WSCRDA Brands Hatch 2009

Spencer and Davidson duel to the death
(of Spencer's engine)

Andrew Spencer and Chris Davison both made their returns after missing the Mallory Park trip, Spencer had been looking for a race winning double, but after two terrific duels with Davison his engine let go in the second race leaving Davison in the clear.

The rivalry began during qualifying with Spencer just taking pole from Davison, by 0.460secs. Simon Pryke was third, albeit over 1.4secs off the lead pair. Ex Kit Car man Matthew Jones completed the second row, with Martin Gartside and double Mallory winner Chris Gould on the third.

RACE 1

From the start Davison snatched the lead, with Pryke flying through into second at Paddock. Spencer and Jones were next up, but it was Pryke still on the attack. Into Druids he had the lead, but Davison was back in front at Surtees and led the pack through at the end of the opening lap. Pryke lost out to Spencer and Jones and Nick Flowers moved in to challenge too, while at the back Nick Grout was playing catch up, after a spin at Clark Curve.

Spencer was all over Davison into Druids on lap three, while Jones had to battle hard to fend off the dueling Pryke and Flowers. His defence was breached through Clark Curve, with both storming past for the run to Paddock.

A lap later Spencer made his move and squeezed through to lead on the inside of Paddock. Further down the order Will Chappell shot up to sixth, after demoting Gartside and father Jon. But after running wide at Graham Hill Bend Spencer lost momentum and Davison surged ahead again onto Cooper Straight. Jones also began to fall back from the duelling Pryke and Flowers, to come under threat from Will Chappell, Gould and Gartside.

Spencer surged back to the fore a lap later on the outside at Paddock, while Pryke and Flowers had a couple of exchanges too. But it was wheel for the next few laps, until Spencer made a break. But at the flag it was only 0.218secs in Spencer's favour. I had to push hard all the way, I could get the lead but had difficulty defending, said Spencer. I will need to bully him a bit more, and I kept compromising myself at Paddock too,Davison added.

Pryke won the battle for third after his racelong duel with Flowers, which was being caught by Gould in the closing laps. Well I led and then Chris closed me down, then Matt Jones got me a few laps later and Nick too. It felt underpowered but at least I got Nick back and a podium, said Pryke.

Gould caught Flowers napping at Paddock with a lap to go, while Jones spun down to eighth on lap 15 and then again at Paddock on the last lap. I got stuck when Will and Matt were battling and there was no space. Once I got a clear track I closed and just got fourth from Nick, said Gould. I thought I was safe then Chris caught up while I was busy chasing Simon, Flowers added.

Will Chappell pulled out with brake problems leaving Gartside a solitary sixth. It was the same problem as Mallory, the brake line on the rear again, said Will. I had been happy in qualifying, but only got a good lap at the end of the race. I got stuck in fourth gear from Druids to Cooper Straight early on and lost three places and was left playing catch up, said Gartside.

Seamus Harding came with his customary strong finish to secure seventh, I had a new gearbox but got held up a bit, but my tyres were perfect for the later laps when everyone else's were going off, he explained. Jones finally took eighth. New tyres made all the difference as
I never thought I was that fast, but we didn't change the tyre pressures for the dry race and they went sky high, said Jones.

Brian Small. Harry Gordon-Finlayson and the recovering Grout completed the finishers, with Mark Callahan and Jon Chappell retiring. I had started with a semi bald tyre on the back and hadn't noticed, Small explained.

My clutch went, I thought it was the gearbox, said Chappell Snr. I ran out petrol, Callahan admitted. We topped up what we used from qualifying which was 10 laps, but the race was 22, he added.

RACE TWO

Spencer had gear selection problems on the way to the start of race two, and was left chasing Davison in an early break. Pryke flew off into the gravel at Paddock on the second lap, which left Jones, Flowers and Will Chappell battling for third.

Spencer led into Paddock on lap three, but Davison soon reclaimed the place, as once again it was wheel to wheel. Chappell got past Flowers, but found Jones defence somewhat more unpredictable at times. Gould was also on the move after his customary poor start, taking the fast starting Grout into Druids on lap six.

There were numerous exchanges between Davison and Spencer over the next few laps, until Spencer past the pits on lap 12 sounding very sick indeed. Davison was left in the clear to win, while Spencer pulled off in a cloud of smoke. That was such a shame, I was really enjoying that race with Andrew,said Davison.

Chappell finally got past Jones into Paddock on lap nine, with Flowers poised to follow, But once again Gould was closing in too. Into Druids for the fifth time Gould sneaked past Flowers, only to go sideways at Clark Curve and hand the place back. But he came back once more taking Flowers and Chappell for a solid second from Paddock on lap 15.

It was then Flowers turn to challenge Chappell, and after a couple of laps pressure it was all change at Paddock and Flowers had the place with two laps remaining. I had a good start but couldn't get past Matt again. I felt I was the quickest of the group I was in, but nice to get my first podium of the year, said Flowers.

Chappell retained fourth from Jones and Harding ousted Grout for sixth on lap 14, despite closing up again at the flag. I could have had second but got distracted by the warning flag and lost out to Chris and Nick, said Chappell. I made a few mistakes again and saw Nick coming back at the end.

I must do better in the first half, admitted Harding. For Grout there was a mixture of pleasure and disappointment. I pushed a bit too hard and then nearly went off chasing Seamus, he explained.

Gartside held onto eighth after a later battle with a determined Small. Gordon-Finlayson and Callahan completed the finishers, after Jon Chappell failed to make the start. I struggled again but dont know why, and was so slow in the tight bits, said Gartside.

Small admitted to having eyes almost close during a brave move on Gartside around the outside of Paddock, but for Callahan another disappointment, having to pit with a possible fuel leak.

Published by Peter Scherer, June 9th, 2009