HSCC Series Provide Donington Historic Festival Action
High-profile race series from the Historic Sports Car Club delivered some fine racing during last weekend's Donington Historic Festival, the 2nd to the 4th of May. Across three days of outstanding historic racing, the HSCC’s classes produced strong grids and competitive racing topped by the inaugural race for the HSCC Jaguar Heritage Challenge for pre ’66 Jaguars.
From a full field of classic Jaguars, the combined talents of Martin O’Connell and Andrew Kirkaldy won a re-started race despite a spirited chase by the similar E-type of Joaquin Folch and Martin Stretton. Further down the order, class award winners included Le Mans winner Andy Wallace and former BTCC champion John Cleland. It was a great start to the new series, which continues at Silverstone over the weekend of 16/17 May.
The event featured the opening races for the HSCC Historic Formula 2 FIA International Series and the 1970s F2 cars provided the fastest races of the weekend as talented Irishman Darwin Smith scooped an impressive double win in the March 722 his father has owned since it was new more than 40 years ago.
In the opening race Smith saw off a determined pursuit by James Hanson in the Chevron B42 of Grant Tromans while on Sunday Andrew Smith (March 79B) tigered ahead of Mark Piercy (Lola T360) for second as some great battles ran all down the field. Reigning double champion Robert Simac from France took a double class win in his March 712M to get his bid for a third title off to a perfect start.
The HSCC Super Touring Car Trophy made its debut at the Donington Historic Festival and wins were taken by Patrick Watts (Peugeot 406) and Stewart Whyte (Honda Accord). Watts led the second race until caught and passed by the flying Whyte, although a gearbox problem was affecting the Peugeot 406 of Watts.
Four races and two full grids for the FJHRA/HSCC Silverline Historic Formula Junior Championship featured double wins for Will Mitcham (U2 Mk2) and Sam Wilson (Lotus 20/22). As Sunday’s programme closed, Wilson had to push hard to fend off a determined challenge from Andrew Hibberd (Lotus 22).
The HSCC was also responsible for organising the racing element of the Donington Historic Festival, with 20 races across three full days of on-track action.
From a full field of classic Jaguars, the combined talents of Martin O’Connell and Andrew Kirkaldy won a re-started race despite a spirited chase by the similar E-type of Joaquin Folch and Martin Stretton. Further down the order, class award winners included Le Mans winner Andy Wallace and former BTCC champion John Cleland. It was a great start to the new series, which continues at Silverstone over the weekend of 16/17 May.
The event featured the opening races for the HSCC Historic Formula 2 FIA International Series and the 1970s F2 cars provided the fastest races of the weekend as talented Irishman Darwin Smith scooped an impressive double win in the March 722 his father has owned since it was new more than 40 years ago.
In the opening race Smith saw off a determined pursuit by James Hanson in the Chevron B42 of Grant Tromans while on Sunday Andrew Smith (March 79B) tigered ahead of Mark Piercy (Lola T360) for second as some great battles ran all down the field. Reigning double champion Robert Simac from France took a double class win in his March 712M to get his bid for a third title off to a perfect start.
The HSCC Super Touring Car Trophy made its debut at the Donington Historic Festival and wins were taken by Patrick Watts (Peugeot 406) and Stewart Whyte (Honda Accord). Watts led the second race until caught and passed by the flying Whyte, although a gearbox problem was affecting the Peugeot 406 of Watts.
Four races and two full grids for the FJHRA/HSCC Silverline Historic Formula Junior Championship featured double wins for Will Mitcham (U2 Mk2) and Sam Wilson (Lotus 20/22). As Sunday’s programme closed, Wilson had to push hard to fend off a determined challenge from Andrew Hibberd (Lotus 22).
The HSCC was also responsible for organising the racing element of the Donington Historic Festival, with 20 races across three full days of on-track action.
