News from Wealden Racing

Cadwell Park – 14th & 15th June 2008

What a weekends Racing!
After the partial success of the first meeting out at Snetterton the whole team were looking forward to some fast, close racing at this undulating twisty circuit.

With a new set of tyres to complement a few ‘tweeks’ with the suspension and back axel we were set for the first race.

Saturday morning for the qualifying and the weather was looking kind, despite grim predictions of rain. Craig went out gingerly at first to bed the new tyres in but was soon putting in some fast laps, getting down to a very respectable 1:42 and put himself 3rd on the grid for the race.

Race 1 – with the A4 car of Graham Wait and the rival A2 car of Dave Matthias in front of him Craig needed to make a good start – and that he did!

Off the line and quick thinking had him manoeuvring round a bogged down Matthias into 2nd place, and even quicker down on the power had him powering past Wait to take the lead into the first corner. Not for long though as the A4 power and grip of Wait had him taking the lead by the middle of the first lap, but great driving from Craig meant that class A2 rival Matthias had it all to do.

Three laps and luck was on our side for a change and race leader Wait had to retire leaving Craig in the lead. Matthias was all over the back of the car but Craig kept a clear head and his racing experience began to show as lap after lap Matthias was kept at bay.

Half race distance and it was looking like the race was settling into a steady groove when the class C car of Graham Field took a trip into the tyre wall and the red flags came out. Craig lead the precession of remaining cars back the grid and it was an agonising 15 minutes waiting to see if the race would be called and we had secured our first overall race win in Class A!

It was not to be, the officials called for a restart and Craig had it all to do again!
Because of the 15 minute delay there had to be another green flag lap before the race was restarted with Craig on Pole and rival Matthias next to him on the front row. Another flying start was needed and Craig did not disappoint! The red lights went off for the second time and Craig lead the pack in the first corner. Matthias got another bad start and was beaten into 3rd place by the A2 Sierra of Ashley Bird. Bird managed to cling onto 2nd for a lap and a half but was eventually relegated to 3rd by the charging Matthias.

Again Craig had to make his MKII Escort the widest in history as he held Matthias at bay. Pulling away from him on the straight but losing out slightly on the twisty Mountain Complex.

Nail-biting stuff but finally called to an abrupt halt by another red flag following an incident on the start/finish straight.

Great news for Craig and the Team – the overall Race win was in the bag and Craig’s stunning performance earned him ‘Driver of the Day’.

Race 2 – Starting on Pole for the second race, with Matthias 2nd on the grid the Sunday race had all the makings of a fantastic race between the two Class A2 rivals.

Again the weather was kind with a dry track and warm sunshine. Craig lead the cars round on the Green Flag lap and lined up on the grid ready for the off.

Another fantastic start had him leading the race with Bird 2nd and Matthias in 3rd place.  Half way round the first lap and again Matthias powered round Bird into second and was clearly on a charge and determined to make up for losing out to Craig the previous race. Up and round into the Goose neck complex they went and out of site from the nervous (but excited!) Wealden Racing supporters.

But as they came back into view it was not the sight we wanted to see as Matthias was off on the grass and Craig clearly had a problem with smoke pouring from the back of the car. It was the end of the race for both cars and the end of a dream weekend for Wealden Racing!

After the race Craig said ‘On the Green Flag lap there were oil flags being waved on that corner so as I came round I pulled off to one side to avoid the oil. Unfortunately it looks like Matthias didn’t see the flag and took this as an opportunity to grab the lead. He went into a bit too deep and the gap really wasn’t there, he tried to avoid contact by taking to the grass but it was too late and he hit my off-side rear’.

‘It’s a real shame as we should have been on for a good race and instead we are both going home empty handed – but that’s racing!’

‘Damage to the car is quite substantial as it will need a new wheel and the drivers door and rear quarter panel will need re-modelling and a re-spray – but we have six weeks before the next race so we will be back out for that’

Matthias also had substantial damage to the front and near side of his car but he is also hoping to be out for the next race – so we should be in for another great show!

Next race is at Lydden Hill on 2nd and 3rd August

Snetterton – 4th & 5th May 2008
The first race meeting of the 2008 Season for the Team was at the Norfolk circuit of Snetterton.

Having missed the first 2 meetings the car and driver were chomping at the bit to get going but they had a few technical issues to solve first. Having booked a test session for Saturday to shake the car down they came up against their first hurdle as the electrics were playing up and they went through several alternators, a new starter motor and an additional battery before they managed to get it right!

The day of the first race dawned bright and thankfully dry, Craig and the car were ready to go – but no! In the assembly area the water pump failed to start and all Craig could do was limp back to the pits. With a window of only 15 minutes to get the car fixed and Craig out on the circuit to do the necessary 3 timed laps required for him to qualify the pressure was really on. Luckily one of the team piped up just in time that it could be a blown fuse – it was and they managed to get the car out on the track with only five minutes to spare. Craig gave it his all and managed to put in one good lap – good enough to put him 7th on the grid.

