Snetterton in late May sunshine — twenty-seven degrees and a full grid that was once again the largest of the entire meeting. If ever you needed proof that the Lansdowne Classic Series is doing something right, look no further than the paddock at Snetterton on the 30th and 31st of May.
Race 1
Seven laps around the 300 circuit saw Mark Taylor (#82) take pole and lead every lap to the flag from Michael Russell (#68), with Jake Dettloff (#117) a gnat’s whisker behind — just 0.854 seconds covering those two at the line. This was Jake’s first class podium in the 500 championship — a hugely deserved moment, and with his mum there to witness it, we all felt the love. Well done Jake. Yours truly came home sixth having had a decent scrap through the field — the Manx behaving itself reasonably well in the heat, which is more than could be said for everybody’s front rubber as the afternoon wore on, a familiar story for every make of tyre on other grids as the abrasive surface and high temp was a survival test! Graham Higlett (#50) had a wretched end to his first race — on for a strong result before retiring after just one lap. A cruel result for a very rapid local man. In the 11b Clubman class Stevan Radakovic (#12) took a fine win from Dorian Eardley (#164) and Seb Perez (#45). Ben Kingham (#55) took the 11d Pre-55 honours on his throbbing Vincent Black Shadow — always an impressive sight going round Snetterton at proper speed. Graham Buller (#195) led the 350 class from the flag.
| British Championship | Clubman 500 | |
| 1st – Mark Taylor | 1st – Stevan Radakovic | |
| 2nd – Michael Russell | 2nd – Dorian Eardley | |
| 3rd – Jake Dettloff | 3rd – Seb Perez |
| Clubman 350 | Pre 55 | |
| 1st – Graham Buller | 1st – Ben Kingham | |
| 2nd – Mark Harrington | 2nd – Richard Hann | |
| 3rd – David Hebb |
Race 2
Later on Saturday afternoon told a similar tale at the front — Taylor again, with Mike Russell pressing him all the way, separated by just 1.4 seconds at the flag. Daniel Jackson (#155) made it onto the podium in third, edging out Mike Smith (#34) who pushed him hard all race. Jake Dettloff went fifth with yours truly sixth again, keeping it neat and tidy if not exactly spectacular. In the 11b Clubman 500 class it was Calum Lockie (#28) who took a fine win from Seb Perez (#45) and Simon Hocking (#51). Dorian Eardley (#164) and Nick Bedford (#3) retired during the race which left the order looking rather different to how it started — racing, as ever, has other ideas. Ben Kingham took the 11d honours once more on his Black Shadow, with David Hebb in second. Graham Buller (#195) continued his fine season in the 350 class, taking the win with Torsten Busch (#14) also finishing.
| British Championship | Clubman 500 | |
| 1st – Mark Taylor | 1st – Calum Lockie | |
| 2nd – Michael Russell | 2nd – Seb Perez | |
| 3rd – Daniel Jackson | 3rd – Simon Hocking |
| Clubman 350 | Pre 55 | |
| 1st – Graham Buller | 1st – Ben Kingham | |
| 2nd – Mark Harrington | 2nd – David Hebb | |
| 3rd – Torsten Busch |
Race 3
Sunday morning was another eight-lapper and the heat — or rather the remnants of it — was now making its presence felt in the tyres. Very high temperatures across the weekend had been shredding fronts, and it showed in a few people’s pace management through the closing stages. Mark Taylor was back on top — leading from lights to flag to take his third win of the weekend from Graham Higlett and Mike Russell. Jake Dettloff and Mike Smith were inseparable at the finish, covered by just 0.061 seconds in fourth and fifth. Calum Lockie again took the Clubman win, with Simon Hocking, Dorian Eardley and Richard Dawson (#53) filling the next places. Graham Buller completed his clean sweep of 350 class wins across the whole weekend — a dominant performance. Ben Kingham took the Pre-55 honours from David Hebb and Gordon Russell on the Triton.
| British Championship | Clubman 500 | |
| 1st – Mark Taylor | 1st – Calum Lockie | |
| 2nd – Graham Higlett | 2nd – Dorian Eardley | |
| 3rd – Michael Russell | 3rd – Simon Hocking |
| Clubman 350 | Pre 55 | |
| 1st – Graham Buller | 1st – Ben Kingham | |
| 2nd – Mark Harrington | 2nd – David Hebb | |
| 3rd – Torsten Busch | 3rd – Gordon Russell |
Race 4
The final race of the weekend was an eight-lapper and the one that will be talked about for a while. Mark Taylor took pole again and led, but Graham Higlett was on a mission — the two of them swapping the lead across all eight laps. The lap chart reads like a thriller: Taylor led lap 1, Higlett lap 2, Taylor laps 3 to 5, Higlett laps 6 to 8. By the flag it was Higlett by 0.747 seconds, both of them posting identical best laps of 1:24.611 at 85.10 mph — and in doing so Graham smashed the circuit record previously held by Mark himself. An absolutely brilliant race from two very quick men. Mike Russell completed the 11a podium in third, with Jake Dettloff fourth. Calum Lockie put his car racing track knowledge to fine use again topping the Clubman 500 class with Simon Hocking second and Dorian Eardley third. Graham Buller once more took the 350 class win and David Hebb was the sole Pre-55 finisher, bringing the old Norton home with typical determination.
| British Championship | Clubman 500 | |
| 1st – Graham Higlett | 1st – Calum Lockie | |
| 2nd – Mark Taylor | 2nd – Simon Hocking | |
| 3rd – Michael Russell | 3rd – Dorian Eardley |
| Clubman 350 | Pre 55 | |
| 1st – Graham Buller | 1st – David Hebb | |
| 2nd – Mark Harrington | ||
| 3rd – Torsten Busch |
A tremendous weekend of racing by any measure. The Lansdowne grid was the largest of the meeting — something we should all be proud of — and the quality of racing throughout, from the 350s right up to the championship class battles, was exactly what this series is about. The hospitality continued in fine Lansdowne style with Hawaiian shirts at the barbecue. You know who you are.
A quick note on the new Lansdowne merch — it sold out! Richard Hann even bought the jacket off my back and proceeded to Dad Dance as only he can, obviously thinking the jacket would empower him with my ‘moves’!! More will be available at Brands Hatch, so get your order in early. Merch not moves!!
Now for the important stuff. Next up is the Bob Mac Memorial meeting at East Fortune — a cracking event and a real fly-away treat. There is still time to enter: call Louise Nicol on 07920 213492 to sort a last-minute slot. There is £150 cash back available so it really is worth the trip. After that, entries are open for Brands Hatch with £50 cash back for Lansdowne riders — don’t hang about. AND the Donington Festival is already half-full, so if you want to be there get your entry in sharpish.
Thank you to the CRMC, the marshals, the medics and all the circuit team at Snetterton for a safe and well-run weekend. Thank you as always to our sponsors and supporters who make this whole thing possible.
Cheers Perky
