Action-packed meeting kick-starts the season

The Historic Sports Car Club’s 2002 season began in fine style at Donington Park in early April with bumper grids and close racing being the order of the day.

Some highlights included Simon Cranad’s tail-happy BMW 2000 taking the HRSR/HSCC Historic Saloon Championship spoils, despite severe pressure from Miles Townshend’s Mustang that only eased when the big Ford fell back because of overheating problems.

Hugh Chalmers (Lotus 22) won a Formula Junior race of attrition. Early leader Mike Hibberd retired with engine maladies, and a broken gearbox put paid to Clifford Jowsey’s challenge, allowing Chalmers through to win.

Classic Sports Car honours went to Jason Williams (Merlyn Mk6), but the star of the race was John Bladon, who battled his Merlyn Mk4 up to fourth having started in the pitlane, while John Monson took third in the Stirling Moss-owned Elva Mk7S.

The Historic Formula Ford win went to Neil Fowler (Lola T200), who dominated the championship race as the similar car of Keith Norman battled through to second at the expense of the Merlyns. So many cars entered the race that a second heat had to be run for the slower half of the field.

William Jenkins (Ferrari 308 GTB) resisted great pressure from Keith Ahlers’ Morgan Plus 8 to take the 70s Roadsports race, while Nick Adams celebrated his return to HSCC racing with a win in the Historic Roadsports at the wheel of his Lotus Elan.

Nick Crossley’s March 73A was unstoppable in the Derek Bell Trophy, but many eyes were on the ex-Clay Regazzoni Tecno of Paul Dudley. Back racing after a 25-year retirement, the 1970 F2 car climbed strongly up the order before being sidelined with engine woes.

Ian Jones (Classic Racing Cars) and Rob Newall (Jaguar XKs) were other winners on the 10-race programme.