Race Report – Anglesey – 20 July 2024

The Trac Môn Anglesey Circuit lies on the west coast of Anglesey, overlooking the Irish Sea and the Snowdonia mountain range beyond. Even in good weather the undulating track offers a thrilling ride made even more so when the fickle weather from the west unleashes a torrential downpour as it did on race day.

The Championship last visited the Anglesey Circuit in 2009 and many of the current Trophy drivers had not raced there before meaning that the qualifying session and two twenty minute races a completely new challenge for them.

The Trophy cars once again shared the track with the Berkshire Jag Components Jaguar Challenge which added a spicy element to the competition. With support from Millers Oils and Yokohama Tyres, the MG Trophy always produces some close racing on track and camaraderie in the paddock.

James Cole and Jack Meagher on track during qualifying.

Qualifying. The drivers of the Class A ZR190s had a dilemma. Rain was forecast but when would it arrive and what would be the best tyre choice for the session. They went to the assembly area on slicks but it was just as well that they took their wets with them as it started to rain just as the session was about to begin. Adam Jackson hurriedly bolted wets on the rear axle but Graham Ross was put on the back foot when marshals instructed him to return to the pit lane to change his tyres. Meanwhile, the Class B ZR170s, which don’thave dedicated rain tyres, had no such dramas and could concentrate on the important business of qualifying.

For the first part of the session the rain was only moderately heavy but conditions deteriorated and few drivers were able to improve their times from those set during the first two or three laps. The exceptions were Jack Meagher and James Blake who recorded their fastest laps right at the end of the session. After a dozen or so laps of power-boating around the track it was Jackson who took pole with a time of 1:25.139. James Cole set a time just 0.176sec slower to be second quickest and take the Class B pole. Matt Harvey continued his run of good form to set the second quickest Class B time with Tylor Ballard third. Ross had a disappointing session and ended up in P7 at the back of the pack.

Graham Ross leads Adam Jackson through the deluge.

Race 1

With the race pogramme running ahead of schedule some of the drivers were caught unaware when the cars were called to the assembly area 30 minutes early. There was no indecision this time for the Class A runners; with horizontal rain sweeping in from the sea and torrents of water running across the track wets all round were definitely required.

Despite lining up on the grid behind the ‘Big Cats’ and starting shortly after them, the nimble ZRs had caught and passed the slowest of their British Leyland cousins by the end on lap 1. Jackson maintained his advantage from pole but Ross was immediately on the pace and had passed all the Class B runners by the end of the lap. He then set about closing the gap to Jackson as the pair scythed past the Jags and moved up the overall order.

Ross made his move on lap 5 and got into the lead and thereafter the two frontrunners had a thrilling battle. Jackson glued to Ross’ rear bumper until the last corner of the last lap when Ross was baulked slightly by a Jag and Jackson jumped at the opportunity this presented and won the ensuing sprint to the line by just 0.005sec. Such was their speed, they passed all but three of the ‘Big Cats’.

Matt Harvey thoroughly enjoyed his first visit to Trac Môn.

Meanwhile, in Class B Cole held the lead for the first two laps before Harvey snatched the place on lap 3. Cole reclaimed the position on the following lap and held on to take the class win. Behind Harvey, Ballard was giving chase and by lap 11 had closed the gap to 0.2sec. He pounced on the following lap and then closed in on the leader to cross the line just 0.349sec behind Cole. Harvey finished P3.

Jackson received the Millers Oils Driver of the Race award.

Matt Harvey and Tylor Ballard head towards the Irish Sea.

Race 2

Harvey joined Jackson on the front row of the grid for race 2. By the time the cars hit the track just after 7.00pm the conditions were bright and dry. The drivers are unaccustomed to racing at that late hour but Trac Môn isn’t hampered like some other circuits by an early curfew.

Jackson once again held the early lead but Ross got past on lap 3 and pulled away to take the win by 3.3secs.

Jack Meagher and James Blake battled throughout Race 2.

In Class B Cole snatched the lead on lap 1 with Harvey P2 and Ballard P3. They circulated in that order for the duration of the race and Cole took the flag 2.7secs ahead of Harvey with Ballard a further 0.4sec adrift. Behind them Jack Meagher and James Blake had a race-long battle, Meagher winning out by 0.6sec.

Ross was voted the Driver of the Race this time and received the Millers Oils award.

Despite the inclement conditions the drivers thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Anglesey and yet again produced some very entertaining racing.

The next MG Trophy races will be at Brands Hatch on 25th/26th August.