A Thrilling Start to the Historic Sports Car Club’s 60th Anniversary Season
The Historic Sports Car Club’s 60th anniversary season-opener at Snetterton was a spectacular celebration of motorsport history, marking 75 years of racing at the iconic circuit and honoring local hero Jim Russell, the three-time British F3 champion who established his legendary racing drivers’ school in 1956. The event featured a mix of classic and historic cars, with thrilling races that captivated fans and competitors alike.
Triple Champion Jordan Harrison and Tom Gadd Shine
Jordan Harrison, a triple champion in the Classic Formula Ford 1600 category, and Tom Gadd delivered standout performances in Saturday’s and Sunday’s races. Harrison drove the Van Diemen RF79, a car previously qualified on pole by Adriano Medeiros last year. Although he couldn’t match Medeiros’ qualifying pace, Harrison managed to beat polesitter Gadd’s RF81 by a narrow margin of 0.031 seconds in the opening contest.
Gadd, a former 750 Motor Club Locost and F1000 champion, made a successful transition to FF1600 last year with the Numanair/Mike Mackonochie tribute car. He finished second to Rick Morris in his debut before defeating him in Sunday’s race. This time around, Gadd repeated his 2-1 sequence, beating Harrison by 1.774 seconds in the equally exciting second race.
“It helped to have the right ratios,” said Gadd after the race, noting that a broken gear selector fork in qualifying almost ruined his weekend. The two drivers traded the lead multiple times throughout both races, with Harrison expressing relief when Gadd misjudged the timing countdown on Saturday, finishing just short of the final lap.
Rick Morris and Young Talent Make an Impact
Rick Morris, a pioneer of the Formula Ford Festival since its inception at Snetterton in 1972, was the best of the rest in both races, driving his Royale RP29. “Once I lost the tow, third was the best I could do,” said Morris, who is set to compete in the Simola Hillclimb at Knysna later this week with Ian Schofield’s team.
Young Cal Bennett also impressed, qualifying third and finishing fourth after a spin at Murrays on Sunday. Another highlight was the battle between the nearly identical Van Diemen RF81s of Alan Williamson and Graham Payne, with Payne narrowly prevailing in Shaws Motorsport’s stunning homage to Ayrton Senna’s car.
A Debutant’s Remarkable Performance
One of the most heartwarming stories of the weekend was that of 16-year-old George Penlington, a debutant with no karting experience. Having tested at Silverstone and Brands Hatch, he qualified the Royale RP26 his father David last raced 20 years ago in seventh place. He held his position on Saturday and improved to sixth on Sunday, even recording the fastest time through the Bentley Straight speed trap at one point. “I got a triple tow,” he grinned, clearly delighted with his first race weekend.
Historic FF1600 and F3 Races
The Historic FF1600 races were no less competitive, with triple champion Benn Simms dominating both events in his rare Jomo. Rob Wainwright (Elden Mk8) chased him closely, while Simon Toyne (Winkelmann WDF2) finished third on Saturday. Mark Wilkes (Merlyn Mk20) won the Over 50s trophies, but his brilliant kerb-hopping third place on Sunday, where he beat Danny Stanzl (Crossle 16F), was a highlight for spectators.
The 500 Owners’ Association’s F3 races brought Russell’s career into focus. Richard Kelly, driving the Cooper-Norton in which Norfolk’s racing hero won the second of three successive crowns in 1956, ran out of methanol fuel exiting Murrays on Saturday but still finished second. George Shackleton, from neighboring Suffolk, transported his immaculate Cooper-Norton in a Cooper Car Company-liveried Ford Thames van and drove it superbly to two unopposed victories.
Historic FF2000 and Sportscar Action
Ben Glasswell emerged as another double winner in the Historic FF2000 category, driving a Reynard SF77. Last year’s championship runner-up dominated the Pinto rivals, setting a fresh lap record. Andrew Storer and Jonty Hair led Saturday’s pursuit, while Reece Wood and 1979 Euroseries champion Adrian Reynard, 75, completed Sunday’s podium after Storer and Hair collided at Chapman on the opening lap.
In the sportscar races, the Guards Trophy opener was short on numbers but not on quality. Elliot Paterson (Ginetta G16) led the charge, with John Davison (Chevron B6) and Samuel Harrison (Lotus 23B) following closely behind. Graham Ridgway (Lotus Elan) claimed GT spoils.
Alfa Romeo and Road Sports Highlights
The Alfa Romeo races featured a wide range of models, with the 414bhp 4Cs of Jack Berry and reigning double champ Toby Broome taking the top spots on Saturday. Jamie Thwaites’ Giulietta TCR suffered a turbo failure, allowing Broome to recover from last to second. On Sunday, a puncture put Broome out early, elevating Scott Austin (156), football goalie Stacey Dennis (Giulietta), and Andy Page’s venerable Giulietta to the podium.
In the ’70s Road Sports races, Richard Plant (Morgan +8) won both events, with John Williams (Porsche 911SC) and Nic Strong (Marcos 3000 GT) finishing in second and third, respectively. Seasoned Lotus Europa duellists Jim Dean and Howard Payne enjoyed an entertaining tussle before Payne retired.
Mark Godfrey (Lotus 7) won the opening Historic stanza after Frazer Gibney’s Elan’s diff failed. Rob Hollyman’s ‘Forrari’ – a Ford Duratec-engined Dino 246 clone – took the second bout after Godfrey pulled off at the Bomb Hole with victory seemingly assured.
