Mike Hawthorn Challenge and XK Series Oulton Park 10th July
Mike Hawthorn ChallengeWith the return of spectators to racing it was wonderful to see so many Jaguars in the parking areas around Oulton Park. The Vintage Sports Car Club always put on an excellent meeting and kindly giving the JEC cars the opportunity to take part in the Ecurie Classic Racing Challenge for Pre-1966 GT Cars. Mixing with the Jags, MG’s, Tr’s, Austin’s and Ford’s giving a true flavour of 50’s & 60’s racing.
Qualifying
Glen Pearson in the 1958 Mk1 put in a time on lap eight that was a little too hot for the other Jags to live with although Peter Dorlin (Mk2) and Alistair Dyson (Mk2) gave it a good go, it was Pearson that was at the front of these three on the Grid. Darren McWhirter who had made the long trip from the Highlands of Scotland was only a second back from Dyson with Nigel Webb just a whisker away in the Lister Mk1. Rob Newell in his first outing in Webb’s (Mk1) IVA400 was a mere second back from the owner. Simon Lewis (Mk1) and Benjit Dhesi (Mk1) completed the Hawthorn grid with Geoff Ottley in the XK120 having warmed up the car on drive up from Dorset.
Race
Glen Pearson made a very fast start passing the E Type of Robert Gate who was in front of him on the grid. Peter Dorlin was also quick to show off the line along with Rob Newell passing car owner Nigel Webb before Cascades in IVA400. McWhirter was a little slow away and lost ground Newell and Webb. Lewis and Dhesi also not making the most of the start found themselves loosing places to some of the lighter cars on the grid.
With the cars settling down Dyson managed to get a better drive out of Old Hall Corner and passing the fellow Mk2 of Peter Dorlin down the Avenue, this before Dorlin unfortunately retired the car on lap three. Dyson was now setting his sights on the Mk1 of Glen Pearson and by lap three was able to make the pass. Rob Newell was finding his feet in an unfamiliar car and making good progress and closing a little of the gap to Pearson.
Lap four saw Webb get onto the tail of Newell to set up a close race for three laps with Darren McWhirter joining the party until an error by Newell with a close pedal box saw him hit the accelerator as well as the brake and overshoot at Cascades Corner letting Webb and McWhirter through. For safety’s sake Newell retired the car on lap seven. Behind this newcomer Benjit Dhesi in the splendid red Mk1 was keeping the experienced Simon Lewis honest.
Two laps on and McWhirter regained his grid place from Nigel Webb’s Lister Mk1, establishing the final order, with the chequered flag coming out on thirty minutes. Alistair Dyson was first home in the Hawthorn Challenge in the 1961 Mk2 and only headed overall by Gate’s E Type. Glen Pearson comfortable in second and Class B winner ahead of a close race between McWhirter and Webb.
Class C & Race Winner: Alastair Dyson
Class B Winner: Glen Pearson
Class A Winner: Geoff Ottley (Drive of the day XK Series)
Hawthorn Challenge Drive of the day: Benjit Dhesi
Race Gallery
