The latest round of the GT & Sports Car Cup was held at the mountain venue of Charade in the Massis Central on Sun 14th Sept. This famous track is set high on top of an old volcano and consists of a series of turns, twists and climbs that combine all that is best of circuits like Spa Francorchamps and Cadwell park with spectacular scenery.

This was round 5 of the 7 event series and took place over 2 hours with a compulsory pit stop in the race. This was organised by the GT & Sports Car Cup and many drivers commented on the gentlemanly attitude of those competing and the friendly atmosphere around the paddock, which was enabled further by the hospitality provided by the organisers. Having negotiated the 7 hour drive from Caen Jeremy Welch was a little too late for free practice and so had to qualify as a rookie, this didn't stop him putting his Healey 3000 on pole position after 3 laps in the rain.

The event was a tribute to the late Innes Ireland, a Works Lotus driver, who competed in both Grand Prix and Sports-car events, he defeated the Ferrari 250 GT at Charade just 50 years ago, at the wheel of his nimble Lotus 11. This was a very popular victory against the hot favourites, the Charade track is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and his widow Jean was at the circuit to present prizes to the winners.

On a damp track, Peter Horseman's Lotus 17 just pipped pole position from Jeremy Welch's Austin Healey 3000 on his very last lap of practice, with Keith Alhers Morgan SLR and Roger Battelier's Lotus 11 in second row.

Peter Horsman took the lead from Jeremy Welch, Keith Alhers and the Bailly family Jaguar E-Type followed. As the track dried, the Lotus 17 increased its' lead and the E-Type moved up to second. Franck Trouillard was first of the Lotus 11 pack until front suspension problems stopped his race, leaving this role to Guy Peeters, now in fifth.

A quick race pace followed by a very quick driver change allowed the Alhers Morgan to exit the pits right behind the Welch Healey (both cars fighting for a GT3 class win), with Billy Bellinger all over the bootlid of Jeremy Welch. The Morgan spun as Billy tried to overtake the Healey, leading to a safety car period, just enough for the Bailly E-Type to close on the leading Lotus 17.

An extended second driver change cost the Lotus 17 of Horsman/Davies 22 seconds over the E-Type, with half an hour to go. Setting a lap record on several occasions, Peter Horsman took victory by only one second over André and Armand Bailly's Jaguar E-Type after two hours!

Jeremy Welch had his rear tyres go off and could not stop Guy Peter's fightback, whose Lotus 11 took third overall on the very last lap! Guy received the 'GT & Sports Car Cup' Innes Ireland Trophy, presented to the best placed Lotus 11 from Jean Ireland, guest of honour.

"This is not a track where you want to go solo, there's just no respite, no straight to rest on and the Healey is a brute of a car when the tyres go off, which they did by the end when my lap times were 4 secs adrift from my best pace. But what a track it's a challenge for anyone and I strongly recommend it to others to try, it's such great fun. I would also pay compliment to the organisers who provided such a warm welcome and great hospitality throughout the day" commented Jeremy Welch after the race

Results

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