IN THE HEADLINES

FORMULA 2 GOES DUTCH

A 27-strong field of Historic Formula 2 cars will travel to Zandvoort this weekend for a double-header at the Dutch track’s Historic Grand Prix. Frenchman Robert Simac (March 712M) could move closer to a sixth straight title ahead of the deciding double-header at Dijon in October. Matthew Watts (March 772P) rejoins the series and will be among the overall pacesetters.

COLMANS RETURN

More than a year after their Chevron B8 was heavily damaged at Brands Hatch, father and son Hugh and Mark Colman returned to action at the Oulton Park Gold Cup. In

July 2017, Mark was at the wheel when the Chevron crashed heavily at Paddock Hill Bend and suffered a leg injury in the accident. Despite a detached oil pipe in testing, they finished ninth overall from 31st place on the grid in Sunday’s Guards Trophy race.

NEWBORN OVER RACING

James Dodd missed the Oulton Park Gold Cup due to the imminent arrival of his third child. Dodd elected not to be away contesting the Super Touring and Jaguar Classic Challenge races as his wife Amy was poised to go into labour. His father Grahame raced solo to fifth place in their E-type.

SYKES’ RACING RETURN

Formula Junior racer Adam Sykes had only his second race in nine years at the Oulton Park Gold Cup when he borrowed the front-engined Merlyn Mk2 of his father John. Sykes junior has his own Merlyn being prepared but borrowed the Mk2 to claim a podium finish while his father was away watching the Manx Grand Prix.

LOCKIE’S CAN-AM DREAM

Experienced all-rounder and former British GT champion Calum Lockie realised a longheld ambition when he raced a Can-am car for the first time during the Oulton Park Gold Cup (below). Lockie climbed aboard the eight-litre March 717 of Richard Dodkins for the pair of Pre-80 Endurance races and mastered treacherous conditions to dominate Sunday’s race, giving the car a rare victory.