The sun shone down on Sandown at the weekend for this year’s Island Car Centre Sandown Sprint, which proved to be another fantastic success – especially for the event’s winner, Damien Bradley. Unlike 2023, the entire weekend remained dry allowing for some quick times to be posted by the 80+ competitors taking part in the Island’s premier motorsport event. The ding-dong battle between Damien Bradley and Will Nicholls – which began in the inaugural year – continued for 2024. But after 2 days of competitive action, Damien in his Subaru Legacy once again clinched the top podium spot for the second year in a row with an overall time of 70.66 – just 2.03 seconds ahead of Will Nicholls in his Fiesta R5. However, Bradley’s car suffered a mechanical breakdown on his 3rd run on Sunday afternoon resulting in a disappointing – and potentially expensive – end to the weekend. Rounding off the podium was Nicholas Olson in his Lotus Esprit S3 with an overall time of 74.40. Another local battle was between the Isle of Wight’s Wayne Hole in his Ford Escort Mk1 and Simon Verstrateten in his Talbot Sunbeam. Both rally drivers were pushing hard, with Simon hoping to improve on his 2nd-in-class finish last year. Wayne was able to keep ahead though, finishing 2.41 seconds in front of Simon in Class B10. 
Despite gusty winds, which were somewhat bitter on Sunday, spectators turned out in their hundreds to enjoy the high-octane action along Culver Parade demonstrating there is a real appetite for motorsport on the Island. Moving the paddock to Fort Street for this year’s event proved popular with the crowds and competitors alike, adding to the race village established at Sandham Gardens. The vast array of vehicles that entered this year’s Sprint certainly caught the attention of spectators, including the Lancia 037 Group B of Dave Kedward. Steve Harris’ Ford RS200 Evolution was a sight to be seen, as was Lee Maddox’s Pontiac Nascar Grand Prix. 
There are firm hopes that the Sandown Sprint will continue to be a part of the events calendar moving forward, after 3 successful events. But fans won’t have long to wait as motorsport action looks set to return with a rally sprint this November, with further details to be released by the Isle of Wight Car Club in due course. You can see the full results from the Island Car Centre Sandown Sprint 2024 at https://isleofwightspeedtrials.co.uk/competitors/sandown-sprint-results/. Malcolm Smith, Chairman of the Isle of Wight Car Club, has said:
“We are a small club and rely on help from the mainland clubs to whom we are very grateful. Many Competitors and service crews take the opportunity of having a short Island holiday which is an added attraction. Being one of a handful of closed public roads events is another bonus. “The Sprint benefits our Club attracting new members and this year more than a third of the entries were Club members.”
PHOTO GALLERY:
I am glad this event is over.
It is encouraging speeding on the island, as if speeding on
the island is not bad enough.
No it isn’t. This is a small event under controlled conditions. You would have to be an idiot to drive like this on the road. I know there are idiot drivers but they were always there, this event has not encouraged them.
The evening the event ended I saw a Numpty driving
like a lunatic in an ST along Sandown High Street
SPEEDING KILLS
Yes it does, but speeders will always speed regardless of events like this. Not to be too judgemental, but if you’re driving a ST you haven’t bought it for the MPG figure.
Crikey Mark you sound like a right laugh to be around! I think we should have more events like this, less cyclists more race cars!!!
Speeding on this island, the chance would be a fine thing
A massive part of my job is driving, 9 times out of 10 I end up stuck behind some clown ambling along 5 or 10 under the speed limit. I have driven in countries all over the world and this island has some of the worst driving I have ever seen and it has nothing at all to do with speed – or age as some people comment – just complete lack of ability
People dither, they dawdle and they pay very little attention to what is going on around them.
As for stopping the event, I hope the MSA come up with a similar concept and funding to the Birmingham Superprix from the 80s and hold a BTCC round in the middle of Newport
Your just an idiot!
Silly little boy Mark, NOW GO BACK TO BED
A great event, which the island solely needs. Brings people across to the island. Helps the hotels and leisure industries. Gives both young and old some welcome motorsport to see live.
Let’s hope the Council think of the climate next year and BAN
such events from taking place.
And let the Island slowly become a home for the retired. Hopefully this event brought some much needed business to the local area. Lighten up and let people have some fun (much needed when you consider the state of the world at the moment).
I’m retired and the event (which I attended for both days) was a great opportunity to not have to spend £100+ on a ferry ticket to get to Santa Pod, Goodwood, Silverstone, Thruxton, Donnington for my motorsport fix during the summer.
Not all retired are coffin dodgers….
Did not mean any offence to retired people…. Everyone should have fun and enjoy a local event like this.
Pete you sound like an absolute melt! In comparison to what is being burnt on this planet I don’t think a few cars racing up the rd is going to make too many polar bears homeless, enjoy it while you can, we’re soon be having to race milk floats up the Rd, there going to sound great!!
compared to the usual traffic flow they possibly reduced emissions in that area. They are determined to shut down anything that gives pleasure.
Yes Pete, let’s hope that the council think of the climate and prevent you from breathing any more of our valuable oxygen! We don’t all fall for the climate catastrophe propaganda.
Moan moan moan moan moan
More life in a tramps vest…..
Help.
What is that sticking up out of the cockpit of Christopher Atkinson’s beautiful Piper Sports Racer (Car 88 seen in Picture 21)
I can only think that it is a mirror, but the whole structure looks a bit excessive for that.
(If Chris reads this: can I have a drive please – and I assume you are related to Bill, who was a partner in the company)
Apparently the photos appear in a random order, so look for the lovely yellow and green car and not for the picture number
It’s the mirror, there aren’t any on the bodywork so i think that will be a wide angle one so that he can see more. I would say it’s intentionally heavy duty as I expect it vibrates like mad at high speed otherwise
Great pictures, I wish I’d made it to the event. Well done.
And here we go again with the negative comments… “should be banned”, “encourages speeding”.. There is a core group who simply want everything and anything banned because it brings in excitement and some exhaust fumes that are probably less than the normal traffic flow in that area, so they are reducing the carbon footprint which really annoys the nay sayers. If you don’t like a day of fun, then either ignore it, or move away and stop trying to destroy what little attractions we have left. What’s next? ban processions, festivals, playgrounds or fun days for all… It’s sad really, but we should be used to it by now.
Was a great event. Look forward to next year
Due to the climate hoax that the world leaders etc keep
rumbling on about, wouldn’t surprise me if the event is
Cancelled next year
Charlie and Willy are Climate supporters
Wow are we going to ban cycle races for are they going to encourage cyclists to pedal faster what a load of cobblers let’s shut up all the pubs and other events so we can all stay in bed all day