Following the fabulous Croft weekend, it was back to normal British summertime weather for our visit to the fastest circuit in the country. With no testing permitted at Thruxton, life was going to be made even more difficult than usual by the fact that the whole of southern England was going to be deluged on the Sunday. But altleast it wasn’t a 2 dayer (unless your name is Dave Lowe of course, who always likes making a long weekend of his forays onto the mainland). With qualifying being at a very civilised midday, atleast everyone had plenty of time to get completely soaked to the skin ! Messrs Nash and Marshall decided shorts was the best option – having spent the day in wet jeans, I reckon they were right, even if they did look rather ridiculous…

The rain had eased by the time the Classics were called to the assembly area, and the sun even managed to pop out as everyone sat gloomily waiting for an unpleasant 15 minutes. Everyone except Simon Davey of course, who relishes the wet anyway, and could even remember racing here 20 years ago in an F3 race (couldn’t see the dashboard, it was sheer bloody madness…) As it turned out, the track conditions were not quite as horrendous as first imagined. Although the track was completely wet, there were only a couple of tricky bits apparently. At least the fast bit round the back was driveable.

Rain master Simon Davey ensured a clear track by being first out, followed by Paul Walton. Simon dominated the times throughout, and thoroughly enjoyed himself, steering the RF81 on the throttle flat in 4^th through the scary bits round the back, ‘with a quarter turn of opposite lock’. Clearly he now has the RF81 fully sorted, and has full confidence in his and his car’s abilities. The fact that he took pole by ‘only’ 1.75 seconds was something of a surprise.

Everyone (perhaps with the exception of Simon, who was busy doing a rain dance) was hoping it would stay dry, and their prayers were answered. By 5pm, after an eventful afternoon of race stoppages and accidents, it was finally time to do the business.

Steve Pearce kept everyone waiting when he caused a 5 minute delay on the grid, whilst waiting for the green flag lap. He sorted out whatever engine problem he may have had, and all 23 cars took the start. Simon led away, with Anthony getting up to second by the complex, followed by Jon and Andy. Paul was down to 6^th, although he towed himself back up to third by the end of the opening lap. Dave Lowe also got past Andy.

Paul challenged for the lead on the run up the hill into the chicane on lap 2, but Simon let Paul outbreak himself, and Paul spun back down to 6^th ! That was as close as anyone got to Simon all afternoon, and Simon led from lights to flag to take his first victory of the season. Not that it was an easy win, as he was pushed all the way by Anthony and then Paul, and won by only a second.

Anthony held second place following Paul’s spin until lap 8 when he slowed passing the pits, and pulled off. He thought it was an engine problem, although it may only have been a broken exhaust, so a bagful of points was lost, although he has already given up on any decent championship position this year. Another driver to depart the scene at this time was Dave Lowe, who saw his oil pressure dive whilst holding 3^rd   overall and first in Class, and wisely hit the switch before anything more serious happened. Hopefully for Dave’s sake it is only an oil pump failure.

Behind the leading trio, Jon Davis held on to 5^th for much of the race, which became 4^th on Anthony’s demise. Andy and Jon Nash circulated closely together for much of the 10 laps, and Jon got up to third by lap 9 when he passed both Andy and Jon Davis, and held third to the flag to claim his first podium of the season.  With a grid position of 9^th, Jon also took the Cobra beer honours as Driver of the Day.

Poor Andy was badly held up on the final lap whilst lapping a backmarker, and this gave Paul Smith the opportunity to leapfrog both Andy and Jon Davis on the run up to the chicane. Roger took 7^th (having started down in 13^th, so a good effort from the local driver),  with Dave Malpas a lonely 8^th. Colin and Neil were joined in their usual squabble by Steve, with Alan and Jeff bring up the rear of the midfield pack.

Further back, Mark Pearce again got the better of John Hesp, David Owen, Paul Mills and Lorraine, who all had a good scrap.

Dave’s non finish, and Paul’s second place puts Paul 13 points clear, but only 5 points clear after dropped scores come into play, although Simon is building up a strong challenge for the remaining 4 rounds. Quote of the day must surely go to Paul Walton : ‘this is the first time I’ve driven round here properly – it’s a fantastic place – almost better than sex !’

Well there you have it. Who knows, with comments like that, I might even be tempted to get out here next year… See you at Lydden, lift permitting.

Toodle pip.

ADH