For the first time the CNC Consultants intermarque silhouettes took on the Donington Grand Prix track. The long circuit warranted a 20 minute qualifying session on a drying track. A slightly disappointing entry of just eleven cars meant that they were mixed with the MSVR allcomers series.
Ray Harris set the pace in the no.5 Ginetta G40 putting in a time of one minute 41.401 seconds. Colin Smith (in a similar Ginetta) worked his way into second spot, albeit 1.2 seconds slower. Reuben Taylor (in his G40R Ginetta) gradually worked his way into third quickest, snatching the position on the last lap from Richard Smith (Mercedes SLK). Keith White (BMW Z4) lined up fifth from local man Jon Price (Vauxhall Tigra). Next up was Mick Robertson in his familiar VW Corrado, then came Nick Bass (Mazda RX8) followed by Baz Johnson (Pontiac). Paul Cocksedge and Phil Spinks (who only managed 3 laps with a misfire) completed the field in their Vauxhall Tigras.
By the time of the first race heavy rain had moved in, which caused another delay to the timetable. It was therefore a wet track which greeted our drivers as they set off on two pace laps. Harris made a poor start and struggled throughout the first lap, before diving into the pits to remove grass from the radiator. With one of the allcomers going off, the safety car appeared, but missed picking up the leader. The result was a “wave by” for most of the runners, who set about catching the leader. During this time White spun and lost several places, but then stopped. Harris re-joined, but found himself a lap down. By the time everything got sorted out Taylor was the leading silhouette, chased by Colin Smith and Robertson. Richard Smith, Johnson and Price were next, followed by Cocksedge and Spinks. Harris was the final runner (after a second pit stop) as White did not re-appear.
Things settled down a bit now, as Taylor picked off the slower allcomers. Colin Smith maintained second, whilst Robertson put on a sterling performance to claim third. Richard Smith closed in, but could not quite mount a challenge. Johnson had a good run into fifth holding off his colleague Price. Spinks and Harris completed the finishers, as Cocksedge had an off which dislodged a barrier. This brought a premature end to the race.
Just before the start of the second race there was another shower of rain, which at least meant everyone was on grooved tyres. Johnson spun on the pace lap, so dropped to the rear of the field as two rainbows appeared across the circuit. The top four finishers were reversed for the starting grid, but it only took one lap for Taylor to re-gain the lead from Richard Smith. Harris soon powered his way up to fourth, with Spinks also making good progress to fifth just behind Colin Smith. On lap four Spinks was fourth, as Colin Smith went missing in the last sector. Robertson then had a quick spin exiting the final corner, whilst Johnson moved past White on lap 6.
Lap 8 and Harris overtook Richard Smith for second. He then closed in on Taylor, taking the lead a lap later at the final hairpin. Side by side through the Craner Curves looked dramatic, but both drivers gave one another room. Ray then pulled away to take a 4.5 second win after 11 laps. Reuben comfortably held onto second with Richard Smith coming home third. Spinks drove well to take fourth, as Johnson just held off White for fifth. Seventh went to Robertson closely pursued by Price, then it was Bass and Cocksedge who completed the finishers. Colin Smith being the only retirement.
Next up it is Mallory Park on Sunday 24th May. The much shorter circuit often provides some really close racing.