Silverstone Race Report

The opening race of the 2023 eBay MSVT Trackday Trophy certainly did not disappoint.

Apple Car Centre’s father-son duo kickstarted the first qualifying session of the year in fine form, setting the early pace ahead of a capacity field. The Honeybone pairing of Ray and Jordan exchanged fastest lap times with rivals on a number of occasions, including Team KAR’s Justin Roberts and Unique Racing’s Palk/Pottinger. Halfway through the session, it looked like it would be Unique Racing who would edge Apple Car Centre to pole position, however a blistering lap of 1:10:956 by Supatune Motorsport’s Porsche Boxster S ensured the bragging rights of the season’s first pole position went the way of Colin Tester and Wil Arif. Unique Racing #89 had to settle for second on the grid by just 0.065secs, ahead of Apple Car Centre and Mangoes Racing – after a hugely impressive qualifying session from Jack Goes in his first ever race meeting!

TJS Racing’s Thomas Seckel snatched class C pole position right at the death, while a 1:15:950 midway through the session saw Greenstar Racing’s Burnham duo on pole in Class D. GS Racing’s Gareth Sockett and CM Racing’s Cameron McLean rounded out the top three in class C qualifying, while it was Supatune Motorsport’s Sloss/Skelsey and Boreham Motorsport (Midlands) Rob & Martyn Adams who completed the top three in class D.

Northampton sunshine greeted the competitors as they formed on the grid, setting the stage for an epic battle on track. A good opening few laps for polesitter Supatune Motorsport kept the #91 car at the head of the pack, followed in hot pursuit by Unique Racing, Apple Car Centre, Mangoes Racing and Team Rebbieha. The entertainment was not limited to the front of the grid either, as throughout the 40-strong grid plenty of overtaking and battling could be found. Lost time around the pit-stop window cost Supatune Motorsport the overall lead, promoting Unique Racing’s Palk/Pottinger to the race lead. Rival Clio Apple Car Centre kept Unique Racing honest, leading the race themselves for four laps, but ultimately it was Palk/Pottinger who took the first victory of the year at Silverstone – just as they did in 2022! Impressive and consistent race pace ensured both Apple Car Centre and Supatune Motorsport joined Unique Racing on the class B podium, finishing second and third respectively. Semprini Racing narrowly missed out on the podium, as our new series screen-top sponsors put in a confident drive to fourth.

GS Racing’s Gareth Sockett had the bit between their teeth in class C. After qualifying second in class, the Renault Clio 182 driver stormed into the class lead after the first lap and didn’t look back. Other than a brief spell at the front for Sarah Hobson (Hobson Racing) through the pit stops, GS Racing led every lap of the race in class C and was rewarded with the top step of the podium. After qualifying seventh in class, a surging drive from Dubshack Motorsport’s pairing of Rawlings/Zakrzewski resulted in the BMW E36 finishing second on the class podium. An equally impressive drive from Knockout Racing earned Kristian Goodall the final step on the class C podium, having qualified ninth in class earlier in the day.

Class D was as competitive as ever and it was a different father-son duo that eventually triumphed, Boreham Motorsport’s Andy and Jay Coombs. A strong display from the pair and their Mazda M5-5 secured the Silverstone top step, ahead of a determined Greenstar Racing and BC Motorsport’s Colin Wells. Congratulations to all.

It was a fantastic day for eBay MSVT Trackday Trophy and we’re already counting down the days until Anglesey!