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Report of Lotus Seven 50th Anniversary races |
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COLIN CHAPMAN TROPHY RACE Caterham Race Weekend : Donington Park , 2/3 June 2007 CLASSIC RACING : VINTAGE DRIVERS “Where are all the Brits?” barked Clive Chapman, in a pre-race inspection. “We took some heavy casualties in previous skirmishes” I mumbled, which was partly true, “but don't worry, we're all fuelled up and ready to take on the French”. This interchange was prompted by a review of the entry list for the “Colin Chapman Trophy Race”, a race exclusive (almost) to original Lotus Sevens and a one-off to mark the 50 th anniversary of the marque, an opportunity provided by Caterham Cars at their Donington Park race meeting. In order to swell the grid, the British entrants were supported by the French Trophée Lotus Championship, an intrepid bunch of Gauls who regularly race together in a domestic Lotus 7 championship. The Brits' team comprised the renowned “Chapman's Chariots”, a Birkett Relay team of “Four Johns” plus one “Honorary John” (Martin Halliday). Saturday started cool and morning practice was dry if a little hazy. The Charioteers featured well at the pointy end, partly because they run to looser engine and tyre regulations in the Classic Sports Car Club's Swinging 60s Series. John Muirhead (Lotus Super 7 Twincam) took pole from a particularly rapid French Lotus Elan 26R driven by Fabrice Bernard. Martin Halliday John and John Rees (both in Kent engined Series 3 Sevens) were next up, followed by two Frenchmen in well-turned out early Caterhams (Alain Berson and Pascal Metayer). John Pringle (Series 4) was up there with them, as indeed was a very quick Lotus Eleven Le Mans, driven by Christian Cane, of which more later. The author, John Hutchison (Lotus 7 Series 2 Pre-Crossflow) struggled with spongey brakes and was half way up the grid of 30 cars.
Race 1 came late in the day on Saturday, although due to efficient running by the BRSCC was actually 30 minutes early. After some frantic handwaving in the paddock to ensure the visitors knew what was going on, we lined up on the grid. The back-markers were a bit tardy collecting, presumably taking a last drag on their Gauloises before setting off, so one or two of us were eyeing our temperature gauges anxiously as by now the afternoon sun was well in evidence. The start was clean and the leaders barrelled into Redgate four abreast. All made it through somehow although the Elan was engulfed by Charioteers who were first second and third at one stage (Muirhead, Rees, Pringle). Philippe Lamoulie (Lotus Seven) was an early spinner from eighth place, finding the gravel at Redgate but managing to haul himself out and carry on.
There were strong runs from two other French Lotus 7's (Alain Berson and Pierre Brunetti) who eventually took sixth and seventh places. Muirhead led from start to finish and was relentless in pace, setting the fastest lap of 1:22.8. He and Rees, who finished 7 seconds behind lapped all the drivers up to sixth place. The Elan made third, and on a 1:25.4 was the quickest of the visitors. Pringle was running strongly in third until the Team Gremlin struck, a misfire which relegated him to 5th . Martin Halliday drove to an excellent 4th and was fortunate to inherit the misfire Gremlin only on his wind-down lap, which gave him time to fix it before Race 2. Eighth place was picked up by the recovering Hutchison, whose brakes were now doing the required job, and who had a frenetic race, making up 10 places after an indifferent start. Hutchison and gravel-laden Lamoulie changed places regularly as they passed through the field, with the Englishman ahead by less than a second when the flag fell. Thirty minutes flashed by in a blur, although driving standards were good; there was minimal contact and only 3 DNF's which surely must be a record for Lotus 7 races.
Soon the paddock was filled with berets and curly moustaches, barbeques and arms being waved. Genial Trophée Lotus organisers Jean-Paul Couilliot and Etienne Prothery were much in evidence as Frogs and Rosbifs traded race stories in a variety of Franglaisian dialects, which became more and more unfathomable as time wore on. After we sampled a few glasses of what had been stashed away in the visitor's trailers, the language barrier was removed entirely as it was impossible to understand anyone. The Charioteers eventually sneaked away for a mug of Horlicks while the evening party was in full swing.
