Brands Hatch GP 26/27 August 2020 – full race reports and lap times

Unseasonably cold and drizzly weather greeted the 45 drivers in the CMMC southern saloons, tin tops, intermarque and modified Fords. After just a couple of laps the qualifying session was red flagged to retrieve Simon Light’s V8 Capri, which had got stuck in the gravel. The slightly shortened session created a rush to re-join the circuit, all except Rod Birley who waited until everyone had disappeared from sight. The net result was that he had two clear laps and produced a pole position time 2.5 seconds quicker than anyone else. It then started precipitating a bit more so that was it. Ray Harris (intermarque Ginetta) lined up second, with Richard Smith (Mercedes SLK) third. The “second” grid was headed by Dave Mathias (Sierra Cosworth) from Dave Cockell (Escort Cosworth) with Kam Tunio the quickest Tin Top.

Race one, in much better conditions on Sunday, saw a slightly confusing start. Firstly, Ken Hunt had to be removed from the grid with a brake problem, then Malcolm Harding had an issue with his Mk.2 Ford Escort and ground to a halt on Copper Straight. This necessitated a second lap behind the safety car. In theory the race had begun, so the drivers should have probably adopted single file. However, as they approached the startline for the second time the green flag was waved. Harris jumped into an early lead, but Birley soon fought back and powered past on the run to Hawthorns. The black Escort soon eased out a small lead, as the leaders started to find back markers. Then on lap six Birley disappeared in a cloud of engine smoke. Harris backed off as he was comfortably ahead of Richard Smith with Danny Smith in third. Up to fourth came Dave Mathias making very good progress from the second group. Cockell had been in contention, but a misfire forced him into retirement. In the Tin Tops group Tunio initially led until he had an undisclosed fault, then Dave Hutchins took over with Jonathan Bevan hot on his heels. They finished in that order with Ken Angell third. Meanwhile the super saloons winner was Dave Cowan, although he finished behind the guest class Mustang of Marcus Bicknell.

Race two was without Birley, but both Cockell and Tunio had fixed their cars. Harris stormed away from Richard Smith and was setting a fast pace, until the safety car appeared on lap 3 and bunched everyone up again. Ken Hunt and Mick Robertson both needed assistance in removing their cars. On the re-start it was status quo at the front, but in amongst the Fords Harding had a lurid spin at Paddock Bend, fortunately without any damage. As Harris took a comfortable win, Richard Smith came under pressure from Danny Smith (no relation) and Richard spun into retirement on the last lap. So Danny took second with his father Colin in third. Bicknell held off Cowan, although the BMW driver took the BMR/Caesar electrical super saloon honours, with Philip Young sixth in his Mitsubishi. Ronan Bradley was a bit lonely in 7th, as Mathias headed the Ford runners just holding off a charging Cockell. In the Amusetime Time tin tops it was a close battle between the Hondas, as Bevan came out on top from Hutchins and Tunio. The BMW of Angell came home fourth. The H&G driver of the day award went to Dominic Ryan in his Ford Fiesta.