The Colin Chapman Trophy for HSCC Historic Formula Junior

Silverstone Classic 29th to 31st July 2005

Friday Qualifying A very full field of forty six cars recorded times in official qualifying.  The entry was truly international with drivers from Japan, New Zealand, USA, Switzerland etc. as well as a very large UK contingent.

After a ten minute delay in the assembly area, the Juniors were released on to the GP circuit. Immediately the pace setters (just as at Brands GP a week earlier) were Edwin Jowsey Lotus 22 and Mike Hibberd Lotus 27, Urs Eberhardt  Lotus 27 again was third fastest on 2.04, fourth very close was Mallory winner Mark Gillies Lotus 20/22, Denis Welch Merlyn Mk 5/7 and Simon Diffey Lotus 20 both recorded 2.05s to make up the top six.
In the early laps Mike Hibberd's 27 went ahead of Edwin's 22 on the road only to spin while avoiding a spinning car at Brooklands.
Martin Walford driving the Rolt's Elva 200 was revelation in Class B with a time of 2.09, second in this class was Kevin Musson Lotus 18 on a 2.15.
Stuart Roach in the Alexis Mk2 was best in Class A2 with 2.13, Derek Walker's Terrier Mk 1V was close also on 2.13.
Chris Drake in the Elva 300 was best in Class C1 with a time of 2.13 ahead of the Lola Mk 2 of David Pratley on 2.24.
Jason Wright in his Stanguellini recorded 2.28 some 20 secs ahead of Ian Scott in his Volpini in Class A1.

The reliability factor was very good overall in this session on the very demanding GP circuit, from the forty six cars who practiced, forty four were to line up for the race on Saturday.

Saturday Race 2 The race got under way exactly on time, at the end of the first lap the order was Jowsey 22, Hibberd 27, Eberhardt 27, leading with a bunch of cars all tangled together behind, Andrew Hibberd 22 was challenging Mark Woodhouse's sick sounding 20 for seventh spot.
On lap five Hibberd passed Jowsey into the lead at Club corner, a lead which he held onto for about three laps.
He then lost out to both Jowsey and Eberhardt and dropped down to third place. One lap later saw the two 27s change round and Mike was back up into second spot as they started the final lap.
When the two leaders reached the Hanger straight Mike had the 27 right behind Edwin's 22 in the tow, this enabled him to overtake Edwin in Stowe Corner into a very slender lead. 
Both Edwin and Urs chased hard round the rest of the lap, so hard that Mike's winning margin was a mere 0.04 sec ahead of Edwin at the flag with Urs 1.9 secs away in third.
Simon Diffey in his 20 was fourth, Denis Welch nursing a very warm engine in his Merlyn was fifth, Mark Gillies had his 20/22 in sixth, Andrew Hibberd's 22 seventh with Steve Smith T59 closing on him at the end in eighth.
Barry Westmorland 22 was ninth benifitting from his new set of Dunlops, James Claridge in his Lola 5A completed the top ten.

Numerous races within the race went on throughout the ten laps, perhaps notable amongst these was the scrap between Jeremy Bouckley Cooper T56, Klaus Rauschen's Brabham BT2, Len Selby in his Lola Mk5 and Doug Martin in his Elva 200 which seemed to have been thoroughly enjoyed all round.

Eleventh overall and winner of class B was Martin Walford in his second drive in the Rolt Elva 200. Keiichi Murakama's Classic Team Lotus, Lotus18 was second in class B from Kevin Musson also driving a Lotus 18 in third.

Class A2 winner was Stuart Roach Alexis Mk2 some 12secs ahead of Derek Walker in his Terrier Mk1V. Tony Goodwin Gemini Mk2 was third.

David Pratley was sole finisher in class C1 in his Lola.

Jason Wright Stanguellini the only A1 car to finish.

The winners average speed for the ten lap race was 90.51 mph, the race time was 20.52.46 mins. Urs Eberhardt set the fastest lap at 2.03.006 on lap three.

Forty cars finished and there were four retirements.

This return to Formula Junior racing at the Silverstone GP provide an ideal setting for a very close fought race for the overall victory. Some outstanding drives in the class contests underpinned the performances of those who made it onto the podium.  Just Superb all round.

Results

Winner Colin Chapman Trophy Race and first in class C2 Mike Hibberd Lotus 27.
Second Colin Chapman Trophy Race and in class C2 Edwin Jowsey Lotus 22
Third Colin Chapman Trophy race and in class C2 Urs Eberhardt Lotus 27.

Eleventh overall and winner class B Martin Walford Elva 200.

Sixteenth overall and winner class A2 Stuart Roach Alexis Mk2.

Stan Hibberd 31st July 2005