With race one out of the way and with the prospect of even more close racing we waited for the next round with eagerness, the day would be long as we were not scheduled until much later in the programme but the huge grid and mixture of cars would provide great entertainment.
Some fettling would take place, the usual treatment, brakes, tyres that sort of thing. Peter St. Barbe had called it a day and Paul Campfield was on the trailer ready for home having lost his clutch in the first race. The grid for race 2 was decided by the second fastest qualifying time as per usual. Sibley was on pole with Morris second, Reeve and Weston, Actman and Collinson P. were the first six, the rest of the field taking up position behind.
As the lights flashed to green Weston made the best of the start to dive up the inside of Morris and challenge for the lead into Redgate. The rest of the field streamed through for what would be a 15 lap race.
At the end of the first lap, Sibley led Weston and Morris with a gap to Reeve who was about to be taken by Pratt. Reeve would retire on the next lap. Meanwhile Collinson P. Actman, Bedford and Walker would come through with Lackford close behind. There was another great battle forming amongst the class C cars with Harris J. and Healey amongst them.
Sibley had Weston closer next lap and the two would circulate less than a second apart until the flag. The pace up front is incredible, with these two leading the rest home by over a minute. After 3rd place man Morris though, the entire field was lapped, some of the lower positions being lapped twice.
Actman had Lackford, Bedford and Duffy on his tail and this became a great battle in the race. They swapped places continually and were joined by Collinson P and Pratt. They would finish in the order Collinson, Pratt and Lackford with Actman, Neat and Bridge under half a second apart at the flag. Harris and Walker also finished close together but Bedford dropped back a little at the end.
Collinson J led another close battle with Collinson S and Healey and Ashman. Harris J. Was racing weel but his engine started making a terrible noise mid distance and he pulled up to be the second and only other retirement. Walker battled with Bedford and they finished with Walker just ahead. Harris P. came between them and finally took Walker before the end.
At the flag it was Sibley and Weston then Morris. Collinson, Pratt, Lackford, Actman, Neat, Bridge and Harris P. completed the top ten. Walker, Bedford, Cameron, Cow and Duffy were next up finishing a lap down, such was the pace. ThenHealey. Collinson S, Collinson J., Ashman, Turner, Grimshaw, Hartle and Jenkins completed the order.
This had been a superb race ran at a pace, Sibleys fastest time for instance was a full 20 seconds quicker than his qualifying lap, and 2 seconds faster than his race two lap. Altough in fairness the majority improved their times during the day. The reliability was outstanding with only two retirements and the battles between the Sprites and Midgets was tremendously entertaining. This race proved that the format is definitely going to work. Everybody I spoke to after the race had a thoroughly enjoyable race, a response that I have not experienced for some time.
We go to Brands next for the Bank Holiday weekend, let battle recommence.
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