The Motor Racing Legends Historic Touring Car Championship had the glorious Broadspeed Ford Capri of Chris Ward on pole and at the start despite the best efforts of Steve Dance to get alongside into Riches duly took the lead. From then on it was a masterclass by Ward as he lapped seconds quicker than the rest of the field.
Dance had the BMW M3 of Tom Houlbrook in close attendance early on, but what looked to be developing into an entertaining battle as ended on lap five as the BMW slowed with an issue at the rear of the car and pitted. That moved Peter Hallford’s mighty Boss Mustang up to third but Dance was now able to focus on his lap times and eased away from the American car.
Hallford then came under pressure from Tom Andrew’s M3, and the BMW went past when the Mustang was the first of the leaders to pit on lap 10. Andrew pitted on lap 13, with the leader in a lap later followed by Dance on lap 15.
Once the leaders had all made their stops and the order had settled Ward was well in command with fellow Capri racer Dance safe in second. Behind, Andrew was back looking for a way past Hallford’s Mustang, an attempt at Agostini on lap 21 seeing him lose ground.
They were back close in the final laps, Andrew taking his M3 past with a lap to go to take the final podium slot behind winner Ward, who lapped the entire field, and Dance.
“I took it easy until halfway and then decided to go for it,” explained Ward. “The car was consistent all the way, but it was good the race ended when it did as although the temperatures were fine we now have a water leak!”
“I pushed as hard as I could but the race was over after the first corner, and I’m pleased with second,” said Dance. “His car was very good and this is really a power circuit but it was still an enjoyable race, although a hot one.”
In the Tony Dron Trophy, brothers George and Tom Pochciol romped home to an easy win unchallenged in their Ford Capri with Paul Clayson second in his Alfa Romeo GTV6.