The story when Craig got back to the garage was not quite as rosy however as he reported that the boost pressure on the car was not coming up and he was very underpowered. Only 4 hours to go to the race and a lot of head scratching!

The start of the race came round too fast however and Craig had to be content to race without boost. He did a fantastic job though and clawed his way up from 7th to finish the race 5th overall and 3rd in class.

More head scratching and a bit of ‘tweaking’ overnight and hopefully the boost would be back for the second race the following day. Only time would tell though and Craig had to line up for the green flag not knowing if he was going to be able to make a difference this time. The spectators on the side of the track were delighted to see that when he went past he gave the thumbs up – we were back on the pace!

Craig made a great start as the red lights went off and was up into 4th by the first corner. Nip and tuck racing followed for the next few laps as the front 4 cars all vied for position – too close at one point as one of the brand new front wings took a knock as eventual race winner Class A4 car driver Malcolm Wise went past.

The car was going well and Craig steadily bought his times down into the mid 1.18’s – his personal best at the circuit.

Time was not on Craig’s side though and as the race progressed his tyres started going off and he slipped back slightly from the race leaders but held on to his 4th place. A drop out at the front from A4 driver Waite handed Craig 3rd overall, 2nd in Class – a great finish for the first meeting of the season.

Next race is at Cadwell Park on 14th & 15th June

 

Team News: April 2008
As we move into what should be known as British Summer, Wealden Racing are pleased to announce that Craig Rainer will be at Snetterton with the magnificient Escort MK2. The Escort now has a fresh engine, just back from Jems Race Engineering and some new modifications.

The Team are happy that they can make the Snetterton Meeting and give the car a good shake down and hopefully get amongst the pack. Snetterton will see only Craig Rainer make the meeting, Steve King is still spending his time developing his Escort MK2 Class B car. Speaking to steve he said "I am hoping to get out sometime this season but want to take time to develop the car ready for a 2009 title challenge.

Please check back soon for race updates.

The Snetterton event on the 5-6 May includes:
The Mill Street Motors Ford Saloon Car Championship (Double Header)
The www.dees.co.uk Ford Fiesta Championship (Double Header)
Mighty Mini Championship(Double Header)
Super Mighty Min Championship (Double Header)
The BRSCC Alfashop Alfa Romeo Championship
Motorlawyers Fiat Racing Challenge
Club Ginetta
Ferrari Open
Ferrari Classic
Dunlop Tuscan Challenge
Click here for event details

 

Team News: March 2008
Despite a few hard weeks trying to get cars of Craig and Steve ready for round one of the Ford Saloon Car Championship at Mallory Park the team have taken the decision not to race due to a lack of time to finish preparing the cars. It is regretted that the team will not make the first round, but they look forward to joining the championship at the second round.

Craig’s car is waiting for the new engine to be Mapped by Jems and Steve’s car is still not running correctly and is due to go to PJ Motorsport to be sorted out.

Team News: January 2008
Autosport Show
The Wealden Racing Team are now back to preparing for the season after a long weekend at the Autosport Show displaying the cars of Craig Rainer and Steve Kings on the Ford Racing UK Stand. A busy weekend was had on the stand with Chris Beeney of Ready 2 Race helping to distribute information on the Team.

We were also joined by local model Emily Hilton who worked with the team and took part in a photo shoot with the car. Emily will be working closely with Wealden Racing this season doing some more photo shoots and calender material. See our Autosport gallery for pictures of Emily.

Other News
Retro Ford have requested Steve's Escort MK2 to do a photoshoot and timed session at Bruntingthorpe as soon as we have some more details we will let you know.

Please see Calender for This Seasons Race Dates for Ford Racing UK

Team News: January 2008
Wealden racing are pleased to announce that both Craig’s & Steve’s Racing Ford Escort MkII’s will be on display for all to see on Ford Racing UK’s stand at this year’s Autosport International Show.

Both the cars will be on display from Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th of January in Hall 7, Stand 7040. Over the course of the show Craig, Steve & Mark from Wealden Racing will be on hand to answer any questions that you may have about the cars and the every growing opportunities of becoming part of a championship winning team.

So come on over and see what we are up to in 2008.

Team News: December
Well its been over a month since the Ford Saloons and Wealden Racing season came to an end.
Final Race At Brands, Steve King collecting two trophies, which was a nice end to the season
for Steve. Craig Rainer unfortuantly did not make the race at Brands when in qualifying
he experienced an engine failure, with a crack in the block. The Fiestas of Roger and Phil were also at
Brands that weekend, Roger with engine troubles didn't make it to the track after the qualifying.
Phil completed a full weekends racing, but would not see the podium this time out.

