HSCC Oulton Park Gold Cup 27th and 28th August 2005
Race two AMOC/Millers Oils - Historic Formula Junior.

The Friday before the Gold Cup weekend was set aside for testing at Oulton Park.  Several of the Formula Junior drivers took advantage of this opportunity so there was plenty to see and do while setting up in the paddock for the weekend.

Saturday Qualifying for the Formula Junior cars was the first session of the day, this entailed a very early sign on and scrutineering.
The session was under way prompt at 9.30 am. The pace setter through the twenty minutes was Simon Diffey in his very smart Lotus 20, with a time of I. 56.418 he was almost two seconds quicker than the rest, with Robert Goodwin Lotus 22 next the best of four cars/drivers on 1.58s. John Fyda Lotus 22 was sixth on 1.59.402. Hamish Morrison in his Cooper T67 is making good progress and was seventh on 2.00.225
James Hicks in the Caravelle Mark 3 headed the class B runners with Martin Walford in the Elva 200 close three tenths of a second away in second.  In line with recent form Stuart Roach Alexis Mk2 2.04.397, headed the class A2 runners, from Derek Walker Terrier MkV1 and Mark Woodhouse Elva 100, a good effort by Mark who was still at home finishing the Elva rebuild twelve hours earlier. Wisely he called in the pits to check the Elva mid session all was well.
Peter Mullen's Osca was the sole runner in Class A1 and recorded a time of 2.12.471.

Sunday Race Two when the red lights went out the cars seemed to hang on the grid momentarily, then they all appeared to arrive in Old Hall corner together, Hamish Morrison added to the excitement by spinning the T67 in this first corner ! as they set off down the hill Diffey's Lotus 20 led from Mike Hibberd in the Lotus 27 up from fifth on the grid, Robin Longdon had the Lola 5A in third at the expense of Goodwin 22 and Armer T59. 
So the scene was set for the battle for the lead, this was soon well joined.
At the end of the first lap it was still Diffey in his 20 just ahead of Hibberd in the 27and Longdon's Lola. This changed on lap two at Shell Hairpin, Hibberd was through into the lead and a lap or so later Longdon had the Lola up into second spot also at the hairpin.
Simon kept up relentless pressure on Robin for the next few laps, as they approached the second chicane on lap five they lapped the Cooper of Peter Jackson. At the chicane Robin had a spin in the Lola, Simon collided with the Lola's rear wheel causing serious damage to the front of the 20s bodywork, the nose section had all gone back to the radiator, both cars and the battle for second and third places continued anabated.
On lap eight Martin Walford retired the Elva 200, and Andrew Hibberd came into the pits to retire with a broken clutch pedal.
Stuart Roach Alexis was leading the front engined cars with Mark Woodhouse in second after the retirement on lap three of the Walker Terrier, Bill Grimshaw had his Moorland up to third in class.
In the last couple of laps Simon Diffey tried desperately hard to get his damaged Lotus 20 back into a podium position.
At the chequered flag it was Mike Hibberd's Lotus 27 fourteen seconds ahead of Robin Longdon Lola Mk5A, Simon Armer Cooper T59 held on to third just from the Diffey 20.
Stuart Roach in his Alexis Mk2 was twelfth overall clinching the class A2 win and almost certainly the overall FJ championship for 2005. He was some twelve seconds ahead of Mark Woodhouse in his Elva 100. Bill Grimshaw had his Moorland in third spot for the class.
Clive Temple Cooper T56 was fifteenth overall and winner of class B from the consistent Doug Martin in his Elva 200, third in class B was the Crossle 4F driven by Andrew Robertson.

Thirty two cars took part in the race, there were seven retirements. Fastest lap went to Simon Diffey with a lap in 1.56.715, both the winner and second place drivers improved their lap times in the race to 1.56s such was the pace at the front.

This was a scorching race on a real driver's circuit. Cars of three different makes took the first three places. The race took place in front of a very large and appreciative crowd. Conditions were good but the strong wind called for some care.

Results

First overall and winner of class C2 Mike Hibberd Lotus 27.
Second overall and in class C2 Robin Longdon Lola Mk5A.
Third overall and in class C2 Simon Armer Cooper T59.

Winner class A2 Stuart Roach Alexis Mk2

Winner class B Clive Temple Cooper T56.

Stan Hibberd 30-8-2005.