“My earliest memories of the HRSR were in late 1987 when my dad (Barry) purchased the Mike Crabtree Lotus Cortina.
Dad had been racing since the early sixties in various categories known most notably for his exploits in the works Ginetta G15 to great success.
The first meeting with the Lotus Cortina was in early 88 at Snetterton and a certain Sir John Whitmore was on pole, dad finished 2nd to John that day…..we were both hooked. What a brilliant race series we thought, a fantastic group of fellow enthusiasts led by Glenn Maskell of which many of the fellow racers made us feel most welcome.
I continued to help dad with the Lotus until late 89 when I couldn’t wait any longer and purchased the Black magic Geoff Pollitt Anglia. I didn’t much sleep the night before my first race, I don’t know if it was excitement or nerves probably a bit of both, it was the season ending race of 89 at Snetterton.
Practice didn’t go too well for me as the slave cylinder popped out of the bell housing resulting in me getting one lap in, all be it with a slipping clutch and promptly put me last but one on the grid… I was so disappointed but knew I could gain places in the race.
On pole was George Polley followed very closely by Gerry Marshall in Steve Warriors blue Anglia and then Bob Sherring out for the first time in his massive new Galaxy. The race was absolutely amazing, although I didn’t finish I was making good progress through the field and was up to 10th place by the end of lap two, having started 23rd and catching Glen Maskell and Peter Wray tussling over 8th position. And then BANG, the prop-shaft snapped at full chat down the Revett Straight, my first race over but I did get see an insight of how to race an Anglia as George and Gerry put a fascinating display of car control. George pipping Gerry by a car length at the flag with 3rd place going to Bob’s Galaxy having spent the whole race keeping dad’s Lotus behind.
With my first race over,I had the bug and couldn’t wait until the opening round of the 1990 championship opener at Brands Hatch. I’ve continued to race the Anglia, financial/family commitments allowing on and off ever since. I have met some fantastic people over the years through racing at this club and made many good friends.”