Heritage GT

John Wilson, driving solo took his MGBGT V8 to victory in both races, despite stern opposition from Harvey Death�s meteor-like Mini Cooper S and the flying Escort Mk 1 of Colin Voyce and David Mountain, as HGTCC supported the F2 meeting at Donington 15/16 August.

Qualifying

Unfortunately there were some noticeable absences. Chris Scragg had to console himself to racing his Vantage GT4 in the GT Cup. No Sunbeam Lotus, No Thurtles and no Bob Searles all with forced absence. They were replaced with the lovely 308 of Goddard and equally beautiful Rivolta GT of Alan Collett.

So who for Pole? The favourite was Jackie Cochrane in the Tiger especially as he was to share with the very rapid Jonathan Fildes. Fortunately for the rest of the field the Irishman missed his first flight (due to his wife having their first baby!) then forgot his passport at the second attempt. It was not to be third time lucky for Jonathan and Jackie was to drive alone.�Jackie set the pace but John Wilson showed his intent for the weekend driving very smoothly to take fastest lap after fastest lap. Qualifying finished, Wilson was on top followed by Harvey Death (Mini Cooper S); Jackie Cochrane (Sunbeam Tiger) and forth place was taken by a flying Mk1 Escort of Colin Voyce and David Mountain �the fastest escort we have ever seen in the series.Race one

After a minutes silence in tribute of Henry Surtees, the field was taken through to the grid. Although understandably there are a lot of questions as to whether or not Donington will be ready to host F1 but there is no question over the spectacle an enthusiast can witness, as the cars travel through the Craner curves to Mcleans.As the cars came round for the first time a cheer came from my right as the Mini of the Deaths took the lead then a cheer from my left as Jackie re-took it a few laps later. �Clearly I was not the only one enjoying the race.

Then it was the turn of the MG of Wilson. The three looked very even and were racing well. �Elsewhere it was Escort against Escort and Rivolta against Aston, the Rivolta making his move up the hill out of the Old Hairpin, they raced side by side up the hill and through Mcleans, the Rivolta the victor as they approached Coppice. This is very much the way the Heritage Series works. �The camaraderie shown whilst availing themselves of the wonderful hospitality transfers to the field as these Gentleman drivers respect each other and their wonderful cars.As the pit window opened there was still nothing to choose between the three leaders. Wilson's pit stop was as slick as his driving but Harvey Death needed a tin opener to get out of his Mini, costing valuable time.

Approaching race distance the Cann/Williams Aston was back in front of the fire spitting Rivolta and it was still Wilson, Cochrane, Death until Jackie's gearbox said 'enough' locking the back wheels sending him into a spin and red flagging the race, not before he set the fastest lap matching that achieved by Andy Rouse of touring car fame the previous year.

Race one  13 laps:

1 John Wilson (MG BGT V8) 24:06.171.s (80.80mph); 2 Harvey Death (Mini Cooper S) +12.051s; 3 Colin Voyce/David Mountain (Ford Escort Mk.1); 4 Sean Brown/Robert Brown (Aston Martin DB4 Lightweight); 5 Steve Hyde/Jonny Hyde (Ford Escort Mk.1); 6 Leigh Smart (Aston Martin DBSV8); 7 Phil Williams/Rikki Cann (Aston Martin DBS V8); 8 Alan Collett (Rivolta GT). Class winners: Wilson; Brown/Brown (Aston Martin DB4 Lightweight); Voyce/Mountain; Hyde/Hyde. Fastest lap: Death 1m44.104s (86.43mph).Race twoThe start was delayed as the marshals worked hard to clear the track after an eventful F2 race.With Jackie Cochrane absent, Voyce and Mountain knew they had a chance of a podium and perhaps more. I spoke to the pair prior to the race requesting some sideways action out of the Melbourne loop. Mountain replied that he was trying to avoid that but once racing it was clear he wanted that podium.Wilson led from Death and Mountain. Mountain was working hard driving superbly to keep with the leaders and at times challenged the Mini, forcing Death to defend.Wilson continued where he left off in race one driving lap after lap without fault and with consistent pace making it hard for Death, who was able to get close on parts of the circuit but never getting past.Elsewhere there was an iconic battle between Williams Aston DBS and Whites E type. The pair looked like they were having fun, so too the spectators as the pair roared out of the loop, straight 6 against V8, always close and always giving each other room.

After the pit stops Death found himself in third and a long way behind the leader, but free to drive his line he was gaining, taking second from Mountain but running out of time to catch Wilson before the chequered flag.

Report by John Dickson, Heritage driver of orange Cobra, forced to spectate once again.

Race two  22 laps:

1 John Wilson (MG BGT V8) 40m: 38.874.s (81.11mph); 2 Harvey Death (Mini Cooper S) +4.385s; 3 Colin Voyce/David Mountain (Ford Escort Mk.1); 4 Sean Brown/Robert Brown (Aston Martin DB4 Lightweight); 5 Leigh Smart (Aston Martin DBSV8); 6 Phil Williams/Rikki Cann (Aston Martin DBS V8); 7 Cox/Hampshire (Honda Civic); 8 Martin White (Jaguar E-Type). Class winners: Wilson; Leigh Smart; Voyce/Mountain. Fastest lap: Death 1m44.934s (85.74mph).

Next rounds:

Brands Hatch GP: September 19th - 20th