Dance Claims Equipe Super Sprint Victory at Silverstone
Dance Victorious at Silverstone's Equipe Super Sprint!
Dance's Dominance in Challenging Conditions
At the recent Equipe Super Sprint held at Silverstone, Steve Dance emerged as the clear victor. Despite battling gusty winds and a damp track, Dance skillfully piloted his Ford Capri RS3100 to an impressive win in the final race. His exceptional pace was evident early on, as he set a super qualifying time that was two seconds faster than any other competitor.
Unconventional Race Format and Early Success
The Equipe Super Sprint distinguishes itself with a unique structure, where drivers advance through a series of short preliminary heats to qualify for one of three finals, each designed to group cars and drivers of similar performance levels. Dance's dominance was unquestionable, as he secured victory in every heat within the top-tier group. Even a 10-second penalty for a false start in his initial heat couldn't hinder his progress; he still crossed the finish line a remarkable 12 seconds ahead of his closest competitor.
Fending Off Challengers in the Red Final
Throughout the day, several drivers attempted to unseat Dance from his leading position. Rob Cull, driving a Ford Escort RS1800, mounted a notable challenge. However, Dance's 1970 GAA-spec machine proved superior, especially under the mixed weather conditions. In the intensely competitive red final for the fastest racers, Cull briefly seized the lead, but Dance quickly regained control, pulling away definitively in his striking white, blue, and orange Capri.
Driver's Perspective on Performance
Reflecting on his triumph, Dance expressed his satisfaction, attributing some of his advantage to his slick tires compared to his rivals' treaded ones. He also praised the event's innovative format, highlighting its refreshing change of pace and the organizers' effective execution.
Green Final Thrills: Fisher's Strategic Win
In the intermediate green final, Neil Fisher started from the pole position in his Ford Shelby Mustang GT350R. Despite temporarily losing the lead to Harvey Blake-Jones in a Marcos 1800GT, Fisher leveraged the impressive straight-line speed of his 4.7-liter V8 Ford. He skillfully reclaimed the lead and subsequently built a three-second advantage, securing a well-deserved victory.
Yellow Final Victory and a Historic Car's Triumph
The slowest of the three finals, the yellow final, saw Barry Dye take the top spot in his Ginetta G4R. Maintaining his lead from the start, Dye steadily extended his advantage over Darren Smith and James Topliss, who were locked in a battle for second place in their MGB Roadsters. Dye's win was particularly meaningful, marking his first victory in a vehicle he affectionately calls a "proper history car," adorned with its past racing achievements. Topliss was later disqualified for an incident involving Mike Henney's Turner during their fight for second.
Angrave's Resilient Performance with a Vintage Lotus
One of the most remarkable performances of the day came from Charles Angrave, driving his 1955 Lotus MkVI. Weighing a mere 420kg and powered by an 1100cc engine, Angrave overcame significant hurdles. An oil leak prevented him from participating in qualifying, forcing him to start last in the first heat of group three. Undeterred, he rapidly ascended through the field, gaining 20 positions on the opening lap alone before a safety car deployment. After the restart, Angrave passed both Dye and Steve Winter, earning him a promotion to the top group. Despite persistent oil leak issues causing his brakes to fail in the final heat, Angrave's tenacity allowed him to remain in the red final and finish a commendable 12th place. He lauded his Lotus, emphasizing its lightweight design as a key advantage in wet conditions, enabling it to compete effectively even against more powerful machines.