HSCC Donington Park Historic Formula Junior Race Round two of the Millers Oils/HSCC UK Championship 2nd April 2006

Round two of the UK championship at Donington, seemed to be dominated by the weather. A lovely sunny start to the day lasted until just before qualifying, clouds then gathered and as the cars began practice rain sprinkled down, but thankfully it didn't persist.

Qualifying Mark Woodhouse Lotus 20/22 was the pacesetter with a time of 1.23.184, he circulated rapidly closely shadowed by Simon Diffey in his Lotus 20, on the road and as it proved close on time as well. Mike Hibberd Lotus 27 was third. Steve Smith Cooper T59 was fourth, Robin Longdon Lola Mk5A fifth, Andrew Hibberd Lotus 22 sixth.
Top front engined runner was Derek Walker in his Terrier Mk1V on 1.28.462. Close second in class A2 was Tony Goodwin Gemini Mk2. John Truslove Lola Mk2 under a second away third in class.
Andrew Willis Lotus 18 headed Class B times, the Deep Sanderson DS104 driven by Malcolm Cook was second in class, ahead of Paul Hewes in his Lotus 18.
Fastest in class C1 was Simon Diffey Lotus 20, and in second place overall on the grid, next fastest in this class was Paul Davis also in a Lotus 20.
A unique sight in the session was the appearance together on the circuit of two Ausper T3's. It is believed to be the first time since the Empire trophy race at Silverstone in 1961, that two Ausper's have appeared in the same race.
Rudolf Ernst in his Lotus 22 pulled onto the grass at Redgate on his out lap but was able to continue. Bill Grimshaw Gemini Mk2 pitted after eight laps.
Twenty eight cars recorded times in the session, strong winds affected the cars, and affected the qualifying times.

The weather deteriorated as race time approached. Wind and rain buffeted the crews preparing the cars for the race. Though the rain stopped as race time approached the circuit was awash as the cars assembled and set off on the two green flag laps.

Race 2 from the start Mark Woodhouse 20/22 led the charge into Redgate, Mike Hibberd had the 27 up into second as they went out of sight with Simon Diffey's 20 in third. At the end of the first lap it was still Mark ahead of Mike who had his car alongside down the pit straight, at Redgate Mike had the 27 ahead on the outside line, Mark was still holding on as they went out of sight towards Hollywood. Simon Diffey's 20 was falling back a little and there was a scramble behind him that lasted two or three laps with lots of position changes. Several drivers held third spot briefly as the Diffey 20 lost ground, amongst these were the Longdon Lola, Steve Smith's T59, Andrew Hibberd in his 22, and Westmorland also in a 22.
By mid race the surface was treacherous and many cars were spinning and ending up on the grass, the resulting mud brought on to the track by recovering cars, made matters worse. The lap times in the 1.44s for the leaders early in the race were much slower down to 1.57s, even though the track was drying well it certainly was on the pit straight.
On lap seven two back markers suffered spins at the Old Hairpin and went off the road right in front of the leading pair. Mike had to brake to a complete standstill in avoiding them, Mark was able to keep going and passed Mikes 27 to take the lead, by the end of the lap.  Mike had the momentum back when the leaders reappeared at the pits, again he was alongside into Redgate, this time on the inside line, again Mark was still contesting the lead as they headed towards Hollywood. While all this was going on at the front of the race, circuit conditions worsened and many drivers were finding it difficult to stay on the road. In these conditions Derek Walker was in his element in his Terrier and was steaming round fourth overall briefly, then in fifth place and looking very comfortable.
Simon Diffey headed the C1 runners but a lurid spin had dropped him to eighth overall.
Malcolm Cook's Deep Sanderson was the top Class B runner, Andrew Willis out of the race after three laps.
At the finish Mike Hibberd Lotus 27 was ahead of the Lotus 20/22 of Mark Woodhouse by .8 of a sec.  Third home was Simon Armer in his Cooper T59 once again showing his skills in the wet.  Barry Westmorland in his Lotus 22 was fourth. Derek Walker in his Terrier Mark 1V a very creditable fifth. Robin Longdon Lola MkVA a very sensible sixth.
In the pit lane afterwards the juniors looked very grubby indeed, Duncans Alexis looked as if it had just finished a very wet Lands End trial rather than an FJ race. In these conditions it was a creditable to finish at all, remarkable that twenty four cars finished the race with only four retirements.
Amongst those who failed to finish was Steve Smith in his Cooper T 59 who set the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1.42.949.
The two Ausper T3's driven by Vernon Williamson and Alexander Morton,  marked the occasion, of their joint appearance by both finishing the race, a remarkable achievement in itself.

Results

First overall and winner of class C2…. Mike Hibberd Lotus 27
Second overall…………………………… Mark Wodhouse Lotus 20/22
Third overall………………………………  Simon Armer Cooper T59

First in Class C1…………………………. Simon Diffey Lotus 20

First in Class A2 ………………………… Derek Walker Terrier Mk1V

First in Class B ………………………..   Malcolm Cook Deep Sanderson 
                                                         DS104 

Stan Hibberd 4.4.2006