Tough Monkeys Racing - News Archive 2

23/02/08 - Buckmore Park Annual Awards Evening

Last night I collected my award for finishing 4th in last year's Thunder 60 Championship at the annual Buckmore awards evening. Handing out the trophies was Buckmore old boy Duncan Tappy, winner of this year's Formula Renault chamiponship and British Club Driver of the Year award. Some 250 people were in attendance, ranging from members of the BPKDC (the hire karters like me) and the BPKC (the owner drivers) to the Junior Club members and DJ Motorsport drivers. Many of my good mates and fellow competitors where there, most also collecting trophies of some description. Sadly the winter series finished to late to be included in the awards ceremony so myself, Mig, Ian and Barry will pick up our winners trophies at a later date. Simon Rudd took home more Silverware than has ever come out of Sheffield, however it was Justin Dobson who took home the greatest prize of the night when he and his fiancee won top prize in the raffle. A big Scalextric set. Damn him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17/02/08 - Final Race of Winter Series Provides Some Tense Moments

The final race of the winter series, this time in the Man of Steel championship, saw me out of contention for any series trophies but still ready for a fight. It was my first race back following my neck injury, and while it remains a little stiff I suffered no discomfort during the race. A sluggish kart hindered my progress yet still I was able to qualify 10th. A cracking start saw me rise to 7th before my forward progress ended with brake failure after only ten laps. The pedal would travel to the floor with little or no retardation, coming back for the occasional corner to throw me the odd curve ball. It made for an interesting final 50 minutes during which time I had a cracking scrap with my 2hr team mate Miguel. I was actually quite happy to come home in 10th overall, certainly given the kart's tendancy to want to eject me into the car park!

 

16/02/08 - RB5 Struts it's Stuff at Santa Pod

Having had the Scooby Clinic give the RB5 a once over and fit a badly needed new clutch and flywheel I decided to bed the new parts in gradually in the only way I could think of. By taking it to Santa Pod. On an exceptionally cold late winter's evening it went up against its playmate for the ring, the Williams Clio, being piloted by Lee's other half Claire. Despite sitting on huge rims with rubber bands for tyres the Scooby did not disappoint as it whipped across the line in 14.7 seconds, only 0.2 off what the original figures stated on its release 9 years ago. The Willy finished a little over two seconds behind. On the second and final run it clocked the exact same time, this time beating a heavily modified Honda Civic Type R. Despite being slower across the finish line, the supreme traction from the start ensured the any contest was over within the first couple of seconds. Footage of the runs can be found in the video download section.

 

03/02/08 - Motorsport Legend Joins the Team

This year marks my 30th year on this planet and alongside a mate, Lee, who is also reaching that milestone we have decided to mark this year in style by doing lots of the things we've always wanted to do. One of those will be to take a road trip to the mecca of track days at the Nurburgring and take on the mighty Nordschleife. While Lee will be driving one of his favourite cars, a Mk 1 Williams Clio, I will be going in my all time favourite car. It gives me enormous pleasure to introduce the newest member of the Tough Monkeys team, the Subaru Impreza RB5. Genuine enthusiasts regard it as one of the finest of all the classic Imprezas and most useable on UK roads, and it is a very fitting tribute to not only the great Richard Burns who gave his name to the car, but to my hero Colin McRae who literally launched Subaru into the public conscious. No other car that I will ever own will have been desired for so long as this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

02/02/08 - Team GP Double Champions

In the final round of the winter Team of Steel Championship at Buckmore Team GP wrapped up both the Thunder and Pro classes with an almost flawless performance. One pole and one second, two fastest laps and two wins in their respective classes, GP86 (Thunder) and GP07 (Pro) finish a fantastic series as clear champions. Sadly I had to watch from the sidelines following a neck injury, however my stand-in Steve Brown Jnr showed why he's the club Pro champion and ensured that I had the best possible replacement on the night. Well done guys, it's been great racing with you. Roll on the summer series!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/01/08 - Now it's two Buckmore Championship race victories!

Following last month's dramatic race finish in the second round of the two hour Team of Steel championship we were at it again tonight. Mig Morland produced a stunning drive in the second stint after my drive from 5th on the grid, during which I set the fastest lap of the night, to 3rd at the changeover. He overcame a significant deficit to take the chequered flag by over 7 seconds. Additionally, if my maths are correct then the Thunder title can only now be shared if Gee Force get pole positions, fastest lap and race win in the final round. Anything less would give the title to GP86. Our sister team, GP07, overcame 3 kart failures to claim a magnificent 3rd place and regain the championship lead in their class too.

