Alpha 7 showcased its racing prowess at the 4th round of the Caterham Graduates Racing Series held at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire. Fielding five cars, three in the 150 class and two in the 135 class, the team navigated the weekend’s unpredictable weather conditions with skill and determination.
Arriving on Thursday afternoon, the team faced persistent drizzle and the ever-present threat of rain. These challenging circumstances provided valuable opportunities to fine-tune wet setups and master slippery driving lines during Friday’s testing. The mixed weather conditions proved to be a formidable test of driver adaptability and strategy.
Qualifying was particularly demanding due to the triple-header format, requiring drivers to post three fastest laps to determine their starting positions for each race. The cloudy, damp, and drizzling conditions made this task even more challenging. Choosing between a wet or a dry car set up was a constant gamble! In the 150 class, Jamie Ellwood emerged as the top qualifier for Alpha 7, securing P3, P3, and P9 for the weekend’s races.
The weekend’s three races in the 150 class were marked by thrilling battles and changing weather. In Race 1, Jamie Ellwood engaged in an epic duel with Harry Senior, ultimately emerging victorious. Thomas Horton narrowly missed the podium, finishing in 4th place. Race 2 saw another intense battle at the front, with Thomas Horton improving to finish 3rd, while Jamie Ellwood secured 5th place. Race 3 brought further excitement as Jamie Ellwood surged from P9 to P5 in mixed weather conditions. Unfortunately, Thomas Horton had to retire after his A-frame broke, despite a strong start. Ellwood’s fastest lap of the weekend set a new club record, underscoring his impressive performance. After many races, Thomas Horton finally won best-presented car in the 150 class, sponsored by ‘Luxbox’, based in Fakenham.
In the highly competitive 135 class, Amanda Anderson and Mark Barrett represented Alpha 7 among a field of 28 cars. Mark Barrett consistently demonstrated his skill with remarkable starts, gaining an average of seven places on the first lap and finishing P21, P17, and P17 across the three races. Amanda Anderson, starting from P12 for each race, faced her own set of challenges. After a spin at Hall Bends relegated her to P20 in Race 1, she recovered to achieve P14 in Race 2 and capped off the weekend with a top-10 finish after a dramatic last-lap battle.
Alpha 7’s success at Cadwell Park highlights not only their competitive spirit but also their commitment to nurturing talent and fostering a passion for motorsport. If you’re inspired by the excitement of competitive racing, Alpha 7 offers comprehensive driver development programmes tailored to transform novices into skilled racers. Whether you need professional car management or wish to hire a top-performing Caterham, Alpha 7 is dedicated to helping you achieve your racing dreams.
Ready to take the first step toward your racing ambitions? Contact Alpha 7 today to learn how we can support you in hitting the track with confidence and skill.