Thanks to Tim Shearman for the race report

 Saturday dawned bright and clear with a largely good forecast for the weekend.

The last time the Club raced here was 6 years ago so for some of us, me included, this was our first time. I prepared with some careful research on YouTube prior to the weekend. However, given Thruxton’s reputation as the fastest circuit in the UK, I was very pleased of Jago Keen’s offer to follow him round initially to find the line.

 Qualifying

This went better for me than when visiting a new circuit as a novice last year, with 15th out of 20. Fastest qualifying was Nicky Paul-Barron in his 355 Challenge, with Jim Cartwright and Gary Culver in second and third respectively in their Group-3 and Group-4 328’s.

 Race 1

The first lap was eventful, with Tony Claringbould going off in his Mondial through the complex, and he rejoined the track albeit with a damaged rear tyre causing him to go off again and retiring from the race at the next corner, Noble, this happening just as I was passing him.

Some close racing ensued with almost everyone involved all through the field until Vance Kearney suffered an engine bay fire, fortunately with no harm to him, causing the race being red-flagged. With only approximately 4 minutes to go until the end of the race we were sent into the pit lane giving the impression that the race was over. We were very surprised to be led back out and formed back up on the grid, albeit initially being directed into the wrong positions. Once re-sorted, we were told there would be a further 5 minute race from the prior ending positions, and then we sat and awaited re-start in the very hot conditions whilst the track was cleared, and as we later learned, the fire truck re-filled.

Nicky Paul-Barron who had led the race in his 355 prior to the red flag was in pole position for the restart but lost out to Jim Cartwright, 328 GTB, who immediately took the lead and went on to win the what was now a 4 lap sprint. Paul-Barron finished second with Gary Culver third in his 328GTB. I too had a great race, finishing in 9th after a close fought race with Jago Keen, my best finish of the weekend.

 Race 2

This started very well for me and by the end of lap 1 I had gained 4 positions from my starting position of 15th. Unfortunately, as I rounded the first corner, Allard, seeing Myles Poulton spinning, I slightly backed off, and also then spun. Fortunately, no damage done, though I was now at the back and spent the remainder of the race making back 3 positions.

At the front, Jim Cartwright, unusually, was slow off the line and in trying to pass Nicky Paul-Barron left an opportunity for Chris Butler, 328 GTB, to pass both who then lost his advantage going off temporarily at Church. This time, Nicky Paul-Barron finished first, followed by Gary Culver and Jim Cartwright with Butler in 5th.

 Race 3

I again started in my familiar position of 15th on the grid, finishing 12th, again battling with Jago Keen throughout the race. As Nicky Paul-Barron went past me into the chicane, Richard Fenny took advantage of my leaving the door open to follow through behind the faster car, leading to me fighting to get back past him.

 All would change on the next lap at Allard as Fenny had a tyre issue causing him to spin letting me and Keen past. Moorwood close behind Fenny had to take sharp avoiding action to miss both Fenny and the Armco.

 Keen kept the pressure on me, especially as a few drops of rain fell and my inexperience gave him an advantage, but ultimately, I held my place, albeit with me messily throwing the car through the chicane on the last lap and drag-racing with him to the line, me keeping my 12th place only by a narrow margin – great racing.

 Nigel Jenkins won in his Group-6 355 challenge, a great return to racing in the series for him in his new car, with Jim Cartwright second and Gary Culver third.

 Overall, an excellent weekend of racing was had, at another great event and the weather held for us all weekend with only a few spots of rain in the final race which didn’t affect track conditions. There were closely fought battles in different areas of the field. Speaking for myself, I loved the circuit and can tell I am starting to improve a little more after my first season last year, being more in some action, though I wonder if Jago Keen regretted showing me the way round after me finishing in front of him twice, albeit I have a power advantage! It was definitely worth the seven hour battle south through Friday traffic to get there!

 A Special mention to Robert Greaves, who was in a similar position to me last year, having his first ever experience of racing, alongside also being new to this circuit, arguably a baptism of fire given its speed. Well done and welcome! His freshly prepared Group-3 328 deservedly won the Superformance Best Prepared Car award and we look forward to seeing him at another event soon.

And thanks also to Nick Whittaker who consistently went quicker through the weekend, rightfully being awarded the RnR Driver of the Weekend.

And finally thanks to Steve Jones who stepped in to take us some excellent photographs.