Category: Race Reports

CLASSIC 2CV RACING CHAMPIONSHIP – MALLORY PARK

Former 2CV Champion Pete Sparrow continued his unbeaten run so far this season, with another double victory at Mallory Park.

It was Nick Crispin that started the opening race from pole however, having out qualified Kris Tovey by only 0.008 secs, with Sparrow and Nick Roads completed the second row of a 17 car grid.

Sparrow wasn’t originally entered, “I had been working on our other car and just forgot. The fuelling was all wrong too, so I had to best guess it for the race,” he explained.

Sparrow shot clear on the opening lap still, and was already a second up on his rivals by the end of the first tour. “I was right behind Nick Crispin through Gerards from the start and got him as we exited onto the Stebbe Striaght,” he added.

Crispin was still second, from Tovey, Nick Roads, Martin Riman and Sandro Proietti all in close formation, but as Sparrow continued to pull clear, the battle behind became more and more intensified.

Tovey took Crispin for second on lap four, while Proietti and Roads swapped for fourth, with Riman and David O’Keeffe running line astern behind. “Pete was off at the front and I was in the group six, all drafting and trading places,” said Roads.

Over the next few laps the changes came thick and fast, with Tovey starting to lose out. On lap seven Riman was into second, before Crispin took both Riman and Roads a lap later, after they had gone into Gerards as one with O’Keeffe, only to run wide onto the grass as they all tried to avoid contact.

By the end of lap 12 it was still any one from six, with Sparrow almost home and dry.  “While they were all fighting I got away from them all,” he admitted.

O’Keeffe had climbed to second, but behind Crispin had lost four places, as Roads, Riman and Proietti had all got by.

The final winning margin for dominant Sparrow was 1.4 secs over Roads, “I just managed to get David through the Esses to clinch second place,” said Roads, with O’Keefe having to settle for third from lap 12.

Riman led home the chasing group from Proietti and Crispin, all covered by only 0.161 secs, while Tovey tailed off to take a solitary seventh. Julie Walford was eighth, with Michael Fox and Simon Turner completing the top 10.

It was Tovey and Crispin sharing the front row of the grid for race two, with Sparrow back in fifth. Crispin had the first lap advantage, with Tovey and Luca Proietti running nose tail, just ahead of Roads, Sparrow and O’Keeffe.

Tovey made his move on the second lap and pulled out a brief lead, as Crispin battled to hold off Sparrow and Proietti, after they had swapped and shaken off Roads and O’Keeffe. “It seems to be between me, Kris Tovey and Nick Crispin for second in most races now, but this season has been the cleanest,” said Proietti.

The sort outs continued as Proietti headed the battle for second, with Crispin slipping fourth behind Sparrow, while in fifth O’Keeffe had taken Roads too. “I was in another group of six for the first few laps, but then Luca and Kris Tovey got away and Pete Sparrow was clear again, and I didn’t make much progress after that,” Roads admitted,

Once Sparrow had breached Proietti’s defence, Tovey’s lead was soon under threat and on lap five both had got by with Tovey down to third, but all three still within 0.5 secs. “I had a few more cars around me in that one, so just had to take my time,” said Sparrow.

A lap earlier Crispin had dropped to fifth behind O’Keeffe, but claimed it back briefly, but not before Roads joined in too.

As Sparrow’s lead slowly grew, Proietti and Tovey had stayed close and on lap eight they swapped, which increased Sparrow’s lead to 0.753 secs.

Tovey had closed in on the lead again and left Proietti solo in third, but with a lap to go Tovey made a mistake, which not only trebled Sparrow’s lead, but left his second place under threat from Proietti again. “I had worked together with Kris but made a mistake at the Hairpin and dropped off the tow,” Proietti admitted.

Sparrow’s winning margin was 1.859 secs, but it was Proietti in second, with Tovey losing out on the last lap with a loosening undertray. “I think Kris made one too many moves at Gerards and fell back, so I reeled him in and got a run on the Stebbe Straight on the last lap for second place,” said Proietti.

O’Keeffe and Roads’ duel had also split to a solitary fourth and fifth, while it was another nine seconds before sixth placed Crispin took the flag.

Fox was next home, while Turner claimed a late eighth at Matthew Hollis’ expense, with Aubrey Brocklebank completing the top 10.

So it now the countdown to the annual 24hr race at Snetterton – August Bank Holiday Saturday and Sunday.

Former multiple 2CV Champion Pete Sparrow continued his winning streak, with a double win at Brands Hatch.

Sparrow had taken pole position by 0.905 secs from Nick Crispin, who was just 0.064 secs up on Sandro Proietti, who was out in Nick Roads car. But sharing the second row was Sandro’s son Luca, the first time they have raced against each other.

Kris Tovey and David O’Keeffe shared the third row, with Martin Riman and Mick Storey next up, before Chris Yates and Simon Turner rounded off the top 10 in the 21 car grid.

From lights out the top four made a break on the opening lap, with Sparrow joined by Crispin, Luca Proietti and Tovey. Even they started to spread a little over the next couple of laps, with Tovey taking Proietti Junior for third on lap three. But Sandro had been slow away and slipped to ninth by the end of the opening lap.

O’Keeffe had led the initial pursuit of the lead quartet, from Riman, Matthew Hollis, Storey and Proietti Senior, until he lost three places as Riman, Storey and Hollis all went by, with the latter duo exchanging too.

Sparrow’s lead continued to grow and grow, but second had developed into a great battle between Tovey, Crispin and Luca.

It had been three abreast for most of the lap, with Proietti just hanging back. But on the run up to Druids on lap five he seized his chance, taking both places in one move as Tovey slipped back to fourth behind Crispin.

While Sparrow eased his way home to a comfortable win, Tovey was back in second from lap seven as they exited Paddock Hill Bend and started to consolidate, only for Crispin to  close again, having edged ahead of Luca.

They had been three abreast yet again through into Graham Hill Bend on lap eight, but as Luca tried to regain third from Crispin, he ran wide through the gravel at Clearways and was out of contention.

With Luca out of the equation Crispin was clear to concentrate on his challenge on Tovey for second, and on lap 10 he made his move which finally stuck, before pulling out 0.485 secs on his rival.

Tovey was still a clear third, but had been gained on considerably by the recovering Luca in the final laps.

Despite a visit through the gravel at Clearways on lap seven, Sandro fought his way into fifth from lap eight, while in sixth Riman just managed to keep Storey at bay as he had for the entire race.

O’Keeffe had little to spare in eighth as Marc Grasby threatened, both closely followed by Hollis and Chris Yates as they took the flag to round off the top 10.

