Rowe Takes Title At Gold Cup - 4 September 2007
HSCC Historic Formula Fordster Nelson Rowe clinched the title for the second year running at Oulton Parks Gold Cup meeting...

Historic Formula Ford driver Nelson Rowe added another victory at oulton Park last weekend. Rowes victory was made slightly easier with main rival Neil Fowler having to start from the rear of the grid following a qualifying accident with fellow Lola driver clive Fidgeon.

Michael Lyons was a star of qualifying with a superb effort to join Rowe on the front row. Lyons looking ever more at home in his Merlyn with each outing.. David Wild upheld the Fowler motorsport teams honours by qualifying a well deserved third ahead of local ace Jason Minshaw who was having his first outing in a historic FF for over a year!

Westie Mitchell, who is usually the highest placed Merlyn on the grid, this time found both lyons' and Minshaws Merlyn ahead and he lined up 5th ahead of Chris Sharples' Palliser WDF1. 'The Wizard of Oz', Laurie Bennett lined up his Australian built (and owned from new) Elfin 600B in 7th place just ahead of PA Motorsports George Fowlerin the Macon MR8. Another great qualifying effort came from Alex Classick, having his first car race and qualifying in 9th spot in the Merlyn that he shares with Rodney Bloor. Westone Bathrooms backed Crispin Schlaefli completed the top 10 in his Macon MR8 following a scare when a hub shaft failed in the morning warm up.

Sadly HFF newcomer Clive Fidgeon would not be able to take part in the Oulton race following a qualifying accident that severley damaged his Lola T200. We hope to see Clive back in action soon.

For the race Nelson Rowe led away in his Crossle 20F and was never headed throughout, setting a series of stunning lap times along the way. jason Minshaw had used his local knowledge to good effect and completed the first lap in second place, managing in the process to breal the tow from the following Michael Lyons, David Wild and Westie Mitchell. These three drivers were to race wheel to whell throughout. Another driver who had a rather good first lap was a certain neil Fowler, who, having started in 25th and last place on the grid, came round in 9th spot! His charge continued, aided by Minshaws engine playing up, as he made it to second spot, with Minshaw retired in the pitlane.

Michael Lyons then produced a storming drive to cling onto the gearbox of Fowlers Orange Lola and not let the multiple Champion get away! Meanwhile, down the order there were good battles aplenty, one of which featured all three Macons on the grid, Fowler, Schlaefli and Neil Bowman in his MR7B as well as the Merlyn of Alex Classick showing good racecraft for a driver in his first car race. At one point the three macons passed the pitwall, all three absolutely abreast heading into Old Hall! Bowman won this little battle, much to his delight coming home ahead of Classick, Fowler and Schlaefli in a very close contest.

The podium places fell to Rowe, Fowler and the ever improving Michael Lyons, who was still snapping at Fowlers heels at the end. The next round of the HSCC Historic Formula Ford Championship is at Brands Hatch on September 15th. See you there!

Photo: Crispin Schlefli in the Donington assembly area in his Macon MR8 awaits qualifying. Photo by Peter Alexander.