The Mayday bank holiday saw Lydden Hill once again hosting the BHP Performance Show – one of the South Easts biggest performance and tuning shows with demonstrations from a number of Motorsport disciplines throughout the day combined with track time for performance cars. The Bill Richards Racing Team was present with all three cars making on track appearances during the day – the occasion marking the return to action of the teams veteran special saloon Metro “Bessie”. With all three cars at the circuit the team had a strong presence and the feisty performances of the striking BRR machinery certainly captured the attention of the large crowd.

The Metros return to action was a high point for the team ending the cars long absence and as ever the car was a real head turner on circuit, the diminutive spaceframe winning new admirers throughout the day. With only limited running on the new engine having been carried out the Metro was using the track sessions as a shakedown ahead of its return to competitive racing. The new Duratec engine has been developed in conjunction with Piper Cams and also features a unique Quaife gearbox. The Metro is expected to make selected appearances in the BARC Intermarque League later in the season.

The teams on track performances throughout the day saw them awarded the “Best Performance Track Car” trophy and also attracted interest from the media contingent present at the event with Bill giving several interviews and posing for numerous photos throughout the day. The team will now shift focus back to the BARC DMN championship that returns to Brands Hatch on the 10th of May.

Thanks to Mark Bidwell for the photos.