CLASSIC CLUBMANS CHAMPIONSHIP 2006
Peter Harper’s Mallock once again proved to be the car to beat at Mallory Park in both qualifying and the race, but almost lost out at the flag after being giving an incorrect pit signal.
A healthy 20 car entry set out in qualifying for round eight of this years championship. Peter Harper blitzed the opposition by taking pole by 1.438secs. “The secret was getting a clear lap. I hung back and got some space, but the car was very good today,” he said.
The next four cars were covered by only 0.233secs with Mike Hickson’s Mallock heading the quartet. “It was my first time in the car since my Pembrey shunt, so very pleased to be straight on the pace,” he said. Malcolm Jackson’s Mallock was third best, but had gear selection problems. “I lost first gear and second was going, so it was hopeless at the Hairpin,” he explained.
Steve Chaplin’s Phantom was also back in fine fettle after the Pembrey shunt, qualifying fourth. “Really good, but it did take four laps or so before I felt confident through Gerards,” he reckoned. Dan Eagling was quite disappointed to be down in fifth in the Marler family Diamond. I got offered the drive when Sid said he wanted the car out and Andrew wasn’t available. We had a small diff problem out of the Hairpin though, so it’s being changed for the race. Steve Campbell’s Raffo just edged out Antony Denham’s Doris to complete the top six. “I put my old tyres on as they aren’t as worn as my newer ones. I had new pads, there was too much traffic and I didn’t get decent run,” said Denham.
Peter Carter’s Phantom, Gavin Childs’ Gryphon and the Mallock’s of Ray Harper and Robin Booth were next, Harper only managing six laps before the water pump pulley came off.
In class B Barry Webb’s Mallock just held off Mark Charteris for class pole, with Clive Wood in third, “we had a bit of an engine problem when the valve came out of the carburetor and kept the flow level up,” he said. “I got called to the clerk of the course for not going to the new drivers briefing, when I have been racing for 34 years,” said Webb. The grid was completed by Ian Mitchell’s CTG and the Mallock’s of Mike Gurr, Sam Lancaster, John Deane-Bowers, Robert Beazer and Simon Andrew.
Although there were no casualties after qualifying, Wood pulled off at the start with a broken driveshaft, after dashing from his fourth placed Van Diemen FF2000 in the previous race. But there was no problem for Harper as he shot into the lead from the start, closely followed by Hickson and Chaplin, before Eagling dived into third at the Esses.
Eagling’s charge continued with second place into Gerards on lap two, and his sights set on Harper’s lead. Chaplin slipped back to seventh after a second lap indiscretion, leaving Jackson to chase Hickson for third. Campbell and Childs were next up with the recovering Chaplin on their tail, while in class B there was little between Charteris and Webb.
Into Devils Elbow for the third time Eagling was coasting with a broken driveshaft and Harper was left in the clear. Hickson had started to consolidate second, but despite still having gear selection problems, Jackson was back to challenge on lap six. “I still had no first gear and lost out every time at the Hairpin,” he explained.
Both Childs and Chaplin made it past Campbell to maintain their duel for fourth, while the Raffo had Ray Harper closing in for sixth. Harper made it through at Gerards on lap nine, leaving Denham next in line to challenge. The pressure then told on Campbell who went off at the bike chicane. “I just lit up the back tyres out of the Hairpin and lost it,” he explained.
As the chequered flag was readied there was confusion among the leaders pit crew. “They gave me a one lap to go signal, and so I slowed expecting the flag. They were one lap out and Mike almost got me on the line,” said Harper. “I could see we were catching the class B leaders and Peter was in sight and slowing, so I just kept going until I was sure I had taken the flag,” Hickson replied. The margin at the finish had reduced to only 0.258secs, but Harper still took the laurels.
Jackson survived to hold onto third and Childs managed to keep fourth after a tremendous scrap with Chaplin. “When I started scrapping with Steve we lost ground on Malcolm, but what a race,” said an exhausted Childs. “That was great,” replied Chaplin who had nosed ahead a few times before having to give best to Childs. Ray Harper, Denham, Carter and Booth completed the class A runners, with class B winner Charteris in 10th overall after holding off a determined Webb. “I was going to have a go until we were caught by the class A cars,” said Webb. “They are making me work hard this year, not leaving me alone at all,” said Charteris.
Class B’s Mitchell, Gurr, Deane-Bowers and Beazer rounded off the finishers, with Lancaster and Andrew the only other retirements.
1 Peter Harper 15 laps in 11m51.965s (102.39mph); 2 Mike Hickson (Mallock Mk20B) 11m52.223s; 3 Malcolm Jackson (Mallock Mk20B); 4 Gavin Childs (Gryphon C73/75); 5 Steve Chaplin (Phantom P79); 6 Ray Harper (Mallock Mk20B). Class A 1 P.Harper; 2 Hickson; 3 Jackson; 4 Childs. Class B: 1 Mark Charteris (Mallock Mk20B); 2 Barry Webb (Mallock Mk16BW); 3 Ian Mitchell (CTG Mk8); 4 Mike Gurr (Mallock Mk18BW). Fastest lap: P.Harper 45.614s (106.54mph).
B: 1 C.Wood; 2 Charteris; 3 Webb; 4 Ian Mitchell (IM MKIII). Fastest lap: P.Harper 57.314s (91.45mph).