Dunlop Great & British Festival

Round 12 Donington Park

21st/22nd October 2006

Sollis Shines at Donington to Lift 2006 Title

Bill Sollis clinched the Miglia Challenge title after victory in the final round, having seen off the wholehearted efforts of James Hall and Kelly Rogers to wrestle the lead from him.

James Hall led away from pole ahead of Bill Sollis, Endaf Owens and Andrew Hack who raced side by side into Redgate, Kelly Rogers, Colin Peacock and Mark Sims. Andrew Hack tried to outside burst into The Old Hairpin, which saw him run wide on to the grass, before rejoining in the middle of the pack.

The leading quartet were circulating in close formation with James Hall still heading Sollis, Owen and Rogers. Andrew Hack set the fastest lap of the race as he started to climb back up the order. Kelly Rogers rose to third as Endaf Owens slowed with a gearbox malfunction. Andrew Hack’s race came to an early end after he ran wide again on The Old Hairpin, running through the gravel trap, before making heavy contact with the type wall, fortunately without any personal injury.

James Hall and Kelly Rogers were side as they reached into Redgate for the fifth time, before Bill Sollis made his move taking the lead at the Chicane on lap six. Kelly Rogers snatched second at McLeans a lap after as the three of them remained in close company. Colin Peacock and Mark Sims were dicing over fourth, after Ralph Saunders had dropped back after a grassy moment at The Old Hairpin.

James Hall was putting Kelly Rogers under considerable pressure in his quest to regain second , which saw him pull out exiting The Old Hairpin for the final time and racing side by side before claiming second with his inside line into McLeans.

Bill Sollis was able to retain his slender lead to pip Hall by Just 0.86 of a second at the chequered flag, with Rogers third.