With a clear lap more important here than anywhere, there was much jockeying to create some space for that demon lap. At the end of the twenty minutes it was Benn Simms (March803) who topped the times by a clear 0.8 seconds from Jamie Brashaw (March793) who had Hadfield in close company just five hundreds further back. A taste of things to come as these two would spend all weekend challenging each other. A little further back, but the only one to challenge the front, was Paul Smith (MartiniMK31) ahead of a fine effort by Sturmer to post fifth just ahead of Paul Dibden who had Drake for company despite completing just 4 laps when a driveshaft failed. Remers just managed to hold off a flying Andy Jones (Brabham BT38) who topped the 1600 class ahead of Albert Clements (Lotus 69). Two litre runners Bartell and Craddock were twelve and thirteen, both learning the circuit, ahead of a troubled Bowman (MerlynMk21) who pulled in after 6 laps with a lack of fuel pressure. Buckton did extremely well to annex fourteenth in his untried car ahead of Vernon Williamson (DastleMk9) and Walters. With no serious problems everybody would make the race later in the day.

Race 1

After a minor panic in the marshalling area when the March wouldn’t start Simms led the pack away from the lights and completed the first lap ahead of Brashaw, Hadfield and Smith, hassling the front runners for all he was worth, ahead of a fast starting Drake who has jumped Sturmer and Remers at the start. The status quo was maintained until lap 7 when Brashaw slipped wide at Charlies, thanks to a broken wishbone, letting Hadfield by to press Simms, just failing by a couple of seconds to dislodge the winner. Remarkably Brashaw managed to make the finish in third ahead of Smith who had Drake just 0.3 seconds behind in fifth after encountering backmarkers at hall bends on two laps. Sturmer drove well to a lonely sixth, beating his qually time and remaining unlapped, ahead of the race long scrap between Remers and Dibden who has the 1600 class leading Jones keeping them honest well ahead of Clements who rounded out the top ten. Bartell had a steady run to eleventh just in front of Bowman, lower down than normal, and the final 1600 runners Walters and Williamson. Craddock departed on lap 7 at the gooseneck, fortunately without damage, and Buckton posted a DNF in his first race in the Royale with a sick engine.

BBQ

At the end of the day everyone congregated at the CF3 tent for a BBQ which proved highly successful, particularly when we won the prize for the best paddock display, 5 cases of beer from HSCC member Anthony Goddard’s Isle of Wight brewery. A big thanks to Anthony and Chris Sharples for the generous offer.

Race 2

With Simms looking for his fourth win of the weekend, two FF wins and a CF3 already, he made a perfect start to run out the winner after being challenged by Hadfield until lap 11 when a loose rear wheel forced him into the pits for good leaving Brashaw to settle for second. With Hadfield gone Smith, who had been keeping the leaders honest, dropped his pace to take the final podium place well ahead of his challenger from race one Drake. Sturmer again remained on the lead lap for fifth after another good drive leaving Dibden next after loosing his race long partner Remers who spun off on the oil at Charlies on lap 9. Bartell was going much better  and enjoying himself to post seventh, ahead of 1600 winner Jones this time, who again had Clements behind him second in class. Craddock rounded out the 2 litre cars, glad to finish safely in his borrowed car and Williamson.
Buckton again had engine problems and a second DNF and Bowman had an engine fail and finally Walters hit the barrier to rearrange the rear end of his immaculate Palliser.