16/01/20: NSR Classic – Classic

Classic.

If the success of a class can be judged by how well it showcases the strength of a driver’s competitive instinct and his inability to follow simple instructions, then NSR Classic can already be considered a huge success. Not only were several of the lovingly prepared cars unintentionally illegal (wrong guide, absent inserts, debatable tyres), their drivers seemingly unable to follow what must be one of the simplest rule sets ever written, but some superbly close racing shone a bright light on how much winning, or at least being moderately competitive, means to most of us. The metaphorical needle between some of the drivers was palpable and the night’s racing all the more enjoyable because of it, at least from the vantage point of your correspondent.

The evening got off to a flying start. First heat, first corner, and Julian was already in the wall after tangling with Ed, gifting an early advantage to Josh and Lee. What followed was a fifteen-lap masterclass in consistency as Julian chased the leaders down. Another lap and the result probably would have been different, but the one-two-three was Josh from Lee from Julian, all three separated by no more than three car lengths.

Several more very close heats followed, with excellent racing throughout the field and Josh once again displaying unbeatable single-lap pace.

We’re only one race in, but already it’s looking as though NSR Classic really will be classic. Roll on the next one.