Aston Martin OC Donington Park 25th June 2005

Race morning was damp and dismal, Qualifying got under way on time and it was soon evident that as usual the Donington circuit was very tricky for Juniors in these conditions. Nineteen cars recorded times in the session, pole position went to Steve Smith in his Cooper T59 with a time of 1.41.415, half a second slower was Mike Hibberd's Lotus 22, with Robin Longdon in the Lola Mk5A a couple of tenths slower in third.
Top front engined runner was Stuart Roach in his Alexis Mk2 with a creditable time of I.42.834 which placed him on row two of the starting grid, Derek Walker 's Terrier Mk 1V was next with a 1.43.682 his inside spot on the third row of the grid promised an interesting drag race at the start for the class A2 front runners.
Clive Temple Cooper T56 was quickest of the two Class B cars with 1.51.503. Andrew Robertson’s Crossle 4F expired early at the Kraner Curves with serious engine maladies, whilst  the Cooper T59 of Alan Biggar  had a spin in the pit entrance on his first lap; on his third lap  the tricky conditions saw him go straight on at Redgate into the gravel trap ,so yellow flags were out most of the remainder of the session until the tow truck recovered the car from it's exposed position.
After the session most of the pace setters seemed surprised to have gone as well as they had managed in the greasy conditions.

Race 3 in marked contrast to the morning practice session, racing conditions were perfect, the track was dry, a really pleasant afternoon.
Poleman Steve Smith's Cooper and the Mike Hibberd Lotus led the charge into the first corner and were side by side through Redgate the Lotus seeming to edge ahead as they went out of sight.  The expected close start for the front engined cars fizzled out rather abruptly when the Derek Walker Terrier broke a half shaft, the car only travelled about fifty yards before pulling off the track.
As the leaders came back into view Mike Hibberd Lotus 22 had a clear lead over the chasing pack; as the race developed Robin Longdon had the Lola clear of the others and began to work away at reducing the gap to the leader, Barry Westmoreland's Lotus 22 was running strongly in third just ahead of Steve Smith in the Cooper, Claridge in the Lola was fifth and Paul Smeeth had made up a lot of ground to sixth, ahead of Stuart Roach's Alexis and the Crispian Besley in his Elva 100 who were now leading the front engined contest. Bill Grimshaw seemed to be having a good run in the Moorland, three abreast on the pit straight at one point, until a pushrod broke and sidelined him after five laps.
At the front of the race Mike Hibberd's early charge in the Lotus 22 had given him a healthy lead, however, as the race neared it's conclusion Robin Longdon's dogged pursuit began to pay off and as they started the final lap he was mounting a strong challenge for the lead, which saw him set the fastest lap of the race a 1.21.963, the Hibberd Lotus still holding on to win from the Lola by a tiny 0.432 of a second after eleven laps, third was Barry Westmoreland Lotus 22, fourth Steve Smith Cooper T59.
Stuart Roach in the Alexis converted his good qualifying performance into a clear class A2 win, and seventh overall, to take the front engined category. Second in class was the Crispian Besley's Elva 100, who was followed home one lap down by Clive Temple in his Cooper T56 to take class B.

Results 

1st Overall and in Class C Mike Hibberd Lotus 22
2nd Overall and in Class C Robin Longdon Lola Mk5A
3rd Overall and in Class C Barry Westmorland Lotus 22

7th Overall and winner class A2 Stuart Roach Alexis Mk2
8th Overall and second class A 2 Crispian Besley Elva 100

9th Overall and winner of class B Clive Temple Cooper T56