Classic Touring Car Racing Club, CTCRC, meeting at  Brands Hatch 5&6 June 2010, organised by the BARC

Good results for Neil at Excellent Brands.Two wins in Group 1 for Tim Scott Andrews

It was another good weekend for Neil at Brands Hatch on 5/6 June. Saturday was hot and sticky for the Post Historic race. Nigel Garrett won overall, Neil was fourth although the Capri was fluffing badly at the top end when it crossed the line. After a wet night Sunday was damp although not enough for Neil to make an impression on the overall results. Never less he achieved an excellent 11th and 8th overall in the 1300 Fiesta.

Neil Bray is a study of concentration during his duel with William Jenkins (Picture by Marc Lawrence)

Post Historic

Nigel Garrett Dominates, Neil 4th

Neil made a good start from his third row grid position, making up two places to be fourth into Paddock Hill bend. It could have been third but he wasn't able to get by the Firenza driven by the experienced Mostyn Rutter, making a return to racing after a long absence.

At the end of the first lap Neil was past the Firenza and the order was Nigel Garrett (Dolomite), Mark Lucock (RS 2000), Neil Bray (Capri). Wlliam Jenkins had started beside pole man Nigel Garrett but had a slow start and was back in midfield. However, his BMW was going well, Williams Friday practice session was paying off and he was making his way through the field.

Mark Osborne also had a slow start in his Dolomite and passed Neil on the third lap. Neil didn't fight back as the Capri's water temperature was nudging 120 and the engine was starting to fluff at high revs. Mostyn Rutter was having bigger problems as the Firenza's engine blew promoting the hard charging William Jenkins (BMW 3.0 CSL) into fifth behind Neil.

The order was now Garrett - Lucock - Osborne, these three spaced out by a few seconds, then a gap followed by Neil with William in close attendance. It stayed that way for a few laps but William was on a mission, following Neil closely and passed him at the end of the pit straight on lap seven.

The Capri's fluffing was getting worse and William pulled away, Neil falling back around a second a lap. William was on a mission now, passing Mark Osborne for third into Paddock a few laps later and setting off after Mark Lucock.

With eight laps remaining the BMW was the fastest car on the track. Mark Lucock was just in front and leader Nigel Garrett in sight, an overall win was possible.

It all ended for William on lap 14. He overtook Mark on the entrance to Paddock only to run wide on the exit, put two wheels in the gravel. William tried to correct but the car shot backwards across the track, into the barrier the other side of the track, badly damaging the car but fortunately William walked away unscathed.

So the podium comprised 1. Nigel Garrett, 2. Mark Lucock, 3. Mark Osborne. These three were only five seconds apart. Neil was fourth, nursing a sick engine and may have been caught by Tony Crudgington had he not coasted across the line out of fuel.

With six retirements there were only twelve finishers.

Group 1

Two wins for Tim Scott Andrews, Neil 11th and 8th in the 1300 Fiesta

Race 1

Tim Scott Andrews enjoyed a flag to flag run to secure his first overall win. Things may have been different had Steve Cripps not turned up the Grand Prix circuit half way through the race, dropping back to mid field but getting back up to fifth by the end.

Mark Fowler was another nearly man, stating in 17th after issues in qualifying but getting up to 2nd by the flag.

Al Weyman had a great race, running second for much of the time and only overtaken by Mark Fowler just before the end by which time Al was trailing oli smoke from a split sump.

Neil started in 16th but made a great start, going round the outside of four cars at Paddock and was up to 10th by lap three. He was pressured by Jeremy Knight in his thee litre Capri for much of the race and it got by just before the end.

The Fiesta ran well. The water temperature was off the clock at the end but this appears to be a problem with the wiring.

Race 2

Tim certainly didn't have things all his own way as he shared the front row with Mark Fowler. To make things even more interesting rain started to fall while the cars gathered in the assembly area and the Clerk of the Course directed two green flag sighting laps.

When the lights went out it was Mark Fowler who led the field into Paddock followed by Tim Scott Andrews and Steve Cripps. The trio soon pulled out quite A lead on Matt Irons in his E21 BMW who was to have a lonely race in fourth place.

Matt in turn steadily pulled away from a race long duel between Jeremy Knight (Capri) and Daniel Smoughton (Production BMW) which was to be resolved in Jeremys favour.

Neil spent the race contesting seventh, taking on the V8's of Al Weyman (Camaro) and Alan Roper (Rover SD1). Unfortunately for Neil in the 1300 Fiesta the rain never really got going but even so he gave the bigger cars a run for their money. Al spun at Clearways a few laps before the end and try as he may Neil could not get past the Rover and had to settle for eighth lace.

Up front Tim Scott Andrews didn't let Mark Fowler get way and slowly closed the gap, passing him a few laps before the end for his second win of the day.

Fastest Laps