Mallory Park - 26 October 2008

The challenge title was wide open as we went into the final race of the season, in company with the Masters Cloth Cap series, and with a damp track for qualifying, together with a few extra XK drivers, there was an unusually mixed up grid. E-types filled the front row, but John Burton was on the second row as the quickest of the XKs, and with Graham Love/Phil Keen, Andy Moore and the Andrew Wenman/ Venables combo all within seven tenths, a race was in prospect.

A late start sent the cars off into the golden light of an autumn sunset and immediate drama as John Burton went off at Gerrards, allowing Andy Moore to lead with Andrew Wenman and Stefan Ziegler close behind.

As the race progressed, the mid field came together in a race long multi-car battle that see-sawed through the driver changes. John Roberts, Ian Mills/Nick Rochez, Chris Keith-Lucas/Mel Floyd, Michael O'Shea, Paul Gardner/David Allen and Steve Skipworth were soon joined by John Burton recovering from his spin and the Graham Love/Phil Keen car in a close and exciting race that had to be left to the timekeepers to track.

The light quickly faded and headlights shone through the deepening gloom as the race entered the final laps. Moore the victor from Wenman/Venables in second and O'Shea in third.

Andrew Wenman - CG
 
Andy Moore, Mike O'Shea - CG
 
Chris K-L, John Burton - RG
E-types lead - KB
 
Graham Love, Claire K-L - RG
 
Graham Love, Claire K-L - KB
Graham Love, Steve Skipworth - CG
 
John Roberts, Chris K-L - CG
 
Mel Floyd - RG
Moore with power oversteer - CG
 
Nick Rochez, Mike O'Shea - RG
 
Pack exits Shaws Hairpin - RG
Paul Chase-Gardner - CG
 
Robin Batt - RG
 
Start - RG
Stefan Ziegler, John Burton - RG
 
Steve Skipworth - CG
 
Ziegler, Roberts, CKL - KB

Race Results
 Class CClass D
1stWenman / VenablesMoore
2ndO'SheaS Skipworth
3rdBurtonD Skipworth / Batt


Challenge Results
This year's format of 45 minute races with either driver change or a controlled mid-race stop has introduced a new element to the races that has been universally well received, but it has also meant a need to differentiate between one and two driver entries. There are therefore two champions for the year, Steve Skipworth from among the two driver cars, and Andy Moore from the single driver group. Congratulations go to them both for their outstanding achievements.

Pictures by KB - Ken Bell, CG - Chris Gage and RG - Roger Gage (RG)

Report by Roger Gage

Terry Dye - JEC Racing Co-ordinator