Top of the qualifying timesheets on a dry Brands Hatch Indy circuit was newcomer Andrew Lawley in his 355/Ch. This is the ex. Chris Catt / Robin Ward car. In fact if memory serves this is one of the original Benetton cars from a hundred years ago. If cars could talk ! A splendid performance which I think took the owner by surprise. Close behind were Marco Lee Pullen (328) and the 355s of I’Anson, Bourne, Reeder and Mogridge. Also new to the series, and in fact having his first ever race was Peter Rowley. His 355 Challenge car is prepared by QV London and Phil Warburton of QV actually drove the car to and from the circuit on the road!

On a day of mixed weather the heavens opened a little before the Open race. All had enough time to fit wets, but the red flag and carnage of the previous Aston race were testament to how slick the track was. First to show from the rolling start was poleman Lawley from Lee Pullen, Mogridge, I’Anson, and Ed Bourne. The first five continued to race in close company for some laps. They gradually dropped Mike Reeder whose wet tyres have their own bus pass. Experience told him to bring it home in one piece.

Apart from the odd moment the driving standard was high with hard but sensible driving. I found Marco’s performance particularly impressive in the very stiff 328. It was his first ever time in the car on wets. It would have been easy I am sure to throw it all at the scenery, but he was patient and showed great skilland on lap 11 he got through to lead the race.

Around lap 15 there was a bit of action behind Marco as the drivers became more confident on a drying track. This shuffled the order a little leaving Tim Mogridge from Andrew Lawley, Mark I’Anson and Ed Bourne. So at the end it was a first win to young Marco. This is a real family team effort and all must have been thrilled.

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