Track and Race Cars Magazine Monoposto Championship Donington 19 July 2009 2litre Classes

'Well done the BRSCC'

The Mono2000 race occupied the last slot on Saturday's programme, not an enviable position, but on this occasion everything went well, the day’s timetable was even a few minutes ahead of schedule, so all was satisfactorily; 'Well done the BRSCC'.

Qualifying: Mono2000, MonoClassic and Mono Formula.

Pete Bragg's ex Neil Gregory Mygale Novis, that briefly enlivened the Mono2000 race.	"Four old classics" (Patrick's caption), as Jim Blockley and David Cox prepare their F3 and Mono spec RT3's	Nick Anstruther's Bowman BC3	Mark Schofield was a welcome addition to 2000 ranks with his distinctive RT30

Jeremy Timm's had stated that he enjoyed the circuit in his notes for the commentators, he soon proved this by setting the only 2 litre lap that was under 1:10s and over 100 mph average. That’s just 5 seconds off the back of the F3 grid, who are running 2009 or 2007 cars, 20% more power, no 40mm ride height limit, and more aero bits than Geoff Fern’s had racing cars. I call that impressive. The main competition in the form of Mark Harrison was 1.788s slower. Nick Anstruther was first of the classics with 1:12.698s, followed by Kevin Mason 0.3s slower. Now with a proper Mono2000 car, Peter Bragg was in the 1:14s as were Jim Blockley and a Barry Smith. David Cox also Ralt RT3 mounted, was just ahead of Graham Read's Dallara, a wonderfully varied collection of chassis and specifications. Terry Clark was first of the FVL ahead of Mick Kinghorn's Mygale Formula Novis. In the 1:20s were Mark Smith, Tatuus, followed by the two FVL's of Lou Watts and Nick Catanzaro, the latter pulling off the track after just four laps. Paul Winterbottom and Mark Schofield followed. Graham Probyn must have had car problems as he recorded 1:37.477s but these were not as great as those suffered by Russ Giles who did not record a time.

The Race: Mono 2000, Mono2000 Classic, Mono2000 Formula.

After a long hold on the grid the field was released. The delay was caused by a Caterham embedded in the gravel at Redgate. I think that everybody expected this Caterham to drive away when extracted, but as things turned out, it required a low loader before it could be cleared. Jeremy's Dallara won the start, and then, looking smooth and relaxed he drove away from Mark Harrison at approximately 2.5s per lap. A rate that put him a long way ahead at the finish. Mark had an equally unchallenged run to second position.

Lap1, Jeremy Timms has disappeared, Neil Harrison leads Kevin Mason and the pack	The pits (about 5 years old and about to go) showing Jeremy's lead	It's difficult to get Jeremy in the same shot as the cars he's racing	David Cox RT3 and Barry Smith VD FIreland FX02 had a long, close race

Initially, third place was occupied by Kevin Mason with Peter Bragg and Nick Anstruther contesting the place. Spectators expected an entertaining race from this trio, but they were to be disappointed. It is surely no coincidence that when Peter Bragg’s Mygale disappeared on lap three, and Nick took over third place, that Kevin's Dallara appeared without its right front wing. Nick, driving smoothly, took over third with the Bowman, and could match the pace of Neil's Dallara, so the gap between the two cars remained at a fairly constant at 8 seconds. Kevin was able to maintain a good pace despite the missing wing, and although he fell away from the Bowman, he was able to keep clear ahead of Jim Blockley's Ralt RT3.

Lou Watts leads Nick Catanzaro who, unusually, didn't finish	Neil Harrison	Kevin Mason, Peter Bragg, Nick Anstruther and Jim Blockley on lap 2	Russ Giles, Mark Smith and Graham Read
Nick's now ahead of Lou	Nick's Bowman. Nick went on to win the Classic class.	Russ, Graham and Mark now spread out	Graham Probyn, Reynard 863
Mick Kinghorn goes off in the Craner Curves on lap 2......	...does an artistic pirouette...	....and checks for traffic.	Kevin Mason ahead of Peter Bragg. Kevin's still got his wing here.

In the early laps Blockley was closely followed by David Cox in what appeared to be a sister car. Closer examination showed that the Blockley RT3 was on F3 injection while David’s RT3 was using carburettors,. Their fastest lap times differed by 0.005s, which must be evidence of something. The pair of RT3s were followed by Barry Smith's Van Diemen FX02. Initially this group was a trio, mid race Jim had pulled away from David and Barry had fallen behind but in the final laps Barry had recaught David, but he never quite got close enough to mount a challenge for sixth place; his was the last car to go the full distance.

Qualifying problems cured, Russ Giles in the Reynard 913 had worked his way up to eighth position. Russ made good progress from the last row of the grid but Terry Clark in the distinctively liveried FVL had put up appreciable resistance and finished 3.5s behind Russ. Russ's efforts won him the Superclutch Driver of the Day trophy.

Russ leads a closer Graham while a puff of smoke comes from Terry Clark	Jim Blockley, RT3	David Cox, RT3	Kevin Mason laps Graham Probyn......
...and Paul Winterbottom (Tatuus FR). Note missing front wing in both shots.	Jeremy Timms passes Terry Clark	We said David and Barry battled a long time.	Here they are as Graham Probyn gives them a gentlemanly amount of room.

Early in the race the remainder of the field had formed a compact group of seven and four cars racing each other. With the exception of Graham Read’s Dallara and Mick Kinghorn Mygale Novis, they had all become rather spread out by the finish. The order being: Terry Clark in tenth place followed by Lou Watts, Graham Read, Mick Kinghorn, Graham Probyn, Paul Winterbottom, Lenny Colman and Mark Schofield.

Nick Catanzaro pulled his FVL off the track after seven laps, joining Pete Bragg as a DNF.

Jeremy Timms fastest lap was a new record at 1:10.58s, a slower time than he set in qualifying but still over 100mph. Nick Anstruther and Graham Read also recorded fastest laps that are records because these classes have not raced at Donington Park before.

Patrick Huston.
22/07/09.

Winner thanks the marshalls....	....and an adoring crowd	And finally....Not Beirut, or even Mallory, but the paddock of the venue for the 2010 British Grand Prix. David Cox used his agricultural knowledge to identify the flying pigs as Gloucester Old Spots.

Pictures: Patrick Huston & Simon Davey (Paddock) Nigel Bland (Race) except spin and Kevin&Peter, which are Andrew Cliffe/Norwich Photo

And finally finally.....If you ever feel bad, think of the poor driver of this Ferrari whose engine suddenly let go on Sunday. Lots of smoke....
	....which filled the pits. Wonder if he'll pick up an engine off ebay for 99p like our chairman did once? (Pic:Peter Pluchta)