 

The second race had to be restarted after Max Wyer had rolled at Paddock Hill Bend, but initially Crispin had got the jump on Sparrow as the lights went out, with everyone else in second.

Sparrow was just as unbeatable from the restart but it was a great scrap for second. Crispin just led Tovey, Sandro and O’Keeffe, but Luca had run wide and onto the grass at Clearways once more and was playing catch up again.

At the end of the opening lap Crispin headed the chase from Tovey, Sandro Proietti and O’Keeffe, but on lap three Tovey got by again into Paddock as the four-car train headed up to Druids.

Sandro began his push for second, but was having to defend from O’Keeffe. He made it past Crispin but Tovey was still second.

The battle ahead had also allowed Luca to rejoin the scrap, after his earlier excursion and he picked off O’Keeffe into Paddock for fifth on lap seven.

Luca’s pace then made it four abreast into Druids, he went in fifth and came out second momentarily before Tovey and Crispin retook.

The duel for third had allowed Tovey some respite, but Luca was determined to retake Crispin, as they both closed on Tovey again.

Luca was third into Druids on lap 10, but it ended in tears when there was contact with Crispin into Graham Hill Bend, sending both wide onto the grass.

Sparrow’s solitary race was totally dominant, taking his second win of the day by over 12 seconds from Tovey.

As Luca’s front wing came adrift, he limped home in sixth, which had left Crispin clear to secure third and reduce Tovey advantage in second to only 0.357 secs.

Sandro had also closed in and was right with Crispin at the flag, while O’Keeffe lost the tow in closing laps but came home a solid fifth.

Storey and Grasby held station for most of the race in seventh and eighth, while Hollis claimed a late ninth from Yates, with three laps to go.

It’s a long gap to the next round now due to the cancellation of the Pembrey rounds. So look forward to August 1^st and Mallory Park.

Full results: TSL

Video of races: Race 1, Race 2

Former 2CV Racing Champion Pete Sparrow proved unbeatable at Cadwell Park, taking two dominant victories after starting from pole position.

There was an excellent 20 car grid for the season’s opening round and it was clear after qualifying, that Sparrow was going to be the man to beat again. Kris Tovey, Sandro Proietti and Lien Davies were the top four on the grid for race one, with Luca Proietti, Tovey and Nick Crispin following Sparrow in the second

From lights out in race one it was Sparrow in command, with Crispin, Sandro Proietti and Tovey contesting second.

Behind them David O’Keeffe lost three early places, with Martin Riman and Matthew Hollis moving up, demoting Lien Davies on the second lap.

“I had a few suspension issues, and we were bedding in a new engine, but I wasn’t getting that top end for straightline speed,” O’Keeffe explained.

Proietti successfully ousted Crispin a lap later, with Tovey poised to follow. But Crispin held on for another two laps before he was forced to surrender.

By the end of lap five Sparrow’s lead was 1.641 secs and as the duel for second intensified, they continued holding steady the gap to the lead too.

There were constant exchanges between Proietti and Tovey though, but it was Tovey who was ahead onto the last lap.”We had worked together for a few laps and then had our own agenda. I finally got him back at the Gooseneck, but it was really tight,” Proietti explained.

Crispin retained a safe but solitary fourth, “it started OK but then lost performance after I had run wide at Charlies. Sandro got me at the Mountain and Kris at the end of Park Straight, so I was on my own after that,” he said.

Riman and O’Keeffe shared a few exchanges too, which allowed Hollis to join them. “The top four had gone, so I settled down with O’Keeffe and then we caught Riman,” Hollis explained, with only 0.393 secs covering all three at the flag.

Davies had lost ground early on, but was out after three laps in a dramatic retirement. “I had a reasonable start but couldn’t hang on, then it started bottoming out. I wasn’t fast enough and they just drove passed me. Then into Coppice the rear end got away and swung into a pirouette on the grass, but as I came across Nick Roads arrived at full tilt and we were both out.” he explained.

Chris Yates, Simon Turner and Julie Walford completed the top 10, the latter one of a number with carburettor jet issues.

Luke Wos was 11^th and behind him Chris Hall just held off Nigel Hollis. Michael Fox and Andi Donaldson went the distance too, while Ronald Mears, Mick Storey and Richard Knight were all a lap down.

For the second race it was Luca in the Proietti car, Steve Panas in Team Gadget’s repaired car and Aubrey Brocklebank in for Riman.

It was Proietti that led through Coppice though, before Sparrow took charge again, with Tovey and Crispin the early top four.

The lead began to grow fairly rapidly, with second place becoming a duel again between Proietti and Tovey.

Crispin was clear in fourth, but couldn’t live with the top three, while behind him Hollis had dropped behind Storey and O’Keeffe.

Sparrow built his lead and just held the gap, as the second place duel continued, with Tovey getting ahead for the first time on lap six. From there it was a constant exchange over the remaining laps, as they edged back towards Sparrow too.

But Sparrow took win number two with ease. “A good weekend and another clean start. It was the carburettor settings that made all the difference and a really good set up which all paid off for us,” said the double victor.

As in race one, Tovey started the last lap in second place. “I was quicker in some places and Luca in others, so fairly well matched. I was better through the Gooseneck, but overall happy with that,” said Tovey.

But it was Proietti who got the verdict, leaving Tovey to settle for third again. “Out of Park and into Chris Curve I made my move, as I could see yellow flags at the Gooseneck and knew I had to get by before them. I went for the inside and just made it, brilliant,” he explained.

Although Crispin was a solid fourth again, he continued to struggle. “It wouldn’t go around the Gooseneck and I just couldn’t stay anywhere near those top three. Then I had to slow towards the end just to stay on the track, after being shown the naughty flag,” he said.

O’Keeffe, Storey and Hollis stayed in virtual formation for the whole race, taking the flag line astern for fifth. “The car felt better than in the first race, but Mick did well to hold on to me, and he even tried to get me at Park,” said O’Keeffe.

Roads also had a fairly solitary run in eighth, having eased clear of Yates early on. Marc Grasby had reeled in Panas for 10^th and then by the end of lap eight they had both caught Yates too.

A lap later Panas had crashed out and Grasby was through to clinch ninth, leaving Yates to complete the top 10.

Turner was 11^th, while in 12th Roy Eastwood just kept Hall at bay, with Nigel Hollis close too.

Donaldson went the distance again, with Mears and Knight a lap down and apart from Panas, Brocklebank and Fox were also retirements.

The next round of the Championship is at Brands hatch on June 5^th/6th

Full results: TSL

Multiple Champion and 2CV Racing Legend Pete Sparrow, won both races as the short but entertaining season came to a close at Mallory Park.

Lien Davies had led th     e field through on the hectic opening lap, from Alec Graham, Sandro Proietti, Sparrow and James Dartiailh.

