The first qualifying sessions of the 2024 HSCC season gave a few surprises.
Classic Formula Ford opened proceedings with a newcomer on pole; Benn Simms’s Jomo was an unsurprising visitor to the pole spot after his Historic performances in 2023. Simms is a multiple champion but this was still his first attempt at a Classic race, driving one of the oldest Formula Fords out this weekend.
Andy Gosling lined up second, only eight tenths slower. His Van Diemen RF79 now has updated bodywork and resembles a 1981 car and it was fully on the pace. The always-competitive Simon Toyne was third quickest in his Lola T200, ahead of Rick Morris’s Royale RP29.
Team-mates Ghislain Genecand (Crossle 16F) and Mike Gardner (Crossle 32F) lined up fifth and sixth, with Genecand only marginally quicker. The top ten was completed by Stuart Kestenbaum’s fully 1981-spec Van Diemen and then another newcomer, Merlyn driver Neil Hose who is tackling both Classic and Historic. Chris Porritt is ninth in his Titan and Philip Senior tenth in an earlier Royale.
A compact Historic Formula Ford grid will be led away by Toyne, who has usually been more competitive in Classic and will be looking to make his mark. Genecand is also doubling up and was second quickest, taking the pole position in the Over 50 class ahead of third-placed Ross Drybrough in his Merlyn Mk20. Alexis driver Cormac Flanagan was the early leader during the session but will start fourth, with Hose only slightly slower in fifth. Andrew Hibberd’s Lotus 61 was sixth quickest, ahead of the Team Garagista trio of Porritt, Christian Goller (Lola T202) and Mark Wilkes in an orange Merlyn. A pair of Lola T200s driven by Paul Unsworth and Oliver Chapman follow, with Chapman having trouble with his gears. Spencer Shinner will start at the back after failing to set a time, as his Merlyn’s throttle cable had snapped.
It was business as usual for Formula Ford 2000, with Graham Fennymore’s Reynard SF81 topping the time sheets. However, Samuel Harrison in Adrian Reynard’s own SF79 was a close second, just 0.3s behind. A close start was promised by the presence of Jordan Harrison’s Lola in third spot, meaning the first three were separated by less than a second.
Richard Coleman will start fourth in his SF79, only a couple of tenths quicker than Ben Glasswell’s older SF77. They were followed by Benn Tilley in a Delta, who was just ahead of Tony Hancock in another Delta. The consistent Andrew Storer will start in eighth in his SF79, ahead of the sister car of Greg Robertson and Adrian Reynard himself in an SF81.
Full results at TSL Timing
Vintage Formula Ford 