Classic Touring Car Racing Club, CTCRC, meeting on 12 April 2008 organised by BARC South East

Action all the Way

An excellent meeting, organised  by Rod Birley (usually seen driving round Lydden behind the wheel of a WRC Escort) under the auspices of BARC South East. The CTCRC had five of the seven races on this wonderful clubmans day. Neil did well, finishing 5th in Post Historic but an excursion onto the grass and a blown exhaust gasket took away his chances in Group 1.


Ian Lawson points to the gathering rain clouds as Team 76 congregate outside the new transporter.

Pre 93

Andy Davies had a flag to flag victory in pre-93, maintaining a narrow gap on Anthony Wright for he whole race. Behind them David Margalies was having a great race, keeping Nigel Garrett, David Hickton and David Howard at bay until a half shaft went at the hairpin just before the end.

Neil had a good race, finishing sixth behind Henry Mann’s Capri.

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Post Historic

Nigel Garrett wins a frantic race.

It all happened on the start. Pole sitter Nigel Garrett (Dolomite Sprint) was overtaken by Steve Primett’s Escort on the line. Behind them, Mark Lucock tried to make up places in his Escort and became the meat in a Tony Crudgington - David Howard sandwich. Mark ended up with a dented passengers door while David journeyed across the grass on the inside of the circuit.

Steve Primett soon started to pull away, followed by Nigel Garrett and Steve Young (Mini). They were ahead of Mark Lucock (Escort) and a side by side Tony Crudgingtpon (Dolomite) - Neil Bray (Capri). This changed when Tony went wide descending Hairy Hill, leaving Neil no option but to take to the grass. Neil quickly recovered and the pair soon passed Steve Young who rapidly dropped back down the field.

Steve continued to increase his lead over Nigel Garrett, who now had Mark Lucock in close attendance. Behind them Neil could keep pace with Tony Crudgington, and even stick his nose alongside at the hairpin, but he could not quite get past.

Brian Stevens (Jaguar XJ12) was not far behind these two, having passed Steve Young, who was now being pressed by David Howard who had slipped to the back of the field, having wisely decided to wait until the field had gone by before regaining the track after his start line excursion.

By half way David Howard really had the bit between his teeth, passed the Mini and the other XJ12 and was closing on the Tony Crudgington/Neil Bray battle. By now this was for fifth place as Mark Lucock was dropping back with suspected diff failure. David was soon past Neil and Tony, while up at the front all was not well with Steve Primett’s car which sounded decidedly rough. The problem was that Steve’s 3rd gear had completely disappeared and he was having to manage with 2nd and 4th, two gears that Mark Aistrup could have done with as they had disappeared on his Escort. Not a good day for Ford transmissions!

Nigel passed Steve just before the chequered flag to win a fascinating race. Steve kept going to come second, eight seconds ahead of David Howard with Tony Crudgington and Neil just behind him.

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Group 1

David Howard wins on the last lap. Neil's excursion onto the gravel drops him back.

Jim McLoughlin (Capri) headed the group 1 field round Chessons Drift, closely followed by David Hickton (Opel Ascona), pole man David Howard (Jaguar XJ12) and Mark Fowler (Capri). Neil was in the Fiesta for this race and had passed Henry Manns Capri at the start However, he fell behind after going onto the gravel exiting Paddock Bend, allowing Matt Irons and Tim Scott-Andrews past as well.

One of the best battles of the day was taking place up at the front. First David Hickton dropped back to fourth. Then David Howard left the black stuff at the hairpin, allowing Mark Fowler past into second. David resuming in 3rd ahead of David Hickton who had fallen behind the leading trio.

Once he was past David, Mark started to press Jim McLoughlin hard. Trying to stay in front Jim went onto the gravel at Paddock Bend and Mark went past into the lead.  Behind  them Neil had overtaken Tim Scott-Andrews and Matt Irons just as it started to rain. For a while it looked as if rain-master Bray would use this to come up to the leaders, but a few laps later and it was dry again. However, while the track was damp Tim Scott-Andrews spun on the Devils Elbow while up at the front the leaders closed-up as Mark Fowler eased right off.

Meanwhile Jim McLoughlin had passed David Howard again, but only for a short time as he went wide at Paddock again. David re-passed Jim and took off after Mark Fowler, passing him just before the flag to win an enthralling race.

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