So what are we up to in the closed season? Well there is lots in the pipeline at the Wealden Racing workshop . The Class A2 Escort of Craig Rainer is now fully stripped and being prepared for a full respray – yes it is staying yellow!
But it is in need of some suttle changes. While the car is being resprayed there is a new engine being built
by Jon Edwards ready for the 2008 season and the car will also have a full check over by JEMS.

Moving into the New Year you can see Wealden Racing at the Autosport Show as part of the Ford Saloons Stand. More Details to follow as we get them.

Lastly, Kevin Shortis of Ford Saloons this week produced a Draft Copy of the 2008 Race Dates with
the Start of the Season at Mallory Park 24th March 08.

Hope to see you at the Autosport Show

Team News: Sunday 16th September
Ford Racing UK has released the time table for the Final Round of the Ford Saloons
at Brands Hatch 20-21 Oct.
Sat 20 Oct : Qual 10:20 / Race 16:35
Sun 21 Oct : Race 14:10

Team News: Wednesday 12th September
Penultimate round Pembrey
It was a return to South Wales for round 7 at the Pembrey Circuit last weekend and we were already heading into the final stages of the Ford Saloons Championship, only Craig and Roger made the trip. Back in his office Craig took to the track and put the car on the front row just 0.100sec off of pole position, while Roger was 5th In Class C. The start of the race was of some interest but a good race saw Craig finish 2nd overall and 2nd in class A2. Due to an oil leak, Roger didn't make the race but, worked hard all night to get the car running again for Sunday.

Craigs Sunday qualifying was cut short due to a steering rack problem, relegating him to the back of the 19 car grid. Roger was unable to fix the oil leak and had loaded the car back onto the trailer. A 20 minute race would see Craig 2nd Overall and 2nd in class A2. A good weekends Racing and we now head to Brands Hatch for the final race of the year.

Team News: Tuesday 21st August
Wealden Racing Headed to Rockingham
This weekend saw Craig, Steve and Roger head off to Rockingham for the latest round of the Ford Saloons. Saturday was a disaster for Craig as he only managed 1/4 of a Lap after being taken off the track by a Class B Car. Steve however finish 2nd In Class B for his 1st time out since Silverstone and Roger finished 6th in Class. Lots of work at Jems Race Engineering enabled Craig to be back out on Sunday. Starting from the back of the grid he finishing in an excellent 3rd in Class A2 in torrential rain conditions. Steve finishing 3rd In Class B and Roger not finishing.

Team News: Monday 20th August
Forum is added to website, click here to have your say.

Coming soon…
Wealden Racing Fan Club
Wealden Racing Merchandise

Team News: Thursday 9th August
Wealden Racing will be off to Rockingham on the 18th and 19th August for the next round of the Ford Saloon Championship and looking to put a further lead on Craig's title challenge. Rockingham should see all four cars out for the first time this season. Timetable to be announced this week and will be available here.

Team News: Sunday 29th July
Wealden Racing made the trip to France to race at the Circuit of Croix.
Craig continued his winning ways and took the Class A2 honours on Sat after finishing an excellent 3rd Overall. Roger Wilkins and Phil Taylor both made there season debuts. Phil looked to be having a good race, but disaster struck when the newly built engine detonated. Roger Wilkins unfortuanatly also had a technical problem, thankfully of a less survire nature, with his throttle cable.

Sunday morning would see Just Roger and Craig take to the track, Craig again taking 1st in Class A2 and 3rd overall. Roger's luck did not improve and he had another technical fault, this time when a tyre blow. Craig now leads Class A2 and is keeping a close chase on the Overall Championship title.

Team News: Tuesday 24th July
Wealden Racing and Steve King announce that Steve will not be competing in the Ford Saloons this season due to Engine Troubles. The Car is at PJ Motorsport at the moment having a new engine and will not be ready to compete in Croix.

With Half the season over now Steve has taken the decision that he will hopefully make it out for the RS Owners club day at Rockingham and then the Final Meeting at Brands Hatch. Steve said “obviously I am sad that I can’t compete this year, the Team and I had lots of plans for the car this season and we had lots of different things done by Jems Race Engineering to make the car handle a lot better”.

“Due to the Engine needing a full rebuild and unfortuantly still with PJ Motorsport I have now missed my chance to
challenge for the title. I will be working closely with the team for 2008. We have a very good team here and we wanted this year to put Wealden Racing at the Main Focus of the Map but up until now Craig has been the only car to make it out and he is doing very well. We will now start plans for 2008.”

Team News: Monday 23rd July
Wealden Racing will this weekend travel to Croix Race Circuit in France for the next round of the Ford Saloon Race Series. This weekend will see the debut of Phil Taylor and Roger Wilkins in there Fiesta's which have now been put into Full Wealden Racing Livery. Craig Rainer is hoping to keep his winning streak going now with a striking 4 on the trot.

