The weekend of 04-05 August 2018 saw the SBD Motorsports MSA National Sprint Championship hold 2 rounds at Kirkistown circuit in Co. Down with the Saturday round also being the 5th Round of the SW Adair Tyres Northern Ireland Sprint Championship.
In total, 10 competitors made the trip across the Irish Sea to Kirkistown Racing Circuit for the championships annual visit, including the top 4 contenders in this years SBD Motorsports British Sprint Championship, writes David Evans.
Coming into the event Heather Calder, the 2017 British Sprint Champion, held a 6 point lead over her father Colin, who was a further 6 points ahead of third placed John Graham.
Scotsman Colin Calder stamped his authority on the event from the off and topped the leader board from fellow countryman Stuart Robb, with Terry Holmes third during the timed runs.
Stuart Robb on his way to the final podium spot at the SBD Motorsports MSA National Sprint Championship, hosted by the 500MRCI at Kirkistown racing Circuit in Co. Down | Photo: GRAHAM BAALHAM-CURRY
Stuart Robb set a blistering speed trap reading of 170mph on the Saturday and 169 mph on Sunday whilst Colin Calders fastest speed trap was 160mph on the Saturday.
Sadly, mechanical issues side-lined John Graham on Saturday morning so he didn’t make the championship run offs and the Calders ‘Gould GR55’ was having brake issues which both Heather and Colin were able to drive through during the weekend.
When it came to the Saturday Championship runoff for round 10 of the SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship Colin Calder set a blistering run of 104.23 to take the win from his daughter Heather, whose run of 105.33 was only 1.1 secs off her fathers time.
Terry Holmes at the SBD Motorsports MSA National Sprint Championship, hosted by the 500MRCI at Kirkistown racing Circuit in Co. Down | Photo: GRAHAM BAALHAM-CURRY
Third place went to Terry Holmes in his 3.5l ‘Lola Tegra’ which he dual drives with Graham Porrett.
Sunday 05 August saw round 11 of the SBD Motorsports MSA National Sprint Championship and during the timed runs, Colin Calder started where he left off the previous day and set a blistering run of 104.42 secs, an amazing 0.27 secs faster than the previous days fastest run.
Heather Calder was second with a time of 106.89 secs, again faster than her timed run on Saturday while Stuart Robb continued the trend and did a 106.94 secs run which again tipped his previous days time.
Sadly Simon Bainbridge suffered mechanical issues with his SBS Audi and instead competed in Michael Sutherlands BMW330d.
Highest placed Irish driver, Gerard O’Connell was nipping at the heels of the finest British cars and driver at the SBD Motorsports MSA National Sprint Championship, hosted by the 500MRCI at Kirkistown racing Circuit in Co. Down | Photo: GRAHAM BAALHAM-CURRY
When it came to Sundays run offs, Colin Calder proved a force to be rekoned with as he yet again took the win with a staggering run of 102.82 secs, just 0.9 seconds off daughter Heathers class record.
Heather Calder was second fastest with a run off time of 105.29 secs and Stuart Robb finished third with a time of 106.72
Seeing these ultimate racing machine compete at Kirkistown Racing Circuit was nothing short of a sight to behold for anyone in attendance and the next round of the SBD Motorsport British Sprint Championship takes place at Rockingham circuit on 19 August
Colin Calder on his way to double victory at the SBD Motorsports MSA National Sprint Championship, hosted by the 500MRCI at Kirkistown racing Circuit in Co. Down, in a car that he shares with his daughter, who is reigning British Champion | Photo: GRAHAM BAALHAM-CURRY
Words: David Evans – #154 | Photos: Graham Baalham-Curry
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