Classical Gas
www.classictrials.co.uk
|
Classic Touring Car Racing Club, CTCRC, meeting at Mallory Park on 18 May 2008, organised by the BARCNeil Third Overall in Post Historic
Neil had an excellent Post Historic race, climbing from his eighth place on the grid to third overall and a class win. Steve Primett won with Tim Fish second in a Chevrolet Camaro. The challenge from the mighty Jaguar XJ12's faded after they came together again to the detriment of the bodywork of both cars. In Group 1 Neil had a steady race, maintaining his eighth place starting position to the flag.
|
 |
 |
| Steve Primett holding off the attentions of Tim Fish in his Camaro (Picture by Marc Lawrence) | Neil had a race long battle with Tony Crudgington, Mark Lucock and Roger Stanford (Picture by Marc Lawrence) |
 |
 |
| Jason Christie changing the diff on his Escort RS2000 (Picture by Marc Lawrence) | Neil and Alistair with Tony Crates who had another head gasket fail. (Picture by Marc Lawrence) |
Steve Primett was on pole in his familiar RS2000 but alongside was a less familiar car, A Chevrolet Camaro with Tim Fish behind the wheel. Neil was back in eighth slot. He was hoping to make a good start to avoid being overwhelmed by the big Jaguar XJ12's of David Howard and Brian Stevens who were side by side just behind him! Neil's class rival William Jenkins had to start from the back of the grid in his BMW 3.0 CSL as he didn't arrive in time to qualify. At least he got a race, unlike Tony Crates who had yet another head gasket problem with his Lotus Cortina.
Neil made a grand start in the Capri and was up to 5th by the long sweeping Gerrards bend, closing on Mark Lucock (Escort RS2000) and passing him, benefiting from the improvements to the handling department over the winter. For most of the race Neil had a close battle with Mark, Tony Crudgington (Dolomite) and Roger Stanford (Lotus Cortina). Come the flag Neil was in front of this group to finish third behind Steve Primett (RS2000) and Tim Fish (Chevrolet Camaro).
The Jaguar challenge didn't materialise when they had a mighty coming together resulting in bodywork damage to both cars.
Jim McLoghlin has a Lights to Flag Win
 |
 |
| Both David Hickton and Mark Fowler challenged Jim but neither could get past. Here Mark is just behind Jim's Capri with David third.(Picture by Marc Lawrence) | The battling Jaguar XJ12's of Brian Stevens and David Howard bear the scars of their earlier encounter. (Picture by Marc Lawrence) |
This was very much Jim McLoughlin's race, qualifying his Ric Wood engined Capri on pole and taking a lights to flag victory. In the first part of the race Jim was challenged by David Hickton in his immaculate Opel Ascona. Later he dropped behind the hard charging Mark Fowler who took up the challenge in his Capri. But this was Jims day and he was not to be beaten.
Neil had a pretty uneventful race, starting and finishing in eighth place but gaining a class win in the process.
Andy Davies took another win in his BMW but had to work for the victory as Anthony Wright chased him all the way in his Rover Tomcat. There were only 13 starters in the race, drawing into question the future of the championship. There are several other series/championships competing for these cars. The people behind them are skilled communicators, adapt at using the modern media. CTCRC chairman Richard Langeveld will surely need to raise his external profile and match their efforts if the club is to maintain its presence in this sector.
Page added 21 May 2008