But in an immediate reshuffle Graham and Proietti both ousted Davies, with Sparrow down to fifth behind Dartiailh.

The changes continued as a four car break began to appear, with Davies reclaiming the lead for a while, before surrendering to Sparrow on lap six.

“When Alec started to drop back it became a real dog fight, but Pete Sparrow got to the front and went for it,” said Davies.

Nick Roads had joined in with Davies and Graham, but Proietti had hit trouble on lap three and fell well down the order. “I had trouble in qualifying, so was coming back through and when Sandro lost the rear and went off at Gerards, that helped me,” said Roads.

“I had got up to second into the Esses, but was too quick into Gerards, the rear end went loose and I fell off,” Proietti admitted.

Dartiailh had also lost ground, but fought his way back passed Glen Oswin and Mick Storey into fifth, before demoting early leader Graham on lap eight.

Back at the front Sparrow and Roads had managed to break the tow, leaving Davies a solitary third. “I should been able to hang on, but my steering rack was worn and the front wheels wobbled, but I thought I was safe in third,” Davies added.

Dartiailh’s charge had continued however, and he began to reel in Davies and on lap 14 he was through, but couldn’t consolidate his newly earned place. So it was Davies that finally claimed the place into the Hairpin on the last lap, well adrift of leaders Sparrow and Roads.

“I had the pace to stay with Pete but not to overtake him,” Roads added.

Oswin managed to take Graham for fifth on lap 15, while Storey was on his own in seventh. The recovering Proietti, David O’Keeffe and Nigel Hollis rounded off the top 10.

It was Davies to the fore again at the start of the second race, with Sparrow, Proietti, Graham, Nick Crispin and Roads in formation behind. Initially though Storey and Graham had been up there, until Storey had a touch, lost it and dropped to seventh.

But on the second lap Sparrow managed to not only get the lead, but started to make a decisive break as Luca Proietti, Davies, the recovering Graham and Roads all contested second place. “There was quite a bit of contact and Alec tapped Luca and dislodged his wing,” said Davies.

Proietti and Graham briefly got away in second, with Davies trying to hold on, while in fifth Roads and Crispin were duelling too.

As Sparrow’s lead grew, the second place duel allowed Davies to join in again and on lap six he had passed them both.

But Davies’ moment only lasted a lap, as both Proietti and Graham retook took him to continue their private duel.

The fifth place battle managed to close in on Davies, but he fought back to rejoin the second place scrap again, but this time took Roads and Crispin with him.

It was all change again on lap nine though, with Davies falling to sixth, as Crispin had found a way passed both him and Roads.

By the end of lap 10 Sparrow’s lead was over three seconds, but only 0.144 secs split Proietti and Graham.

Davies was out though, which left Crispin and Roads to fight over fourth, promoting Oswin and Storey into the fight for sixth.

“I had gone across the Esses with Nick’s Crispin and Roads and then the car wouldn’t turn in at the Hairpin, so I limped back to the paddock,” Davies explained.

With Sparrow safely on his way to his second win of the day, all eyes were on the fight for second, with Graham back ahead of Proietti from lap 12.

With three laps left Roads had sneaked back ahead of Crispin yet again, as both caught the second place fight. “Nick missed a gear at the Hairpin and we had both been across the Esses. We lost a bit of ground but caught up again,” Roads explained.

Proietti joined the casualty list, having been ignoring a black and orange flag, which then became black. His wing had been flapping for most of the race after contact from Graham, so it became a three-car battle to settle the podium places.

Sparrow had backed off but still had 2.224 secs in hand, while only 0.643 secs covered the next three, with Graham just holding on from Roads and Crispin.

Oswin was fifth after pipping Storey a lap from home, with Roy Eastwood, Patrick Cobb, debutant Luke Wos and Nigel Hollis completing the top six.

When all the points were totalled it was Alec Graham that was crowned 2020 Champion.

WINGROVE/MWR RACING QUARTET TAKE THE HONOURS

The numbers may have been down on last year, with the European visitors unable to make the trip, but the atmosphere and competitiveness were as strong as ever, despite the weather.

Wingrove/MWR’s Euro Hybrid with Peter Dalkin at the wheel was straight into an early duel with Alex Osborne’s AP Motorsport Mini, but it was Osborne that had a 6.661secs after the opening hour, a lead halved by the appearance of the safety car, when Chris Yates went straight on at Riches in the Blueberry Muffins car.

After Osborne had taken charge, Dalkin was straight into a second duel with Team Toyshed’s Chris Slade.

The rest of the top six was made up of Mini’s too, with Slarky Malarky’s Neil Slark, Team Mini-Uns Ashley Shelswell and Lyford Racing, before Pete Sparow led the Classic 2CV class for Team 2CV Lion, well up on Brian Heerey’s Crisis at Tete Rouge car.

The rain was getting heavier but from the green flag Dalkin was back ahead again into Riches, as Slade closed on Osborne for second.

Further down the order a great scrap was developing between Lien Davies (Team ECAS), Marcus Burnett’s GR Racing and DD Motorsport’s Kris Tovey.

But after the second hour Dalkin was a lap clear of Osborne, despite having a spin at Coram as Slark and Slade continued to duel for third, with Team Mini-Uns closing too.

Team 2CV Lion had climbed to sixth overall, but there were three more Mini’s on the leaderboard before Heerey’s 2CV in second place.

Davies had broken away for ECAS in for third in class too, with James Northfield’s Twin Snails completing the class top four.

Most of the first planned stops came in the third hour, but the MWR Wingrove car was still a lap clear, as the APO, Slarky Malarky and Team Toyshed Mini’s battled for the overall podium.

“It was very slippery, I kept going around the outside of the Hybrid but he powered back ahead on the straights, then the safety car kept closing us up too,” said second placed Osborne.

But some had problems already, “we had to make an early stop when a wheel bearing broke,” said Rosie Racing’s Julie Walford.

“I did three 3hrs and 20mins, had two spins and an excursion, but waited for the safety car before pitting and it didn’t appear,” Davies explained.

Both Blueberry cars had problems too, “at the first corner the car in front braked hard I lifted and spun,” said the Tarts Jessica Owen.

“My first stop was at the yellow flag when the Tarts spun, then a penalty for overtaking when I was just regaining the place taken off me,” added Muffins Chris Yates.

The Mini’s were still starring with APO’s Kieren McDonald second, from Ben Butler’s Slarky Malarky car, Toyshed’s Elliot Stafford and Mini-Uns Ade Tuckley, before in sixth was the leading 2CV for Team 2CV Lion and Alec Graham.

