Crash Fest.

Six drivers lined up for NSR Classics this week in what would turn out to be a festival of crashes.

For once, racing started on time, but so surprised was the timing system by the prompt start that it threw a wobbly a few laps before the first heat was completed, necessitating a complete reset and restart of the race, which eventually got underway just before 9pm. Little change there, then.

Julian was immediately out ahead, but behind him a race-long battle raged. Simon, whose best lap was only 0.079 slower than Julian’s, failed dismally to make the most of his car’s pace, numerous crashes seeing him struggle to pull out a lead over David, Graham and Neil. David wasn’t doing much better, frequent crashes ruining his progress too.

Graham and Neil provided the best of the night’s entertainment, Graham driving a rapid Ford P68 which was gaining almost three car lengths on Neil every lap on the main straight, but then losing it all again in the corners. It was a tight battle and great to watch.

With just the final heat left, Julian was long gone despite having crashed a couple of times. David was comfortable in second, a lap and a bit ahead of Simon who was two seconds clear of Graham, with Neil three seconds further back. In normal circumstances this would most likely have been the final result, but this wasn’t a normal night, David and Simon both vying for the “most crashes in one race” award. That award went eventually to David, his last heat driven so badly that he lost second place to Simon and very nearly lost third to Graham too.

Once the dust had settled and the computer had spewed out the results, it was Graham who’d lost the most. He’d been the only driver to drive an error-free race, his single crash the result of Vince losing control of his brand new Porsche 917/10 and taking Graham with him. Whether it cost Graham the 4.8 seconds that would have seen him beat David to the final podium spot is debatable, but it would definitely have been close. Graham’s point for fastest lap in his group was scant consolation.

Sometimes life’s not fair, but as that famous proverb doesn’t say, “All’s fair in love and racing.” Better luck next time, Graham. Vince owes you!