29th - 31st August 2026 - Oulton
Callum Grant impresses first time out in a Screamer
Callum Grant won Race 1 at the Oulton Park Gold Cup for the Sir Jackie Stewart Trophy but sadly failed to finish Race 2 in Jon Milicevic’s Brabham BT21.
Callum grabbed pole in a wet session from last year’s Champion, Peter de la Roche, in his family run and perennially quick ex Ken Sedgley Alexis. Charlie Martin was an impressive 3rd in Paul Waine’s rare De Sanctis ahead of title protagonists Ross Drybrough (Merlyn Mk 14A) and Jason Timms (Brabham BT21). The only nonstarter was Jonathan Sharp in his Andrew Tart prepared ex Ken Sedgley Chevron B17 which on dry tyres hit the barrier at Clay Hill.
Race 1 started in mixed conditions and Callum Grant scampered off to a win (following his previous Formula Junior race win) creating a healthy lead over Ross Drybrough and an impressive Ben Colburn, both running lonely races. Fourth and fifth were Nick Fennell in his beautiful Tecno F3 and Mark Carter (Titan Mk3) who had a good scrap and finished less than a a tenth apart at the end.
Peter de la Roche was a subdued 6th reflecting the underlying story to the race having elected to make a last minute change to dry tyres when, with hindsight, wet tyres were the way to go. By contrast, those on wet tyres, especially Hoosiers, had a performance advantage, although Callum was seeking out the puddles to keep them cool as the race wore on and Peter de la Roche found his dry tyres belatedly coming back to him.
Jason Timms was similarly underwhelmed in finishing 7th ahead of Charlie Martin – another to have slipped down the order. Ninth was Francois Derossi (Chevron B17), first of the Europeans ahead of Oli Musgrave (Corinium Motorsport run Chevron B15), still buzzing from his Castle Combe podium and the first to finish using the “new” Avon/Nova wets which are set to replace the Hoosiers next year.
Last year’s winner, Enrico Spaggiari (Lotus 41X), was another struggling on dry tyres down in 11th ahead of an impressive Hoosier wet shod Tony Wallen.
Race 2 grid was based this time on Race 1 positions. Again, Callum got away in the lead but this time Peter de la Roche was quickly able to latch on to his tail and a busy race looked in store. Ben Colburn was out on lap 1 and equally sadly, Peter disappeared from the leader board when it looked like he might usurp Callum for the lead.
Finding the ultra quick Island Bend suddenly more slippery than on previous laps (oil?) Peter disappeared onto the grass at high speed. Sadly, a few seconds later Ross Drybrough did the same. Both cars were damaged. Watching this was Nick Fennell who had also encountered the slippery surface and ended up beached in the kitty litter further along. This brought out the safety car, but it seemed at the restart that Callum would canter off to another win. Sadly, he pulled off near Knickerbrook with a broken gear selector, apparently gifting the lead to a slightly surprised Charlie Martin (appropriately also celebrating his wedding anniversary), this also allowing Jason Timms seemingly up to 2nd.
A further incident at Clay Hill involving Mark Pangborn (Brabham BT28) and former hill climber Clive Buffey (Chevron B15) then brought out the red flags. Sadly, there was again damage to both cars.
With over 75% race distance completed the count back to last completed lap did indeed give a deserved victory to Charlie Martin with a first ever win for the De Sanctis. Jason Timms was very happy with second, benefitting in the Championship points by Ross Drybrough and Peter de la Roche not finishing. Birthday boy Mark Carter got past Francois Derossi to finish third, a welcome podium after a mechanically mixed season.
Behind Derossi was Oli Musgrave who in his maiden F3 season with his family-owned car, belied his youth by driving quickly but sensibly in tricky conditions.
Sixth was sprinter/hillclimber Tony Wallen in his beautifully prepared ex Carlos Pace Lotus 59, an outstanding result as he beat rapid Italian and fellow Lotus peddling Enrico Spaggiari who finished 7th. Matt Green impressed first time out in his family run Titan Mk3, Oulton in the wet being a challenge for a debut. Swiss Charles Ischi and One Litre F3 founder Keith Messer (Vesey) rounded out the top ten.
For the second-year running, the Screamers competed in the Oulton Park Gold (Croquet) Cup, against their arch-rivals, 70s Roadsports. As on track, the weather conditions made the course treacherous with the balls repeatedly failing to comply with mallet inputs. The weather also had a negative impact on the spectators, their number greatly reduced from last year. Despite this, the Screamers were represented by our Team photographer, David Marshall, remaining competitors having been disqualified due to illegal mallet-height clearance. 70’s Roadsports cleverly inserted one of their own to be David’s teammate for the match. Alas, on this occasion, the Screamers finished second – but we are looking forward to the rematch next year!
Shortly after the croquet, both the Screamers and 70’s Roadsports repaired to the Scrutineering Bay for a joint Hog Roast. It was the perfect location to feed a throng of over 100 competitors, supporters and friends. Much chat and banter ensued for the remainder of the evening.
