The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding speedster Andy Molsom is looking forward to a new challenge in 2018 after opting to move into the Caterham Graduates Racing Club’s Sigmax Championship.
Molsom, who finished as runner-up in the Super-Graduates Championship this season, has decided to switch cars after more than 100 races in his Caterham over the past 16 years.
After electrical and fuel problems plagued the car this year, Molsom took some time to consider his future in motor racing.
But discussions with fellow racers and his family, took him to the decision to change classes for next year to bring a new challenge.
At the recent Silverstone races, Molsom took delivery of a Sigmax class Caterham.
After getting the seating and pedal position sorted that night, Molsom then raced this car.
Qualifying went well, despite having limited time in the car prior to it.
Starting both races ninth on the grid, Molsom saw the drives as an opportunity to learn how the car handles – but he still finished a creditable 12th out of 21 entrants in each of them.
TROPHY TIME: Spalding’s Andy Molsom collects his second place trophy from Geoff Lees.
Molsom said: “The second race was especially memorable, with some great side-by-side racing and finishing 1.6 seconds behind the leader – albeit in 12th place.
“The Sigmax class is extremely competitive, as was shown in this race by the train of 15 cars vying for the lead of the race.
“It was a positive start in this car, with my fastest lap only a few tenths off the new lap record.
“The car felt fantastic, faster, with more power and grip, and much stiffer suspension.
“The limited slip differential meant a change to my driving style, and there was too much understeer.
“I should be able dial the understeer out next year with changes to the set-up, but we have the basis of a great car to have some truly great races.”
Meanwhile, Molsom collected his runner-up trophy in the Caterham Super-Graduates Championship at the recent awards bash held at the Brooklands Museum in Weybridge in Surrey.
Geoff Lees, the ex-F1 driver, F2 champion and Le Mans driver, handed out the awards for the five classes.
Molsom had three wins, 11 second places, and one DNF over the season.
He also had numerous fastest race laps, setting two new class lap records in what was his last season in the category.
