After the long winter lay off the racing season swung into life at a sunny Snetterton. With the size of the circuit it made sense to run an “all in” format with 27 entries.
Qualifying took place bright and early on Sunday morning at 0900. The session was gradually seeing lap times tumble when Volker Timm spun off at the Agostini hairpin. This was because he had dropped a large quantity of oil when a bolt sheared. Following the clear up there was a 4 minute dash, but even this was hampered by Paul Cocksedge spinning off at the Wilson hairpin and parking on the outside. The ensuing yellow flags meant everyone had to slow down. In the end it was Russell Humphrey who annexed pole position after Colin Smith was demoted for track limits infringements. Ian Hales (in his plain white Ginetta) was third quickest from Phil Spinks. Then came the first super saloon in the shape of Alex Sidwell’s V8 Holden. Sixth was Mick Robertson from local man Martin Reynolds in his potent Mk.2 Ford Escort. Eighth was Gavin Bristow in his Tigra, followed by Keith White then Rod Birley (back in his Escort WRC for the first time in 18 months). Rounding out the top twelve were Kurt Russell and Richard Smith. The leading tin top was Neal Gardiner in 17th with his Honda Civic, followed by Sam Haywood and Adrian Matthews.
After a plethora of delays, one of which was when the jib of a recovery truck hit the start line gantry, the inevitable race length reduction came into play. The first race finally got underway nearly 75 minutes later than scheduled. The 25 starters (as Volker Timm and Steve Phillips were both non-starters) still made a good sight as they charged to the first corner. Unfortunately there were at least 3 silhouette cars which went spearing off onto the grass as they exited Riches, those involved were Phil Spinks, Keith White and Ian Hales. All three recovered and carried on, although Hales had a quick pit stop.
At the end of lap one Humphrey led from Colin Smith and the fast starting Ray Harris (up from 14th). Sidwell was fourth from Reuben Taylor (who started 13th) then Richard Smith and Martin Reynolds. As the race settled down Sidwell started to pick off the front three. He was third on lap 2, then second on lap 3, taking the lead on lap 4. Colin Smith retired on lap 3 with clutch issues, which allowed Harris to challenge Humphrey. Ray got past on lap 6, but Humphrey was ahead on the final lap in a close finish. Taylor maintained his pace to come home fourth, winning the intermarque senior section. Next up was a rather lonely Martin Reynolds, winning class B of the super saloons. The next battle saw Richard Smith gradually hauled in by the dicing duo of Birley and Bristow. The nimble Tigra had the quicker cornering speed, whilst the Escort Cosworth had more straight line speed. On the last lap it all came to a head as Birley overtook Richard Smith on the Bentley Straight, then Bristow also nipped past. Coming around Coram the yellow Tigra carried more speed and tried a lunge into Murrays. As he locked up he clattered into the Escort forcing them both off the circuit. This allowed Richard Smith to regain sixth on the run to the chequered flag with Bristow recovering for 7th initially from Birley. However, a time penalty was issued dropping him behind Birley.
Spinks recovered to take 9th, followed by more silhouettes namely Philip Blackford, Kurt Russell, White, Paul Cocksedge and Hales. The tin top lead battle was exciting as Gardiner and Haywood battled it out. Neal had the upper hand until the final lap, when the Honda made a smoky exit. Colin Claxton brought his turbo Escort home in 16th , with Graham Richardson next in his T1 Honda Civic. Rick Skelsey, Ian Seale and Ken Hunt completed the finishers. Retirements, besides Gardiner and Colin Smith, included Adrian Matthews, Mick Robertson and Nick Bass.
Race two saw Sidwell make a cautious start, mainly due to the large amount of cement dust on his side of the track following an oil slick in a previous race. This allowed Harris to snatch the lead from Humphrey and amazingly Bristow. Sidwell was back in fourth, but not for long. By lap two he was third, although it took him a couple more tours before he powered into the lead. Harris hung onto the big V8 to take second (and win the intermarque section) whilst Humphrey dropped back on the last lap, but still kept third spot. Hales made good progress up to fourth, whilst Bristow had an excursion at Murrays and failed to finish. This left Reynolds in fifth, taking another class win in his Escort.
Richard Smith took the senior class in sixth overall, following another retirement for Colin Smith. Reuben Taylor had a steady run in 7th as he pulled clear of the battling White and Spinks. Birley had a misfire with his Cosworth engine, but held onto tenth spot. Mick Robertson fixed his car to take 11th followed by the tin top winner Sam Haywood. Claxton held off a fast closing Cocksedge in 13th, with Richardson taking 15th overall. Nick Bass (Mazda RX8) had a good little battle with Seale (who won TP again), as Hunt completed the finishers (winning class D).
The £25 race entry discount vouchers (courtesy of Cannons Motor Spares) went to Adrian Matthews and Colin Claxton. Whilst in the CNC consultants intermarques there were extra prizes for Colin Smith (for his effort in changing a clutch) and Ian Hales (best prepared car).
The awards were kindly presented by Sue Cooper, wife of former F1 stockcar driver Russell Cooper, who was visiting Snetterton for the first time