Race Report from Anthony Wills

The smallest circuit on our agenda this year attracted 12 starters. It was a relatively late start so most of us ended up further up the hill in the paddock than was strictly good for our health. Qualifying began early and only lasted 12 minutes according to the timesheets but despite this two drivers still managed 17 laps. With the circuit only 1 mile long (exactly) and with only four corners even the newcomers got to learn it fairly quickly.

The ever-fast Simon Davey (Van Diemen RF81) headed the times at the end of practice with a 45.3 but Dave Lowe (Lotus 69) was only 0.2 away having done half the laps of Simon. Andy Powell (Royale RP26) was also close to the fastest time with a gaggle consisting of Anthony Wills (Royale RP21), Stephen Collyer (Dulon MP15) and Colin Williams (PRS RH01) separated by very, very little.

The Race

The grid seemed very claustrophobic with the cars much closer than seemed normal but everyone got away successfully from the start with Simon, Dave and Andy fighting for first with Anthony and Colin Williams fighting over 4th. The first lap was very exciting for everyone but particularly Stephen Collyer and Guy Snook PRS RH02). Before the race Stephen had said how much he liked his car to oversteer and he proved it by spinning at Chessons Drift on the first lap. He had managed to keep the car running but was just collected by Guy Snook damaging the rear suspension on both cars. They could not continue and Stephen was spread-eagled on the racing line in a car which would not move.

Simon Davey was tramping around Pilgrims, the kink before Chessons, and thought he saw a red flag. His arm shot up but the flag then appeared to be withdrawn. Some confusion then existed but it all became clear when Stephen's car appeared in our sights. The antics (and it must be said) the car control of the front three was something to behold. They all managed to miss the crippled car and the red flags were definitely now out and the grid was reformed.

At the restart Anthony Wills squeezed in between Simon and Dave and grabbed the lead with Andy Powell in 2nd. For the first lap he managed to maintain the lead but he allowed too much space to Andy on the 2nd lap and he dived up the inside at Devils Elbow. This then allowed Simon and Dave through relegating him to 4th in one corner. Racing can be painful at times.

After the hairpin at the North Bend Simon had nipped past Andy and Dave was just in front of him when there was a slight coming together. Dave carried on but Andy's race was run, his car having sustained some damage to the suspension. This left Dave to vainly chase Simon and secure the fastest lap in the process.

The other major dice of the day was a close fought battle at the back between Mitch Wenger (Van Diemen RF79) and Richard Burton (Lola T342). Mitch had held Richard off all race but on the last lap, as the leaders swooped past, Richard saw his chance and nipped through to beat a rather rueful Mitch. This entertaining dice and the outcome earned Richard the Cobra Beer Driver of the Day Award.

Anthony Wills

 

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