The SEMSEC meeting at Lydden Hill marked Bills return to competitive action following the accident at Brands Hatch during April. With the new Clubman build progressing apace the days race duties would be undertaken by the teams venerable Metro Special Saloon.

With Bill still feeling the effects of the Brands accident the team elected to run a shortened qualifying session. After some initial sighting laps the Metro was brought up to speed and began posting competitive times. Returning to the paddock the Metro sat out the end of the session but had done enough during its time on circuit to secure pole position for the first race.

The first race saw the Metro beaten off the line but the Duratec powerplant soon hauled the Metro back into contention. The Metro soon regained its position at the head of the field and stayed out in front for the remainder of the race taking the chequered flag and securing pole position for the second race of the day.

SEMSEC are running longer races for the second race of the day this season – this would prove to be a stern test of both man and machine with the Metro being a physically demanding car to drive. Once again the Metro lost out on the run to the first corner but as in the first race was able to get on terms with its opponents quickly and regain the lost positions. The second race may have been longer than the first but the end result was the same with the Metro taking the victory after an impressive drive.

The team can be very satisfied with the days efforts – the Metro took pole position and two outright race victories proving once again that it may be old but it is still a very competitive piece of machinery. Possibly more importantly though was Bills successful return to competitive action proving that despite the severity of the accident at Brands Hatch he has lost none of his speed or racecraft. The team would also like to extend their congratulations to Bill Richards Racing customers Mary Grinham and Tristam Barden for taking class wins in their respective classes.