Moose Trophy event gathers interest from across country

1:07pm Tuesday 5th September 2006

By Catherine Lawler

The North West Formula Ford Championship is one of the highlights of club racing at Oulton Park, with close racing and a championship battle where the top four are covered by just 10 points. This Saturday, September 9, however, some of the championship's top drivers will be letting their hair down to compete in a non-championship race on the full 2.7-mile Cheshire circuit.

Mark Chadwick, from Knutsford, will be one of the favourites in this weekend's 'Moose Trophy'. Lying third in the championship and without the two leading title competitors to worry about, he'll be aiming to beat Neil Patten, who he's currently tied with in the title. Several other drivers will be taking part in the event as a one-off race, with Cuddington's John Loebell, and Stoke's John Swift both making their 2006 race debuts at Oulton Park this weekend.

The Formula Fords make up only a small part of a packed event though, with extra action coming from both single-seaters and saloons. In the last round of this year's Formula Vee Championship, Prestbury's Ian Ellis took a points finish in his first outing of the year in the last race, and this weekend his aim is to build on that before heading into the off-season.

Ed Saunders, from Uttoxeter, will be another racer keen to end the season on a high after just a handful of point scores this year.

Caterham 7s always provide plenty of excitement and Cheadle Hume racer Alistair Chalmers is looking to build on recent form at a circuit he says he enjoys racing on as much as some of the most famous classic circuits in Europe. Chalmers took third place, his best result of the year, at Oulton Park at Easter and finished fourth in the last round at Silverstone after storming through from the back.

The youngest competitors of the weekend will be in the SAXMAX championship, a series which pits drivers from ages 14-17 against each other. Tommy Davison, from Burntwood, is the best placed local contender and, after three third place finishes, he'll be one of the favourites to take on the unbeaten run of victories amassed by championship leader Liam McMillan.

Two of the most exciting races will be in stock hatch, where low-cost racing produces capacity grids and incredibly close racing from cars such as Ford Fiestas, Citroen Saxos and Peugeot 205s. Local focus will be on Cheadle's Mark Alden and Warrington's Paul McMahon.

Tickets for the event will be available to buy on the gate and cost £12, with children aged 12 and under admitted free. Parking and paddock access is also free.