750 MC Snetterton 13^th/14^th April 2002

Saturday the 13^th April 2002, was an all day test session, four Formula Junior cars were present, Michael Waller driving his Kieft and his Lotus 22, Mike Hibberd was testing his Lotus 27, Andrew Hibberd was taking the opportunity to get in some laps in his Lotus 20, he managed 44 laps in the two morning sessions. During the afternoon sessions both Mike Wallers cars were in action, with Mike Hibberd first driving his Lotus 27, and then getting in some laps in the Kieft as well, Mike Waller in his Lotus 22 and the Kieft ran round for several laps together, it was an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon on a not too crowded track.

Ten cars turned up for race day, Edwin Jowsey was absent although entered.

Mike Hibberd and Denis Welch set the qualifying pace, both of them recording times in the 1.19s, Robin Longdon and Neil Dawes were next with a 1.23 and a 1.24 respectively, the two lotus 22s of Paul Smeeth and Mike Waller were pretty evenly matched at 1.29, Andrew Hibberd was the last of the rear engined contenders with a steady 1.36, he was followed by a curiously off the pace Reg Hargrave, Paul Hewes Lola Mark 2 the only front engined car present was next, finally Neil Hodges in his Cooper Mark 8, after six laps the Cooper visited the pits and suffered a minor fire in the engine compartment, a short squirt of powder from the fire marshal's extinguisher soon had it under control, Neil was left with a major clean up problem, this kept him busy for most of the time between qualifying and the race, he prudently scratched from the race not having enough time to get the Cooper race ready.

Nine cars faced the starter at 2.15pm the 750 MC running the program very much on time, it was a nice sunny and mild day perfect conditions, the only problem a very sparse field. Mike Hibberd on pole and Denis Welch alongside disputed the lead, side by side round the early corners, when they appeared at the end of the first lap Welch was slightly ahead, followed by Robin Longdon and Neil Dawes who were disputing third spot, Smeeth and Hargrave were next pursued by Waller who had got away badly, Andrew Hibberd next up in his debut race ahead of Paul Hewes in his Lola. A very close battle for the lead developed with Hibberd getting ahead of Welch, who fought back and retook the lead and the commentator was reporting them cornering still side by side in the most unlikely places, after about lap 8 this settled down when the Lotus 27 had a clutch slip develop, Mike settling for second place with Denis Welsh's Merlyn now firmly in the lead in the Merlin, Longdon in third place in the Lola had pulled away from Neil Dawes in the Lotus 20/22, Reg Hargrave had the Kieft going much better than in practice, but was unable to hold off Mike Waller in the Lotus 22, toward the end of the race the Andrew Hibberd Lotus 20 was passed by Paul Hewes in the Lola Mark 2, Andrew stuck at it and was able to repass Paul before the end.

Stan Hibberd 15^th April 2002