Race Report: CMMCS at Mallory Park

For the second event in a row, it was off to Mallory Park for a day of racing. This time, though, it would be back in the familiar surroundings of the Classic and Modern Motorsport Club Southern Production Saloons.

Qualifying

On a scorching hot day, things did not start out how anyone had planned. Operational issues at the circuit resulted in almost all of the qualifying sessions for the event being reduced to three laps under safety car conditions, rendering lap times effectively void. The grid would be set based on previous results and lap times, putting the Team HORNET Renault Mégane 1st on the grid in the Production Saloons, and 9th when combined with the Super Saloons.

Race One

The lights would go out very quickly at the start, and this caused some large gaps to form towards the rear of the field. This did, however, provide a golden opportunity to pass Lee Cleugh in his #134 Class A Audi TT on the run up to Gerrard's. Initially, there looked to be an opening to also pass a rather tentative-looking series returnee Martyn Scott in his #45 Class C Volkswagen Golf Super Saloon, but that door was quickly closed, allowing Neal Gardiner in his #188 Class T2 Honda Civic Production Saloon to slip by the pair.

Heading towards the hairpin on the opening tour, a cloud of smoke was visible ahead, which appeared to be emanating from the #787 Class S Mazda RX-8 being driven by Clive Haynsford. Unsure of whether it was caused by a tyre rub or fluid leak, the #41 Mégane could be seen staying off-line down the start/finish straight, avoiding being directly behind the #787. Just seconds later, we would have our answer as the #787 spun on its own fluid, striking the inside barrier before bouncing back towards the track, The #41 Team HORNET machine would escape unscathed, safely passing the spinning Mazda as well as the unfortunate Steve Dann in his #34 Class C Volkswagen Polo Super Saloon, who had to take to the outside grass in avoidance of the oncoming Mazda.

This would, somewhat inevitably, bring out a red flag. The restart would also prove to be somewhat problematic, as race leader Rod Birley's #44 Class A Ford Escort WRC Super Saloon broke down under the safety car ahead of the race resumption, leading to considerable confusion to those in the vicinity, and an extended safety car delay to retrieve the recalcitrant Ford. Upon the restart, the #41 would find itself in a battle with the #86 Class B Ford Escort of Colin Claxton, eventually resolved in favour of the Renault with a move around the outside of Gerrard's.

The #41 would finish 1st in the depleted T1 class, 2nd overall in the Production Saloons, and 4th when combined with the Super Saloons.

Race Two

From the initial start, it appeared that this was going to be something of a lonely race, with the Team HORNET Renault Mégane slowly dropping away from those in front, whilst inching out a gap over those behind. This was only the case, however, until lap 5, where Rod Birley's Ford Escort began to fill the mirrors of the Renault. The battle that was beginning to take shape would never quite get going, as the #44 machine would retire to the pits with mechanical issues just over a lap later. However, Neal Gardiner's Civic had suddenly slowed on the back straight with fuel pressure issues, handing both the Production Saloons lead and an overall podium to the #41.

the #188 machine was able to switch to a second fuel pump, and was now set on chasing down the Mégane. On lap 7, the Civic had closed the gap and was all over the rear end of the Renault. For 10 thrilling laps, the advance of the Honda was halted, before Gardiner was able to make a move stick with a brave pass around the outside of the Esses with just 3 laps remaining.

Team HORNET would therefore again come away with 1st in Class T1, 2nd Overall in the Production Saloons, and 4th when combined with the Super Saloons.

The next race event for Team HORNET will be in the Classic and Modern Motorsport Club Southern Production Saloons at Lydden Hill on June 27th