Photo credit: www.autosport.com
750 Motor Club Season Opener: A Weekend of Thrills and New Champions
The season opener for the 750 Motor Club delivered an exhilarating mix of sunny weather, challenging headwinds on the Brabham Straight, and numerous dramatic moments on Brands Hatch’s Indy Circuit. It was a memorable weekend for Mark Windley, Ross Boorman, Neil Dudman, and Tom Holland, each securing victories for the first time in their respective categories.
Mark Windley’s triumph in the 750 Formula category on Saturday marked a significant comeback. Following an extensive winter rebuild of his Darvi, which has an impressive track record including nine championship victories—eight with Peter Bove and one with Robin Gearing—Windley took to the track after a tough debut at Mallory Park last October. His stunning outside maneuver to overtake former champion Bill Cowley at Paddock Hill Bend drew comparisons to the legendary Jacky Ickx’s performance during the wet conditions of the 1974 Formula 1 Race of Champions, culminating in Windley’s remarkable 72nd championship round victory.
Cowley, who matched David Reid’s pole position in the ex-Dave Hodkin HRD Mk2, managed to retain second place despite a collision at Graham Hill Bend that forced Reid to retire. Behind them, Steve Boother (Darvi Mk5/6) and Robin Dawe (Diamond Clubmans) showcased strong performances, with Dawe being the highest finisher among the five Classic Clubmans invitees.
The following day saw the race restart after a collision between Simon Boulter’s Darvi 92J and Peter Hackett’s Mallock caused a chain reaction at the starting lights. This incident happened when Reid had a slow start from P2, resulting in a stalled Windley at P3. Ultimately, Windley, along with Reid, managed to secure the top two spots, finishing ahead of Richard Rothery (PRS 1b) after Cowley encountered gearbox trouble. Dawe was positioned third until his newly acquired car failed on the penultimate lap.
The Type R Trophy kicked off on Saturday with Trafford King claiming victory over poleman Don De Graaff and Dale Wherton. However, Sunday’s race was abruptly halted after a serious incident involved Jon Labella and Richard Jones. Their collision on the descent from Paddock left Labella hospitalized, although he was discharged later that evening. In the restart, Ross Boorman fended off competition from Kai Lindsay, ultimately leading to another victory for Boorman, while King recovered to finish in 12th place after experiencing technical issues.
Lee Scott, a multiple Classic Stock Hatch champion, achieved his first victory since 2022 on Saturday, outperforming James Haslehurst and Finn Groom. Groom, leading a breakaway pack on Sunday, came under intense pressure from Neil Dudman before the Peugeot 205 triumphed, showcasing a promising future for Groom.
New Champions Emerge in MX-5 Cup
Tom Holland also celebrated his debut victory in the MX-5 Cup, a thrilling finale that concluded the weekend’s events. Oak Richardson led the charge in both races, deftly managing to fend off Michael Pearce and returnee Roger Chesneau. During the partially reversed grid finale, Holland capitalized on Richardson’s climb from seventh to third behind Jordan Johnson.
The BMW Car Club events featured intense competition, with four drivers nearly equal in time for pole position. Notably, Ben Pearson had a remarkable start from P4, quickly establishing a significant lead before his turbocharged vehicle began to struggle with tire wear, ultimately allowing Paul Cook to catch up and surpass him.
Steven Schweikhardt made a notable debut with his E46, holding off Mark Lee for third place. David Heasman took the win in his class, while William Lake achieved class gold in the E46 Compact. The weekend also saw intense battles among various classes, with the 116 Trophy providing high-stakes racing and a dramatic finish that required strategic pit stops and quick thinking from drivers.
Dominant Performances Across Tiers
In the Radical Club Challenge, Shane Stoney showcased dominance in both races. Meanwhile, Shaun Traynor reiterated his command in the Toyota MR2 category by outperforming past rivals. In the Sport Specials, Andy Hiley continued to lay down the standard, consistently outpacing competitors in his class.
This eventful weekend not only highlighted returning champions but also unveiled fresh faces ready to lead and compete within the motorsport community. With new talents emerging, the rest of the season promises to deliver more exciting races and unforeseen outcomes.
Source
www.autosport.com