Monoposto Championship, Mallory Park, 1600, 26 May 2008

Qualifying

Suffice it to say that there were no surprises in qualifying, given that Peter Knipe was unable to take part due to rumbling big ends

Race

At CSCC's suggestion the problem of a grossly oversubscribed Mono1200/1600/1800 grid was solved by transferring our 1600s onto the BRSCC FF1600 grid, in so doing the size of this field was doubled. It was going to be a rare pleasure for our 1600s to have a race that was not compromised by being lapped by the faster 1200s. It was also, as the faster Mono 1600 drivers realised, a opportunity to really occupy pole position on the front row of the grid. This could only be achieved if some of the expensive looking BRSCC machinery was out qualified, their Class A being dominated by Van Diemens manufactured in this millennium. So it was a great pleasure to hear the commentators explain to the spectators why the Monoposto 1600s were faster.

Unfortunately, Peter Knipe's problems during qualifying were insoluble, rebuilding the bottom end of a kent not being normally possible in the paddock. David Parkinson joined him as a non starter when his transmission failed before the start, probably a CV joint. Some would consider this as poetic justice follow in the article he wrote on Mono1800 non starters at Snetterton.

Ewan Sergison made excellent use of his pole position and rapidly pulled ahead to put a safe gap of several seconds between himself and Geoff Fern. Geoff could match Ewan's pace but was unable to close the gap as the pair traded fastest laps in the 48s bracket. As they did so they drew steadily away from the leading BRSCC cars. With the BRSCC cars between himself and the two leaders, Tony Cotton had a lonely race to third place, especially as his two closest rivals had non started. So lonely, in fact, that the leader detected him having a quick doze.

Ewan maintained his advantage until the finish and had the rare pleasure, for a 1600, of taking the chequered flag. To say that Ewan was pleased is a bit of an understatement. Geoff followed him home in second place.

Fourth, fifth & sixth places were contested by some well presented machinery, Richard Evans (Lola T644), Dave Brady (Van Diemen RF88) & Ian Millward (RF80); the latter car using historic pattern treaded tyres. Unfortunately, Dave Brady's head gasket failed (deja vu, I seem to remember writing that phrase in the past). But not before he had gone round the outside of Richard at Gerards. The RF88 retired at the pits leaving Richard to lead Ian home. They were followed by the Renault of Brian Jones.

Patrick Huston

Ewen was euphoric on taking the flag

Geoff may consider putting a Kent in the Dallara

Ex-Classic FF man Ian Millward in shiny, pretty RF80

All pix Andrew Cliffe, with thanks