The team returned to Lydden Hill for the latest round of the BARC Dunlop Motorsport News Saloon Championship. With dry weather forecast the team could look forward to a packed afternoon of motorsport action.

Qualifying

The Clubman headed out for the qualifying session as part of a large and varied field, the size of the entry required split grids at Lydden – this saw the classes C, D and E (E being the Clubmans class) grouped together. After scrubbing in a new set of front tyres the Clubman began to pick up the pace and put in some quick laps. As ever traffic was a concern and the Clubman sought a gap in which to post a competitive time. After backing off to create some space the Clubman once again picked up the pace and the lap times began to fall, finally getting a clear lap the Clubman posted the fastest lap of the session and took a sensational pole position!

Race 1

As the lights went out the Clubman rocketed off the line and headed into the first corner in the lead of the race. As the cars reached the Devils Elbow the Clubmans by now familiar sparring partner the red 205 slid past under braking and snatched the lead. The Clubman immediately fought back the two cars running side by side up the hill but the 205 just held on to its advantage. Unable to make a break and get away the 205 was under constant pressure from the Clubman with mere inches separating the two cars.

The duel continued for the remainder of the race with the Clubman snapping away at the heels of the 205 trying to find an opening, the greater power of the 205 just allowed it to hold on to its lead and the two cars streaked across the line to take the chequered flag still nose to tail. A fine class win for the Clubman was a just reward for a superb performance.

Race 2

With the starting order determined by the finishing positions of the previous race all the signs were that the thrilling battle with the 205 would be resumed. Once again the Clubman got a superb start and headed into the first corner in the lead with the 205 hot on its heels. This time however the Clubman held of the 205s initial charge and continued at the head of the field.

The 205 continued to harass the Clubman seeking to use its power advantage to get past the nimble blue machine. Finally seeing an opportunity the 205 sneaked past once again to take the lead. As ever the Clubman wasn’t finished and refused to give up the chase immediately going on the offensive. Time and again the two cars ran side by side as each sought to make a decisive move. The two battling cars continued in this manner until the Clubman edged ahead and managed to close the door on the 205. As the race drew towards its conclusion the sparring twosome closed in on some backmarkers and began to thread their way through the slower traffic with each car seeking to find an advantage. On the final lap the Clubman was momentarily baulked by one of the backmarkers and the 205 seized its opportunity and retook the lead. The Clubman fought back but was unable to find a way past the 205 in the remaining few corners and the two cars once again crossed the line nose to tail with the Clubman taking another class win.

The team can take a great deal of satisfaction from the Clubmans performance throughout the day – a Pole position and two class wins were achieved and the Clubman once again proved itself to be more than capable of taking the fight to larger engined cars. The battles for the lead in both races drew many positive comments from spectators and marshals – all of whom were impressed with the commitment of both drivers, the intensity of the racing and the clean manner in which the battles were fought.