7th-8th August 2010 - Croft
Croft honours divided between Bosson and Wilkinson (13/08/2010)
The Croft round of the HSCC Classic Racing Cars Championship received a disappointing entry of four One Litre Cars, further reduced when Peter Williams was obliged to substitute his ‘screamer’ with his Brabham BT6 Formula Junior. Andrew Thorpe was out in his familiar March 703, and was joined by series regulars Leif Bosson and Steve Wilkinson with their Brabhams.Qualifying took place early afternoon, and saw Bosson just ahead of Wilkinson with Andrew Thorpe third, his previous experience of lapping Croft on a 250cc Suzuki not being much practical assistance. The afternoon had seen some heavy showers of rain, but by race time the track was practically dry; Wilkinson got ahead of Bosson who had made a poor start, whilst Thorpe found himself behind the Formula Ford of Roy MacGregor. For the next half dozen laps Thorpe fought to get past MacGregor, and once he accomplished this he pulled clear and was realing in Goldfinch’s Merlyn, just failing to catch him by the chequered flag. Wilkinson spent most of the race hounding Ronnie Haines’ twin cam Cooper and was concentrating so hard that he failed to spot Bosson in his mirrors, Bosson passing him on the ninth lap holding on to win the class; Steve was heard to complain ‘I’ve been mugged by a Swede!’
A superb barbecue was provided by John Waggitt and Andrew Thorpe on Saturday night, as promised, proper Northern Hospitality.
Sunday proceedings at Croft only begin after twelve o’clock and as usual the Classic Racing Cars appeared late in the programme. This time Bosson made a much better start getting away ahead of Wilkinson and once more Ronnie Haines was the centre of attention, both Bosson and Wilkinson were hard on the tail of the Cooper and the Lincolnshire farmer was having to work very hard to keep the One Litre cars at bay. Eventually Wilkinson found a way past Bosson and again set about Haines, both the F3 cars were right on his tail coming out of the hairpin and it was only the superior power of the Cooper that kept it ahead to the flag. MacGregor again beat Thorpe away from the start, but once more Andrew found a way past after pressuring the Scot into a mistake, this time he was chasing down Fairbrother’s Merlyn and might well have had him with an extra lap.
All in all an excellent race, the battle between Bosson and Wilkinson was hard fought but fair and hopefully we will see more of the same in the next round at Oulton Park over the August Bank Holiday Week-end.
View Results and Timings (as a PDF document) [PDF]
In race 2 the battle finished in favour of the BT21 as Steve lead Leif home. Photo Steve Jones
Battle of the Brabhams BT28 and 21 Leif Bosson leads Steve WIlkinson in race 1 Photo Steve Jones
