WSCRDA Snetterton 2009

RACE 1

Having already taken victory in a one-off outing at Castle Combe, Russell Small returned to follow in Peter Daglish's footsteps with a double victory at Snetterton in the new works Aero race 190M.

Although Small was on pole for the first race, he lost out initially to both Chris Davison and Simon Pryke, who shared a couple of early exchanges. But it was Davison ahead as they came through Coram, with Small into second on lap two, as Nick Flowers started to pressurise Pryke.

There were a couple of swaps and changes for third, but Flowers nosed ahead again from lap four, just.

Small began to threaten Davison's lead and got ahead on the fifth lap, while Pryke pushed himself to the limit in his quest to retake Flowers, taking to the grass exiting Russell.

Behind them Martin Gartside was unable to relax, as both Seamus Harding and Harry Gordon-Finlayson were champing at the bit.

Davison darted back in front on lap seven, but was unable to shake off Small and had to give best again two laps but this time for good. I wasn't risking too much, but at least Russell dragged me to a new lap record, said Davison.

Pryke managed to reclaim third briefly, but ran wide at Riches and had to settle for third behind Flowers. I was lucky to be on the grid after my oil filter split in qualifying, said Flowers.

Nick had too much grunt for me, I had trouble getting a tow, although I was quicker in some places, added Pryke.

Harding and Gartside had a sort out too, which allowed Gordon-Finlayson to pass them both. We were slipstreaming and exchanged places, then both went off at the Bombhole, but there was no contact, Harding explained. I had to drive off so I didn't hit Seamus, I outbraked him but there was no room, Gartside replied.

Of the two Gartside recovered the quicker and reclaimed fifth from Gordon-Finlayson and closing Harding.

RACE 2

Davison again made the best of race two, and as is the first race he paired off with Small, with Pryke and Flowers battling for third and Harding holding an early advantage over Gartside and Gordon-Finlayson.

The top four all changed places on the second lap, but although Small tried to extend his newly gained advantage, Davison stuck like glue. But having retaken Flowers Pryke did manage to briefly consolidate third.

Once Gartside had found a way into fifth he did manage to escape and even closed on the third place scrap towards the end.

On lap eight it was all change again though at the top of the leaderboard, Davison in front and Flowers in third. Both duels continued to rage until the very end, just to prove that it's the quality of racing more than the number of cars that make a race.

Despite Davison's best efforts, Small finally made the decisive move at the Esses on the penultimate lap, while Pryke made third his own from Sear on lap 12, despite the presence of Flowers in his wheeltracks, right to the flag.

it has a lot of top speed and Advent set it up just right for me. It was an enjoyable battle, said Small. Well I thought I would have a crack at him this time, Davison replied after securing the Series Trophy.

It was tough but clean and I wasn't giving up, said third placed Pryke. Each time I got Simon, the next thing I knew he was back again, added Flowers after just missing out on the podium.

Gartside ran out of time in his quest to close the gap still further, I had no battle so just got my head down and concentrated. But both wing stays broke with a bad vibration from the front and flew of, he said.

Gordon-Finlayson had seemed set for sixth but the pressure from Harding finally told. I lost it at Sear and then missed a few gears, he explained.

Well I spent so much time battling with Harry that Martin got away this time, said Harding.

Published by Peter Scherer, September 29th, 2009