Donington Park June 2005.

European Motorsport race report

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EuropeanMotorSport (EMS) attended Donington Park on 19th June for round 6 of the championship.

As expected, Donington provided a fantastic race spectacle for the thousands of people who braved the 90 degree temperatures! EMS in conjunction with Jaguar Classic Parts Programme (www.jdht.com) provided a magnificent display of famous cars from the JDHT Collection.

The vehicles on display were: 1998 Jaguar XK180 Concept Car. 1983 Jaguar XJ-S TWR racing car. 1974 Jaguar E-Type Group 44 racing car. 1950 Jaguar XK 120 Alpine Rally winner. The TWR racing support rig was also there, fully erected in the Donington paddock for the first time since the 1980's. The following link will provide a 'drop down' menu where you can read the full details and see pictures of these cars. JDHT Collection.

QUALIFYING.

Temperatures were already reaching 80 degrees as the 23 Jaguar saloons took to the track at 9am for qualifying. These conditions take there toll on the drivers, the cars and particularly the tyres, the question was, which one would break first? The qualifying session was interesting as various cars had excursions in to the gravel, causing a yellow flag to be displayed which spoilt several laps! The yellow flag is a danger warning, that means a potential hazard and drivers must slow down on that section of the track. Howard Kirkham had a good session and with his improving car managed 6th in Class B. Class B had 10 cars competing at Donington and is by far the most popular and competitive class this year. Simon Lewis had a misfire problem and managed to take 3rd in Class B and 5th overall on the grid. Jim Shea was one tenth of a second off of pole position, taking 1st in Class B and on the front row of the grid.

RACE.

Unfortunately Jim could not start the race due to an electrical problem that could not be resolved! As the red lights went out Howard made a blistering start and was three abreast in to the first corner (Redgate) challenging for 4th place. Simon also had a good start taking the XJ coupe and 3rd place overall, just a few metres behind the two beautifully turned out MK2s of Cann and Ely.

On the first lap Howard emerged from Craner Curves in 4th place being hotly pursued by several saloons. Two laps later Howard pushed hard in to the fast right hander, Macleans, and had a spin which lost him five places. Simon was holding station in 3rd place but on lap 5 made a brave manouevre in to the tricky chicane, Goddards, and took 2nd place overall and lead in Class B. Howard continued to claw his way back and on lap 6 'outbraked' a Class B saloon in to Goddards and took 8th place. On the next lap Howard again took another saloon at Goddards and took 7th place which he maintained to the chequered flag. Simon battled on with the leading MK11 of Ely, but coming out of Coppice on the last lap, Simon was out-powered by the XJ coupe of North and he was to finish 2nd in Class B and 3rd overall.

The championship table after round 6 is: Simon leads the Class B championship and is 3 points off the overall lead and the coveted number 1 plate. Jim is 3rd in Class and Howard is 4th in Class B. EMS is still aiming (hoping!) for 1,2 and 3 in the Class B championship!

Photos of this race meeting can be seen on the Donington Jaguar racing photos page.

Regards,
EuropeanMotorSport