Bright, but chilly weather greeted the capacity entry for the second Historic FF2000 race at Cadwell Park - the opening race of our first full season. Several drivers had taken the opportunity to test on the Friday before our Sunday race, and for most it had been an uneventful day in the mixed weather conditions. The exception was James Ledamun, who had hoped to be able to spend the time both shaking down his extensively-rebuilt Crosslé, and learning the circuit. Sadly his day was cut short by a collapse of the rear suspension after only a couple of laps, so he had his work cut out to make the race.

The hardy souls that had decided to stay on Saturday night were faced with the prospect of Alan’s Cold Weather Hotpot, although most seemed to find it acceptable after a suitable quantity of wine/beer had dulled their senses. John Taylor’s master plan of avoiding the hotpot and going out for a curry (thereby picking up a podium finish ahead of the food-poisoned majority) backfired when his Vindaloo paid him a return visit early on Sunday morning.

Qualifying took place in surprisingly warm conditions. Nigel Grant headed the impressive array of twenty-six cars out onto the circuit, followed by Adam Ormandy. A conspiratorial chat before qualifying began had Nigel and Adam planning a 1960’s-style cooperative slipstreaming effort in order to try and get a good time. Sadly, their cunning plan came to grief half way around the first lap when Adam punted Nigel clean off the circuit! Happily, they both emerged unscathed, and treated it as just one of those things.

Everyone got a decent number of laps in, apart from James Ledamun again. He buzzed his engine, and stopped as a precaution. Luckily no damage was evident. Jonny Dimsdale excelled himself in Ken’s old Van Diemen RF78 by qualifying 14th in his first race for 35 years, and Antony Raine fought his oversteering Merlyn to 17th. Paul Dukes (sporting a new personal lightweight chassis) got himself up amongst the recognised frontrunners for the first time with an excellent 6th, and Richard Atkinson-Willes took the transition from Ferraris to single seaters in his stride with a creditable 9th.

A very heavy hailstorm early in the afternoon saw most people preparing for a wet race. However, the skies progressively lightened, and there was a constant stream of FF2000 team members “casually” strolling down to the café area to assess track conditions. The café is, of course, right by the tree-lined Hall Bends area which stays damp longer than any other part of the circuit. There was also significant water at Coppice, although it was being dispersed rapidly by the cars in the preceding race.

So… Slicks was the only sensible choice – right, Paul, Lou, Peter and James? All 26 cars made it round the green flag lap, and after what must have seemed like an interminable wait for front row starters (Colin Wright and Thomas Brimblecombe), the field streamed away, and negotiated Coppice without mishap.

Colin was absolutely flying, and came round the first lap 1.5s ahead of the chasing pack of Ormandy, Dale Spruce, Brimblecombe, Grant and Andrew Storer. Colin extended his lead over the next few laps, with the chasing pack keeping well in touch, apart from Thomas, who went off at the Gooseneck, sadly damaging his car. The other casualty in the leading group was Dale Spruce, who spun off at Charlies whilst harrying Adam. Paul Dukes’ bid for wets-based glory was destined to end with a slide down the field, ultimately ending in a 15th place finish.

Colin was looking pretty untouchable in the lead, although the gap did come down to one second a couple of times. Further back, Jonny Dimsdale and Antony Raine were enjoying a good scrap in the pre ’79 class, and Jonny was mixing it with last year’s winner, Iain, diving up the inside at the bottom of the Mountain, and causing Iain to take some grassy avoiding action. Iain later demonstrated this line to Terry Swinson, who obligingly followed in Iain’s wheeltracks. Jonathan Lucas pulled off the circuit opposite the pits with a dead engine, and an ominous rattling noise on lap 6.

Early in the race, Richard Atkinson-Willes had fallen to the back of the field (I’m not sure why), but put in a storming drive to set some very good lap times. Iain’s hope of repeating his 2007 win ended with a broken throttle cable by the paddock entrance (a repeat of an experience he suffered about 20 years ago – some people never learn!)

Everything continued quite happily, with close but clean racing throughout the field until the hairpin on the last lap… Colin’s excellent drive came undone when he couldn’t find first gear. In the ensuing melée, Adam managed to nip past and take an opportunistic win, Colin found enough drive to finish second. Nigel took to the grass and lost his third place to Andrew Storer, and Richard Atkinson-Willes failed to finish. It left us all a little bit confused in the pits.

It was a great shame for Colin, as he would have been a very deserving winner, but Adam had kept himself close enough to take advantage of any problem, and took the opportunity when it arose. It’s great to see two guys who have supported the Historic FF2000 idea since the very start right up there, and your day must come soon, Colin.

Another fantastic race at Cadwell – and one which was appreciated by spectators and the HSCC alike!