Date: 2025-09-20

Steadman’s Suzuki Sizzles to Victory in Thrilling Autosolo Showdown

Alan Steadman produced a masterclass of precision driving to claim overall victory in his diminutive Suzuki Cappuccino, completing the challenging 12-test course in a remarkable 923.9 seconds.

The nimble Japanese sports car proved the perfect weapon for the technical course, with Steadman establishing his dominance early and maintaining his advantage throughout the day. Alistair Sutton pushed him hard in his Mazda, finishing just 11.2 seconds behind after more than 15 minutes of competitive driving.

Vauxhall Nova driver Nigel Newman completed the podium places with a time of 954.5 seconds, demonstrating that classic small hatchbacks remain competitive in the discipline where handling finesse often trumps outright power.

The battle for supremacy began dramatically, with Shane Parry’s Ford Puma setting the fastest time on the opening test at 82.9 seconds. However, Steadman’s consistency soon told as he moved into the lead after test two, posting a combined time of 153.5 seconds to Parry’s 149.3.

By the halfway stage, Steadman had extended his advantage to nearly 12 seconds over Sutton, with Newman a further 9 seconds adrift. This trio would maintain their positions through the remainder of the event, though the gaps between them fluctuated as they tackled the increasingly challenging tests.

The most notable performance beyond the podium came from Brian Sharpe in his Nissan Micra, who climbed from seventh after the opening test to finish in the same position overall, demonstrating remarkable consistency throughout the day.

Further down the field, the family battle between the Flahertys saw Sean (13th) comfortably outpace Lucy (22nd) in their shared Nissan Micra. Similarly, the father-son pairing of Arthur and Matthew Meredith in their Ford Focus saw the younger Matthew claim family honours with an impressive eighth place overall.

The Lovett family also enjoyed a competitive outing, with Danny (12th) establishing a significant 208.4-second advantage over Brett (29th) in their shared Fiat Panda 100hp.

In the battle of the MX-5s – always a popular choice at these events – Suesan Gibbard emerged victorious, finishing 14th overall and ahead of fellow Mazda pilots Robert Kennedy (16th), Ross McCartney (19th), Steve Rackley (24th), Andrea Kellow (25th), Mark Issacs (30th) and Michelle Wickenden (31st).

The event saw a strong turnout of 32 competitors across various vehicle classes, with the entire field completing all 12 tests – a testament to both driver skill and vehicle reliability.

As Steadman collected his well-deserved trophy, his performance served as a reminder that in the world of autosolo competition, driver skill and vehicle suitability often matter more than outright power or expense – his tiny Cappuccino proving more than a match for the larger, more powerful machinery in the field.