Classic Touring Car Racing Club meeting on 29 September 2007 organised by the BARC North Western Centre on the Island Circuit

David Thomas Clinches 2nd Class Championship,

Neil was fourth overall again in Post Historic, giving No1 Capri its first outing since Brands Hatch and establishing a new class lap record. Roger Stanford won, making three podium visits during the day. Group 1 saw a hard race for the Class B championship between David Thomas and Jim McLoughlin.  David coming out on top after both spun and re-jointed in separate incidents.

Post Historic

Roger Stanford wins. Neil fourth overall again and establishes new lap record for his class.

Click on the arrow for Video of Roger's Post Race Interview.

Roger Stanford was in invincible form at Oulton, winning Post Historic in his BMW 2002 after a great drive in Group 1. Finishing his day with a Classic and Historic victory in his favourite Lotus Cortina. Neil was delighted with fourth overall in the Ric Wood powered No 1 Capri, back on the track for the first time since Brands Hatch.

With the championship already secured there was no David Thomas, as he was concentrating on his fight for the class win in Group 1. Roger Stanford and Dave Nixon were on the front row, but it was David Howard, in his Escort RS2000 rather than Jaguar XJ12, who got the best start, heading the field into Old Hall. David held his lead through Cascades while behind him the field was sorting itself out. Roger Stanford was two car lengths behind in second, then Dave Nixon (Mazda RX3) with Neil glued to his boot lid having come up from the fifth row.

Unusually Steve Primett (Escort RS2000) hadn't got away very well, slipping back and then getting squeezed onto the grass at Cascades, suffering damage to his front wing. By the time Steve had everything sorted out John Wright, Mark Lucock, Tony Crudgington and Simon Kinsey had all gone by. Simon had started from the back of the grid after gearbox problems, going back home, which was close by, to change the unit in order to race.

Up at the front David's glory was short lived. Roger out accelerated the Escort out of the Island Hairpin, powering the BMW by just before he slowed for the chicane. Then Dave Nixon got past at Old Hall at the start of the second lap and they went down the hill in the order Stanford - Nixon - Howard - Bray. This is the way it stayed to the end. Neil first loosing touch with David but pulling very close on the last lap when the hard worked Escort started a misfire.

Behind the leading quartet came the other battling foursome, with Steve Primett just behind them. Initially headed by John Wright (Escort RS2000), with Mark Lucock (Escort RS2000), Tony Crudgington (Triumph Dolomite Sprint) and a fast recovering Simon Kinsey (Escort RS2000) in close attendance. Tony soon passed Mark, then they both got by John at Cascades around the third lap. They were followed by Steve who had overtaken Simon, who was slipping back with engine problems.

Tony had some issues about half way through the race, allowing Mark and John to pass him before pulling in to retire with collapsed front suspension. Earlier we had lost Steven Young whose Mini went back on the trailer after qualifying eleventh; Ian Clark, who couldn't start in his Capri after dropping a valve in qualifying; Mark Osborne who stopped his Triumph Dolomite Sprint just after the start and Roger Bowman who retired his Jaguar Mk1 on the second lap. Len Allgood was struggling with the gear linkage on his spare Escort, finishing just behind Simon Kinsey and looking forward to returning with his blue car.

Tony Crates was another retirement when he nudged the barrier at Old Hall to the detriment of his front end. Tony had been leading James Christie in class D. Although James had already secured the class win in the championship. James finished behind Keith Calver who had a spectacular race, drifting his Mini through the corners in fine style.

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Group 1

David Thomas Secures Second Championship Class Win

Stacy Vickers headed pole sitter Brian Stevens into the first corner. Brian stayed tucked in behind and by lap three was in front and started to pull away. As the race progressed the heavy car took its toll on the tyres and the handling went. This allowed Stacy Vickers to outbrake Brian into Old Hall on lap 7. For a while Brian was able to retake the lead around the back of the circuit but towards the end he couldn't manage this when the tyres deteriorated even further, handing the victory to the Mazda.

Behind the leading duo came the three battling class C cars of Roger Stanford (BMW 2002), Steve Primett, making a rare Group 1 appearance with his Mk1 Escort RS2000, and Steve Cripps in his Mk2 Escort. David Thomas was next, sixth overall but more importantly first in class B, securing the Grp1/PHTC class double. Both Dave and class challenger Jim McLouglin gave it everything, each spinning off and continuing during the race. At the end they both had smiles on their faces and Jim was the first to warmly congratulate Dave on his achievement.

Neil had a an uneventful race. He made a good start, getting past the Capri's of David Margalies and Martin West on the line and holding them off for most of the first lap until they swept past. The Fiesta handled much better than in qualifying after Jade spotted the bolts holding the strut to the back-plate were loose! Even so Neil wasn't able to match the pace of Don Hughes. Steve Barber wasn't able to start when a drive shaft let go on the way to the grid. Not a great day for Steve as the XR3 had gone onto two in qualifying when a stud came out of the manifold.

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Oulton Park Circuit