The fourth round of the 2011 Trackday Trophy saw the series
visit Leicestershire's Donington Park circuit for the first time
and the debut for four teams of Ecurie Padmore, Maldini
Racing, Steve Cutts Racing, and Granny Turismo.
Qualifying took place in dry conditions with a full grid of 36
cars heading out onto the track. Continuing from where he left off
at Brands Hatch, James Britton set the early pace with a 1m21.055.
Ten minutes into the session Britton headed the timesheets with
John Hamilton in second and the Team Sam Honda Integra in
third.
Five minutes later and Neil Newstead pulled off the track having
suffered suspension failure at Goddards, bringing out the yellows
and the safety car. The session was then red flagged with ten
minutes of qualifying left, which allowed the marshals to clear
Newstead's BMW 328. The session restarted and Britton improved his
time to a 1m20.743 seizing pole with Team Tactics showing their
speed late in the session, going second with a qualifying time of
1m22.650.
The highest Class A qualifier was John Hamilton who qualified
third and Simon Barnard took the honour of the top Class C
qualifier with a time of 1m24.158. Class D 'pole' was taken by MAD
Motorsport's Adam McKeever and Matthew Weymouth.
The conditions remained dry as the competitors lined up on the
grid for the 45 minute race. James Britton lead the drivers into
the first corner and a great start was made by the Skellys Heroes
team who were up to third from seventh. At the Craner Curves, John
Hamilton retook third from the Skellys Heroes Elise. The top three,
Britton, Team Tactics and Hamilton were close - Hamilton looking
with intent, wanting to pass the Team Tactics Porsche for second
place. Team Sam who got caught out at the start were now back up to
fourth position.
On lap 2, James Britton ran a little wide at Redgate, as John
Hamilton took second place away from Team Tactics. 2 B Monkey's had
a good couple of opening laps with the team up to 6th
place by lap 4. A gap then started to appear between the top four
and the rest of the pack. Skelly's Heroes reclaimed fifth place
from Team Cream Slice's David Thomas who had past them a couple of
laps before and RedMoon Racing had a moment in their Toyota MR2 at
Redgate losing them five positions but they rejoined without
damage.
At the front, Britton began to increase his lead, but a few
places behind him, both David Thomas and Skelly's Heroes lost time,
which meant that Neil Newstead, Simon Barnard and the 2 B Monkey's
Clio were hot on their heels. The battle for second place was
heating up as both Team Tactics and Team Sam got past John Hamilton
for second and third respectively. On the next lap Team Sam
overtook at Redgate to move up to second place, but would then drop
down to fourth.
Another driver who had a moment at Redgate was Simon Barnard who
skated across the gravel trap before rejoining the track. Again
there was a change for third as Team Sam took the position away
from John Hamilton. 2 B Monkey's, Skelly's Heroes and McQ
Motorsport were locked in a close battle for 9th place,
the action close and fair as they appeared joined at the hip from
Redgate down to the Old Hairpin.
There was a great battle for third as John Hamilton attempted to
get the place, by going round the outside of the Team Sam Integra
at Redgate, but was unable to get past, instead slipping back in
behind the Honda as they went down Craner curves to the Old
Hairpin. It was on the exit of the Old Hairpin that Team Sam ran
wide, allowing Hamilton to take third place in his Clio.
The pit window opened 15 minutes in and the early pitters went
in on lap 11. Skelly's Heroes, who had broken free from their
earlier battle now were fighting for 7th and duly got it
as they past Simon Barnard at Hollywood. For the next couple of
laps the two were joined by McQ Motorsport and the spectators
witnessed another nose to tail battle. McQ Motorsport then managed
to get past Barnard for 8th place.
James Britton was the first of the leaders to pit, and as he
took his mandatory 3 minute stop, Barnard battled past McHugh to
regain 8th. Team Tactics and Team Sam also pulled in for
their stops. John Hamilton stayed out for a little longer and took
the lead.
Thirty minutes into the race and the safety car was deployed as
Andrew Juric suffered a heavy accident at Goddards, his car rolling
twice before coming to a stop. Fortunately Juric was uninjured.
John Hamilton came in for his pit stop with perfect timing. With
the safety car being called, Hamilton became the big winner as he
was able to get in his pit stop and leapfrog rivals - Britton and
Team Tactics. Neil Newstead was the first driver behind the safety
car but Hamilton was first in race position. Britton had also lost
out in the pit window, moving down to third.
After a safety car period of five minutes the racing restarted.
However it was soon announced that Team Tactics had had too quick a
pitstop by just two seconds - the regulations determining that two
driver teams must have a pit stop of 2 mins 45seconds. As a result,
they were given a drive through penalty which enabled James Britton
to take second place and try and catch John Hamilton who had a 20
second lead. With five minutes remaining the gap between the pair
closed but the 45 minutes had been reached, with John Hamilton
taking the win in yet another eventful Trackday Trophy.
Tom and Jamie McHugh gained another trophy to add to their
collection, finishing top of the Class C entrants. Class D victors
were H G Motorsport in their Ginetta, their drivers Ashley Bird and
Edward Platt finishing four seconds ahead of second in class, and
debutants, Granny Turismo.
Well done to all the competitors! The next round is at Anglesey
on Saturday 10th September.
Andrew Calder
