Schlaefli Shines At Donington Opener - 16 April 2007
West One Bathrooms backed Crispin Schlaefli impressed the PA Motorsport Team with his opening performance of 2007...

Crispin Schlaefli kicked off his 2007 HSCC Historic Formula Ford Championship in impressive style yesterday. The West One Bathrooms backed driver qualified an impressive 11th overall in the full to capacity 36 car field at Donington Park. Schlaefli then went on to race to an 8th placed finish in his 1970 Macon MR8.

Nelson Rowe took pole position with an impressive 1.17.885 ahead of arch rival Neil Fowler who later admitted that he may have buzzed his engine during the qualifying session. Westie Mitchell drove superbly to line up 3rd in his Merlyn Mk20 ahead of Nigel Bancrofts Crossle 20F.

At the start it was Rowe who took an immediate lead into Redgate despite Neil Fowlers best attempts to drive around the outside of Rowes Crossle. Rowe immediately began to edge clear of the scrap behind which included Fowler, Mitchell and Bancroft. Mitchell made an excellent move on lap two to pass multiple Champion Fowlers Lola but next time round Fowler was back into second spot his engine though clearly not happy. Bancroft was pressuring Mitchell and dealing with the large amount of oil which was being flung from the rear of Fowlers Lola. Mitchell soaked up the pressure from Bancroft and managed to keep his Merlyn ahead in the middle stages of the race.

Behind this three way scrap for second David Wild was driving well but having a lonely race in the Fowler Motorsport Lola but behind him was another typical titanic Formula Ford scrap involving the Paliser of HSCC Chairman Chris Sharples with his new Auriga engine, West One Bathrooms backed Crispin Schlaefli and impressive youngster Michael lyons in his Merlyn Mk11A. John Sykes had also earlier been involved in this scrap but had been passed by Schlaefli and later admitted he could not find the pace to keep up. Even Sharples admitted after the race that he thought his position would be under threat from Schlaefli but the East Sheen driver was inches behind Sharples at the flag.

Nelson Rowe took the win while Nigel Bancroft managed to out fox both Westie Mitchell and Neil Fowler to come in second ahead of Fowlers sick Lola and Mitchells Merlyn. David Wilds lola was next up 9 seconds adrift ahead of Will Schryver, Chris Sharples and Crispin Schlaefli after a superb race long battle. Round two is at Cadwell Park next Sunday. Be sure not to miss the action, its guaranteed! Along with another over subscribed grid!

Photo: Crispin Schlaeflis West One Bathrooms backed Macon MR8.