Historic Racing Saloons Register Race reports 2006 supplied by Adrian Oliver
Round 1 – Donington Park – Sunday 2nd April 2006
The season commenced with a gathering of drivers and their families the night before Round 1 at Donington Park. A marquee in the paddock, kindly provided by Roger Cope, was the venue for the presentation of prizes and trophies for the 2005 season. The gourmet buffet and bar provided by Ann and Les Ely proved as popular as ever and the HRSR camaraderie was on full show.
The next morning however it was down to the serious business and 28 drivers took part in morning qualifying with many new drivers and cars for the forthcoming season. It was however the Dodd family that took the front row of the Grid with James (Alfa Romeo) just ahead of Graeme (Jaguar MkII). The ever improving Jonathon Gomm ( Lotus Cortina) took third spot just 1/10th ahead of a flying Bob Bullen (Ford Anglia).Further down the grid, Roger Ebdon was the leader of the Class D field in his Mini Cooper with a creditable 3rd row position and Mike Hanna (Hillman Imp) the leading Class E runner in 12th.
The afternoon race on a damp track saw saw Graeme Dodd take the overall and Class A win by some 12 seconds from son James, who took the Class B win, he was closely followed by Jonathon Gomm (Class C Win) and Les Ely (BMW 2000). Roger Godfrey overhauled Roger Ebdon in the battle of the Mini’s and took Class D in 5th place overall. Mike Hanna (Hillman Imp) crossed the line in 9th to take Class E but only fractions ahead of fellow Imp man Simon Benoy.
Roger Cope ( BMW 1800), Tony Pearson (Jaguar S Type), Grant Clearwater ( Zephyr Mk II) , Colin Flyn (Mini Cooper) and Peter Thompson (Alfa 1600 GTA) all finished the course in either their first outing or first outing in a new car..
Round 2 – Cadwell Park – Sunday 23rd April 2006
Round 2 of the new season saw over 20 drivers attend the picturesque Cadwell Park circuit in Lincolnshire and morning qualifying has James Dodd ( Alfa Romeo ) in pole position with Bob Bullens flying Ford Anglia along side him. Les Ely (BMW 2000) and Jonathon Gomm (Lotus Cortina) took the 2nd row. A stunning performance from Mike Hanna (Hillman Imp) had him up to 5th overall. Roger Ebdon was again the head of the Mini field in qualifying.
The start saw James Dodd pull away slightly with Ely and Bullen tussling for the line through first corner, unavoidable they touched and Bullen spun off to regain the track towards the rear of the field and for several laps made up places until a puncture forced a permanent retirement.
Jonathon Gomm chased Ely who chased Dodd until the Alfa Romeo retired at the end of the second lap handing the lead to Ely’s BMW. He maintained this position to the chequered flag but it was never a forgone conclusion with Gomm (Lotus Cortina) only ever a second or so back. Tony Fielding (Ford Anglia) took a commendable 3rd place with Roger Ebon’s (Mini Cooper) only a second behind in 4th. Tim Watson ( Mini Cooper) finished 5th and Mike Hanna (Hillman Imp) took a fine 6th and again he was closely followed by Simon Benoy (Hillman Imp). So Class wins for Ely, Gomm, Ebdon and Hanna.