CSCC Classic K one hour…Snetterton 200

The CSCC Classic K one hour revival race took place on the Snetterton 200 circuit on Sunday 20th October 2013, and the CSCC is delighted with the initial response to this inaugural race. Twenty one cars qualified and raced with many interested onlookers themselves planning to enter in 2014.

Conditions for the 30 minute qualifying were wet, with competitors driving cautiously during the session. Nick and Al Fleming took pole position in their Lotus Elan S1 (car 1) after working on their car until 4.00am to change the engine as they had snapped their crankshaft on the previous day. Alongside them on the front row of the grid was the Elan S2 (car 20) of Mark Halstead and Stuart McPherson.

An eclectic mix of Alfa Romeo, BMW, Ford, Ginetta, Lotus, Morgan, MG, Reliant, Triumph and TVR, completed the grid.

Conditions for the one hour race were much improved with the rain not arriving until the final five minutes. The pace of the race was frenetic, unusual for a one hour race. Spectators commented on the high standard of car presentation, the variety of cars and the frequent changes of position between the larger, more powerful cars and the nimble, lighter cars.

From the start, the Elans of Mark Halstead/Stuart McPherson, Nick and Al Fleming and the TVR Griffith of John Davison pulled away from the rest of the field. After six laps the Flemings retired, leaving a two way battle at the front. Places were traded frequently, the dry conditions giving the Griff the slightest edge. From Murrays to Brundle the Davison TVR could pull a 2 second gap over the Halstead/McPherson Elan, only for the Elan to close the gap between Nelson and Coram. Mid way through the race both cars pitted together and with fast work both cars left the pits nose to tail.

A safety car period to recover the sick Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Super (car 128) driven by David Erwin and Will Dick closed up the field. With less than ten minutes to go, the Elan, now driven by McPherson, pulled a brave move under braking for Murrays, getting around the outside of Davison but carrying just too much speed and making him slide onto the wet grass. This gave Davison a 5 second lead that looked comfortable. Everything changed in the final five minutes when the rain arrived and the gap narrowed. With less than three minutes remaining, Davison spun in the increasingly wet conditions allowing Halstead/McPherson a comfortable win. Once Davison returned to the pits he was surprised to hear he had actually classified in second place overall, as the lead pair had lapped the field twice. An excited Jon Wolfe finished third overall in his big Ford Falcon Sprint (car 5). Brian Arculus won the largest class of the day in his Elite (car 71) and was fourth overall.

We look forward to 2014 with six one hour races planned at Snetterton, Brands Hatch, Silverstone, Donington and Oulton Park. CSCC and Paddock42 will publish the UK calendar shortly. Events at Spa and Nurburgring are also planned but these are yet to be finalised. Look out for the Paddock42 Lotus Cortina!