 

17/12/07 - First Buckmore Championship race victory

I think I may have jumped the gun by saying that the year had finished on a high note already. I'd not taken account of the final weekend of racing for 2007, and it brought with it two opportunities to swell the trophy cabinet still further. Saturday saw my debut with GP86, the Thunder kart entry in the Team of Steel 2 hour championship. Having missed out on the first round I wanted to be able to show my worth to the team and feel that I did just that. A pole position lap over seven tenths faster than 2nd place, the fastest lap in the race and ultimately the race victory following Ian Charles' stint left the team leading the championship at the halfway mark. A full run down can be found in the race report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11/12/07 - Le Mans 24 Hour - Circuit Du Alain Prost, Le Mans

It's been a great year in the kart seat and it's finished with one last high note. I've been invited to join one of the two Buckmore Park teams taking part in the annual Le Mans 24 hour kart race in July, 2008. Held at the Circuit Du Alain Prost within the famous La Sarth race track that many of the legends of motorsport have thundered round, I will be teaming up with many of Buckmore's leading drivers in what promises to be a truly fantastic experience. Many more Buckmoronians will be present for various other teams, such as reigning Star Pupil Simon Rudd who is a member of the World Record breaking Equipe Vitesse team. Although many months away I will keep you all updated as the plans unfold, and I will hope to also have my up to the minute blog in operation to report on the action as it happens from the circuit.

 

04/12/07 - Rally GB & Rally Ireland Photos Uploaded

The last few weeks have seen me following the last two rounds of the 2007 World Rally Championship in Ireland and Wales. I've posted a selection of photographs on the Downloads/Photos section of the website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24/11/07 - Simon Rudd - Buckmore Star Pupil 2007

While my talents don't know where to start, Si proved yet again his have no end as he added the title of Buckmore Park Star Pupil to the Thunder 60 championship. A great day at the hallowed track saw the the great and the good take to the track in both Thunders and Pro karts, racing in both endurance and sprint formation. I was delighted to make the grand final following an epic duel with Pro champ Steve Brown Jnr, but I know that there was more in the tank. The countdown to next year begins here.

 

19/11/07 - 2 hour Team Win Pro Class & Second in Thunder Class

Well, almost a perfect start to the winter season for the team i'll be driving for as from December. I was unable to attend Round 1 however in my absence Miguel Morland won the Pro kart class with a wonderful solo drive to take the early lead in the championship. In the sister kart, Barry and Ian took an excellent 2nd in the Thunder class giving an almost perfect day's racing. Amazingly, Miguel returned to Buckmore on the following day to win the lightweight class in the Man of Steel. A massive round of applause for Miggins! I will be teaming up with Ian in the Thunder for the next round in December, followed the next day by the Man of Steel....i'll be aiming to repeat Mig's acheivements!

 

06/11/07 - Invite received for the annual Star Pupil challenge

I'd sadly discounted being in a position to attend this event, assuming I'd even get invited at all, as I was led to believe it would fall on one of the weekends i'd be in either Ireland or Wales getting showered in mud and crap by passing rally cars. However, today the invite plopped through my letterbox and I was delighted to find that the date fell in between my spectating duties and I could attend after all. The Star Pupil is an annual event, similar to the FIA race of champions happening at Wembley stadium a few days later, where the top drivers are invited to compete against each other in a series of endurance and sprint races. The winner will be decided by independant racing instructors who are looking for consistency in driving, speed and the ability to deal with traffic. Last year's winner of the trophy, the Adam Goatley Memorial Trophy, was Carl Tebutt who I was team mates with in a recent 6 hour endurance. If I was a betting man i'd be mortgaging the house and putting it all on Si Rudd. But who knows, maybe i'll have one of those days when I can challenge for podium spot. Unless it's raining in which case i'm screwed.

