CLASSIC CLUBMANS CHAMPIONSHIP 2008
He may not have featured among the top points scorers prior to Brands Hatch, but reigning champion Peter Harper enjoyed his trip down from Yorkshire and was the dominant force all weekend. Fastest in qualifying, he was headed in race one, but fought back mightily en route to a brace of victories.
RACE ONE
This first of the weekend’s races was cut by a lap to 16, after an extra green flag lap became necessary when Jared Wood’s Class D Batten Mk 1 stopped on the warming up lap. His throttle return spring had broken and although he was able to carry out repairs and join in late, his over-revved engine cried enough a few laps later.
The Phantom of fellow front row man Steven Chaplin initially headed Harper’s Mallock on the dash to Paddock, but Harper quickly asserted himself. Now seemingly in charge, albeit not by much, attention switched to the second place battle in which John Harrison got the better of Chaplin on lap five.
A surprise awaited Harper who lost the lead on lap eight, when he was baulked by a backmarker. Local man Harrison took full advantage to grab the lead. This really fired up Harper whose initial response was to try and respond quickly.
As they exited Graham Hill Bend on lap nine, Harper ran wide and clipped the grass, surrendering vital speed on the run down to Surtees. Chaplin gleefully took his chance to wrest second as they swept into the left hander.
A few laps later, Harper pulled the move of the weekend when he passed Chaplin and Harrison in a stunning manoeuvre as they went down into the daunting Paddock Hill Bend. Chaplin briefly grabbed his chance to oust Harrison from second spot, but he was having none of it and retook the place a lap later.
Points leader Mark Charteris, Malcolm Jackson and Ian Mitchell rounded out the top six while David Facer’s Mallock was left with a comfortable run to Class B honours after the shadowing Mike Sales fell victim to a backmarker.
Facer got past the slower car which moved over to give him room, but unfortunately had failed to spot Sales who had a car directly in his path. It was an option of hitting the slower car or a trip into Clearways gravel trap and Sales chose the latter. “It was a shame as a class win was there for the taking,” he reflected.
Bob Yarwood secured Class C honours while Wood’s demise left Class D without any finishers. Among the other non-finishers, the most significant was Ray Harper whose swirl pot split on the opening lap, showering the engine with hot water.
RESULTS
1 Peter Harper (Mallock Mk 20B) 16 laps in 13m06.192s (87.81mph); 2 John Harrison (Mallock Mk 21) 13m07.546s; 3 Steven Chaplin (Phantom P79); 4 Mark Charteris (Mallock Mk 20B); 5 Malcolm Jackson (Mallock Mk 20B); 6 Ian Mitchell (CTG Mk 8); 7 Bob Crozier (Mallock Mk 1); 8 David Facer (Mallock Mk 18B); 9 Robert Beazer (Mallock Mk 18); 10 David Childs (Centaur). Class winners: Harper, Facer, Bob Yarwood (Mallock Mk 8). Fastest lap: Harper 48.141s (89.63mph).
RACE TWO
The best race lap from Saturday’s encounter decided the grid positions for race two, but this too became a 16 lapper following a first lap stoppage. It was caused by front row man Harrison, who trying to anticipate the lights had crept forward. He checked the momentum, but when he did go, the differential broke and left him stranded.
The next five rows managed to squeeze past the stricken car, but for the next three men, who were unsighted by cars, suddenly ducked and dived, until it ended in contact. Thankfully there were no injuries, but as well as Harrison whose car was hit and pushed across the track to the pit wall, out were Tony Harman (front suspension), Alan Davenport (rear suspension) and Richard Fry (front suspension).
Harper led all the way in the re-run, while Charteris initially ran second under intense pressure from Chaplin, but then spun into the Druids gravel trap while trying to pass a backmarker. Chaplin was later passed by Jackson, who drew well clear of the ailing Chaplin, his engine sounder ever rougher as the race wore on.
Chaplin had enough in hand to hang on to third spot from Ray Harper who salvaged something from the weekend with fourth place. A bit further back Mitchell and Bob Crozier rounded out the top six.
Facer was again best of the Class B cars while Sales enjoyed an incident free run this time to take second, albeit well adrift of the class winner. Mike Gurr was third, just inches ahead of Robert Beazer.
The startline incident left Class C with just one starter, Yarwood doubling up on his win of a day earlier. Wood’s engine problems on Saturday had sidelined him and so Class D was devoid of any starters on Sunday.
RESULTS
1 P.Harper 16 laps in13m19.256s (86.38mph); 2 Jackson 13m22.152s; 3 Chaplin; 4 Ray Harper (Mallock Mk 20B); 5 Mitchell; 6 Crozier; 7 Facer; 8 Mike Sales (Phantom P79); 9 Mike Gurr (IM Mk 1); 10 Beazer. CW Facer; Yarwood. FL P.Harper 48.825s (88.37mph).
NEXT ROUND OULTON PARK, JUNE 21
Issued by Peter Scherer for the Clubmans Register on June 9th, 2008. Contact 01332 362577/07802 853244 or peter@scher.freeserve.co.uk