Round 4 of the 2008 Elise Trophy held at Spa-Francorchamps 31 May – 1 June 2008.
Just a few weeks after supporting A1GP on the GP circuit at Brands Hatch we were off to Spa Francorchamps, possible the best circuit in the world, for the 4th race in the 2008 Elise Trophy. With over 60 drivers signed up, including over 10 2-Elevens and Exige Cups by invitation from mainland Europe, this was set to be our biggest race meet yet.
Saturday 31st May – Qualifying
In class A Michael Edwards took the class pole in 16th overall with a time of 2:56.143, with Paul Quinn 2nd and BJ Chong continuing to put in good qualifying times in 3rd.
In class B Malcolm Edeson was 5th overall with a time of 2:49.987 in Mark Gooday‘s 340R. Unfortunately his qualifying session was cut short with a mecnical failure that meant he wouldn’t start either of the races. Steve Williams, David Harvey and Ben Pitch made up the next 3 places in class in 7th, 8th and 9th respectively.
In class BI (International) Christopher Lisandre was the front runner, qualifying 12th in his 2-Eleven with a time of 2:54.631. Thierry Verhiest qualified 21st with Cai Cederholm in 25th.
Andrew Walsh took the class C and overall pole with a time of 2:45.524, followed by Martin Donnelly and Sean Bicknell in 2nd and 3rd.
Sunday 1st June – Race 1
| Class A | Class B | Class C | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
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Race 1 was a 30 minute race, and Andrew Walsh took a lights-to-flag overall and class C victory, crossing the line 30secs ahead of Martin Donnelly‘s 2-Eleven in 2nd. Chris Headlam took 3rd in class C and 3rd overall.
Ben Pitch, after an altercation with David Harvey at the first corner, which took Harvey out of the race, took 1st in class B with 4th overall, followed home in class B by Rob Beves in 7th and Martin Johnston in 10th. Steve Williams retired on lap 1 with a throttle linkage failure.
In class BI Christopher Lisandre took the class win, crossing the line 6th overall, follwed by Thierry Verhiest in 13th and Eric Chappard in 21st.
In class A Michael Edwards took the victory finishing in 12th overall, with Paul Quinn crossing the line less than a second behind him in 14th. Stuart Kirkbride was 3rd in class in 16th overall.
Race summary – 46 starters, 43 finished.
Sunday 1st June – Race 2
| Class A | Class B | Class C | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Race 2 was a 40 minute race, with a compulsory pit stop for all drivers.
In class C Walsh needed to refuel during his pit stop, while Donnelly was able to complete the race on 1 tank, this gave Donnelly the advantage and he took the class and overall win, crossing the line 37secs ahead of Walsh. Headlam once again took 3rd overall and in class C. Bicknell had mechanical problems with his Audi-powered Exige and retired on lap 3.
Pitch once again took the class B win with 4th overall, with Mark Gooday and Beves taking 2nd and 3rd with 5th and 6th places. Williams was once again plagued by mechanical gremlins, but nursed his car home without a clutch in 7th.
In class BI Verhiest got his revenge on Lisandre, taking the class win with 8th overall, with Lisandre 9th and Bob Montgomery 25th.
In class A Quinn got his revenge by taking the class win with 12th overall, followed home by Marcus Jewell and James Knight in 13th and 14th. Edwards retired on lap 4 with mechanical problems.
Conclusion
Look out for television coverage of Elise Trophy races on Motors TV. For further details of our television coverage and to see a short promo, please check out the Race Television web site.
For round 5 we’re off to one of the best circuits in the UK, Oulton Park in Cheshire, on the 28th June.
Race Results in Full
Official photos courtesy of Kevin Ritson
 Where’s the white one?
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 Marco Rugier
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 Elise Trophy paddock with Eau Rouge in the background
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 2-Elevens
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 Steve Williams heads the field through Le Raidillon
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 Martin Donnelly‘s 2-Eleven
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 James Knight…er
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 Paul Pattison‘s car gets some attention
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 “Well it was here earlier”
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 “It wasn’t my fault Gov”
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 Green flag lap
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 Martin Roos
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 Phil Hatswell
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 Stu Malt and Tess Howell
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 Christophe Lisandre
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 Bob Montgomery and Chris Headlam
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 Paul Pattison looks for inspiration
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 Matthew Bartlett exiting La Source
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 Andrew Kell & Cai Cederholm at La Source
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 Tom Chatterway‘s pit stop
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 Steve Williams in the pits
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 Eau Rouge
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 Phil Hatswell
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 Donnelly & Andrew Walsh
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- Spa_Francorchamps – runners & riders
