Vaughan thought that it would be fun to borrow parts from other drivers and their cars. Boots kindly borrowed from Darren Green and a nose cone donated from Dave Facer following some rallycrossing during practice at Deer’s Leap. Then part way through the race also as a result of his qualifying excursion the immaculately presented Mallock started to lay a thin line of oil all the way from the Island hairpin up to Lodge corner. This certainly made life entertaining for the drivers for the next few laps.

Round 2 Oulton Park - 26th April 2003

Slick victory for Harper
Race report by Paul Lawrence on behalf of the Clubmans Register
Ray Harper scored a commanding victory in round two of the Fuelforce Classic Clubmans Championship at Oulton Park on Saturday (26 April). In a race where tyre choice was critical, Harper's bold decision to start the race on slicks was central to his victory. "I'd got a bit of an advantage running on slicks," he admitted after the race.
Practice
Another excellent 22-strong entry was received for the race at the Cheshire track, and it was Harper (Phantom P79) who set the pace in qualifying. Having been denied a finish in the opening race of the year due to diff failure, Harper was even more determined to shine at the challenging circuit. Local ace Mike Evans (Mallock Mk16) posted second fastest time, while third quickest was Darren Green, having a run in the Mallock Mk14E of Graham Onion for the day. David Childs (Phantom P79) and Robin Booth (Mallock Mk20B) were fourth and fifth before class D pacesetter Anthony Denham (Doris F1300) and class B top qualifier Peter Harper (Mallock Mk20B).
Race

Rain during the afternoon had abated as the field line up in the assembly area and with the track beginning to dry, tyre choice was a tough call. Both Harpers, Evans, Booth, Finlay Bason (Myers Special) and Tony Harman (Haggispeed Mk10) gambled on slicks, the rest of the field chose wets. For Evans, the drama started at the first corner when his throttle stuck open as he battled wheel to wheel with the fast-starting Childs. Having completed the opening lap using the ignition switch to control the car, Evans pitted and then later rejoined once the problem had been resolved. Up front, Childs led but was soon under pressure from Harper and Green and it was Harper who soon moved ahead as the track continued to dry. With increasingly odd handling, Childs dropped back and then retired rather than risk going off the track. "The handling was getting spooky," he admitted.
With Harper now looking secure, attention focussed on a cracking battle for second as Green fought valiantly to hold off the slick-shod Booth. Into Lodge for the final time, Green launched another attack and just out-gunned his rival on the sprint to the line.Peter Harper made it a good day for the family by winning class B from seventh overall, while Denham romped to class D and scored his best ever overall result in the process. Another star of the race was Greg Robertson (Tasman 3) who fought through to finish fifth after starting down in 18th slot on the grid.
Paddock Chat by Karen
Reg Powell had finally got his engine back together following the dropped valve at Pembrey last year but still suffered a DNF due to clutch failure, the reason? Well Reg says, “Same car, new engine, old driver ! didn’t complete the race due to having only a choice between first gear and neutral.”
Richard Hypher got round on the green flag lap, but then suffered a broken half shaft on the start line and was left frantically waving arms on his grid slot as everyone thankfully managed to avoid the stricken RAE.
Jared Wood however didn’t even complete the green flag lap and pulled in to the pits, suffering severe vibration from the rear wheels.
Barron Green, (as he is now known according to BARC NW), driving Graham Onion’s car for the day, claimed in qualifying that he ran out of brakes, brains and talent, yet in the race pushed hard to take 3^rd place after a 10 lap scrap with Robin Booth. Darren also won driver of the day.
Vaughan thought that it would be fun to borrow parts from other drivers and their cars. Boots kindly borrowed from Darren Green and a nose cone donated from Dave Facer following some rallycrossing during practice at Deer’s Leap. Then part way through the race also as a result of his qualifying excursion the immaculately presented Mallock started to lay a thin line of oil all the way from the Island hairpin up to Lodge corner. This certainly made life entertaining for the drivers for the next few laps.
Ian Mitchell had a disappointing day and commented that Friday night was more of an eventful than the race itself.!!! (Although what went on Friday night we’re not too sure ….)
Anthony Denham took an extremely good win for F1300 honours and was “absolutely flying” according to DC, he has since reported to this hack that it was “fluffing at 7800” – better get out in that garage and fix it Chris.
Despite most of the grid choosing to go out on slicks most realised as they existed the pit lane to form up that this was the wrong decision, the brave choice taken by both the Harpers and Rubino certainly proved a deciding factor in the result on the day
.A last mention to Tony H who will be getting a new Swirl pot - if I have anything to do with it.