Croft Summary

44 Monposto competitors put, by my estimate, about £12,000 into the Darlington economy. If the selfish nimbys around Croft had their way, this would go elsewhere. A further angry rant will follow.

Darlington and District Motor Club, as usual, did us proud with a meeting where the emphasis was on the competitor having a good time.

The racing started with 1000/1400/1800 where Chris Woodhouse took a masterly victory, with Kat Impey handicapped by an errant Dzus fastener, and (story to be told) not finishing after an epic, heroic drive. Stephen Brookes took a well deserved second from Geoff Fern. Lance Pritchard led the 1800's in his FF2000 VDRF82 from Matt Hayes and precocious young talent Jim Timms.

Jeremy Timms took first in the 2000 race to keep his challenge alive from championship leader Neil Harrison and Tristan Cliffe. In the 1600 battle, ex-F3000 driver Nigel Smith was bettered by Geoff Fern but championship leader Dave Parkinson consolidated his position, Button like, with third.

On Sunday, a late start was followed by a victory, and a track record, for Chris Woodhouse, with Kat Impey pressing hard behind and the Wirral's answer to Rubens Barichello (Stephen Brookes) in third. 1800 honours, in the absence of Lance Pritchard with a failed clutch, went to Matt Hayes. A brief word for Darren Freeman with a great drive from the back to fifth. Jim Timms and Phil Nicholson took second and third 1800s.

The final official Mono race was again won by Jeremy Timms with Neil Harrison second to maintain his championship lead. There's all to play for at Snet, and thank goodness I'm an imaginary commentator who can watch the exciting climax rather than having to drive a tatty FVJ in the race like TC because there are too many 1800s to let us run with the 1000s. Tristan Cliffe was a character building third, and Geoff Fern again won from Nigel Smith's FVJ 1600, with "Jenson" Parkinson again in third.

Full report to follow.

Septimus Perton

28 September 2009