The previous two races at Mallory Park provided some of the best one to one racing ever seen in the Club. The Reeder / Culver battle was set to continue at Donington, and with the addition to the mix of William Jenkins there was much to look forward to. Racing was on Sunday only but as usual many collected in the paddock on Saturday evening. Peter & Suzanne brought the Club motor home and hosted an impromptu BBQ. On Sunday this provided a very pleasant meeting point and base for our prize giving. Much effort and money has been spent on PMFC hospitality over the years. But for me nothing beats a couple of motor homes, a relaxed informal atmosphere and good friends.

The entry was quite encouraging at 18 cars although why it is not 28 is anyone’s guess. The entry level car for Classic races could be a 308 GT4 or possibly a Mondial. Bought for racing (i.e. not the lowest mileage, mint, best colour etc) prepped for class 2, and ready to go, it must be possible to get on the grid for under £15,000, perhaps well under this. Drive it well and you may not win, but you will be in the mix and far from embarrassed. Crikey, you could even drive it home, use it on track days, hillclimb it etc. This is great value surely. So where are you?

On pole was Mr. Culver from Mr. Reeder. Graham had “enjoyed” a difficult couple of days. His car had been damaged at his own track day on the Thursday. However with a couple of late nights, a new front valance and a bit of race tape and the old thing didn’t look too bad. Richard Allen was next up on the grid from Jenkins, Atkinson-Willes, Spicer and Drake. This was a good performance from Chris Drake who is really getting the hang of the big V12. Brands Hatch pole man Everingham was somewhat back in track day mode and qualified 10th. It was excellent to see both 275s on the grid again (Tandy 13th & Warburton 17th) and of course super to see Pauline Goodwin at her first ever race (16th).

We had enjoyed lovely weather for qualifying and the race started at 3.30 in perfect conditions. When the lights went out Reeder had a quite blistering start and must have had a two or three cars length lead going into Redgate. Everyone else got through cleanly and we could all breathe a little easier. By the end of lap 1 Gary had tagged on to Graham’s tail and for the next few laps these two were at it hammer and tongs. Just as at Mallory this was really great racing. Graham was clearly defending but in a fair way – just as it should be. These two did drop the field somewhat but there were super scraps going on everywhere. William Jenkins should really be able to run right at the front but he had a brake problem during qualifying. QV’s excellent Damien had worked feverishly to get the car out, and had succeeded, but it may have dented the driver’s confidence somewhat. This put William right in the Spicer, Allen area along with an excellent-starting Everingham and others.

By lap five the chasing pack was in the order Jenkins, Spicer, Allen, Atkinson-Willes, Drake and Evers. These last two in particular were having an excellent dice. Goodwin J. was joining in the fun too. Peter E mentioned after the race that he had rarely been so close to another car in a race for such a long period of time. He was very complimentary of Chris’s driving, and they had clearly had a blast.

Gary has won a few races in the past - you may have noticed – and although I am sure he was enjoying himself greatly the sight of Graham’s rear bumper must have been getting a bit dull. On lap 7 his previously well disguised jet lag got the better of him and he made a mistake. No, really he did, put it in your diary. Even the greats make mistakes! Coming into the chicane at the end of the main straight he had a lunge up the inside. The brakes locked but by then he was committed. Graham reckons he heard Gary coming, but he too was committed to the corner and the two cars made contact. Gary lost some 3 seconds in the manoeuvre which left Graham with a bit of breathing space and a slightly higher paint shop bill the following week. The chase to the flag was well and truly on and Gary pushed really hard to bring the gap down. This he did and at the flag the gap was .091 of a second, or about half a car’s length, with Graham coming home the victor. The contact was regrettable but it was a great race nevertheless.

Nearly half a minute back were Jenkins from Allen, Atkinson-Willes (an excellent drive in a GT4), Spicer, Everingham, Chris Drake and John Goodwin. Pauline Goodwin finished a good 14th in her race debut and improved her lap time of qualifying by over a second.

Gary’s fastest lap was a 1.24.8 which may be the fastest ever 328 lap of Donington on road tyres. Yes, the standard is high and maybe difficult to achieve. However nothing worth getting ever comes easily. Let’s hope a few more will take up the challenge.

Oh, and I mentioned that even great drivers make mistakes, and they do. But it takes a gentleman to admit them, which of course Gary did straight after the race. A shake of hands “sorry mate” and on to the next one at Silverstone. I can’t wait.

275 of Ross Warburton	Richard Atkinson-Willes again drove the wheels off his GT4	Reeder (blue 328 ) and Culver were this close...	...or closer throughout the entire race!

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Entry still a bit thin at 18 cars...

Evers (328) and Drake (GTO rep) had a great dice

Fellow hillclimbers Jon Goodwin (Mondial) and Chris Hitchman (wife's 328)

Ray Hanson really leans on his TR

William Jenkins (308) finished a good third

Peter Mosely was 13th

Pauline Goodwin made a good circuit racing debut

Neither Marco Pullen (Mondial t) or Colin Cambell (Dino) finished

Veteran RA qualified third and finished fourth

Steve Tandy was again the quickest 275

pics by Simon Cooke