Crisis @ Tete Rouge were still in second, from ECAS and Twin Snails, but with the rain continuing to fall darkness came early.

Into the night Matthew Cobb put together a string of sub 2 minute laps to build the MW /Wingrove lead. With Mark Waghorn and David O’Keefe sharing to, they were seven laps ahead into Sunday morning.

The Mini duel for second had continued but it was Slarky Malarky now ahead of APO, after Lee Poolman encountered a misfire, with Mini-Uns next up and the 2CV Lion squad fifth overall, from Crisis @Tete Rouge and Twin Snails now third in class after a charge from Paul Rowland. “I am bloody good I am, and Alec got a great slide on trying to pass me on the inside at Coram,” said Rowland.

Toyshed had dropped well down though after a problem. “A bolt came out of the bracket for the clutch and it flexed rather than change gear,” Michael Dryden explained.

But as dawn approached Slarky Malarky had a two lap lead with MW Wingrove six laps off second placed APO after a number of overnight problems. “The crank sensor, the throttle cable and lots of other bits,” they explained.

Mini-Uns were still fourth and 2CV Lion fifth, with Crisis @ Tete Rouge still second in the 2CV class from Twin Snails and DD Motorsport.

Just before 7am there were more dramas, as MWR/Wingrove slowed again and headed for the pits and APO were in with a snapped fan belt.

Slarky Malarky’s quartet of Neil and Ian Slark with Ben Butler and Steve Miles continued to lead the way, but despite their problems MWR/Wingrove were back in charge into the 20^th hour.

They had another throttle cable breakage and had to be towed in. So Waghorn replaced Dalkin for a short stint before Cobb brought it to the flag and sealed victory.

Ian Slark handed to Neil for the final Slarky Malarky stint. “This was when we start hearing things,” Ian admitted.

Team Mini-Uns were third after APO had a two lap tow back penalty after running out of fuel, “Ade Tuckley did two night stints, but we weren’t brave enough in the dark,” Mini-Uns Shelswell admitted.

The Lyford quartet of James and Nick with Alan Evans and Tim Harber were fifth, but there was a dramatic finale to the 2CV class and sixth overall.

Sparrow had taken over from O’Keefe at about 7.15am, but just before 10am he pitted with concern over a front wheel. He rejoined but was soon back in changing the front hub assembly. “I still heard a noise maybe a rear bearing, then it went away and I just got on with it. I decided to stop worrying unless a wheel fell off,” he reckoned.

Their problem gave Crisis @Tete Rouge the class lead, with Twin Snails second, but with Heerey at the wheel, they had a late crisis with two hours left, when a front steering arm broke at Coram.

So Sparrow/Graham/O’Keeffe were back in front and claimed another win, but Crisis @Tete Rouge’s Heerey/Nick Roads/Sandro Proietti and Ian Gibbon were still a clear second, with Martin Riman, Aubrey Brocklebank, Northfield and Rowland completing the class podium for Twin Snails.

DD Motorsport’s Nick Crispin/James Dartiailh/Tovey and Sean Sidley completed the top 10 overall for fourth in class, followed by ECAS, GR Racing, Hollis Motorsport and Jelly Snake.

Rally racers had been up to second in class after some sterling work from Freddie Martin-Dye and Dan Willan. “It was going great until it broke, I think I passed every car twice,” said Martin-Dye.

All 21 cars that started took the flag in some form, some as they had started and some rather modified.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Racing was back in style at Cadwell Park, with action throughout the 2CV field before Alec Graham and Luca Proietti shared the victory spoils.

Graham had started from pole and led through Coppice on the opening lap, from Matthew Hollis and Sandro Proietti, before Lien Davies surged through into second as they arrived at Park.

By the end of the opening lap Davies was pressing Graham for the lead, leaving Hollis and Proietti to dispute third from Brian Heerey, Nick Crispin and Mick Storey.

While the lead duel intensified, Proietti made it into third on lap two and broke clear, while both Crispin and Storey edged out Heerey.
It was soon a five-car train for fourth place, as Hollis slipped into the battle and Crispin went to the fore.

The duel for the lead however had allowed Proietti to join in, but as he started to threaten Davies, Graham took the opportunity to make an escape.
But this only spurred Davies on and he snatched the lead for a lap, before Graham fought back, while all the time Proietti lay in wait.

Hollis’ challenge continued to fade and after six laps the top six had split into two three-car battles. It was Graham still with the advantage, but Proietti had ousted Davies, while behind them Crispin was just holding off Storey and Hollis, before a gap to Glenn Oswin, Richard Hollis-Brown and Michael Fox.

Proetti has his eyes on the lead though, he chased Graham into Charlies on lap seven, as Davies fell back. Two laps later Proietti was ahead out of Barn, only for Graham to surge back in front at Coppice as they started the last lap, sealing his round one victory by only 0.172 secs.

“That was my Pete Sparrow tactics, don’t lead onto the last lap and everything seemed OK,” said the victorious Graham.

But Proietti was so close in the closing laps, having succeeded in dropping Davies’ challenge. “Alec was so together, but I made sure he knew I was there,” Proietti added.

Davies was still clear in third but had struggled from mid-race. “We had a spare engine in this weekend, I got the lead but after a little push from Sandro at Park I lost the tow,” he explained.

Despite not being happy with his new car, Crispin had held onto fourth for most of the race, but after Storey and Heerey had shared a couple of exchanges, they both made it passed on the final lap.

Storey took the flag in fourth, with Heerey only 0.320 secs behind, as Crispin was left to complete the top six. “That was fine, very enjoyable,” said Storey. “I lacked grunt and found it hard to keep up,” Heerey added. “It’s just not right, that’s everything,” Crispin concluded.

Hollis had also struggled for pace and settled in seventh, leaving Oswin, Hollis-Brown and Fox to round off the top 10. Aubrey Brocklebank, Chris Hall, Chris Yates and Andi Donaldson completed the finishes, with Nigel Hollis the only retirement.

Although Luca Proietti had pole for the second race, once again it was Graham setting the early pace, with Storey heading the pursuit.
Proietti had slipped into second on lap two and led out of Barn, as the lead trio started to put daylight between them and their rivals, who had Davies, Hollis, Heerey and Crispin in contention.

Storey then briefly nosed ahead too, but the swaps and changes had allowed the whole of the top seven to close up.

It was a big reshuffle on lap four as Graham hit the front, from Davies, Proietti, Storey, Heerey, Crispin and Hollis, before Heerey made it into fourth at the Mountain a lap later.

Proietti had fought back into second and had started to attack for Graham’s lead again, while Storey was back in third from Crispin, as Davies fell back and Heerey was missing in action. “I had a clash with Lien, we both arrived at the corner at the same time,” said Heerey. “Brian took me off,” Davies reckoned?

While it was down to Graham and Proietti for the lead, third was still any one from three, with Storey, the recovering Davies and Crispin, while Hollis was doing his best to hold on.

Going over the Mountain for the penultimate time it was almost side by the time they reached Hall Bends, but Graham kept the door firmly shut. But Proietti was still fighting and his persistence finally paid off.

“Timed to perfection, I got him through Mansfield after he got a bit loose at the Gooseneck. I backed off and just got him down the inside under braking and then just kept the door shut,” Proietti explained after his lap success.

“One mistake, just too deep into the Gooseneck, but I thought I had it. Brilliant race though,” Graham added after taking the flag 0.968secs adrift.

Storey claimed a late third from Davies. “Just brilliant, but I nearly got caught up in Lien and Brian’s incident too,” he said.

Crispin followed Davies home in fifth, “better but not brilliant,” he reckoned, “I just had no power uphill and had to monster it just to try and catch up,” Hollis added.

Martin Riman settled in seventh from lap six, from Oswin, while Nigel Hollis survived a tank slapper on the Mountain crest for ninth, leaving Yates to complete the top 10.

Donaldson, Hall and Fox were the final finishers, after Heerey and Hollis-Brown retired.

The next outing for the Championship will be the annual 24h hour race at Snetterton on August Bank Holiday 29th/30th, possibly the only chance to do a 24hour race in the UK this year.

TEAM GADGET TRIO TAKE THE WIN, BUT IT’S ANOTHER TITLE FOR SPARROW.

It all started so well for Pete Sparrow and 2CV Team Lion 1, leading from the opening lap with team mates Team Lion 2’s Patrick Mason taking second on lap seven from Tete Rouge Crisis’ Brian Heerey.

But Sparrow had problems and lost his advantage, finishing the opening hour in third, behind Tete Rouge Crisis and Beacon Downe.

The Tete Rouge quartet of Heerey, Nick Roads, Ian Gibbon and Sandro Proietti and held sway until the fifth hour, when having shared the car with Sparrow, David O’Keeffe and Alec Graham were back into the lead, from Team Gadget, with Tete Rouge down to third.

All three stayed in the podium places for the next four hours, but reaching midnight it was Tete Rouge on top by 0.259 secs over from Team Gadget, with Team Lion 1 down in third.

Although Rosie racing were next they were four laps adrift, while Team Twin Snails and GS Racing completed the top six.

From 2am though Tom Perry, Simon Clarke and Lien Davies took charge and started to consolidate their advantage. “We had lost time though with blocked jets though when I was leading and lost out again for a while,” said Perry.

But what of Team Lion 1 woes, after setting the early pace? “I led again but had a problem with points. It upset the timing and we had to change the engine,” said Graham.

“I was on the lead lap in third too and wanted to work with our second car. But they pitted almost out of fuel,” O’Keeffe added.

At half distance though Team Gadget had a lap in hand over Tete Rouge, but it was GS Racing into third, with Nick Crispin, Marc Nordon and Hames Dartiailh a further eight laps down. “I had started the race for the first time, but crashed into Glen Oswin when I ran out of brakes at the Hairpin, then had to adjust the carburettor after four laps,” said GS lead driver Crispin.

Rosie Racing had moved up to fourth, but were now 10 laps off the class lead. “I had started but had to pit when I couldn’t get second gear, then it just got worse and we had to stop for Steve to welded it,” Julie Walford explained,

In fifth Twin Snails had problems too, “James Northfield had started for us, but we had a throttle spring break during the night, but doing Ok,” said Martin Riman.

Last year’s winners Beacon Downe had been had started well but problems soon arrived for them too, Richard Gardner had to pit with overheating brakes and Louis Tyson had a gear linkage break during one of his stints, along with other less major problems.

Over the next three hours Team Gadget extended their advantage over Tete Rouge to three laps. “Simon always starts for us, its tradition. Fuelling was horrendous though and went badly through the night, we changed the jets but our afr wasn’t working so we had to check the plugs,” Davies explained.

“It had been going Ok I got the lead for us, handed it over and got it back within laps, but we can’t stay there,” Heerey replied.

With numerous engine changes and a variety of other problems, the order was still far from settled when dawn broke.

The gap between the leaders had been reduced to two laps, by 8am, with GS still a clear third over, Twin Snails, Rosie and Beacon Downe, but Team Lion 1 were closing.

Two hours later Tete Rouge had taken back one lap and despite Davies bringing the lead car in with a puncture in the 20^th hour, the lead was still a lap.

But Sparrow and Graham were flying for Team Lion 1. Rosie Racing had lost out to Beacon Downe, Twin Snails and Team Lion, leaving the latter looking for a podium still at least.

Sparrow took the Twin Snails car for fifth around Coram, before Beacon Downe’s looked turned again when Gardner pitted with a broken engine mount and a bladeless fan, handing to Peter Rundle while it was repaired.

The 21^st hour brought up lap 600 and Tete Rouge managed to lead again, but only for one lap.

Clarke had been out for Team Gadget and made his final stop with 1 ¾ hrs on the clock, handing to Perry to bring the car home. “We have put our lightweight driver in and it’s now his to lose,” said Clarke.

It was a clear run to the flag for the Gadget trio, a repeat of the team’s last win in the 24hrs 11 years ago. “There wasn’t that much between me and Brian, but cannot thank Wayne and the other boys enough for this win, fantastic,” said Perry after taking the flag one lap clear.

“I tried as hard as I could, but couldn’t close that gap and hit the Beacon Downe car too, so had to pit again for the wing to be pulled out,” said second placed Tete Rouge Crisis’ Heerey.

O’Keeffe managed to get Team Lion 1 back on the podium in the penultimate hour at Crispin’s expense. “I was sniffing exhaust fumes for the last two hours though,” Crispin explained after brining GS Racing home fourth.

Beacon Downe still made it home fifth, aided by a late problem for Twin Snails. Riman came in for the last stop and needed an engine change before Northfield tookover, but he still held onto a well-deserved sixth.

Frog Racing were seventh, while Rosie Racing, Team ECAS and Blueberry Muffins completed the top 10.

Last minute Racing were one of the first to have problems, “Jim McDougall started and we knew we were in trouble when we had to change the engine after one lap, “said Mike Marais after many more changes throughout the 24hrs.

Iceni and 2CV Vision with SSR both completed more engine changes than your local garage in a month too, while the Hollis family managed an air filter fire and father Nigel tipping over in a cabbage field.

Just to finish things off Blueberry Tarts Shirley Hennessy lost a wheel in the closing laps and GR Racing’s Simon Glenn was stuck in gear at Murrays and had to get out and had to be pushed across the finish line.

