Simon does it again, but not so simply this time

HSCC: Donington Park

Simon Hadfield began his 2003 in fine style by registering two wins at Donington Park in April. Victory in his ex-Keke Rosberg Chevron B40 at the HSCC’s season-opener followed a win in the Cloth Cap enduro at the previous day’s JCC meeting with David Clark aboard their Elva Mk7.

Hadfield surged past the Lola T400 of Edwin Jowsey at the Old Hairpin and was never headed again in the Derek Bell Trophy race, despite Edwin giving spirited chase. The immaculate blue Chevron was driven beautifully by Hadfield, but Jowsey’s handling of the F5000 car earned the teenager the Barrie Williams Driver of the Race award — a new category from the HSCC this year.

The meeting’s other highlights included an excellent ’70s Roadsports race won by Andy Shepherd’s Lotus 7 after Charles Barter’s Datsun 240Z wilted. A six-car pack disputed the lead for much of the race.

Graeme Dodd’s debut in the JEC XK Challenge netted him a win but only after a hard fight with Darren McWhirter’s similar XK120. Dodd eventually squeezed through mid-race but McWhirter chased him home.

Oliver Smith (Merlyn Mk11A) took his second win in a brief career by winning a shortened Historic Formula Ford race, stopped when Steve Bradley rolled at Redgate. Smith was being caught by Jason Minshaw (Merlyn Mk20) at the time, and was very relieved that the race only ran for six laps.

Jowsey was back in his father’s Brabharn BT28 to take Classic Racing Car honours after his severest rival Matthew Watts spun his ex-John Watson Brabham BT16 out of contention at the chicane.

Victory in the Formula Junior race went to Mike Hibberd, his task eased after pole-sitter Michael Schryver (Lotus 22) spun out on the opening lap, and Neil Daws’ engine went sick whilst pursuing Hibberd’s Lotus 22.