pete Haran ready for a strong race one.
Race 1
Again, this race was a battle from start to finish. Simon Grantham was solid and gave the Pros a real run for their money. Top spot for the 101 car. Nick Payne got the better of the battle for second pushing Nick Barker to third and another step closes to the Championship win. Mike Proctor pushed up the field to fourth followed through by the 44 car of Wayne Harris in fifth. Carl Days return to racing continued with a solid sixth ahead of friend Mark Scotney in seventh. Pete Haran and Simon closed off the grid.
Race 2
Race two was a mash up at the front and another classic session. Nick Payne took the race win after a class drive but the man on the move was Mark Scotney ploughing the field to second. What a drive. Wayne Harris also climbed the field to a strong third ahead of Simon Grantham fourth. Simon Medleycott took a consistent fifth beating the class leader Nick Barker finishing sixth. Carl Day crossed the line seventh with a smile as Mike Proctor and Kevin Haran closed off the grid. Another great day’s racing in the Vets with a solid mix of winners. Strong future for this class after a great first season. One more to go.
Overall Results
1st – Wayne Harris #44
2nd – Simon Grantham #101
3rd – Mark Scotney #50
Fastest Lap Bonus Point – Nick Payne
Clerks Driver of The Day – Nick Payne
1000 Rookies
Qualifying
This class is a close one and every lap is competitive. This session was no different as the battle started lap one. Tom Butterfield was king of this session putting his RS1 firmly on Pole with Jack Barker battling hard for second. Ant Green secured the last of the top places staking third ahead of Harley McGuffog fourth. Richy Scott had a tough session with a lucky fifth in his only lap of the session. Brad Price crossed the line sixth ahead of German guest Henrik Willen taking a solid seventh in his first UK session. Sam Lloyd and Fred Tarrant took eighth and ninth with Gero Placheta our other European guest securing tenth. Allan and Joe Curnick closed off the grid in a very competitive session.
Race One
This session was a battle of attrition. Tactical driving and managing risk were definitely the order of the day for some cars. Tom Butterfield pinned his name to the top spot after leading every lap. Ant Green chased him home taking second place ahead of a solid drive from Brad Price in third. Harley McGuffog placed a solid fourth as he continued to grow into the class. Richy Scott settled for fifth in a low risk race strategy as his eyes remain firmly focused on the Championship. Allan / Joe Curnick pushed up to sixth with Sam Lloyd the last of the finishers. Another great session from the rookies so well done everyone.
Race Two
Race two seen more of the same for the top spot. Tom Butterfield bolted at the front and never looked back, race two and overall win secured. Jack Barker recovered from a upside down race one to take second in a class drive which seen him going last to second whilst securing the Jesters hat. Brad Price build on his best day in the Championship taking third place in the race and also in the overall his best result to date. Well done, Brad. Ant green was next home in fourth beating Richy Scott fifth both cars securing valuable Championship points. Gero Placheta built on a challenging race one to take sixth place, a great result for a newcomer on this fiercely competitive class. Sam Lloyd crossed the line seventh with Harley McGuffog and Allan / Joe Curnick closing off the grid. Another great day’s racing in the class which sets up a gripping finally. Don’t blink as this could be a cracker.
Overall Results
1st – Tom Butterfield #315
2nd – Anthony Green #105
3rd – Brad Price #169
Fastest Lap Bonus Point – Tom Butterfield
Clerks Driver of the day – Brad Price
1000 Pros
Qualifying
This has always been the class to watch but this weekend the others had set a high bar for sure. They delivered for sure. Kevin Haran the king of qualifying threw down the gauntlet taking pole chased home by Willima Buller in second place. Louis McGuffog pushed on to third chased in by the youngster George Hales. Lewis Scotney made his return to racing with a solid fifth beating Championship leader Tom Fletcher sixth. Henry Proctor and Robert Lloyd closed off the grid in seventh and eight place.
Race 1
The battle was on, the top five cars scrapped for the first corner to the last flag with William Buller coming out on top. Louis McGuffog gave another lesson in Joker Lane use to take second place ahead of pole sitter Kavin Haran third. A great piece of race craft. Henry proctor progressed up the field to a more familiar fourth holding off George Hales in fifth place. Lewis Scotney marked the next of the cars home with a sixth place finish ahead of Championship leader Tom Fletcher seventh. Robert Lloyd closed off the grid in eighth place. Another solid race session for the 1000 Pros.
Race 2
Louis McGuffog again showed why he belongs in this class. Another solid drive seen the Norfolk man taking the top spot in another competitive session. Kevin Haran chased hard but had to settle for second spot very much close but no cigar. Third place went to Henry Proctor in a strong push through the field holding off William Buller in fourth. Tom Fletcher chipped way nudging up to fifth with Chris place sixth. Lewis Scotney and George Hales closed off the grid in another class session of racing from the 1000 Pros. This really does set up fireworks at the final round.
Overall Results
1st – Louis McGuffog #24
2nd – William Buller #32
3rd – Kevin Haran #53
Fastest Lap Bonus Point – William Buller
Clerks Driver of The Day – Louis McGuffog
A fantastic day’s racing across all of the classes seemed a fitting farewell to this amazing venue. One more round to go and lots still to fight for. Let’s Do This!!