BNLL TAKE OVERALL SPOILS

Four Euro cars made it to Snetterton to race in the Euro Class for 24hrs, but after only a few laps their numbers were reduced when the open topped Burton was out after 14 laps with an engine failure.

The BNLL car of Michel Crespin, Mehdi-Rik Boucherau, Philippa Denis and Claude Crespin led from the second hour, after the second team car had led initially, but finished four laps down after a crash at Riches, cost them a three laps tow back penalty.

CGS Racing Team were still classified third, despite not running at the finish.

In the Mini’s it was a win for Slarky Malarky’s Neil and Ian Slark with Ben Butler and Steve Miles.

Having finished the first hour in fourth, they led from the fourth hour and took the win and third overall by nine laps from Team Toyshed, with No Sleep til Sunday retaining third, despite a roll.

GRAHAM & SPARROW TAKE THE SPOILS IN BRANDS EPICS

It was probably one of the most competitive 2CV Racing weekends ever at Brands Hatch, with defending Champion Pete Sparrow and former Champions Alec Graham and Lien Davies locked in combat throughout both races.

Sparrow had the first lap lead in race one from pole, with Davies, Graham, Brian Heerey, Marc Grasby and Nick Crispin the initial top six.

But with Katy Storey rolling, the safety car was out on lap two, but almost caught out Heerey and Grasby who went into Druids side by side. “We were with the lead bunch and I didn’t see yellow flags, then I saw the cars in front almost stopping and went onto the grass when I hit the brakes,” said Heerey. “I had got Nick Crispin and Martin Riman at the start, saw the crash but not the flags, and tried a do or die on Brian into Druids,” Grasby added.

After three laps the green flag was out and both Sparrow and Davies got away again, with Graham back to make it three from lap six. Crispin was also on the move, retaking Grasby for fifth, before ousting Heerey to a lap later.

“I had missed the restart, so Marc got away and I had to work hard to get him back and challenge,” said Crispin.

Sparrow had started to increase his lead as Graham and Davies swapped. “I knew Lien was close and watched him and Alec going through Paddock. I was aware of anyone trying the inside at Paddock, but I was concentrating on the corners and they had me for pace on the straights,” Sparrow explained.

But with two laps to go Sparrow was out when a valve broke, leaving Graham to take the win as they reached the flag inches apart, or officially 0.263 secs.

“I didn’t expect to go quite so well, but it wasn’t a bad start and I got two places fairly quickly. I sat behind Pete and Lien and for a while struggled to stay with them, then I got Lien into Graham Hill Bend, but couldn’t have done anything about Pete,” said Graham.

“We were all very respectful and gave each other room, then I stayed behind Alec to try and push us back to Pete’s lead,” Davies replied.

Crispin just held onto third from Heerey, “we couldn’t get near those front ones, but I had to work with Brian to try and close, as well as defending my place from him,” Crispin added. “I didn’t realise it was the last lap though, or might have had a go at him,” said Heerey.

Grasby recorded his best finish to date with fifth. “I was OK then Mick Storey started to come back at me, as I was having trouble staying near the back of the pack ahead. It was a long last lap as Steve Walford and Storey closed in after they swapped at the end,” he said.

Martin Riman followed Storey home in eighth, with Roy Eastwood and Chris Yates completing the top 10.

Sparrow had a change of engine before taking up pole for race two and lost out to Davies and Graham on the opening lap. “It didn’t have the same power though,” Sparrow admitted.
But the safety car was out again after Roy Eastwood had rolled, but Graham had just nipped ahead before the cautionary period started.

After two laps though the race was on again and Sparrow had made it three for the lead, a battle which went right to the flag.

“I really had to work hard for that, it was a fantastic race,” said the victorious Sparrow after he led from lap six, despite losing out on more than one occasion to Graham too.

But Graham had to settle for second this time, “after the green flag Pete was really on the pace, but just like the first race there was absolutely nothing in it. We were three abreast through Paddock again, and the lead could change two or three times in a lap. That then allowed Kris Tovey to close when we were fighting,” said Graham, who was 0.977 secs away from a double victory.

“I just got to the point that I didn’t care who won it, just brilliant to part of it. I tried to win and when Pete got away, I worked with Alec to get back,” said Davies after completing the podium.

Tovey had held fourth throughout and was just over a second away from joining the lead trio. Crispin was fifth after a solitary race, “boring for me really. I could only keep with the first four for a few laps, then dropped back and lost power. “I had a healthy gap to the next group though, so just nursed it home,” Crispin explained.

It was any one from five for sixth however, with Julie Walford, Riman and Grasby all have a taste at the front, along with Mick Storey.

“I was well up at the start, then dropped back into the five car battle. I thought I had a gap but then Mick tried to get around the outside at Paddock on the last lap,” said Grasby as he just held onto sixth place.

Storey was therefore seventh, with Riman, Walford and Nick Roads completing the top 10.

The final round of this year’s Championship is at Snetterton, where the 24 hour race takes place August 16-18.

29 cars made it to Mallory Park for the 30th Anniversary of 2CV Racing.

It was wet for the start of race one and there were dramas from the opening lap. Simon Clarke was first into the Esses, “I was fighting it but there was just no grip at all,” he said after spinning wildly into the escape road. Pete Sparrow was caught up in it too, “I didn’t want to be first into the Esses and you see why. But I was going wider and wider to avoid Simon and ended up in the pitlane,” he added.

With Luca Proietti on the grass to the left, it was Martin Riman that led into the Hairpin, but he went straight on! “I did lead for a few yards though,” he confirmed.

David O’Keeffe emerged as the leader at the end of the lap, with Alec Graham and Matthew Hollis battling for second, followed by Nick Crispin, Steve Walford and Tom Perry.

O’Keeffe started to make a break as Hollis slipped into second, which left Graham under attack from Crispin for third, and Walford duelling with Perry for fifth.

Crispin and Graham shared a couple of exchanges, before Perry grabbed fifth at the Hairpin and as the top four got away again, Crispin started to lose touch.

Back at the front Hollis was on the attack and led into Gerards on lap seven, with Perry following. A lap later it was Perry to the fore, as Hollis and Graham duelled and O’Keeffe looked on.

All the action allowed the recovering Sparrow to close in and when Graham and Hollis both went straight on at Gerards on lap 13, he was into second behind O’Keeffe, with Perry down to third. “Apart from the grassy moment, it was a good tight race, but I could hardly see in the spray, and Gerards arrived a bit earlier than I expected,” said Graham. “I couldn’t see either, but braked in the same place and followed Alec off,” Hollis added.

