The MotorsTV Live Coverage of the CSL Cup Pembrey is now available!

A Welsh heat wave welcomed the CSL Cup at Pembrey for rounds 6, 7 & 8. We welcomed the regulars of Tesco Momentum 99 Racing, Stringfellow Motorsport, and the Like2Bid chaps. We also welcomed back Richard Mallinson in his E36 M3 and the Intersport guys with their E46 and their newly V8'd E92 M3. Testing on friday saw times dipping into the 59.0s, however temperatures rose for Saturday meaning tyre wear and vehicle setup would play a big part in the results - with the higher power cars not being able to pull away on the short Pembrey circuit.

 

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Qualifying

Qualifying saw the grid take shape as follows:

The top 5 cars were separated by just 0.5 of a second, which made for a great race on the Saturday afternoon.

Race 1

As the cars lined up on the grid, we saw the two Intersport Invitation Class cars on the front Row, ahead of Nick Foster and Dan Stringfellow on the second row. The first corner was somewhat of a blur as all 10 cars piled down to Hatchets. Stringfellow attempted an out braking manoeuvre on what seemed like the whole field only to be pushed onto the grass on the exit. Towards the end of the first lap, Clarke hit the back of Foster at Honda Curve – causing his bonnet to lift and his retirement unfortunately on lap 1. At half distance, Wayne Gibson had pulled a 5 second lead on the P1 & 2 E46 Class cars of Stringfellow and Foster – who you could not separate by more than a second for the whole race. In the second pack of R. Foster, Hayes and Radcliffe there was yet more exciting racing as the three duelled for position lap after lap.

Race 1 Classification

Race 2

With Kevin Clarke and his team able to repair the car to the satisfaction of the Scrutineers he started from the back of the grid. The rest of the field lined up as they finished in Race 1. Off the line Gibson struggled to pull away and the rest of the grid all managed to avoid him fortunately. Mark Steward shot from 8th to 4th by the first corner, and Dan Stringfellow held the lead away from Nick Foster. Wayne Gibson bogged down at the start as Kevin Clarke made a charge from the back of the grid. The 'Blue & Orange' battle was yet again close with Russell edging out Adam and Mark. Mark then executed a perfectly timed late braking manoeuvre into Hatchets and took the place from his 'Team Tango' team mate. All three cars took turns in leading the pack, while upfront Stringfellow was setting very consistent lap times, and pulled a 10 second lead on Clarke.

Race 2 Classification

Race 3

With Wayne Gibson's retirement in Race 2 being terminal for his weekend, the remaining 9 competitors lined up on a very hot Pembrey start line. Into turn 1 Stringfellow had the lead ahead of Steward, with Kevin Clarke in the E92 M3 breathing heavily down his neck. Into the second apex at Dibeni, Clarke appeared to pass Steward while 'off circuit' and was awarded a 10 second penalty. This was later removed after an MSA hearing. After lap three we had two retirees of John Thorne and Richard Mallinson both were struck with technical difficulties. Back in the race, after middle distance the same 3 cars were still fighting it out for the lead with Clarke ahead of Stringfellow and Steward just a few hundredths behind. In the second battle of Foster, Radcliffe and Hayes, the three were in separable lap after lap. Then on lap 10 disaster struck, after running wide at brooklands hairpin Adam Hayes hit a hole just off the curb and was a passenger in his impact with the wall.

Race 3 Classification

The CSL Cup Standings after Pembrey [TOP 5]: