It has been a few years since we have been support races at a truck meeting, but we were back at the Easter event for the opening rounds of our two saloon car series.
The entry list boasted a few returnees, notably Sean Fairweather in his Sierra Cosworth and Nick Proudlock in his new Subaru Impreza. We were also joined by two drivers in the invitation class, Tony and Joe Dean in their Mazda MX5s.
Qualifying took place on Saturday afternoon in overcast, but dry conditions. Rod Birley was quickest in his familiar Escort Cosworth, followed by Clive Haynsford in the multi coloured Mazda RX8 turbo. Lining up third would be Sean Fairweather, followed by the leading production saloon the Honda Civic of Neal Gardiner. Row three comprised of Sam Haywood (Renault Megane) and Colin Claxton (Escort Mk.1 turbo). Next up it was Adrian Matthews in his newly built Volvo C30 with Lee Cleugh (Audi TT) alongside. 9th place went to Rick Skelsey, back in his BMW 325 and he was joined by his sparring partner Ian Seale (in his re-built Ford Fiesta). Completing the grid were Steve Dann (VW Polo), Joe Dean, Nick Proudlock and Tony Dean. Although he missed qualifying Martin Reynolds joined in at the back with his Mk.2 Ford Escort.
As the cars lined up on the grid for their first race, we sadly lost Skelsey as his BMW developed a fault. From the rolling start Birley shot into the lead, followed by the fast starting Claxton who latched on in second place. Making quick progress from the rear was Reynolds, who was up to fourth by lap 3. Dann was an early retiree when a fuse blew in his car, then a few laps later his stablemate Cleugh also pulled off. At the front Birley seemed to have everything under control, as Claxton started to slip back with an intermittent misfire. Haynsford started to close the gap to Birley as they traded fastest lap times. It took Reynolds until lap 8 to depose Claxton, by which time the two leaders were 12 seconds up the road. Gardiner was leading the production class until lap 12, when a large plume of smoke (followed by a small fire) signalled his exit. Matthews briefly inherited the lead, until Haywood slipped past both him and Claxton.
The laps were clicking down as Haynsford trimmed Birley’s lead to 1.7 seconds. Nevertheless Rod took his 300th win at his favourite circuit and received a special trophy from the circuit manager Mike Lally. Clive was an honourable second with Reynolds completing the podium just in front of Fairweather who had a good race. Fifth overall and winning the production section was Haywood, followed by Claxton, Matthews, Proudlock, Ryan and Seale. Joe (the son) and Tony Dean (the father) completed the finishers.
Race two was right at the end of the day, but quite a few people stayed to watch the action. Missing were Skelsey, Gardiner and the two Deans. Again Birley made the best start as Haynsford had too much wheelspin. This allowed a fired up Reynolds into second. Martin harried the Escort Cosworth, putting on a good show for the live stream cameras. Once Clive got his tyres working he shook off the entertaining battle for fourth place. This featured Fairweather, Dann, Haywood and Matthews.
Birley gradually edged clear of Reynolds, whilst Haynsford put in some quick laps towards the end to close up on Reynolds. However, the trio finished in the same order, separated by just under two seconds. The battle for fourth position continued unabated, with Fairweather just emerging on top from Dann. Haywood won the production class again, closely pursued by Matthews. Cleugh had more luck this time, edging clear of Ryan, whilst Seale rounded out the finishers. Unfortunately both Proudlock and Claxton retired.
With a six week gap until Mallory Park, it gives everyone a chance to fine tune their cars.