The Classic Sports Car Club’s JMC Special Saloons & Modsport series for Pre-94 Special Saloons, Super Saloons, Thundersaloons, Minis & Modsports cars added an additional dimension to the packed programme of races scheduled for the three days of track activity over the Gold Cup meeting (25th/27th July).
The 31 entrants took to the track for a 20 minute qualifying session in lovely conditions late on the Saturday afternoon. Andy Southcott pedalled furiously in his MG Lenham Midget set a time of 1:44.756 that would be good enough for pole on only his 4th lap and then sat out the remainder of the session. He was nearly ousted from P1 by Simon Allaway’s Lotus Esprit Silhouette Special which got faster lap by lap with the TSL timing system separating them by just 0.109sec. Abbie Eaton’s Holden Commodore made an impressive sight as it roared around the circuit and her time of 1:47.856 was good enough for P3.
Quickest in Class A was Bernard Foley in his MG BGT V8 while Ric Wood was quickest in Class B, his Ford Capri 0.653sec ahead of Tim Bates’ Porsche 911 RS. Paul Dolan had a clear advantage in his Class C Lotus Elan some 2 seconds faster than the VW Golf GTi Mk1 (T) of Patrick Smythe. Tim Moll’s VW Golf GTi Mk1 (T) was quickest in Class D but a slight over-rev on down-shift damaged a valve ending his weekend prematurely. Class E went the way of Paul Turner’s Suzuki SC100 but he, too, would not make it to the races due to engine failure. Several drivers had lap times disallowed for exceeding track limits, including William Sharpe (pictured above) who finished 22nd quickest in his MG Midget.
Everyone got away cleanly when the lights went out to start race 1 but Martin Reynold’s was soon in strife with his Ford Escort beached in the gravel at Old Hall due to a broken front control arm. Southcott then spun out of the lead and into the barriers bringing out the red flag to halt proceedings to allow for the safe recovery of the stricken vehicles.
When racing recommenced it was Simon Allaway’s Lotus Esprit Silhouette Special that led the field across the start line with Tim Carey’s Honda CRX in hot pursuit and the two would remain in that order for the duration. On the penultimate lap Allaway caught a gaggle of back markers which allowed Carey to close in and reduce his deficit to just over 1 second at the flag.
Ric Wood ran in P3 for the first three laps with Tim Bates in close attendance but Wood retired the Capri on lap 4 leaving the Porsche with a clear run home to the 3rd step of the podium and the Class B win.
Melvin Hooker claimed Class A victory in his Jaguar XJS after Foley retired the MG BGT V8 on lap 6. Paul Dolan had an untroubled run to Class C victory and Donald Dewar took Class D in his VW Golf GTi Mk1. Tim Cairns had a good run to get his MG Hexagon Midget into the top 10 and claim the top spot in Class E.
Sadly the Holden Commodore broke a half-shaft forcing Abbie Eaton into the pits at the end of the formation lap. The team set about repairs and had the car ready for race 2 but it was questionable whether the Commodore would make it to the end. Wood and Foley were also able to effect repairs during the interval between races and were back out for race 2.
With Allaway starting race 2 in P11 thanks to his 10 place Race 1 Winners Penalty, it was Carey’s Honda CRX on Pole with the Bates Porsche alongside. However, Allaway, who was on a mission, was not to be denied his second win of the day. He was into P2 on lap 3 and then into the lead 2 lap later. He, Carey and Bates would repeat their race 1 results and Rod Birley would take P4 again.
The repaired Commodore held together for 5 laps during which Abbie Eaton carved her way up to P4 setting 3rd fastest lap time on the way. Sadly she once again retired to the pits but had amply showed the potential of both car and driver.
Bernard Foley was also charging from the rear of the grid and by mid-race was engaged in an entertaining tussle with Alan Breck’s Capri. The MG BGT V8 would win the day and take the Class A win in P6 overall. Ric Wood also made excellent progress from his P20 starting position and soon had the Capri up to P5 and was closing in on the Birley Honda when low fuel pressure halted his hopes of gaining more places.
Paul Dolan took the Class C win and finished a well-deserved 5th overall in his Elan. Class D went to Lucas Dryden’s Ford Fiesta XR2 this time and Tim Cairns took his second Class E win of the day.
A special mention must go to Anthony Hayes and his lightly modified Mini. He may have finished last but he set a new personal best, 2.5 seconds faster than his qualifying and race 1 time.
The JMC Racing Special Saloons move on to Brands Hatch Britannia (30th/31st August), the CSCC celebration of all things British. It’s the 50th birthday for Baby Bertha. Bertha’s owner, Joe Ward, may be out of action but ‘she’ will be racing with a different CSCC racer behind the wheel.
For more information about the Classic Sports Car Club visit classicsportscarclub.co.uk