Garland takes maximum points

Snetterton - 30 March 1997

After a five month break, Morgan racing was back with the opening round of the Morgan Motor Company Challenge at Snetterton on Easter Monday. Loss of an hour to British Summer Time made 8.25am Scrutineering seem more than usually unsociable, but the weather was fine and all 20 entrants looked awake! Even the circuit looked good following a major facelift during the winter. New pit garages were particularly impressive and with slight alterations to the bend at Russell’s and a complete resurface of the track there was something for everyone.

Less than an hour after scrutineering 19 of the 20 were out for the all too brief “get ’em out and bring ’em back” policy which passes for practice under ‘Racing Ahead’ rules. Poor Chris Springall, making his first appearance since his off at Oulton last year and stranded in the assembly area with a broken fuel pump, barely had time to diagnose the fault before the remainder were back in the paddock at the end of the session.

Peter Garland set fastest time in spite of losing his spoiler and alongside him on the front row would be Malcolm Paul. It was especially good to see Barry Sumner out again after being absent for far too long from the series and making a welcome first time appearance was Keith Ahlers in his Class A car.

Practice was not happy for Chris Phillips, who was having handling and braking problems, but Chris Springall managed to practice out of session and would start at the back of the grid with a 10 secs penalty.

The race was brought forward by 15 minutes and minus the usual Green Flag lap (Racing Ahead). And so it was 1.15pm when the lights turned green and current champion Martin Kurrein made a brilliant start from the fourth row. At the front Peter Garland underlined his pole position with a superb start which secured him a lead he would keep to the flag.

James Paterson, determined to keep in touch with Martin and attempting to pass Keith in the process, spun at the Esses and dropped to 15th. A valiant effort from James who had qualified so well, but a situation which inadvertantly let Martin get even further ahead. With Simon Orebi Gann and Chris Acklam following James at the time, it was clear that the big battle of the 3.9s would have to wait until another day.
As the field crossed the line for the first time, Simon McDermott was lying second and James Edgerton third in front of Grahame and Malcolm. Martin was sixth, followed by Keith Ahlers, Simon OG and Chris Acklam. Peter Horsman was leading Class E with Mary Lindsay, Jack Bellinger, Colin Treble and John Clarke just ahead of James Paterson. Chris Phillips was in 16th place with Stephen Lockett, Chris Springall, David James and Barry Sumner completing the field.

By the second corner Grahame Walker had squeezed past Malcolm to lead Class B at the end of the first lap. This was the opening move of a race long duel and demonstration of club racing at its very best. By the 3rd lap Malcolm was in front of Grahame, but the distance between them was negligible. Even as the pair lapped the backmarkers for much of the time they were side by side with Grahame trying everything to get past Malcolm who, in turn, was firmly but fairly shutting the door. By the 9th lap Grahame had done it and with only one lap remaining went on to take 4th place and a brilliant Class B win.

Simon McDermott was trying to close the gap on Peter Garland in the lead and recording his fastest lap on the third but the gap was to widen by the halfway stage when Peter put in his quickest lap at the same time as Simon’s problem was becoming James Edgerton. After some very close racing between the two, James, significantly recording his fastest lap on the 6th, crossed the line for the 7th time in second place.

James Paterson slithered his way back up to 10th and although he remained in that place until the finish, set fastest lap in a Class where the times of all 5 drivers promise close racing for the future.

Class E meanwhile looked safe in the hands of Peter Horsman, but behind him a hugely entertaining tussle was taking place led by Mary but with John and Jack determined to alter that. The opportunity presented itself for John as Chris Springall made his way up through the field and when they passed the line for the 4th time John was in front of both Mary and Jack. The three remained inseparable to the flag but a gutsy and determined drive from Mary kept Jack in his place on this occasion! Of the remaining Class E cars, Chris Phillips had led Colin Treble for most of the race until Colin Treble reversed that by the 8th lap. David James finished ahead of Barry who had delighted the crowd at Russell’s by entering and exiting sideways throughout the race.

It was an excellent win by Peter and a fantastic start to the season with all 20 cars finishing after some truly entertaining racing.