We’re back home after a quiet but hopeful Autumn Festival, and since it looks like we’re going to be here a while, why not take some time out to enjoy a few photos from the weekend.
This was a meeting that very nearly didn’t go ahead, with the COVID-19 situation escalating rapidly and continually. It was a brave decision to run, and one which was not taken lightly. A huge amount of advice and guidance was sought, and consideration given before the decision was made that it would be safe to run at reduced numbers.
The Autumn Festival was an opportunity to, while it was still safe to do so, provide some sense of community, positivity and hope in a situation that by its nature drives people apart. It was also an opportunity to support the many businesses who support us and who are no doubt heading into extremely difficult times.
With entry to the circuit strictly managed and numbers kept to the bare minimum, the pits and paddock did not have their usual atmosphere of energy and buzz.
However, they did have an air of optimism and were a genuinely happy place to be. Members were getting used to the concept of social distancing and were very respectful of the current situation. It was excellent to see, and we were very pleased to see a high level of awareness and respect of the guidelines put in place.
We are also very grateful for the support of Wakefield Park, who did a tremendous job of preparing the circuit to promote and facilitate safe conduct in the situation.
As we are, of course, of the volunteers who support us. This was a particularly challenging situation, and many selflessly devoted their weekend to keeping us safe, making sure that everything ran smoothly and giving us all the opportunity to run our cars. This meeting, like all others, would not be possible without your help. Thank you!
We are in full support of every entrant who felt it prudent to withdraw, and in the end 76 cars fronted up to qualifying on Saturday morning. Those ran across seven events, including Groups L, M & O, Group N, Regularity, Formula Ford, Supersprint, Groups Q & R and Group S.
While the pits and paddock were markedly quiet, the track presented plenty of action and the cars ran in perfect conditions throughout the weekend. Group S drew the biggest field, with 22 cars heading out for qualifying. Tight competition throughout the pack couldn’t slow down Wayne Seabrook, who won three races before packing up. Damien Meyer took the final race of the weekend followed by Warren Hotz and Tony Dains.
It was a similar story in Group N, the Mustang of David Stone unassailable as he drove it to a clean sweep of the weekend.
The BMC Challenge was run after lunch on Saturday and was well supported. It continues to prove itself to be a fun and worthwhile event, and we’re looking forward to developing it further. Damien Meyer took the win in his 1969 MG Midget ahead of the Morris Cooper Ss of Chris Collett and Graham Russell.
Regularity saw wins by three drivers, with Raymond Lewis picking up three and both David Ellis and Geoff Morse finding success.
Competition in Supersprint was fierce as well, with Kerry Hughes going quickest in three of the events, but Michael Henderson going quickest overall with a blistering 1:08.78 in the Mawer Clubman.
The three drivers in L, M & O were led by Wayne Wilson in his beautifully-prepared Brabham BT21C. While Wayne and the Brabham were in a class of their own, David McKenzie and Brian Wilson were in striking distance of each other and the trio were consistent throughout the weekend, only dropping a driver for the final race of the weekend.
After Bruce Connolly went fastest in Formula Ford qualifying, William Marshall all but took over the weekend, winning race one, two and three. Justin McClintock took the honours in the Formula Ford & QR combined race in the Galloway Sports 1300, but Marshall was back on top for the final race of the weekend.
Q & R was another three-man field, led by Andrew Ford in qualifying. Ford sadly retired early in race one, with Justin McClintock winning ahead of Peter Turnbull. Turnbull would miss the Saturday afternoon race, returning on Sunday morning to duel McClintock once more.
Thank you from Rod, Richard, Mark and the HSRCA committee for your support of the Autumn Festival. We wish you all the best in these difficult times and hope to see you for either the Spring Festival at the end of August, or the Summer Festival November 27 – 29. Until then, stay safe and healthy, and we will be in touch.
Enjoy the following photos from the weekend, with thanks to David Jenkins, Seth Reinhardt and Mark Richards.
Get in touch with Seth via email at seth@hsrca.com, and see Mark’s website at markrichardsphotography.smugmug.com for more from him and catch David on Facebook.
2020 HSRCA Autumn Festival: David Jenkins
2020 HSRCA Autumn Festival: Seth Reinhardt
2020 HSRCA Autumn Festival: Mark Richards
