Pearson scores E-type Challenge double in Oldtimer GP Germany

Gary Pearson became the third race winner in the E-type Challenge when he scored a double win in testing conditions during the Oldtimer Grand Prix at the Nurburgring (13/14 August).

The E-type Challenge, celebrating 50 years of the Jaguar E-type, moved to the Nurburgring with a strong UK entry plus some cars from host country Germany as well as Italy, Belgium and France to make up a very international grid.

In qualifying local man Marcus von Oeynhausen was quickest followed by E-type specialist Jon Minshaw, Gary Pearson and Jon's brother Jason.

Race one started in heavy rain, but all the cars got away to a safe start and, in spite of the very restricted visibility, it proved to be closely fought. Pearson made a superb start and led into the first corner closely followed by Jon Minshaw, Jason M and Graeme Dodd. Pearson held the lead for the whole race but only just because the three cars behind were swapping places and running less than a second apart. At the flag it was Pearson, Minshaw (Jason), Dodd and Minshaw (Jon) whose car was not handling well in the wet. John Pearson and Chris Scragg, after a spin, were fifth and sixth. First non-UK driver was Italian Emanuele Benedini in seventh.

Race two was also run in heavy rain and Gary Pearson won again, displaying superb car control on his way to victory. This time it was Jon Minshaw who ran second for most of the race only to be overtaken a couple of laps from the finish by von Oeynhausen who had started from the back of the grid and overtook 29 cars on his way to second place. He had not been able to start race one because of weight eligibility problems which were solved before race two. Scragg, John Pearson and Sandy Watson completed the first six.

The Class B double winner was John Burton, with seconds for Trevor Groom and Guy Minshaw and third places for David Hall and Michael O'Shea. It was a good weekend for the E-type Challenge and all podium winners were presented with their trophies by the CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, Dr Ralf Speth.

The E-type Challenge, managed by the Historic Sports Car Club in conjunction with Jaguar Heritage, is supported by JD Classics and runs with two classes, for cars prepared to a period race trim and standard cars.

The next date for the E-type Challenge is at the Oulton Park Gold Cup (28/29 August).


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