One good piece of news for Nyssa Racing - this morning I received a letter from the secretary of the Lancia Motor Club informing me that the LMC committe have awarded me the John Borthwick Trophy (presented for "best performance in a Lancia in an event other than the LMC Driving Tests") for my Y10 competition efforts! This is to be presented to me at the AGM next weekend. Guess this must be for 2002, Lindsay Ward must already be a hot favourite to take this award next year after his Ferrari-beating exploits at Castle Combe earlier this season.

Numbers are still low - only 12 made it to Oulton Park. I feel a little hypocritical complaining about this when I've only made it to one round so far this season, but the fact remains for whatever reasons, numbers are short. In some ways I think this affects OUR spectacle more than for other series as we run a reverse grid. Looking back a couple of seasons, the average grid for the season was 23 despite running at such outposts as Croft and Anglesey, and reached the heady heights of 35! Back in those days, the task facing the modified classes was much greater, that many more cars to overtake to get to the front, and of course the track was that much more crowded. Little wonder that in most races a Class E car was leading at the end of the first lap - with grids as low as they are this season, the quick guys should hit the front half way round the first lap from which point they just disappear into the distance.

Race report courtesy of Tony Soper:

Qualifying: The fight for pole was eagerly anticipated and on paper looked to be a three way fight between Alan Cosby's Ferrari 512, Ted Reddick's 355 and Drummond Bone's Maserati Barchetta (which was making it's debut for 2003). After just three laps a breakage in the front suspension saw Drummond lose his steering and the Maserati speared into the tyre wall at turn one, causing considerable damage to the front section. Also in trouble was Lee Penn giving the ex-Giles Groombridge Alfa 33 it's first race of the season. However on his sixth lap the engine lost a pot and made some bad noises leaving him a non-starter for the race. Ian Stapleton's run of poor reliability continued with head gasket failure compromising his performance. Back at the sharp end, Ted plonked his 355 on pole, 1.7 seconds up on Alan. Less than a second behind were the class B duo of Andy Thompson (Minari) and Tim Lewis (Alfasud Sprint), both of which were powered by AHM boxer engines. This time it was the eight valve version in Thompson's Minari which was a fraction quicker than the sixteen valver in Lewis's Sprint. Comfortably heading class D was Westley Evans, his gearbox problems seemingly behind him, whilst championship and class E leader Roger Donnan was a fine sixth fastest overall and four seconds clear of his nearest rival.

The race: Frantic work and a trip to a nearby Alfa Romeo dealer saw the cylinder head gasket replaced on Ian Stapleton's Alfa with just minutes to spare. Peter Woodard cut things even finer, an unexpected drive shaft replacement saw him arrive in the pit lane as the grid completed it's rolling lap and he would have to start right at the back.

It was Cosby who made the early running, hugging the pit wall at the start he hurtled past the pack and led the first lap. Further back Ted Reddick was a little more circumspect but was soon tailing the 512 whilst he was shadowed by Thompson and Lewis. After several laps the 512 ran wide allowing Ted's 355 through and he was able to build a small cushion by mid race. Whilst Cosby posted fastest race lap and closed the 355 down to just 0.4s at the end of the twenty minute race, it was Ted who took his third Le Mans AutoItalia win of the season. Tim Lewis got the better of Andy Thompson for third and fourth places, but Andy had the consolation of fastest race lap.

The Stapleton GTV was now in rude health and Ian took fifth whilst Roger Donnan converted his qualifying pace to a satisfying sixth overall. Westley Evans held onto his class victory despite yet more gearbox woes whilst Stephen Ousley, Charles Cozens and Peter Woodard were engaged in a tussle which ended in Stephen's favour when Charles ran wide at the Fosters chicane. He clipped a kerb which flicked his 33 into a full roll causing much damage to the car, but fortunately left him uninjured.

Visit the Le Mans Motorsport site for details of the Le Mans Auto-Italia championship and standings so far.

Check out the current points standing.