Calder senior speeds to British Sprint glory with a double at Knockhill

The SDB Motorsport MSA British Sprint Championship rolled into Knockhill this weekend for the Championship’s 10th and 11th outing of the year and it was Colin Calder, the 2013 defending Champion who conquered the dubious Knockhill weather conditions on the opening day (Saturday) to take victory.

The Caithness racer, piloted his Gould GR55 single seater racer to a 0.64second win over his daughter, Heather Calder. The win, represented Colin’s 8th win of the season and his 2nd in consecutive years on the Knockhill Reverse Circuit. Hants racer, Matt Carter secured 3rd place behind the wheel of his Radical PR6 with a final time of 1:48.35 seconds. Mark Smith took 4th place, whilst Terry Holmes and Steve Miles took 5th and 6th respectively.

Steve Miles also took to the Knockhill track to run a lap of the Championship Circuit to raise funds for Alzheimer’s. Steve managed to raise £1500 for the charity; but will probably think twice about running the circuit again in rain-soaked conditions, wearing only a pair of Union Jack pants.

On Sunday, nicer weather greeted the Sprint competitors and lap times began to tumble as drivers got to grips with the International Circuit. Heather Calder, looking for her 2nd consecutive win on this track layout, following her win last year – to become the first woman in 70 years to win a British Sprint event, set the fastest time of the weekend during the 2nd timed session today; lapping the circuit (a lap and a half) with a time of 1:28.11s, averaging an incredible 105mph.

Heather Calder behind the wheel of the Gould GR55

Heather Calder behind the wheel of the Gould GR55

That time saw Heather comfortably head into the Sprint final as favourite, over her Dad (Colin), the current British Sprint Championship leader. However, it was touch and go for the Calder family’s appearance in the final, following problems for Colin Calder during his 2nd timed qualification run when a part broke off the car half way round the lap. The part was eventually recovered and the car did manage to make it into the final, however it failed to finish it.

Despite the mechanical gremlins returning during the final, effectively ending the Calder’s interest in activities – with Heather missing out on her second run completely. The duo, still managed to set a number of quick times in the opening runs to take the top two steps on the podium and it was Colin, not Heather who claimed the win.

The Gould GR55 had its mechanical issues heading into today's final

The Gould GR55 had its mechanical issues heading into today’s final

Calder senior managed to post his best lap of the weekend with an effort of 1:28.16s to claim a sensational Knockhill double for the Caithness driver. Heather had to play second fiddle to her Dad for the 9th time this season and she’ll surely walk away from Knockhill knowing that this was definitely one Sprint final she was more than capable of winning.

Today’s top ten finishing order: Colin Calder, Heather Calder, John Graham, Mark Smith, Terry Holmes, Steve Miles, Craig Sampson, Mike Musson, Jim Belt, Martin Webb.

We’d obviously like to take this opportunity to thank the MSA British Sprint Championship, for once again, selecting Knockhill as a venue for their 2014 Championship schedule. We sincerely hope to welcome the Championship and its fine competitors back to Knockhill very soon. With that, we’d also like to say a huge thanks to all the officials, marshals and medics who helped out at Knockhill this weekend.

In other news, our Super Lap Scotland Championship held its 4th and 5th rounds this weekend and our SLS will follow very shortly.

For all the British Sprint pictures from today check out the Power-Images website and see the British Sprint Championship website for all the reaction to this weekend’s event.