It came down to three for the lead but O’Keeffe just held on to head Sparrow to the flag. “A very difficult wet race, but up front we at least had some visibility and just looked for the grip,” he explained.

Perry retained third, with Walford claiming a late fourth from Proietti, after both had demoted Crispin. “A few fell over and helped me get up the order and there was a little tangle with Luca as we could hardly see,” said Walford. “My hardest drive ever,” Proietti added.

Hollis finally came home seventh, with Riman, Graham and Nick Roads completing the top 10.

 

It was drizzling again for the second race but Sparrow held the lead from pole into Gerards, from O’Keeffe and Brian Heerey, with Mick Storey taking Crispin for fourth into the Esses.

Heerey was ahead by the end of the opening lap, before O’Keeffe led down the Stebbe Straight, with Sparrow slipping to fifth as the rain started to fall again and it was all change.

O’Keeffe, Heerey and Julie Walford had got away, after Lien Davies pulled off with lost drive. For fourth however it was any one from Crispin, Storey, Richard Hollis and Kris Tovey.

Heerey had the lead but couldn’t break the tow. They shared a couple of exchanges before O’Keeffe made it stick over the closing laps, only to be penalised for a jump start, handing the win to Heerey. “A good race, very slippery though,” said Heerey.

Crispin and Walford enjoyed a great duel for third early on, which stayed in Crispin’s favour from the Hairpin on lap eight. “I had the misfire back again. When it was going it was great though,” said Crispin.
Walford then had a three way fight with Storey and Hollis. Storey had got away but then messed up with a lap to go. “Someone shortened the circuit and I went straight on at the Hairpin.

Hollis and Walford then had exchanges, with Walford ahead at the Esses on the last lap, she tried into challenge Storey too at the Hairpin, but went straight on and handed fifth back to Hollis. “It was whoever had the best corner exit and I struggled to get around the Hairpin,” Walford added.

Sparrow had recovered from a couple of incidents to take fifth on the road, but a jump start penalty dropped him to 10th behind Tovey, Neil Savage and Louis Tyson.

“There was a lot of petrol down so I ran wide at Gerards and then had a spin exiting the Esses too,” Sparrow explained.

 

It was finally dry for the start of the third and final race. Sparrow led Proietti from the start. Perry was second as they exited Gerards for the second time, but the safety car was out and soon followed by red flags.

Chris Yates had spun and been hit by Nigel Hollis into Gerards and Sohrab Padidar-Nazar had gone heavily into the tyre wall.

The restart was over six laps with Sparrow and Proietti wheel to wheel at the start. But as the filed into the Esses for the second time it was six cars as one, as Crispin nosed ahead from Sparrow, Proietti, O’Keeffe, Perry and Julie Walford.

Sparrow was back in front at the Hairpin a lap later, with Proietti still hanging on to him, before the defending champion pulled off at Gerards with a blown engine.

Proietti had the lead but Perry was into second and still under attack from Crispin, O’Keeffe and Walford.

But into the Esses for what became the last lap, Proietti bounced over the grass and dropped to fifth, leaving Perry to claim the win, from O’Keeffe, Walford and Crispin.

Savage had closed too in sixth, while Roads, Graham, Storey and Tovey rounded off the top 10.
“Luca was very fair and gave me just enough room. I managed to look at my watch and saw it was six o’clock, so knew it would be the last lap,” said Perry.

“That was my race for the taking, except for the last lap and they stopped it early,” Proietti replied.

Race 1:

With front row men Pete Sparrow and Nick Crispin both caught napping at the start of the first race, it was Sandro Proietti and Lien Davies that led the initial charge through Coppice.

“I was waiting for another light, then thought I had gone too soon, stopped and everyone seemed to go by,” said Crispin. “I went then bogged down too,” Sparrow added.

Brian Heerey quickly snatched second and then ousted Proietti for the lead as they went through Coppice for the second time.

The top three had managed to ease clear, with Crispin having settled in solitary fourth, until Sparrow began to reign in on him.

The intensity at the front began to increase, with Davies taking Proietti for second at Park, while Sparrow had fourth at Coppice.

Behind them a three car battle had grown for sixth, with Steve Walford, Marc Grasby and Chris Yates nose to tail.

Back at the front it was any one from five, as Sparrow and Crispin had attached themselves to the three-way lead battle. On lap six Davies led through Coppice, with Proietti and Sparrow sharing a couple of exchanges for third.

Sparrow continued to attack and exiting Barn on the seventh lap he was into second. But Davies made it decisive through Hall Bends on the last lap, when he managed to put a backmarker between him and his rivals, to take a 2.567 secs victory.

“I kept looking for Sparrow, expecting a move,” Davies admitted. But the defending champion had to settle for second. “I had sat back at the start but Lien timed it just right,” Sparrow replied.

The final podium place went to Crispin, after both Heerey and Proietti had last lap problems. “The engine went over the Mountain and I had to coast to the flag,” said fourth placed Proietti. “It was a fuel pick up problem, Heerey added after stopping at the Mountain crest.

Walford just kept Yates at bay as they completed the top six, after Grasby had pulled off. “I lost speed and it just cut out,” he explained.

Nigel Hollis just held off Dan Willan for seventh, while Nick Clarke and Aubrey Brocklebank rounded off the top 10.

Race 2:

It was three abreast through Coppice at the start of the second race, as Sparrow led Crispin and Luca Proietti. But Proietti was second as they exited Charlies and led into the Gooseneck.

Sparrow followed but after demoting Crispin for third, Heerey exited Barn on the grass and handed the place back. “I lost it on some oil,” he explained.

Having nosed ahead on the second lap, Sparrow started to build a slight gap, as Crispin was almost pushing Proietti in his quest for second.

But it all changed again when Sparrow was on the grass exiting Charlies. “Luca had a good run into Coppice and I was on the outside, so had to take to the grass,” he explained.

Crispin had also lost out but it was a six car lead train of Proietti, Heerey, Crispin, Simon Clarke, Sparrow and Mick Storey to the fore.

As Proietti then retained the lead for the next three laps, Sparrow began to work his way back up the order lap by lap and as they started lap six, he was back into second.

A lap later exiting Charlies Sparrow was back in front, until he went off at Barn and handed it back to Proietti, which briefly dropped him to third, before retaking Clarke on the Mountain.

Sparrow then hit the front yet again and managed to hold on to take his third win of the year, while Proietti had just held off Heerey for second, until a late challenge handed third to Clarke and left Heerey in fourth.

“That was a hard race as Luca kept going for my inside at Park every chance he had,” said Sparrow. “I had the widest 2CV in Europe and just went for it,” Proietti added.

Clarke was relieved to have finished third. “I missed a gear at the start, but then they all started fighting and it helped me,” he said.

