Photos courtesy of James Roberts

A new season dawns, and the first visit to the full length Oulton Park International circuit for the LMA Euro Saloons since 2004. For 2007 there have been minor adjustments to the class structure in an effort to ensure that more cars and drivers are competitive within their respective classes. To this end, the top class has been split, separating out the Super Touring cars and the larger mid engined cars into the new Class A, while the remaining modified "ex-road" cars formerly in the same class now run in Class B. The old classes B and C become new Class C and D, while the old classes D and E are now combined as one Class E. Therefore there will be the opportunity for all drivers to set new lap records for the circuit as only those from old Class A stand.

A full entry to the first race of the season bodes well for the year to come, and we were blessed with uncommonly warm weather for the time of year.

Qualifying
With massive entries in the top two classes (8 in Class A, 12 in Class B) it was no surprise to see the top cars dominate the front half of the grid. Mal Davison sent out an early warning of intent by taking pole in his Noble M400 by a full 1.9 seconds from Peter Challis' Nissan Primera Super Tourer. Steven Taylor (Lotus Exige) and Joss Ronchetti (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus) set the Class B pace qualifying 5th and 6th overall.

Class C was headed by David Roberts (Rover Tomcat) narrowly from Stephen Walker's VW Golf, but the Golf was unable to race. 2005 LMA Euro Saloons champion Simon Taylor is back for a full season in his Honda Civic Type R and comfortably led Class D with 2006 Class E champion Simon Jackson carrying on where he left off last season in the freshly rebuilt (and more spotty than ever) Vauxhall Nova.

Race
With 32 cars making the start of the race, predictably the later rows were still rounding Lodge when the lights went out and the race commenced. Davison got away from Challis with Mark Taylor's similar Nissan Primera in hot pursuit. Steven Taylor was working his way forwards in the Class B Lotus Exige and was up into 4th place by lap 5, aided by Richard Hawken's Nissan Primera having electrical problems and Nick Williamson's Escort Cosworth running out of brakes.

With Stephen Walker unable to race, Ian Craig (BMW M3) took up the mantle of chasing David Roberts' Rover Tomcat for Class C honours, with Roberts holding on to win by little over a second. Simon Taylor started his season in comfortable fashion in Class D, but Jim Mepham (Renault Megane) and Stuart Jefcoate (Porsche 911) battled all race long for 2nd place, Mepham finally coming out ahead by just a second.

Back at the front, it was looking like a win for Davison's Noble, but on lap 8 he started to slow and Challis took the lead which he held to the end of the race. Davison continued to slide backwards allowing Mark Taylor's Nissan Primera to come through to second and Steven Taylor's Lotus to take 3rd place and the Class B win. John Hammersley (Vauxhall Cavalier) had hoped to stay with Joss Ronchetti in the race for 2nd place in Class B but just as he was coming back into contention, he lost time passing a backmarker and Ronchetti got away to keep 2nd in Class B.

Nearer the back Simon Jackson was having a race long battle with Matt Shaw (Alfa Romeo 155) which culminated in Matt taking the finish line by half a length, but Simon taking the Class E victory.

Simon Taylor leads the championship after the first round having played his joker to gain double points.

Result:
Winner: Peter Challis (Nissan Primera), 2nd Mark Taylor (Nissan Primera), 3rd Steven Taylor (Lotus Exige), 4th Mal Davison (Noble M400), 5th Joss Ronchetti (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus), 6th Richard Gould (Noble M400), 7th Richard Hawken (Nissan Primera), 8th Nick Williamson (Ford Escort Cosworth), 9th John Hammersley (Vauxhall Cavalier), 10th Tony Soper (Harrier LR9)

Class Winners: Class A Challis, Class B Steven Taylor, Class C Roberts (Rover Tomcat), Class D Simon Taylor (Honda Civic Type-R), Class E Simon Jackson (Vauxhall Nova)

Fastest lap: Challis 1:49.134 (88.801mph)

Next race: Rockingham 28th April

With support from Mark Fish Motorsport and Alpha Composites

Report by Trevor Nicosia, Car 10 ( www.nyssaracing.com )

Click here to see all of the photos from this weekend
 

Results

Click here to link to the full MST Timing results pdf of the meeting

Click here for the current championship points and standings