Farmer's union with March reaps rewards

BRDC: Silverstone

Marking its 75th anniversary, the BRDC added a series of quality historic races to a contemporary Formula Three/British GT meeting on the Grand Prix circuit. A rare visit from the Orwell International Supersports was the star attraction and it was BRDC member Geoff Farmer who won both races.

Aboard the Dodkins Motorsport March 717, Farmer maintained his victorious Dijon form, despite being harried early in the first race by ex-F3 racer Steven Arnold’s Chevron B19. Unfortunately, engine dramas on the last lap put Arnold on the sidelines for race two.

Farmer then had to fend off Wido Roessler (McLaren M6B) in the early stages of the second race. Star drives came from Peter Hoffman (McLaren M8F) who was up to third place after starting last, when a spin at Woodcote put him out, and John Lepp, who won his class in John Burton’s Chevron B26 after a 17-year lay-off.

Gary Pearson took the Roy Baker Trophy Race for Group C cars, his Jaguar XJR-11 never headed in either race. Nick Adams chased hard in the Spice SE88 with which he claimed the 1989 C2 title, while Paul Whight and ex-TGP champion Bob Berridge claimed a brace of third places in the former’s Aston AMR1.

A fine BRDC Historic Sportscar Championship race was won by John Harper’s Cooper Monaco, despite starting dead last after a condenser problem in qualifying.

The Pre-War Sports Car encounter fell to Gareth Burnett and Martin Walford in their ex-George Abecassis Alta. PL