 

27/10/07 - 2's company, 3's a crowd and 4's the making of a championship winning team

As I mentioned in the last update there was rumours of an invitation to join a successful endurance team floating about, and I can now confirm that plans have been finalised. I have been asked to join Ian Charles, Miguel Morland and Barry Cooper as part of a daring two pronged assault on the winter Pro/Thunder Team of Steel championship. I already know Ian and Miguel well, and they are an incredibly successful duo together. They won the Pro class in last winter's Team of Steel, and are about to clinch the same class in the summer's Pro/Thunder 360 also. In fact, as a measure of their collective talents, they managed to finish ahead of a team comprising of myself, Steve Brown Jnr, Dave and Carl Tebbutt and Stuart Belbin despite us sitting in a Thunder kart. I have not had the pleasure of racing with Barry however as he races in the 1200 sprint series, but look forward to striking up a competitive team with all three of them.

 

24/10/07 - Calendar for Winter 2007/Summer 2008

Well, this is supposed to be my winter break from karting given that the Man of Steel event clashes with my spectating on WRC Rally Ireland and so precluding me from racing in November. In line with the big boys in F1 though it is silly season and plans for next season are well underway. It goes without saying that I'll be doing the remaining three rounds of the winter Man of Steel events, but there, i've said it anyway. I'm also committing to a second season in the summer Man of Steel beginning in March 2008 and there's been talk of potentially joining a championship winning team in the 2 hour event also. More on that as it develops.

 

21/10/07 - 2nd place in season finale

Following on from my first victory in an event at Buckmore last month, I claimed my highest solo finish in a championship event during the season closing round 8 of the Thunder 60. The result also allowed me to claim 4th place in the lightweight championship.

 

17/10/07 - Final round of the Thunder 60 & defence of Tyro this Sunday

I didn't think that I was going to attempt to emulate last months Tyro victory, but what the hell I've got my name down for it again. I don't know about any of the other competitors but I'm sure of a very tough challenge from last month's Thunder 60 winner Andrew Mollison. As he's living up here in Derby while at university I'm giving him a lift to Buckmore so I could make life easier and "forget" to pick him up, but then i'm not that nasty. Honestly, i'm not! Anyway, before I get opportunity to sulk about him probably taking my title away we'll be locking horns again in the evening for the final round of the Thunder 60. Although Si "The Machine" Rudd has long since wrapped up the title there are still lots to be decided for the minor positions in the lightweight catagory. Andrew and Steve jnr will be fighting for 2nd and 3rd, while Hugo Bush, myself, Sam Hood, Paul Cox and my old sparring partner Adam Michaelis fight for 4th. Hopefully I'll finish the season on a high and maybe the podium as well?

Update: The Tyro event has unfortunately been postponed due to insufficient numbers. Oh well, at least Andrew can only beat me once on Sunday!

 

16/09/07 - First victory at Buckmore finally in the pocket

Well, I asked if an old enduro dog like me could cut it in the world of sprint racing, and the answer was an emphatic yes. Three races and never out of the top two, but it was nothing but 1st in the one that really mattered. A season of promise has now delivered trophies of all colours, and this one will be remembered as my first victory at Buckmore Park. Let's hope it's not the last!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13/09/07 - Further races added to calendar

The dates have also been released now for the 2008 summer championships. I will be lining up for my second full season in the blue ribboned endurance event, the Man of Steel, on the back of a very encouraging 2007 season. There's also a possiblity of entering occasional rounds of the Team of Steel 2 hour event in a solo capacity, plus the odd appearance in the 6hr should a suitable team be put together.

 

12/09/07 - Penultimate round of the Thunder 60 & Tyro all this Sunday

The coming weekend will arguably be the most important in Monkey's brief history. There is the small matter of the penultimate round of the Thunder 60 championship where any of at least five drivers are battling to fill out the remaining places on the end of season podium. Additionally, I will be competing in the newly conceived Tyro class sprint races. While also run at Buckmore, and using the Thunder karts so familar to me, the Tyro class is run under MSA regulations and held within the Owner/Driver meeting prior to the Thunder 60 race in the evening. This will be an excellent shop window to be in, but will be put me in the unfamilar environment of the sprint racer. Can an old enduro man like me cut it in the frantic world of the sprinter?

 

27/08/07 - Proof positive that Silver is Dangerous.

