For an early season race, there was a fantastic entry for the two standalone Front engined races at the traditional FJ starter meeting at 750 Mallory Park, so, despite Gordon Wright’s Stanguellini engine not being back in time, the late entries from Bill Grimshaw in the familiar Moorland, and Andrew Tart, giving the Bond FJ-1 its debut in its new ownership of Jon Goddard-Watts, the man who gave the car its Works debut in 1961. Andrew has rebuilt the car over the Winter, and is making good progress with the restoration of FJ-2 as well.

All the way from Scotland came Vern Williamson, the new custodian of the Scorpion-Ford 500-02, that Duncan had retrieved from Switzerland a year or so ago, and much enjoying his first front engined venture, while erstwhile Scorpion driver, Paul Dixon, had his early Elva 100 out again after a long lay off, the Gemini-ford being still hors de combat after its finishing line accident at Silverstone last year.

Also new on the grid was David Bishop in the ex Paul Smeeth, ex Mike Waller Elva 100, which David had finally persuaded Paul to sell to him, and Peter St Barbe, period F4 racer from the 60s, hardly having had time to look at his brand new purchase, the “ Wreck Rescue TV” Elva 100/99 ex Steve Russell, while Paul Hewes was looking smarter than ever before in a pristine Lola Mk 2, his familiar ex-Fitzwilliam car having been torn down and rebuilt over the Winter.

Practice took place in bright sunshine, and had a familiar look, with Derek walker still the maestro, with Brendan Roberts’ Lola Mk 2 and Crispian Besley’s Elva spaced behind. At 79, David Stevenson is still quite remarkable in the U2, only a hairsbreadth behind John Chisholm in the ex Ben Taylor-Roberts Mk II Gemini. Robin Longdon was a touch cautious on the first outing of the Lola since its banana crash at Hockenheim a year ago, while a startling 57.59 from the front wheel drive Bond bodes well for the future; Peter St Barbe just failed to crack the minute, but was still 4 seconds ahead of the other two debutantes, Bishop and Williamson.

Practice however came to a sudden end with the red flag, as Paul Hewes spun on oil at Gerards, and his rear wheel was collected by the unfortunate Keith Roach in the Gemini, which then careered into the barrier/bank, but not before Tony Childe-Freeman caught fire in the Volpini, and John Chisholm became the first to be called before the stewards under FJHRAs tougher approach to driving standards, receiving a warning on this occasion for passing Paul Hewes under the yellow flag.

Sadly the red flag was out again soon after the start of race one, as several cars spun on oil that had a Chiswick flavour to it, John Chisholm leaving half his drop box literally on the floor at the exit of the hairpin, and suffice to say that neither John Chisholm or Bill Grimshaw took the restart, nor did David Stevenson. Poor Andrew Tart hit the curb, bent the beam axle, and causing one of his special Bond rear wheels to collapse.

The restarted race, however, was a good show, but Derek still managed to hold off a charging Brendan Roberts, while the unfortunate Robin Longdon was up there too, but blew a piston in the Lola’s engine on the last lap. Crispian upheld BMC honours in 3rd, with young Jack Woodhouse nibbling at his tail. Last unlapped runner was a fast improving Vern Williamson.

Race two ran a full 21 laps, and it was Crispian who took the lead from the flag, and held on for a lap, and not to be outdone by Derek, then got it back again, albeit briefly, before leaving Derek to a comfortable win. However Brendan Roberts was running an ever distant second, and Crispian nearly caught him at the end, with Jack Woodhouse [ Elva 100] not far adrift, but behind a lapped Geoff O’nion came a delighted Stephen Barlow : no axle problems this time !, with Vern and the Scorpion close behind. Peter St Barbe developed a dreadful rumble/knocking sound from between his knees as the revs increased, and wisely pitted, while David Stevenson had his own problems, missing the warning light and running the U2s bearings, and Paul Hewes thought he had a head gasket go on the last lap, and wisely stopped; infact it was a banjo union off the fuel line to the carbs, so he was very lucky not to have a serious fire. Jan Biekens won the Italian clas , and it was good to see the two Volpinis battling together to the end, with the now shorter haired Michael Ashley-Brown second in class by a short head !! Once again the disciplinarians had something to say about passing under yellow flags, but as neither had gained a position advantage, it was only a Reprimand for both Derek Walker and Jack Woodhouse, and no time penalty.

Despite the few excursions, it had been an excellent meeting, and much enjoyed in the sunshine. Talk at the Prize giving party was about more front engined only races, and certainly Cadwell Park in two weeks time will be another. In fact no prizes were given, as they had not arrived at the circuit , but Freedom beer flowed as usual thanks to Crispian’s generosity.

Crispian Besley /Tim Bishop / DCPR / All Contributants...!