EURO SPORTS COMPACT The best tuned cars from European manufactures go head to head in a battle to find our continents king. Euro Sports Compact is for contemporary European cars with European bodies and same manufacturer engines, from 4 to 6 cylinders, with open tyre choice.

The cars entered in the 2008 Euro Sports Compact Shootout are listed below. If you think your car can compete with Europe's best in 2009 then please let us know via the Contact Form. Euro Sports Compact will have it's own website and a multi-round championship in 2009, more details coming soon.

EURO SPORTS COMPACT AT USC RACE REPORT

The second Euro Sports Compact Race took place at USC on Sunday 3rd August 2008, and a fuller field meant a hard day’s racing lay ahead for the competitors.

In qualifying, four competitors managed to hit the 10’s with an extremely close top three headed up by Andy Waite. Andy Nicholls produced a HUGE terminal speed which shows that his car has even bigger potential. James Hodson and John Southcote were slightly off-form, but still running competitive 11’s, and newcomer Sam Bolton struggled to hit potential. Paul Webster also had problems, his nitrous system not working properly and the car seriously underperforming as a result. Rob Johnston suffered terminal problems.

(Rob Johnston broke)

Round 1

The first round of eliminations were erroneously run in a 16-car ladder, which produced a fair few by-runs. However, there was also some interesting battles, with James Hodson’s superior reaction times seeing him through to the next round against a fast John Southcote.

Paul Jordan could relax on a bye-run, but Andy Nicholls had to be sure of beating Paul Webster. Paul tried his best to beat him on the lights, but Andy was quick and his car strong.

Mark Gunns should have been able to see off Sam Bolton, and sure enough, the Corrado was quick when it needed to be, despite Mark’s frankly appalling reaction times!

Round 2

In round 2, Andy Waite had a tough race against James Hodson. James’ drag racing experience winning him the better reaction time. And his car was quick too, but Andy caught and overtook him for the win.

Paul Jordan chose to conserve his car and just broke the lights as he was on a bye run, and Andy Nicholls failed to see off a charging Mark Gunns, who had it all go right for a super run.

Semi Finals

Andy and Paul were well matched for the semi-final, both running awesome 10.3’s at over 130mph. Andy’s slightly faster reaction times giving him the win by just inches at the finish line. Superb racing! Mark Gunns took it easy for his bye into the final.

Final

Two super-quick 4WD VW’s lined up for the final, but Mark Gunns knew he was up against it, and would need quick reactions and a heap of luck to take the win. As the lights went green, both cars leapt away at almost exactly the same time, and thundered up the strip side-by-side. However, you could hear a car bounce of the rev-limiter and struggle to find a gear, and then it became apparent that Mark’s run had gone wrong. No amount of catching up would see him level with Andy again, and Andy took the chequered flag.

Andy Waite – Euro Sports Compact USC Show WINNER

Euro Sports Compact Drivers

James Hodson - VW Golf - Race No. ESC13 James won the first ESC race and held the European front wheel drive record in 2007 with a 10.666s at 132.770mph, he has also taken class wins at TOTB and The Fast Show.

Mark Gunns - VW Corrado - Race No. ESC17 Mark was runner up at the first ESC race and has run 10.6s in this 4x4 Corrado to finish as the highest amateur European car in the 2007 Castrol Challenge, also class winner at the Fast Show 2008.

Andy Waite - VW Golf - Race No. ESC18 Andy ran a 10.5 during his first outing of the year to win GTI Spring Festival 2008, in this 1.8L 20V MK1 Golf.

Andy Nicholls - MG ZR - Race No. ESC11 www.an-racing.com The AN-Racing MG ZR holds the UK front wheel drive record with 10.23s at 138 mph. Andy has now set his sights on running down into the 9s.

Paul Webster - Mini One - Race No. ESC15 www.1320autos.com This is a multi event wining car which took class wins at Ultimate BMW Show 2 years running.

John Southcote - Lancia Delta - Race No. ESC14 www.youtube.com John's Lancia Delta Integrate Evoluzione has been a regular at RWYBs running 10.8s and he is now stepping up to a shootout.

Grant Parker - 4WD M1 Golf - Race No. ESC12 www.aet-turbos.co.uk This 800bhp, 2.2l Audi Quattro engined Golf, has run a 10.345s quarter and a done 0-60 in 2.47s. Grant is looking for 9s in 2008.

Paul Jordan - VW Scirocco - Race No. ESC19 Paul's 4x4 Scirocco has run 10.2s.

Sam Bolton - Vauxhall Nova - Race No. ESC20 This 8V turbo Nova was built by Robert Johnston and is also high up in the 2008 Street Challenge running mid 12s.

Robert (Jay) Johnston - Vauxhall Astra - Race No. ESC21 This 8V turbo Astra is currently running mid 12s and high up in the 2008 Street Challenge with two round wins so far this year.