WATKINSON STEERS CLEAR AS SWIFT STARS IN SODDEN SWINGING SIXTIES
A larger engine and wider tyres eventually paid off for Chris Watkinson’s Mini in Swinging Sixties, but wet conditions reduced the disadvantage of those running in the Historic tyre class. Mini ace Nick Swift was able to star in the opening stint as a result.
Track limits penalties had dropped him from second to 14th on the grid but he danced his way into the lead by the first corner of lap three. Car owner Giles Page, on his racing debut, wasn’t able to maintain that pace but did well to hold onto fifth. Page’s sons Jonathan and Matthew were beaten to second by former Mini Se7en men Dan and Charlie Budd, racing an Historic-spec car for the first time. Mark Campbell’s Triumph TR5 eased to the Group 2 race victory from the Lotus Europa of Malcolm Johnson and Iain Daniels’ Reliant Sabre Six.
Andrew Windmill (Honda
Civic) was denied a deserved Tin Tops victory when he copped a 30-second penalty for cutting his pitstop short by 0.5s. Father-and-son Colin and Steve Simpson inherited the win with a fine comeback after a tardy start from pole position and first-lap contact for Simpson Sr. Hampered by a slipping clutch and qualifying interrupted by a failed hub, Martin Addison responded with a determined drive to what became second.
Dave Griffin’s BMW M3 kept clear of the action behind for Future/Modern Classics honours, as Alex Taylor (Mazda RX-7) and Stephen Scott-Dunwoodie (Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth) collided while disputing second. The TVR Tuscans of Stuart Daburn and Christian Douglas filled the podium, polesitter
Daburn benefiting from an earlier safety-car stop.
Appearing again in the
New Millennium/Open race, Griffin couldn’t live with Mark Smith’s Evo version of the BMW M3 E36 but still won the Open section. Mike Nash’s Seat Supercopa came through for third as the tricky conditions took their toll on others. Charlie Newton-Darby topped the Turbo Tin Tops field.
Magnificent Sevens victory went to Stephen Nuttall in dominant fashion after Ben Simmonds’ challenge faded following a couple of tangles in traffic. Colin Watson overhauled BOSS team-mate Tim Davis for second, some 50s in arrears.