Donington Race Report

RACE 1
Jason Richardson proved to be the man to beat in the non championship season finale at Donington Park. He may have had R56 class Champion Luke Caudle and Chris Knox up against, but he emerged from the day as a double winner, his first ever overall victories.  No fewer than eight new drivers joined the line up, along with this years Mini Challenge Champion Lee Allen, Club Class Champion David Ogden and Craig Freeman, who moved into the R56 class for the first time.

It was a disaster for Freeman as he stalled at the start of the first race and got away dead last. It was three abreast though for the lead into Redgate, with Caudle gaining the initiative from Richardson and Knox as they charged through the Craner Curves.  Knox snatched second at the Old Hairpin and had the lead a lap later, but Caudle retook into the chicane as the top three continued nose to tail.

It was also a three way fight for fourth with Allen heading Chris Callister-Russell and Chris Smith.  Richardson made it past Knox for second on lap three, by two wheeling through the chicane, but the battle for the lead had allowed the next group to close on them too.

After Knox had briefly retaken second it became four the lead, with Allen having made a break from his group and tagged on behind. But Allen suddenly found himself in third after the young Scot careered over the gravel at the chicane, which gave the lead duo a slight break and Richardson a chance to challenge for the lead. “I had been alongside Jason but just mis judged it,” said Knox.

Into the chicane for the ninth time it was side by side for the lead but Richardson emerged with a fractional advantage. Richardson gradually consolidated his lead and collected his maiden victory. “This has been a real team effort, we really wanted to deliver today and we did. Once ahead I just put my head down and went for it,” he said.

Caudle had been safe in second until a damaged manifold lost him power and having quickly retaken Allen, Knox took the place on the last lap. “I had just lost too much straightline speed,” Caudle explained.

Allen was delighted with his fourth place, “yes happy with that, being so close to the leaders and first time in the new car,” he said.

Smith had got past debutant Callister-Russell on the fourth lap, but gave it back to him on the last, “I had tried to get a run on Lee and put two wheels on the grass at Coppice,” he explained.

David Ogden was seventh, his first time on slicks and S class winner Dean Raymond was eighth, having led the class throughout.  Aaron Steele managed second in class despite missing qualifying, having got the better of former European Truck Racing Champion George Allen early on. George was out in son Lee’s title winning car and having his first race for 15 years. “Lee suggested it last week, so I said OK and had to rush around to get my licence,” said George

Although Sam Osborne dominated the Club Class, there was plenty of action behind. Debutant Paul Watson managed to escape in second, as Keith Issatt had to fight off new boys Lee Shropshire and Peter Priest for third.

RACE 2
Knox got the jump on his rivals at the start of the second, heading Caudle and Allen into Redgate. Poleman Richardson was only fourth after being slow to get away. “It was George Allen’s fault he had been talking about green lights before the race and I was waiting for one,” he joked.

Caudle was inches from Knox’s tailgate as Richardson reclaimed third from Allen, but Steve Liquorish was close in fourth, having taken over Chris Smith usual car.

It was side by side for the lead again at the chicane on lap two, before Caudle nosed ahead on the exit. Two laps later Richardson ousted Knox too with a similar move before closing down on Caudle’s lead.

As they exited the chicane for the seventh time there was the tiniest of gaps on the inside for the run into Redgate, Richardson took it and just held off Caudle under braking. But Caudle came back as strong as ever and retook the lead a couple of laps later at Redgate, only to lose out again to Richardson with four laps to go.

“I had made a mistake and Luke got me back, but then he did the same and I got him,” Richardson explained. “I just couldn’t stay with Jason today, a credit to him. Looking forward to next season though, Lee Allen will soon be use to his car” Caudle added.

Knox retained third but dropped back on the last lap after a brief of at the Old Hairpin. Allen kept Liquorish at a safe distance for fourth and Ogden completed the top six. Freeman just held off S class winner Arthur Forster, who was out in Raymond’s car. “proper racing, front wheel drive among some friends, it was awesome,” said the North East Touring Car playboy and sporting hero.

Callister-Russell had a subdued race in ninth after an excursion and Steele completed the top ten. “It’s the cheapest form of racing I have done and I would certainly consider doing it next year, I’m seriously looking at an R56, I thoroughly enjoyed the day” said Steele after taking second in class, from Allen Snr and debutants Bob Hosier and Len Coed.

Osborne took the Club Class from Watson and Issatt. With Peter Priest taking fourth and an impressive fastest lap. “Apart from a bit of club karting I haven’t raced before, I really want to do it next year now after that,” said Watson, an opinion shared by most of the newcomers.