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HRDC 2015 EASTER RACES SILVERSTONE


HRDC Easter Meeting Saturday 4 April  Report and images by Peter Baker


Peter Burton (Jaguar) overtakes Tom Shephard
Low cloud and early morning drizzle at Silverstone, on Saturday 4 April, made things decidedly tricky for those qualifying for the two HRDC races, however, by mid-morning things had improved significantly and at one point the sun even came out.

Race one, the 45-minute Touring Greats attracted some 24 cars, with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Ti of Tom Shephard claiming pole from a cautious Matthew Moore (Austin A40). In more adventurous form, the Ford Zephyr Mk2 of Alistair Dyson lined up third with an almost exact same time as Peter Burton (Jaguar Mk1). The three Riley 1.5s of John Polson, David Devine and Ding Boston were all together mid-grid, while further back the three 'Academy' Austin A35s joined Alan Wheelwright (Rover P4) and Tony Hall (Vauxhall VX 4/90).


Lucky 7 - Race winner John Young
When the flag dropped it was Peter Burton, Tom Shephard, Alistair Dyson and Matthew Moore who shot off into the lead, but sadly Alistair clipped the kerb coming onto the finishing straight out of Club towards the end of lap three and barrel-rolled the white Zephyr into a small ball. He escaped unhurt, something that could not be said for the poor car. Meanwhile, a terrific tussle was taking place ahead, the blue Jaguar in front, hounded by the Alfa Romeo and the Austin A40, until the Alfa slipped onto the grass. It looked as if Peter Burton had the race in the bag, but Matthew had ideas and out-braked the heavier Jaguar into Village. Somehow, the Austin produced a gap, put in fastest lap and went on to win, with Peter Burton second and Tom Shephard third.


Start line, HRDC All Stars
Race two, the 30-minute All Stars outing attracted 23 cars with Mike Whitaker, in his new blue Ford Mustang, taking advantage of the damp conditions to squeeze out the AC Cobras of Mark Williams and John Young. Andy Newell in the red and white MGB looked good in fourth, while the 'Low Drag' silver Jaguar E-type of Maria-Gisella Garbagnati Ketve (surely the longest name to appear in a race programme) nailed down 9th on the grid ahead of the Mark Thomas Ford Anglia, that looks remarkably similar to the car raced by Doc Merfield back in the old days. However, after a couple of laps acclimatising, John Young took a lead he was to keep until the end, with Whitaker second, albeit some thirty seconds adrift. The two Ford Falcons of Richard Frankel and Julian Balme entertained but 'Driver of the Day' had to be the three-wheeling Andy Newall who provided me with my best picture from the meeting.


Andy Newall three-wheeling the MGB for the camera


Next HRDC meeting will again be at Silverstone on 25 April, followed by the Donington Festival on 3/4 May.