Team News: Friday 20th July
Phil Taylor's Car in Livery... Today we saw Phil's car in its strking new 2007 Wealden Racing Livery.

 

Team News: Monday 16th July
Wealden Racing return from Lydden Hill after a good weekend racing with Craig taking both Class A2 Wins. Craig also took the RS Owner Fastest Lap and Most Improved Race Position.

Round five news from Oulton Park – 30 June 2007
A wet Oulton park saw Craig Rainer take Class A2 Honours.
Wealden Racing were at Oulton Park on Saturday for round 5 of the Ford Saloon Car Championship. The 20 minute race was held in heavy rain, but Craig took an excellent results with first in class A2 and second overall.
Race Report to follow…

Team News: Sunday 18th June 07
Phil Taylor goes yellow! It's catching, the final car in the team to go 'Wealden yellow' is the Fiesta of Phil Taylor. Next step to apply the sponsors logos.

Team News: Sunday 10th June 07
The 2 Fiesta’s of Phil Taylor and Roger Wilkins have now been delivered to the paint shop in a start to their
transformation into Wealden Racing Yellow. Once the Cars are out of the paint shop they will then have the livery applied to them. The first time all four cars will be seen out together in identical livery will be at Croix at the end of July.
 
Steve’s car is at PJ Motorsport at present having the engine rebuilt and will be ready for Oulton Park and the team will be looking to test the car on the Friday before.
 
Craig’s car is at JEM's Race Engineering having a check over with some alterations and modifications, which again will be seen at Oulton Park
 
New Sponsors Join Wealden Racing
Wealden Racing are delighted to welcome two new sponsors to the team, First Diesel and Hydro-Cleansing. The team and look forward to working with them this season.

 

Second round news from Anglesey – 26/27 May 2007

Saturday:
Qualified 3rd overall and 2nd in Class A2.
Finished 3rd overall in the race and2nd in Class A2.

Sunday:
In damp race conditions finished 1st In Class A2 and 4th overall.
 
Now only one point behind Class A2 leader Dave Mathais.
 
Click here to download a full race report (PDF)

 

Preparations made for round two…
Steve and Craig are ready for round two of the championship at Anglesey on the 26th and 27th May.

After Silverstone both cars were checked over, Craigs car was found to have a battery issue hence the
ECU went into safe mode during round one, this has now been fixed and Craig is ready to go.

Steve’s car suffered more serious problems and requiring the #4 piston to be replaced. The engine was sent to PJ Motorsport for the necessary repairs and will be back with Wealden Racing next week for installation.

Both Cars will be testing at the new Anglesey track on the Friday 25th May in preparation for the first race of round two the following day. More news to follow…

 

First round news from Silverstone – 14/15 April 2007
Click here to download a full race report (PDF)
Click here to see pictures from this meeting

1st Race at Silverstone completed after some Fri 13th disasters
Craig Rainer leads Class A2 after two very close races

Saturday saw the team claim a 1st in class A2 and 2nd overall with Craig. On Sunday Craig took 2nd in A2 and 5th overall despite the car going into safe mode due to voltage drop.
 
The trip to Silverstone was the first time Steve King had used his car since last season. A lot of development work was required during qualifying, but only four laps were completed after the water pump broke. The race was started from the back of the grid, but Steve quickly set about making his way to the front. Managing to get into 3rd in Class B he efforts were unrewarded when another problem caused him to stop.

Looking into the problem it was seen the No4 piston had blemished and now needs to be replaced before the next race.
 
Roger Willkins and Phil Taylor did not race at Silverstone due to their engines still being prepared.

Other News

Team News – A force of four…
Wealden Racing becomes a force of four this year with the coming together of Phil Taylor, Steve King and Roger Wilkins. Steve brings with him a N/A Mk2 and Phil and Roger both bring Championship winning group ‘C’ Fiesta’s.

Wealden Racing are always striving for a new challenge and having these cars in the team will give them the chance to be a dominant team in three classes. Team manger Mark Hills said “this is an exciting development for the team and will give us a chance to win at every level and also gain more weight with higher profile sponsors”.

Steve King – From orange to yellow…
Steve Kings Escort has changed from orange to yellow this year and that is just for starters. This quick group ‘B’ Cosworth powered Escort has had some major front suspension work carried out by JEMS and also the car has been ‘got at’ by the Wealden Racing Team. Mark Hills says “We have looked after Steve for a year or so now as he has not had the support from a professional team and his car was not the best prepared, but we have slowly turned it around and painting it and doing some major re work this year is just the start. This is a major step forward for Steve's car and with JEMS, PJ motor sport and the Wealden Racing team this car will go from strength to strength as we hope will Steve driving it”.