As in race one Crispin had lost his brakes again, “and I lost two places early on with an off at Park,” he admitted after coming home fifth.

Storey’s challenge faded as he lost power, which left Martin Riman to take sixth, after a great scrap with Yates and Julie Walford. “I went off at Park early on, then after I had got Chris I missed a gear exiting Barn and had to do it all over again,” Riman explained.

Glen Oswin and Nigel Hollis followed Walford home to complete the top10 in yet another duel.

Race 3

Sparrow was in charge from the start of the third and final race, aided by a six car battle for second.

Sandro Proietti had started to consolidate second too after three laps, while Davies slipped into third at Coppice at Steve Walford’s expense.

Crispin and Heerey were in the line too, leaving Yates eighth and running solo.

The gap to the lead fluctuated as Proietti came under increasing pressure from Davies, while Walford, Crispin and Heerey had their own battle for fourth, which included safely negotiating Park three abreast!

Davies made it into second at Charlies on lap seven, but had to follow Sparrow to the flag, leaving Proietti to complete the podium. “I had a few excursions again, all of my own doing. I was aware that Sandro and Lien worked to close on me, but I blame Luca even though he was in that race,” said Sparrow.

“The car cut out at Charlies on lap three and I thought that was it, but it was all ok,” Davies explained. “I had a good start but couldn’t stay away,”Proietti added.

Heerey retained fourth, with Crispin battling back to fifth with a lap to go, which left Storey inches behind, after he took Walford on the last lap.

Yates continued in his solitary eighth, while the battle to complete the top 10 when to the last lap, when Grasby went off at the Mountain and handed ninth to Nigel Hollis. Grasby still managed to hold onto 10^th however, after holding off Willan. “They didn’t leave me enough room.” Grasby reckoned.

Spring Bank Holiday at Mallory Park is the next round, celebrating 30 years of 2CV Racing in the UK.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAMPION SPARROW AT THE DOUBLE
Reigning 2CV Race Champion Pete Sparrow started his title defence in the best possible way, with a double win in the opening rounds at Silverstone.
Having qualified on pole for race one, Sparrow was never headed and comfortably headed home Brian Heerey by well over four seconds.
But the action behind went right to the flag, with a three-car battle for third.
Lien Davies had led the battling trio, but headed pitwards with a blown engine on his second lap, leaving Nick Clarke with a slight advantage over Nick Crispin and Matthew Hollis.
Clarke had become to look established in third, as Crispin and Hollis continued their duel, but working together they eased closer and closer to Clarke again.
For a while there was a battle on for sixth too, before Martin Riman eased his way through from a back row start, leaving Marc Grasby, Chris Yates, Julie Walford and Mick Storey to dispute the remaining top 10 places.
By lap six Hollis and Crispin had continued their pursuit of Clarke and were poised to challenge for third. Both went by a lap later and Clarke found himself at the back of the three car train.
They continued to trade places for the rest of the race, which brought them closer to second placed Heerey too.
But at the front Sparrow was able to ease to the flag for win number one of 2019. “The car is so fantastic, but I had expected Brian to have a tow. So I just kept my head down and kept going,” he said.
“I was worried towards the end that the others would catch me, I had a good start but could see they were working together,” Heerey added.
Although Clarke had regained third place on lap nine, he couldn’t hold it and lost out to both Hollis and Crispin again two laps later. He managed to snatch fourth back from Crispin, after taking Club side by side on the last lap, but it was Hollis completing the podium finishers.
“I lost ground on the second lap, miles off at Stowe after trying the outside which didn’t work. A hard race though after a good start,” said Hollis.
“I had missed a gear at the start,” said Clarke who had been down in sixth at the end of the opening lap. “Then I was clear but they came passed like a train, then I couldn’t get away. But I knew it was the last lap, Matthew had the inside at the last corner but I got Nick,” he added.
So it was Crispin’s newly liveried garden shed that lost out in the battle, “I was quicker on the Hanger Straight, but then lost time in places, great race though even though my brakes were stuck on,” he said.
Although Riman had consolidated sixth, the fight behind went to the flag too, with Yates just having the edge over Storey and Nigel Hollis, while Walford and Grasby both lost out to come home 10th and 11th respectively.
“I had a plan to get around Julie on the Hanger Straight, but when I tried it the first time Marc Grasby got us, but after the second attempt I got away,” said Yates.
Eighth placed Storey felt he had a problem though,” it just wouldn’t go,” he reckoned. Ninth though was Nigel Hollis’ best finish, but it was at the expense of Julie Walford, who lost two places on the last lap.” Remarkable start, but I lost places and the train went by,” she said.
So there was no top 10 for Grasby either, “Julie reversed into me at Village,” he reckoned.
With Sparrow starting at the back of the grid with a 10 second penalty due to a technical issue, the second race was bound to be interesting.
After Storey had led the opening lap, there was a reshuffle at the top, but it was still 10 in a row for the lead, which played straight into Sparrow’s hands.
Nick Roads and Crispin both led, before Storey was back in front on lap four. Simon Clarke followed, from Roads and Crispin, but Sparrow had already climbed to fifth.
They were all still in a line, which allowed Sparrow to pick off the whole of the lead quartet to lead at the end of the next lap. “I can’t say I passed them all, some just moved over,” Sparrow admitted.
He soon made his lead decisive again as the battles behind ensued. Clarke and Roads fought over second, with Storey in fourth, while Crispin and Richard Hollis disputed fifth and Steve Walford/Glenn Oswin seventh.
Storey managed to latch onto the second placed duel again, but it was now four for fifth too, with Walford heading the quintet, from Crispin, as Oswin and Hollis both lost out to Yates.
But there was confusion after 11 laps when the red lights showed on the startline gantry. Everyone rightly slowed, but there was no stoppage and the lights went out again.
A further slow lap was completed line astern before the chequered flag heralded Sparrow’s second win of the day. “Really enjoyed that too,” he said.
Although Clarke and Storey joined him on the podium, Roads was hoping to make a last lap challenge. “We borrowed Nick Roads spare engine and beat him. I was quite pleased to see the flag though,” Clarke admitted.
“I had let Mick through at Stowe and thought I could get him back later, but then the red lights came on,” Roads added. “A good battle but I had been saving myself for the last lap too,” Storey replied.
Walford and Crispin completed the top six, with Oswin and Yates still in close proximity duelling for seventh. Richard Hollis was ninth, while a further battle to complete the top 10 had Aubrey Brocklebank finally fend off Nigel Hollis.
“That was a big scrap and the tow wasn’t working on the Hanger Straight as the wind was behind us,” Walford explained.

Published by Peter Scherer for the 2CV Racing April 1st 2019.