Voyazides, Hadfield take International Trophy GT honours

Leo Voyazides/Simon Hadfield secured honours in the International Trophy for Pre 66 GT Cars in a fascinating mini-enduro.Mike Whitaker (TVR Griffith) led from pole position, with Leo Voyazides (Shelby Daytona Cobra) running second, but Oliver Bryant (AC Cobra) took the place after a prolonged battle on the first lap. Nathan Kinch (Jaguar E-type) was running fourth, as Bryant set off in pursuit of the leading Whitaker TVR.

At this early stage, John Davison/Ed Morris in their Lotus Elan were leading the CLP class, Malcolm Paul/Rick Bourne (TVR Grantura) were C1 leaders and Crispin Harris/Jamie McIntyre were in the lead of C2.

Bryant continued to follow Whitaker as Kinch headed the train of E-types behind third-placed Voyazides, Julian Thomas was fifth with Michael Gans in sixth.

On lap five, Bryant relieved Whitaker of the lead with a move at Aintree, as Julian Thomas made a move to pass Nathan Kinch to close up on Leo Voyazides.

A highlight at this stage was the Nathan and Peter Dod TVR Griffith which started 54th on the grid but by lap seven had hauled up to 19th position.

Thomas finally found a way past Voyazides at Village and there was a scramble behind which let Michael Gans past Nathan Kinch.

As the pit window opened, Bryant held a lead of 3.7 seconds over Whitaker, with Julian Thomas in third and Leo Voyazides in fourth, making a very early stop to hand over to Simon Hadfield. Whitaker pitted on lap 11, leaving Thomas in second catching Bryant.

At this stage, Ron Maydon was leading CLP, Paul/Bourne were still holding their C1 lead and C2 was headed by Jonathan and Ken Files in the Triumph TR4.

Thomas received a drive-through penalty for too short a pit stop, which dropped him from the leading group and Andy Wolfe took over from Michael Gans. Bryant resumed in the lead, with Whitaker, Thomas and Simon Hadfield (in for Voyazides) behind. Hadfield had a long dice with Thomas through Brooklands and Woodcote and then passed Whitaker for second at Copse.

With 14 minutes to go and fading light, Hadfield was catching Bryant and eventually made the move at Village, completing at Brooklands, with eight minutes to run. Whitaker was firmly in third now that the Julian Thomas/Calum Lockie E-type had pitted for its penalty.

At the flag, it was a delighted Hadfield/Voyazides who took the win and C3 class ahead of Oliver Bryant, who admitted his tyres had gone, and Mike Whitaker in third in what he felt was one of his best races in years. The Dods TVR Griffith eventually ended up in 15th, CLP was won by Graham Wilson/Nigel Greensall’s Lotus Elan, C2 was taken by David Grace/Anders Schildt’s Austin Healey and C1 was won by Till Bechtolsheimer (MGB).

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