Kumho Finale reaches Brands Hatch for 2011 BMW Kumho Tyres Championship

After the final race of the 2011 BMW Kumho tyres championship was cancelled at Donington Park the championship moved back to Brands Hatch. This meeting would consist of a non championship race on the Saturday for the Supagard trophy who co sponsor the championship then the final championship race would be the following day. This would also mean 2 separate qualifying sessions.

Saturday morning saw the 1st of the qualifying sessions and 26 cars came out in the bright sunshine.At the end of the 15 minute session it was once again Garrie Whittaker (E36 M3) leading the way ahead of Colin Wells (M3) and Graham Heard (M3).In 4th position was the return to the track of Des Thresh (E36 M3) defending champion in a new car after his race car was destroyed in a fire. Paul Bellamy (M3) was in a new car and competing in the invitation class after selling his championship leading car.Stuart Laws (E36 M3) was the leading class B car in 6th with Simon Hudson (E30) class C in 9th place.In 10th place was Karl Skitt ( 318 compact ) leading the class D contingent. Whittaker's time of 52.086 was an average speed of 83.48 mph for the 1.2 mile circuit.

The cars went back out on track later in the day and the sun was still shining for late october.The race would be over a 20 minute duration of the circuit.The cars pulled away when the race started and both Whittaker and Wells made good starts but then Whittaker just pulled away so quickly from Wells it was even mentioned by David Addison who was doing the trackside commentary.

By the time the 1st lap was completed Whittaker was already well out on his own.Heard,Thresh and Bellamy were having a good dice for 3rd place. Further down the race order there was a huge pack of class D cars all trying to get the top place for the class. At 1 point Roger Lavender (318 1s) lost his car coming out of druids and went through the middle of the pack of cars without getting touched by anyone only to end up in the gravel a few laps later and out of the race completely.

When Whittaker and Wells came amongst the back markers they went past them at high speed and the slower cars did not hamper there progress.The chequered flag came out for another race win for Whittaker with Wells in 2nd and Heard 3rd.Thresh came home 4th ahead of the top laced class B car of Laws.Hudson was in 6th for the class C win with Skitt in 9th for the class D win.There were 21 cars to finish the race.Whittaker had completed 23 laps in 20:21.146 minutes.Fastest laps for Whittaker.Laws.Hudson,Bellamy and Mathew Fielding (318 coupe).

Sunday morning saw 27 cars take to the track as Stephen Pearson (M3) was also competing after taking part in the Birkett Relay the previous day.It was a grey dull morning.Once again the potent Whittaker machine headed the times ahead of Wells and Pearson.Laws was the fastest class B car with Hudson quickest in class C.Class D was headed by Robert Salisbury (318 is).Whittaker's time was 52.577 and was slower than the previous days qualifying.

The race was scheduled to be over another 20 minute duration of the track but due to some track issues earlier in the day the race was shortened to 10 minutes.The track was also slippery with a lot of oil and diesel on the track from the big racing trucks which had been on track racing a few minutes earlier.Once again it was Whittaker heading Wells after the start and all of he cars made it safely around the fast paddock hill bend.

Richard Bacon (E36 318is) parked his car at the bottom of graham hill after having an incident.Whittaker was being hounded by Wells and they soon came amongst the back marked of the race and this is where Wells pounced.As the cars came to overtake John Jones (318is) Whittaker went one side and Wells the other but Wells just had enough momentum to get past Whittaker and into the lead of the race.Wells managed to hang on for the race win with Whittaker 2nd and Pearson 3rd.Laws took another class B win as did Hudson in class C.In 8th place overall was Mike Hibbert ( E36 318is) taking the class D win.A total of 24 cars finished the race.Fastest laps for Wells,Laws.Hudson,Skitt and Bellamy.

2nd place for Whittaker was enough for him to take the 2011 championship title with 17 race wins out of 19 in the championship as well as 7 lap records on his travels.There were also class titles for Rodger Card class B,Simon Hudson class C and Paul Bellamy class D.A total of 38 different cars also competed over the course of the 2011 championship.

Class A Winner Saturday's race Garrie Whittaker

Class B Winner Saturday's race Stuart Laws

Class C Winner Saturday's race Simon Hudson

Winner Class D Saturday's race Karl Skitt

Winner Class A Sunday's race Colin Wells

Winner Class B Sunday's race Stuart Laws

Winner Class C Sunday's race Simon Hudson

Winner Class D Sunday's race Mike Hibbert