Rain ... and oil ... and Castle Combe ...

Round 2 - Castle Combe - 19 April 1997

The second round of the 1997 Challenge Series saw the first cars at scrutineering by 7.30 am on a cold and drizzly morning. The last time the series visited Castle Combe was two years ago and unfortunately is well remembered as the scene of accidents for both Martin Kurrein and Ian Allwood.

It was not surprising then that with a wet track the talk before practice was of a careful steady approach. Twenty cars set out on this fast circuit and quickly Peter Garland and Simon McDermott led the way. Within two laps Craig Jones was returning to the pits with oil running from the engine and a recurrence of the problem he and Adam had spent the previous night working on and which was to end his day of racing.

A dry line started to appear in places as the drizzle slowed but Simon Orebi Gann failed to come round having spun on the oily part of the track and hit the barrier head on. Following the session he returned to the pits unhurt and with a typically stoical view. Damage to the car was sufficient to rule him out of the race.

Simon McDermott had taken pole position for the first time just 3/10 second faster than Peter. Grahame Walker was fastest of the Class B cars, with James Paterson quickest in D and Peter Horsman in E. Peter Sargeant returned to the Series entering Class C for the first time in a TR Plus 4.

After practice, scrutineers carried out sound level checks and Simon McDermott was deemed to be above the level. Despite strenuous efforts and varied remedies he was unable to lose the odd few decibels required.

By 1.50pm the weather though still cold had brightened, the track dried and after a troubled morning 17 cars lined up in a 3-2-3 grid. With Simon absent, Peter Garland and Grahame Walker made up the front row and, with Craig missing, Malcolm Paul was alone on the second.

At the green light Peter made his usual good start, but was matched by Grahame who stayed with him right up to the first corner. By the end of the first lap Peter had established a lead with Grahame not far behind. Mike Fellows had moved up well into third followed by Malcolm. Martin Kurrein had made the best of the start. and headed James Paterson who was closely followed by Chris Springall and Keith Ahlers. Jack Bellinger came through next, with Chris Acklam, Tony Howard and Mary Lindsay ahead of the slower starting Peter Horsman. The field was completed by a tight group of Colin Treble, Barry Sumner and David James, with Peter Sargeant still learning the difference between Plus 8 and Plus 4 power.

By the end of the second circuit, Peter Garland was still being hotly pursued by Grahame with Malcolm making up ground on Mike. In Class D James had found his way past Martin, but only just. Peter Horsman was making a charge in Class E and having passed Mary, had Jack in his sights. Colin crossed the line behind Barry after venturing on to the green stuff for several yards but still keeping ahead of David James.

As the leaders set off for the third time, a cloud of dust appeared on the far side of the circuit as Grahame spun into the infield in his attempt to stay with Peter. He rejoined behind the exciting battle between James and Martin.

On the next lap James ran wide, leaving space for Martin to pass taking the lead in Class D. Behind them came a hard charging Grahame followed by Keith Ahlers and Chris Acklam who had both passed Chris Springall. In Class E Peter Horsman had closed to within feet of Jack and appeared to be waving to him. He was in fact grappling with his tonneau which had come loose requiring a visit to the pits for it to be removed. He returned to the track behind David James.

By lap nine, Peter Garland had established a commanding lead ahead of a tussle between Mike and Malcolm, with Grahame up to fourth and flying. The race long battle between Martin and James continued to the end, but the entertaining group of Keith Ahlers and Chris Acklam and Springall was broken only when Keith’s axle expired on the last lap. Colin Treble had retaken Barry to lead their group to the finish.

At the flag, Peter took a comfortable win, but as ever was still charging. Mike was second just in front of Malcolm who won Class B. Martin stayed ahead for Class D honours, while Jack, resting on his anticipated laurels, found Mary in his tracks but held on to Class E by inches. Peter Sargeant closed the race to earn the Class C trophy.