Donington Park 14-15 May 2011

We had planned to be racing at Donington, our entry form went in and the Tipo underwent the necessary preparation. We had planned to fit the AP 4 pot brakes from the Lancia Y10 race car in time for our race at Anglesey last season, but in the event we were unable to find anyone who could make up the necessary brackets. This time round we have had more success, Rich turned up Jonathan Wills at MAPS down near Swindon. A quick call and we were in business, and unlike so many other motorsport oriented businesses, MAPS came through within the timeframe promised, and because they were able to reuse the existing brackets, they also came in below the original quote! Top people, heavily recommended on this showing, and also have some very interesting projects on the go.

The brakes were fitted, new rear pads put in – Rich thought standard pads might be less lock-up prone that the ones in place – and brake fluid refreshed with nice, new Castrol SRF as the fluid had noticeably gone off at Silverstone. We had tried to get in some new (used) slicks but were too slow, the ones on offer were wider and would have raised the gearing slightly. Not to worry, the current slicks were cleaned up and we were ready to go.

But circumstances beyond our control caused us to pull our entry at the last minute.

In the meantime, it looks like we will be taking our roadgoing Abarth 500 EsseEsse to Goodwood next weekend with the Lancia Motor Club, the first time it will have been out on track.

Round two of the 2011 BRSCC Euro Saloon and Sports Car Championship and the series returns to Donington Park for the first time since 2009.

Qualifying:
Another large grid for the Euro Saloons saw 32 cars out in qualifying but a slippery track, despite the dry weather, made for an interesting session. Many drivers struggled to find grip, those that did find some found it difficult to get in clear laps without yellow flags and even a red flag showing.

The front row was an all Ford Escort Cosworth affair with Nick Williamson getting the better of Dave Cockell by 1.3 seconds, and eclipsing the Euro Saloon outright lap record by 3 seconds, despite splitting a water hose. In 3rd place and 2.5 seconds off pole was Class B pole winner Richard Hawken (Nissan Primera) just ahead of Andy Robinson (Ford Falcon) in 4th. Robinson had pulled out in dramatic fashion with flames pouring from the back of the Falcon, leaking axle oil catching alight.

Ian Craig (BMW M3) took the Class C pole and 9th on the grid well clear of 2nd in class, defending champion Nick Hayes (Seat Leon). Three of the Vauxhall Vectra Challenge cars made a long overdue return to the series, Craig Odams setting the Class D pole time in 15th while Andy Jordan (3rd in Class D and 19th) was fastest Clio. Nick Boon (Honda Civic Type R) set the Class E pole ahead of Gordon Mason (Peugeot 205GTi) and Simon Jackson (MG ZR)

Race:
Only 28 of the 32 qualifiers made it to the grid, but Ilsa Cox (Seat Leon Cupra) didn't make the start. A slow pace lap got the better of Cockell who went sideways into the first corner, falling back to 11th place allowing Williamson to make a big break away at the front and a four second lead at the end of the lap. Hawken just managed to avoid Cockell to move up into second, but Peter Challis (Nissan Primera) was already up into 3rd just a second shy of Hawken. Simon Deaton (Seat Leon Cupra) ended the first lap in 4th and the recovering Cockell was already back up to 5th.

Cockell had the red mist and was up to 2nd by the end of lap 2 after which he set about chasing Williamson, but the latter seemed able to maintain a 3 second lead until overheating issues on lap 6 caused his retirement, leaving Cockell 10 seconds clear of new 2nd place man Challis. This gap would halve the following lap as the leading Escort got caught behind backmarkers through a yellow flag section. Cockell maintained a steady gap back to Challis and Hawken who were squabbling over 2nd place until lap 11 when suddenly the Escort engine cut out - the battery isolator tripped. Cockell recovered quickly, repassing Hawken on lap 12 and Challis on lap 14 despite the isolator tripping 3 more times. A relieved Cockell went on to take the chequered flag by 4 seconds from Challis. Hawken had fallen back with traction issues caused by oil leaking everywhere, but still held onto 3rd place over 20 seconds ahead of 4th place Deaton. Challis and Hawken's pace had been relentless and both had broken the existing Class B lap record many times during the race.

With Williamson having retired, Ian Froggatt was next home after Cockell in Class A, finishing 6th and narrowly beating Class B Derek Hale (Honda Accord) and 3rd in Class A Steve Linton (Toyota Supra).

Ian Craig had gained 2 places before the race started with non-starters pulling out, and made the most of this advantage by moving up to 5th overall on his way to a comfortable Class C win with Nick Hayes a long way back in 2nd and Nick Jones (Renault Clio) 3rd in class.

Class D saw the returning Vauxhall Vectras mixing it with the Renault Clios, and getting the better of them. Craig Odams eventually triumphed by just 3 seconds from David Hinde, with Simon Parker 3rd and Andy Jordan finishing 4th in class and 1st Clio.

Nick Boon looked favourite for the Class E win, despite Mason improving massively over his qualifying time and just missing fastest lap by 19/1000ths but Boon's race came to an end on lap 6 after a collision with a Clio leaving Mason to take his first Euro Saloons victory.

Richard Hawken still leads the championship, but Gordon Mason moves up into second place after playing his joker, Dave Cockell is 3rd with 3 class wins from 3 races.

Check out the current points standing.

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