Cobbled together via the Buckmore Park Drivers Club forum, a five man team headed by "Dangerous" Dave Tebbutt and including Craig Laws took second place in class and third overall in a guest appearance in the Buckmore Pro/Thunder 360 6 hour endurance race on Bank Holiday Monday. Team Dangerous, also including endurance specialist Stuart Belbin, current Star Pupil champion Carl Tebbutt and soon to be Pro 60 champion Steve Brown Jnr fought off mechanical gremlins to be headed only by the talented trio of Sam Wilcox, Andrew Mollison and Si Rudd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19/08/07 - Website restyled

The Tough Monkeys website has been up on the ramps and had it's first year service. The site's colours have been changed to match those of the Alpinestars racewear that I strut about in. In addition to this, many more photos have been added to the Gallery section following the paparazzi's attendance at the August round of the Buckmore Thunder 60.

 

13/08/07 - Further races added to calendar

The dates have been released for the winter Man of Steel series. This will be my second attempt at the event, and I'll certainly be looking to improve on 10th place given the positive season just drawing to a a close.

 

12/08/07 - Second podium as Thunder 60 series builds to a climax

Following up the 3rd place achieved ealier in the season, I equalled this feat in the 6th round of the Thunder 60 championship at Buckmore Park. On a glorious summer's night series leader Simon Rudd took the race win and with it the title of 2007 Thunder 60 champion. The 2nd to 6th places are still up for grabs however, with me lying in 5th position with just two rounds remaining.

 

15/04/07 - First podium finish at Buckmore Park for Tough Monkeys

It's been a long time coming, and it was still surprising when it happened. Finally I managed to steer a kart to a podium finish at Buckmore Park, fighting off many of the major celebrities and faces of the club to take a jubilant 3rd place. Read more in the results section.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14/03/07 - Milbank Challenge trophy retained

Three years after last winning the Milbank Challenge event, a three man team including Tough Monkey principle driver Craig Laws won the 2 hour endurance event. A full race report is available on the results page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15/02/07 - Date of Milbank Challenge set

I was starting to think that this wasn't going to happen this year, but i've received word that this year's Milbank Challenge has been given the go ahead and my bread and butter employer Hanson Building Products has been invited to enter two teams. My name has been pencilled in to the team sheet which means that March is going to be a hectic month for me in the kart seat with this swelling the calendar to four races. I was a little disappointed to hear though that the race won't be run at Rye House this year, but will be returning to the 250m indoor circuit at Kartsport in Caxton. Granted, I enjoyed my most savoured victory on that circuit three years ago but it's a tight and short track with little oportunity for the seasoned karter to shine. Nevertheless I will still be looking forward to putting my foot down and sticking one over on the old enemy.

 

09/02/07 - Further races added to calendar

While being commited to the Thunder 60 Summer Championship (formerly Man of Steel) I've decided to put my name down for the first race of the Pro 60 Championship (formerly Ironman) as there's more chance of me running towards the front of that series and I could do with the practice and experience of being at the sharp end. For now it'll just be the first race but depending on the outcome of the race and indeed my finances I may extend it to more races, possibly even the entire season. There's a number of guys doing it this year, but given my location to the circuit it'll be an mammoth undertaking. Nevertheless, it'll give me more all important track time and give me the added opportunity to attain my season goal...silverware from a podium at Buckmore.

 

04/02/07 - Website updated to allow more content.

Now that Tough Monkeys has committed to a full racing season for 2007, and given that the site has had an unexpectedly high number of visitors I took the decision to spend this evening increasing the content of the site. I've added a calendar to keep track of our commitments for the coming year, links to current and past championship standings and added this latest news feature also.

 

03/02/07 - Splashing the cash in preparation for the new season.

I took a road trip over to Wrexham this afternoon to Demon Tweaks to complete my race wear kit bag. As I've committed to a full season in Buckmore's premier championship I thought I’d finally get a fully approved race helmet, a carbon fibre rib protector and a neck brace. I'll be living on bread and water for a few weeks, but you can't really put a price on your safety. In any case, Richard Hammond was wearing a similar helmet when he had his minor little shunt in that dragster so it's proved it's a worthwhile expense.

 

01/02/07 - Corporate team captain moving on.

I learned today from a corporate email at work that our team captain from the last three Milbank Kart Challenges, Trevor Poole, was leaving the company. Trevor was responsible for leaving me out on track for almost an hour to win the challenge in 2004, which first gave me the idea that I wasn't too shabby at this karting lark. It remains to be seen if there's to be a Milbank Challenge this year, but he may still be around to race one last time.

 

22/01/07 - Results page updated.

The results page has been updated following Sunday's round three of the Winter Man Of Steel race.