The last time that the Club raced at Thruxton was a full ten years ago, when Lewis Carter won the PMFC race in his 360 Challenge. There is very little chance to race or even test at the circuit, so anyone with prior circuit knowledge is always going to hold a big advantage, certainly in qualifying.

The driver holding the trump card here was David Tomlin, who has raced twice at Thruxton in recent times. He certainly took advantage on a dry track on Saturday morning. In an exhibition of skill and commitment David took pole position for race 1 with a 1.32.69. Next up, but 1.3 seconds back was Jim Cartwright, and another driver with circuit experience Nick Taylor was third. The session was interrupted by a mechanical failure for Ted Pearson, who up until then was going really well. His 328 would take no further part in the week-end.

After qualifying most had Tomlin down as a sure winner, such was his advantage in Q1. Then it rained. When our cars took to the track though it was only drizzle, and the circuit was in that nasty not wet but not dry condition, that racers don't like at all.

Off the line Tomlin had too much wheel spin, but Jim Cartwright got a flyer and he was off. No, really, he was gone!

At the end of lap 1 his advantage was an amazing 6.4 seconds. I can't remember ever seeing such first lap dominance before. His advantage then grew lap by lap until at the end he won the race by some 30 seconds. In post-race interview Jim sounded as shocked as everyone else.

The next two places were taken by Dave Tomlin and the excellent Nigel Jenkins. The top five actually all had rather lonely races, as it was all pretty spread out.

The battles behind though were a different matter! Tim Walker in 6th to Richard Atkinson-Willes in 10th were covered by only 2 seconds at the flag. In that mix were Wayne Marrs, way off his expected pace, Pete Fisk, and Peter Everingham. This lot certainly got the best value for their race entry.

Was Jim's dominant display just down to youthful bravery on a greasy track? We would see on Sunday.

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"This is now my favourite track in the UK" so says top classic racer Jim Cartwright. Easy to see why after he set a quite blistering qualifying lap of 1.30.75 on Sunday morning. This was a full second clear of Tomlin in second place, and two seconds clear of Tomlin's pole lap of Saturday.

After some earlier showers everyone was relieved to see our boys take to the track in warm sunshine. This was set to be a much closer race than on Saturday. It was however Jim Cartwright who lead the pack on lap 1 from Jenkins, Tomlin and Taylor. Peter Everingham spun at the chicane, but fortunately everyone missed the rotating 328. Peter then continued to one of his best showings of the year.

The top three did stay in touch unlike Saturday, but lap times suggest that maybe Jim was keeping a little in reserve. At the end of lap 6 Tomlin slowed and visited the pits with a problem, but then continued at seemingly unaltered pace. He initially lost 3rd place to Taylor but had recovered this by lap 10.

As on Saturday the best races were in the midfield. Wayne Marrs, Nick Cartwright, Pete Everingham and Tim Walker all having a great time. In the end though it was all about Jim Cartwright, whose sublime ability shone through all weekend.

Click here for the results of both races.

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