Dawn next day heralded frantic fettling from an early hour. As seems customary with our guests (we have raced with them before and can observe certain behavioural patterns), a car is brought to each race which requires an entire rebuild. It goes on to an extended ramp as soon as the French guys arrive at the circuit, and various mechanics, drivers and passers by work on it from time to time. It eventually goes away again without a wheel being turned. We didn't ask as it wouldn't be polite, but I would be curious to know if it is the same car at each race and whether there is some sort of prize involved. A very grateful Frenchman (Marc Janiaud) borrowed a spare differential from Rees who in true Charioteer spirit will lend anything to anyone on the proviso that the recipient waves him through. Various misfires, brake imbalances, starter problems and other Lotus 7 maladies were traced and remedied before the second race started midmorning. One of the highlights for many was the pre-race paddock visit by Hazel Chapman, regular Formula 1 paddock figure in the heyday of Lotus F1. In those days when F1 teams were family run, figures like Hazel and Bette Hill were the backbone of the team, something which has been sadly lost in our current era. Hazel and Clive, accompanied by his wife and delightful young family were introduced to the competitors from both sides, which brought broad smiles. On to race 2. It is hot by this time and final pre-race adjustments are in evidence. Tyre pressures are rising in the heat and tape is being removed from radiators. Beads of perspiration are forming on the brow of the author of this report (swab please nurse). The Frenchmen go (in an organised plot) to the collecting area before the official announcement is made and are turned back by the BRSCC man at the entrance (God bless him). Hutchison discovers his battery is flat. The race is finally called and the competitors line up. This is the important one from a Trophy point of view as the Colin Chapman Trophy for the overall winner and the “Jabby” Crombac Trophy for the fastest Frenchman all hinge on this race. The grid order was decided from the results of the previous race. Consequently Muirhead and Rees made up the front row with Bernard (Elan) and Martin Halliday on second row. Pringle and Berson were on third, and Hutchison and Brunetti on fourth row. Hutchison's nemesis, the now “gravel-free” Lamoulie was right behind.
Well we're off again. I can't in all honesty tell you what happened at the front as your raconteur (French word) was swamped this time. A sea of Lotu (plural) seemed to have spotted a target on my back that I was unaware of. Nonetheless, post race discussion has it that Muirhead blistered off again hotly pursued by Rees and Bernard, in the pretty blue Elan. Martin Halliday conducted himself flawlessly as he chased the leaders. Lamoulie showed his true colours as his sans ballast pace proved. He eventually finished in fifth place from a start of ninth which was a remarkable effort in such close company. He was just pipped by 0.5 sec by Pringle, who did a remarkable job to finish fourth having despatched the midfield after a long battle in the trenches. Martin Halliday (Honorary John) was a worthy third in the race behind the leading Frenchman, and “Jabby” Crombac Trophy winner, Fabrice Bernard. But what happened up front? Muirhead led into the last five minutes and was, by Rees' admission, uncatchable. Muirhead one, Rees two. But on the start/finish straight entering the last lap Muirhead's car yielded under throttle – a growl – no drive – race over. Rees won. A podium presentation by Hazel Chapman to John Rees followed and was a very special moment.
A regular race report would end here, but I know these two men very well. They are true competitors but also longstanding friends. Muirhead's intense disappointment at not winning such an historic Lotus 7 race (and he's been winning them for 30 years) was tempered by a respect for the effort Rees had put in to rebuilding his car after a major accident at Brands last year. Likewise Rees was first to commiserate with Muirhead for the last lap technical failure. Post race note:
Unfortunately Hutchison was in possession of the team Gremlin (misfire) for most of the second race, possibly due to the poor state of the battery. The remarkably nimble Lotus 11 had “TOW” written in big yellow letters on its right rear wing. Hutchison found that tucking in behind it provided just that down the Starkeys Straight which helped prevent more serious embarrassment. Chapman's Chariots and Trophée Lotus would like to thank Caterham Cars Ltd and the BRSCC for putting on such a wonderful celebration of the Lotus 7 at Donington Park . Huge thanks also go to Mrs Hazel Chapman, Clive Chapman and Classic Team Lotus for providing and presenting the Colin Chapman Trophy and the Jabby Crombac Trophy at this event.
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