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The Championship goes down to the wire!
 28 practiced and 27 lined up for the race at what was a very dusty, windy Snetterton circuit. This was our largest grid ever – very pleasing after all the hard work by many members publicising the Championship! We were also particularly glad to see Colin Bryan from Drayton Manor Park in attendance. Our championship formed the largest one-make grid of the day!
Dick Trevett was fastest in practice, leading class C from Paul Ashton, Tony Howe and James Dunkley. In class B Tom Sanderson was super quick taking third place on the grid and leading his class from Neal Gardiner, Iain Patterson and Andrew Ashton. Terry Bracey-Wright led class A from Tim Metcalfe and Jon Agar. It was nice to see Dale Drinon back with us after a few years’ break but sadly he was unable to start the race due to a mechanical breakdown.
There was a mad dash to the first corner and, thankfully, everyone got round OK. Andrew Ashton had made a good start but competition was fierce in class B. From my observation point on the pit wall I could not hear any commentary so I had to wait to see who led as the pack came into sight. Paul Ashton led from Dick Trevett and maintained his lead through the chicane. Tom Sanderson led class B from Andrew and Iain Patterson. Terry led class A from Tim Metcalfe. By lap two Paul still led the race. Dick was in contention and Tony Howe and James Dunkley were dicing. Tom was pulling away from the class B chasing pack of Lee McNamara, Neal Gardiner, Iain Patterson and Andrew Ashton.
 As they came past me Paul Ashton was pulling away from Trevett and they both had a good lead over Howe and Dunkley. As these two approached the chicane Dunkley tried to overtake on the right but Tony held him off. It was exciting stuff. Tom was fifth and Neal had closed up on Andrew Ashton. Terry was ahead of Tim Metcalfe with Jon Agar in third place. On the next lap the leading two had extended their lead. This time “Bacon Boy” tried to overtake Tony on the inside but Tony again kept him at bay. Andrew was still holding off Neal Gardiner and Lee was fourth in class followed by James Webb. Dave Heasman’s car was going much better and so was Tony Dowler.
Next time round “Bacon Boy” was on the inside of Tony and they were nip and tuck as they came to the chicane but Howe still had the lead as they exited. Iain and Lee were still in close contact followed by James Webb. Adam Palmer was not going as well as previously in the season and Derek Facer pulled off with a mechanical problem. Paul still had a good lead over Trevett who led from Howe. Dunkley had fallen back a little. Neal had passed Andrew but the next three class B cars remained in the same order. Les Tyler pulled into the pit lane for a small adjustment to his car but he was able to rejoin the fray.
Paul was now in amongst the back markers but he still had a good lead. Howe and Dunkley were still dicing and Sanderson had a considerable lead over Neal and Andrew. They in turn had a comfortable lead over Iain. This meant that Andrew was third in class, as was Jon Agar. It was anybody’s guess who would win the championship at this stage! Neal was pulling away from Andrew and Iain was extending his lead over James Webb. Lee had disappeared and I subsequently found out that he had pulled off because his oil warning light had come on.
Ashton still led from Trevett who led from Howe. Dunkley had fallen back a little and Tom Sanderson was in front of Neal and Richard Garrard. Iain Patterson was catching Andrew up and I wondered if he had a problem. Iain pulled out to overtake Andrew on the start and finish straight. By the next lap Trevett had disappeared leaving Howe in second place from Dunkley. Patterson had overtaken Andrew Ashton and James Webb was some way behind him.
The last lap board went out and Ashton had kept his lead over Howe. Sanderson had a good lead in class B but, to my surprise he pulled into the pit lane with a mechanical problem. This elevated Andrew to third place in the class, which was where he finished and was enough for him to take the overall championship from Jon Agar by virtue of having had four third place finishes to Jon’s three.
 At the flag Paul Ashton won, having driven a terrific race. Dunkley took second as Tony Howe’s run of bad luck continued, forcing him to steady up and allow James past. Neal Gardiner won class B from Iain Patterson and Andrew Ashton. Tim Metcalfe had passed Terry earlier in the race and he took class A from Terry and Jon Agar.
Later in the day a spectator told me that this had been the most exciting race of the day with close racing in all classes. It was a fitting finale to what has been our most successful season so far. Congratulations to all the class winners and especially to our new champion – Andrew Ashton, a novice in his first season.
Sunday 4th October 2009
The British Motor Heritage Four Hour Relay
This year the championship had three teams of drivers in the relay. In the absence of Lee McNamara Tony Howe, Dick Trevett and Richard Garrard made up the Metro Maniacs with their team manager Dave Javes. Iain Patterson, Terry Bracey-Wright and Tim Metcalfe were Team Slim under Roger, the team manager and our third team comprised Nick Isaac, James Webb, Dave Heasman, Pete Thompson, Andrew Ashton and Paul Luti. Their reluctant team manager was Steve Carter. As if this wasn’t enough another championship driver, Jon Agar, was part of another team!
As last year, much fevered activity could be seen in the pit garages on Saturday night as Dick Trevett’s car had an engine change and Tony Howe replaced his alternator yet again.
The Metro Maniacs first three long stints seemed to go well but then Richard’s car developed a problem followed by Tony pulling back into the pits with clouds of smoke pouring out of the car. This left Dick to cover the rest of the event and meant a re-fuelling stop had to be made which lost them a couple of laps and left them finishing second in class.
Things were going well for Team Slim until Iain had a touch of over enthusiasm and spun being struck by another car in the process. He limped into the pits with a damaged radiator and driving over his front bumper. Much feverish activity saw the car ready to run again when a broken gearbox mounting was diagnosed putting Iain out for the rest of the race. Tim took over from Terry and drove to the finish. The team won class A of the relay.
The Metroholics were on shorter stints and Paul Luti was sharing Pete Thompson’s car. Even though he was a reluctant team manager Steve Carter, ably assisted by the pit wall crew, did a sterling job of organising his drivers so that the take-overs went without a hitch. Nick’s car had a fuel problem but this was rapidly overcome so that the car was ready to go again very quickly. With just Pete and James to do their last stints, Pete was a little concerned about his car so he suggested to Steve that James be fuelled to drive to the finish. This he did and the team took the class D win from the Metro Maniacs.
All in all a most enjoyable and successful event – roll on next year.
Jean Ellis 6/10/09
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