CLASSIC CLUBMANS CHAMPIONSHIP 2007
For the fourth time this season Peter Harper’s Mallock reigned supreme, despite the usual determined effort from Mark Charteris to change things.
It was cloudy but dry for the mornings qualifying on Brands Hatch’s Indy circuit. Although Harper claimed pole, he was only 0.580s quicker than Malcolm Jackson’s Mallock. Antony Denham’s Doris headed the second row with Mike Hickson’s Mallock alongside, with Charteris down in fifth after repairing the Pembrey damage.
Ray Harper’s Mallock was next up, still plagued with nose problems. Keith Whyman’s Mallock headed row four after a traumatic journey south when his tow car brokedown. Steve Chaplin’s Phantom was further down the order of late, in eighth, with brake balance problems and understeer.
Gavin Childs Gryphon headed the next row, and had Jared Wood’s Batten alongside. Wood was another to suffer problems with his nose.
Bob Crozier made another transatlantic trip to line up 11th in his Mallock, while Barry Webb’s Mallock just had the edge over Dave Facer at the top of class B.
A guesting Brendan Herd was alongside Facer in his Clubmans Cup Mallock Mk21, just edging out John Deane-Bowers’ class B Mallock. Back after a 21 year absence Mike Sales fourth in class B with his ex Ray Harper Phantom.
Ian Mitchell was out in his A class spec CTG, while Bob Yarwood’s class C Mallock, race debutant Tom Dunstan (Drat F1300) and Reg Powell’s Pin Panther Gryphon completed the line up. The age gap between the back row of the grid was a massive 57 years, as 16 year old Dunstan is still to young for his road licence, Powell though had his own problems though, as it new fuel filter was so effective, it didn’t let any fuel through!
RACE
The green flag lap was just under way as the drizzle began to fall. It was a mixed start to for the Harper’s. While Peter made his customary swift start, to Jackson, Hickson and Denham into Paddock, Ray was left stranded on the grid with no drive.
Both Harper and Jackson had started to break clear by the end of the opening lap, with Charteris up to third, from Hickson, Chaplin, Denham, Childs, Whyman, Wood and Crozier.
As the rain continued to fall the top ten remained unchanged, but Charteris lost time on lap five as the track got slippier. By the end of lap six Harper’s lead had reduced to 0.469s as Jackson moved in to challenge. Charteris and Hickson were still third and fourth from Chaplin and Denham.
Harper responded and gradually made his advantage decisive. As Charteris threw caution to the wind, he reeled in Jackson over the closing laps, snatching second with a lap to go.
Jackson held onto third, but with Hickson gravel bound at Druids five laps from home, Denham ground to a halt and Chaplin was sidelined with a gearbox failure, Childs and Whyman completed the top five, with Powell sixth from the back of the grid.
In class B Webb gradually eased himself clear of Facer after an early threat from his rival. Sales and Deane-Bowers were the other class finishers, Wood easily won class D from seventh overall, as Dunstan successfully brought his car to the flag, despite a late spin. Yarwood survived as the sole starter in class C, as did Herd in the Invitation class.
RESULT
1 Peter Harper (Mallock Mk20B) 18 laps in 15m27.659s (83.72mph); 2 Mark Charteris (Mallock Mk20B) 15m28.379s; 3 Malcolm Jackson (Mallock Mk20B) 4 Gavin Childs (Gryphon C73/76); 5 Keith Whyman (Mallock Mk20B); 6 Reg Powell (Gryphon C73 Pink Panther); 7 Jared Wood (Batten MKI); 8 Barry Webb (Mallock Mk16BW); 9 Dave Facer (Mallock Mk18BW); 10 Bob Crozier (Mallock MK11). Class winners: Webb; Bob Yarwood (Mallock Mk8); Wood. Fastest lap: Jackson 48.518s (88.93mph).
NEXT ROUND: CASTLE COMBE, AUGUST 4TH.
Issued by Peter Scherer for the Clubmans Register, June 12th, 2007. Contact 01332 362577/07802 853244 peter@scher.freeserve.co.uk