Championship contender Steven Young had engine problems and only completed four laps. Steven and his crew took the head off and found signs of water in the inlet manifold. The head gasket was intact but when they put the motor back together things hadn’t improved and they retired with a suspected porous head. David Thomas had his Capri jacked in the air, checking his diff, as there seemed to be excess backlash in the drive train.

The rain became very heavy during the lunch break and the track was totally flooded in parts. Racing was delayed and only re-started just before 4 pm. Neils post-historic race was first away, the first two being postponed until Sunday as they were both double headers and the competitors would be their the next day.

It was still raining when the Post Historics came to the line, minus quite a few who decided not to race under the conditions. Paul Conboy wanted to run but couldn’t when he found his wipers weren’t working. Interestingly Neil never used his wipers, relying on the Rainex which worked well kept the screen clear.

Here is a lap by lap report of a very exciting race.

Lap 1 – David Howard (Jaguar XJ12) was just ahead of David Thomas (Capri), Stephen Primett (Escort), Jim Utting (Ford Mustang), Jason Christie (Ford Escort), Tony Crudgington (Dolomite). Then a group headed by Neil Bray (Capri), consisting of Keith Calver (Mini) who had worked his way up from last on the grid), Mark Osborne (Dolomite), David Hall (Lotus Cortina Mk1), Peter Holton (Rover P6), Peter St Barbe (Lotus Cortina Mk 2), who pulled into pits and retired at the end of the lap, then a big gap before the tail enders came by.

Lap 2 – David Thomas had passed David Howard who was close behind, then came Primett and Jason Christie who had passed the big Mustang. He was followed by the Mini who had overtaken Neil, who was just in front of the Osbourne Dolomite. We had already lost Tony Crudgington, who pulled off after something fell off the car. Tony had been having problems and the Dolomite had needed push starting all day.

Lap 3 –It was still David Thomas, David Howard, then a gap before Stephen Primett who was building a gap over Jason Christie. Then the Mustang followed by Keith Calvers rapid Mini and Mark Osborne who had squeezed his Dolomite past Neil. Then there was a gap before David Hall’s Lotus with Peter Holton in close attendance.

Lap 4 - The two David’s maintained their position in front of Stephen Primett, a gap, then Jason Christie. Then came the Mini who had overtaken the Mustang, Osborne, Neil, the Lotus, Peter in the P6 and the tail enders.

Lap 5 – David Howard was very close to David Thomas and Stephen Primett was closing on the pair. They had all better watch out as Keith Calver was revelling in the conditions and got past Jason Christie at the Russells chicane. Next came the Mustang and Mark Osborne who clearly didn’t like the wet. Neil, the Lotus, Peter in the P6 and the tail-enders followed them

Lap 6 – David Thomas had pulled out a noticeable lead on David Howard. The others maintained position apart from Keith Calver who had a moment in the Mini, letting Christie past.

Lap 7 – David Thomas came round a long way ahead of David Howard. Stephen Primett had given up the chase and seeing he was well ahead of his nearest class rival eased off in the interest of his championship position. The Mini had re-taken Jason Christie’s Escort. Then Osborne, the Mustang and Neil. It had been obvious that Peter Holton was being held up by David Hall’s Lotus and he finally out braked him at Russell’s. The Lotus fought back but Peter stayed ahead and set of in pursuit of Neil.

Lap 8 – David Howard closed the gap on David Thomas as they lapped James Christie’s Avenger. It was then Primett, Keith Calver (Mini), Jason Christie, Osborne and Neil who was about 10 seconds ahead of class rival Peter Holton in the P6. Then came the Lotus and Andrew Clarson in his DTV liveried Firenza who took a trip across the grass at Russells.

Lap 9 – Neil spun all the way round at the flooded Riches, allowing Peter to close. Other than that every one stayed in the same positions.

Lap 10 – David Howard made a serious attempt to get past David Thomas at Russells but Thomas is very experienced and wouldn’t let him by. Behind everything was the same apart from the fact that Peter Holton was worryingly close to Neil.

Lap 11 – The leaders maintained position but behind Peter Holton was stuck to Neil’s boot lid and made a serious attempt to get by at Russells. He didn’t make it but was right behind as they crossed the line to start the last lap.

Lap 12 – Neil got right out of shape at Riches, strayed out onto the grass and Peter went by. Try as he may Neil could not respond and came home third in class.

The championship position is now Primett 81, Bray 71, Young 67 so there's everything to shoot for at Pembury for the double header. Dave Thomas will not be there so there's everything to shoot for.

Results:-

David Thomas (Capri)
David Howard (Jaguar XJ12)
Stephen Primett (Escort)
Keith Calver (Mini 1275 GT)
Jason Christie (Escort)
Mark Osborne (Dolomite)
Jim Utting (Mustang)
Peter Holton (Rover P6)
Neil Bray (Capri)
David Hall (Lotus Cortina)
Andrew Clarkson (Firenza)
James Christie (Avenger)

DNF

Tony Crudgington (Dolomite)
Peter St Barbe (Lotus Cortina)
Paul Conboy (Firenza)

Full race results lap charts etc