The team headed to the familiar confines of Brands Hatch for the latest rounds of the BARC Dunlop Motorsport News Saloon Car Championship. The DMN saloons formed part of an impressive lineup at the meeting alongside a host of ex-F1 machinery competing in the only UK round of the EuroBOSS series. The bright sunshine and high temperatures ensured a good turnout of spectators for the meeting.

Qualifying

The Clubman headed out onto the circuit for qualifying as part of another large DMN field, the popular championship defying the credit crunch and continuing to provide first class on track entertainment. As ever the early part of the session was used to bring tyres and brakes up to operating temperature before attempting a flying lap, with this process completed the Clubman sought a gap in the traffic.

As the session progressed the lap times steadily came down, the Clubman continuing to improve its times lap by lap. A trouble free session saw the Clubman qualify a stunning 6th overall on the grid and once again the first naturally aspirated car on the grid with only Cosworths and a brace of 700+bhp Skylines ahead. The Clubmans exceptional performance gathering much praise from the circuits commentary team.

Race 1

As with all the DMN races this season a rolling start would be used to get the race underway, the Clubman lined up with a gap ahead of it on the grid where both of the Skylines non-started due to technical maladies. As the safety car pulled into the pitlane at the end of the formation lap the field charged towards the line, as the pack raced to the first corner the Clubman successfully held its position and tucked in behind the Cosworth ahead.

By the second corner the Clubman had closed onto the tail of the Cosworth with a Peugeot 205, Escort and a second Cosworth in hot pursuit. This marked the beginning of an epic race long dogfight the outcome of which was never sure and which kept the commentators and crowd enthralled throughout.

Initially the Clubman took the fight to the Cosworth at the head of the pack, the small blue machine chipping away at the larger turbo charged cars advantage piece by piece. The commentators were now focusing largely on this battle and were soon shouting in excitement as the Clubman pulled off an audacious overtaking move going into the hairpin at Druids to snatch an incredible 3rd place overall. The Cosworth fought back and re-took the position along the main straight where the turbo charged beast could play to its strengths. The following 205 and Escort also sought to make a pass but the Clubman held firm.

The pace of the action did not relent with the 205 time and again attempting to pass the resilient Clubman, several times the 205 pulled alongside but the Clubman was perfectly positioned on the track and held the racing line forcing the 205 to attempt a pass on the outside. Whilst the Clubman and 205 fought their duel the Escort and Cosworth attempted to take advantage, momentarily the Escort was ahead of the 205 and on the Clubmans tail but the 205 was soon back in the hunt snapping at the Clubmans heels.

The chequered flag fell to end the titanic contest the Clubman successfully defending its position to take an incredible 4th overall and earn the “Driver Of The Race” award for its sterling defensive drive. The Clubman toured the circuit on the slowing down lap to warm applause from the crowd who were very appreciative of the Clubmans David vs Goliath duels throughout the race. Returning to the paddock the Clubman soon attracted a large crowd eager to see the car close up.

Race 2

The stage was beautifully set for another epic race with the cars lining up their finishing positions from the first encounter, the field surged towards the first corner with the 205 getting ahead of the Clubman. With the tables turned the Clubman was soon swarming all over the rear of the 205 but before any further action could take place the red flags came out to halt the race as a car was stranded in a dangerous position and needed to be recovered. The Clubman and 205 backed off but the Clubman was struck from behind by an unsighted car that not seen the red flags and was still at racing speed.

Damage to the rear of the Clubman appeared superficial and offered no safety concerns so the Clubman took its place on the grid for the restart. The second start saw the 205 again take advantage of its position on the inside of the grid to pass the Clubman into the first corner but this time a Cosworth also powered by. The Clubman tucked in behind the Cosworth and sought to retake the position whilst a SEAT latched onto the Clubmans tail. Catching the Cosworth through the slower sections of the circuit the Clubman was looking to make a move when the Cosworth momentarily slowed, the Clubman jinked to the side to avoid the Cosworth but was struck a glancing blow by the SEAT that was also attempting to gain ground.

The impact severely damaged one of the Clubmans wheels, the tyre losing all air instantly the Clubman had no option but to retire to the pitlane. The team were ready to receive the car but the damaged wheel could not be removed in time for the Clubman to rejoin the race. The commentary team expressed their disappointment at the Clubmans retirement – a view shared by many people (both spectators and racers) in the paddock after the race.

Whilst the second race may have ended in disappointment the team can take a lot of positives from the weekend. The Clubman once again proved to be a very competitive package – taking another class win and setting the fastest lap in its class in the process. The popularity of the car with the commentary team and spectators is also heartening for the team, the giant killing antics of the car during qualifying and the stunning drive during the first race gaining further plaudits. The team will now concentrate on repairing the Clubman in time for its next outing.