The Bill Richards Racing team headed to Brands Hatch for the final rounds of the Dunlop Motorsport News Saloon Car Championship which featured on the support card for the end of season British Truck Racing Association meeting. A full grid of cars would ensure some close racing throughout the weekend and the team was hopeful they could pick up some useful points towards their final tally.

Qualifying

The Clubman headed out into the qualifying session on slick tyres, the earlier rain having eased off to be replaced by weak autumnal sunshine. It soon became apparent that track conditions were far from ideal with the newly resurfaced Indy circuit proving to be treacherously slippery despite the apparent drying line. Throughout the entire field lap times were well done on those expected and several cars had off track excursions during the session. The session was abruptly brought to a halt following one such incident and the Clubman found itself in 14th place on the grid, despite the lack of grip the Clubman had qualified in the top half of the field.

Race 1

Following further heavy rainfall the skies cleared once more ahead of the first DMN race, the Clubman was once again sent to the grid on slick tyres – this initially looked to have been a gamble but as the cars exited the pitlane it became clear that this was indeed the correct choice as a dry line was rapidly appearing on the circuit.

As the cars formed up on the grid misfortune befell the Clubman when an oil seal failed, the team had no option but to bring the car into the pitlane and the Clubman unfortunately missed the start of the race. The team returned the Clubman to the paddock and began the process of replacing the offending seal ahead of the second race.

Race 2

With starting positions for the second race determined by the first race the Clubman would be starting from the back of the grid. The tyre choice for this race was simple – the circuit was wet and rain continued to fall so the full wet Avon tyres were fitted to the Clubman. As the field headed around behind the pace car the Clubman brought up the rear of the field eager to get the race underway and set about making progress through the field.

As the race got underway the Clubman stormed forwards cutting through the tail end of the field in short order gaining five positions on a stunning first lap. The Clubman was soon on the tail of a BMW MINI and the newer machine put up a stern defence but the Clubman continued its inexorable charge and swept past the German machine. Having dealt with one MINI the Clubman soon closed on the tail of another and once more set about finding a way past. This battle was ended when the safety car was deployed to allow the retrieval of a number of stricken cars that had fallen victim to the greasy surface and slid off the track.

The safety car initially picked up the wrong car and the field shuffled around to try and get into the correct sequence for the restart. The chaos continued with the safety cars pace dropping off forcing those behind to brake sharply bringing some of the competitors to a standstill. Unsighted by spray and cars ahead the Clubman saw the static MINI ahead at the last second and attempted avoidance but tapped its rear. Suffering appalling luck the Clubman was forced to retire as the MINIs towing eye had pierced the oil cooler and radiator leaving the Clubman unable to continue. The race continued but was red flagged shortly after the restart as further cars had left the circuit in the tricky conditions.

Despite drawing a blank for the weekend the Clubman still emerged from the season as the Class C champion. The team would like to thank all their sponsors without whom this would not have been possible. The teams thanks also go out to all the Marshals who have stood out in all weathers throughout the season, the race officials, organisers and all the medical staff at the circuits visited this season.

With the racing season now over the team can turn their attention to the winter maintenance schedules for the cars and begin to make plans for the 2011 racing season!