Monoposto Championship, Mallory Park, 2000 and Classic, 26 May 2008

Qualifying

Jeremy Timms dominated proceedings from the start, the white and blue Dallara F397 was the only car in the 44s. This was impressively close to the lap record considering that there were gale force gusts; conditions were far from ideal. Neil Harrison was a whole three quarters of a second slower closely followed by the first classic, Richard Purcell looking comfortable in his modified FVL. He was only 0.9s behind Jeremy but David Dudley's Anson was a scant 0.3s slower.

Neil Gregory (Mygale), Tristan Cliffe (Reynard) and Jeremy Goodman (Dallara) formed a disparate group of cars in the 46s bracket followed by an equally disparate group on 47s: Barry Smith (Van Diemen FX), Lenny Coleman (FVL) & David Cox (Ralt RT3).

Geoff Fern was on 48s his 2000cc Dallara being barely faster than his 1600 Van Diemen - a strange situation. Also on 48s was Ian Hughes but he only completed six laps of qualifying and did not race, reason unknown to your scribe. Graham Read's Dallara was another in the low 48s group while Mark Schofield (Ralt RT30) was the only driver with a time in the 49s bracket.

Howard Seward, Richard Taylor, Mark Smith, Russ Giles & Nick Catanzaro all set times of 50s+. Russ being another driver with an immaculate new car that is not yet working. Nick's equally well presented FVL would go much faster in the race.

Race

One cannot accuse the commentators on the PA of lack of enthusiasm. The start was greeted by "Like ballistic missiles on steroids! Look at the speed! Look at the speed!” And unfortunately that was the last that the other competitors saw of Jeremy Timms, with a first flying lap of 46.665s he proceeded to drive steadily into the distance. Despite the weather, which added heavy rain drops to the high wind Jeremy broke Jim Blockley's long standing lap record, leaving it at 44.135s on lap 14. This means that Jeremy has cracked 110 mph, an impressive performance in the conditions, though Jim may claim the record to be wind assisted. Eventually Jeremy lapped everybody up to third place.

Initially second place was contested between Neil Harrison's Dallara and Richard Purcell's classic FVL and eventually Richard took Neil, nobody having told him the reason behind the introduction of the Classic class. However, a few laps later Neil neatly retook second position at the entry to Gerrards. David Dudley's distinctive Anson steadily closed on the pair racing for second place and by lap15 he was with them. This threesome was short lived because on lap 16 Richard went off at the Esses. It took him a long time to rejoin and he eventually finished 8th just ahead of Lenny Coleman's more conventional looking FVL. David put Neil under considerable pressure, he won the Classic class by finishing third in the race,a scant 0.152s behind Neil.

Northerners Neil Gregory and Barry Smith fought a race long duel over third in the 2000 class, Neil getting the decision by 0.35s. TristanCliffe (second Classic) and Geoff Fern spectated just behind this pair.

David Cox finished 10th, half a second ahead of Graham Read. While Nick Catanzano, going eight seconds a lap faster than in qualifying was next up, three quarters of a second ahead of Mark Schofield. Russ Giles and Howard Seward completed the field.

An unfortunate retirement was Jeremy Goodman who, following a close and exciting dice with Neil Gregory lost his Dallara near the exit to Gerards. The car made it all the way to the tyre barrier and knocked off a wing and rear corner. Richard Taylor retired a lap later.

Patrick Huston