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2 & 3 July
Thirteen drivers travelled to Donington for the Masters / BRSCC event.
An enjoyable experience for all, apart from some mechanical difficulties. Qualifying and both races were very well received by spectators who appreciated the quality of competition on display.
Tommy Gilmartin, Morgan +8, took first place in qualifying (1 minute 52 seconds), half a second faster than the Rover SD1 of John Kinmond, which looked superb in its’ period livery.
Raymond Boyd, Porsche 911, was very close behind, just ahead of Andrew Graham, Triumph TR7V8. Scott Brennan had his first outing in the Brayon Engineering Ford Mustang which he qualified fifth. Jimmy Crow’s Escort RS2000 completed the top six. Positions seven to ten were held by Jim Grant, Robin Benn, James Braid and Grant Allan. Eleventh fastest was newcomer, Alastair Baptie, in a Fiat X1/9, followed by Ian Blacklin and Ian Daltrey.
Gilmartin converted qualifying pole position to victory in the first race.
It was a hard fought win as Messrs. Kinmond, Boyd and Graham were only a few seconds adrift at the flag. Kinmond finished second on the road, but was demoted to third place, due to a time penalty for exceeding track limits. Brennan and Crow swapped places regularly, the former taking fifth place. Grant, Benn and Braid also had a closely fought race, finishing in that order. Ian Blacklin and Ian Daltery were the final two finishers. Sadly, Grant Allan and Alastair Baptie retired for the weekend due to clutch and engine problems respectively.
Fastest lap was 1 minute 51 seconds by John Kinmond.
Race two was just as entertaining as the first. At the end, positions one to four were separated by only three seconds; Gilmartin winning again, from Kinmond, Boyd and Graham. The next group of cars were even closer than race one, less than five seconds passed as drivers finished in order: Crow, Brennan, Grant, Benn and Blacklin. Ian Daltrey was next, followed by James Braid, who slowed near the end due to overheating.
Fastest lap was 1 minute 52 seconds by Andrew Graham.
Photos below:
Group one and two: Qualifying
Group three and four: Race one
Group five and six: Race two
The next event is at Knockhill on July 17th.
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