Easter weekend saw competitors in the 2022 Kumho BMWRDC Championship congregating at Brands Hatch for races 3 and 4 of the championship, with sunshine for the entire weekend.
Regular 2021 competitor Niall Bradley put in what is likely to be a rare appearance this year with increased family commitments. He was in the invitation class and took a convincing pole position ahead of the regular Class A hard-chargers: Jason West, Russell Dack, championship leader James Card, Brad Sheehan, who is still waiting for his rebuilt engine to arrive, and Bryan Bransom. Reigning champion Kevin Denwood was next up in his Class C car with Jas Sapra alongside him in another Class C entry.
There followed a gaggle of the BMW Mini drivers, Steve Webb, Zac Blackwell and Dan Butcher-Lord, followed by Trevor Ford in his Class C car, and more Mini’s driven by Rob Austin, Andy Langley and Piers Henderson.
Chris Walton was 16th on the grid in his re-fettled E46 with even more Mini’s making up the top twenty, Lee Sullivan, Charles Heatley, Neal Clark and Tim Bill.
Niall took a predictable win in his invitation class entry but was chased hard by Jason West and Russell Dack, who were close behind at the flag, followed by Brad Sheehan and James Card and a little further back, Bryan Bransom. Jas Sapra took the Class C honours from Kevin Denwood, while Zac Blackwell, Dan Butcher-Lord and Rob Austin took the podium positions in the Mini class, and James Ford won Class D.
Considering the number of cars on track and the short lap length, it was nice to see close, clean racing, with the only retirement being Andy Langley, whose Mini finished firmly embedded in the gravel trap on the outside of Paddock Hill bend, bringing out the safety car shortly before the chequered flag.
A leisurely lunch was enjoyed by the competitors and families, along with over 60 guests of title sponsors Kumho, who were present to enjoy the racing.
The BMW’s took to the track again in the late afternoon, and Niall again took the win, this time ahead of Brad and Russell, with James and Jason 4th and 5th. Jas won Class C after the demise of Kevin on Lap 12, while Zac Blackwell, Piers Henderson, and Rob Austin completed the top ten, and James Ford again took Class D. Half a dozen of the Mini’s failed to finish, including Andy Langley who after struggling to repair his car after race 1 called it quits with handling issues.
The next round is at Bryan Bransom’s home track, Snetterton, next month, where he will be hoping for better luck, but one thing is for sure, we are in for more close racing from a packed grid.