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Sparrow flies to win with Myatt on tail

3 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
(reporter: Matt Hollis)

Pete Sparrow made it three wins out of four at Donington, having eventually got over the shock of not only retiring at Cadwell Park, but allowing Pete Cardell-Williams to win in the process. Having spent much of the preceding week in Scotland, Sparrow was ready for anything the weather could throw at him. Katrina’s 4X4 2CV had been brought along as a spare, but thankfully was not required. Also arriving straight from the 2CV world meeting were Hollis Motorsport, who were praying their cars would hold together having been on display all week (including an inspired attempt by Sparrow and Andy Bull to sabotage the cars under the pretence of competing in an engine change race).

Qualifying saw Sparrow on pole, although a lack of throttle cable prevented him doing the full session. Phil Myatt joined him on the front row, followed by Wayne Cowling and the ever improving Shaun McLaughlin. Andrew Smith was back in 10th, having spun off and been surprised to see Matt Hollis copying his exact line. Ben Allan made a welcome appearance, as did birthday boy Tim Dodgson in the GMR car. Clearly all that cake had weighed Tim down as he took the final place on the grid.

Donington Park has a downhill start, so in theory getting a good start shouldn’t be a problem. Perhaps Shaun McLaughlin had hoped the momentum would help him more than it actually did, as he slipped back to 10th by the first corner. Up at the front, Sparrow and Myatt were already pulling away, whilst Cowling and Mick Storey fought over 3rd, with Matt Hollis hanging on in 5th. At the Old Hairpin, Steve Panas got sideways and dented the side of Andy Smith’s car, which had only recently been repaired after the damage at Pembrey. Shaun McLaughlin was already starting to fight back and was already 5th by lap 2. Matt Hollis took the line of least resistance at the Old Hairpin on lap 3, and promptly spun off, rejoining in 13th. His brother was involved in a 4 car scrap for 7th with Smith, Jon Davis and Sammie Fritchley. Andy managed to pull clear, but round the back of the circuit on lap 6 Richard Hollis was in the gravel, having been on the outside of both Davis and Fritchley. The ensuing confusion allowed the recovering Matt Hollis to overtake all three and move up to 8th.

Sparrow and Myatt continued to circulate nose-to-tail until the flag, but ultimately it was Pete who crossed the line first, 0.4 seconds ahead. McLaughlin, Cowling and Storey were joined by Mad Pete to make it a 4-way fight for 3rd, which Shaun won, with 1.4 seconds covering all four cars. Matt Hollis had driven back up to 7th, but it was Andy Smith who took the place in another close finish. Steve Panas, struggling after his early collision, missed out on 9th by just 0.05 seconds as Sammie Fritchley won the acceleration battle out of the chicane. Richard Hollis, having dug himself out of the gravel, finished 12th ahead of Allan and Dodgson who had battled all race long, with Ben overtaking Tim on the last lap.

(reporter: Matt Hollis)