The 15th running of the Donington Historic Festival came to a close on Sunday, with eight further races for classic cars spanning a century of motorsport.
The event's oldest machinery opened proceedings with the second contest of the weekend for the 'Mad Jack' for Pre-War Sports Cars. Rudi Friedrichs doubled up with another victory in his 1932 Alvis Firefly Special, following up yesterday's triumph with a dominant display. Rob and Josh Beebee were second once more in their Frazer Nash, and the Bentley 3/4 1/2 Litre of Clive and James Morley completing the podium.
Classic F1 machinery thrilled once again courtesy of the Historic Grand Prix Cars Association, and as Tom Waterfield's Cooper T53 made it two from two, behind there was an intense battle for the remaining podium spots. Michael Gans' Cooper T79 prevailed in second, just four tenths of a second ahead of Tim Child's Brabham BT3/4, with the second Cooper T53 of Justin Maeers an almost identical margin further back in fourth.
The one hour contest for the Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy and Stirling Moss Trophy was won by the Lister Jaguar Knobbly of pole-sitters Alex Brundle and Gary Pearson. Lukas Halusa was runner-up in a Jaguar D-Type Shortnose, with Spencer Shinner third at the wheel of a Lotus 11 S2. Meanwhile, the Lister Chevrolet Knobbly of Richard Hudson and Stuart Morley surged up the order, claiming fourth from 19th at the start.
Michael Whitaker powered his Sanyo Rover SD1 to victory in the HRDC Gerry Marshall Trophy from sixth on the grid, with Mike Whitaker's SD1 second and Adam Brindle completing an all-SD1 podium in third.
In an hour-long contest, the GT3 Legends for the most modern machines at the event again put on a show, with Jonathan Mitchell victorious for the second day running in his Aston Martin V12 Vantage. The V10-powered Audi R8 LMS of Danny Winstanley fought past the Graham Davidson V12 Vantage to steal second with eight laps remaining.
The HRDC Top Hat contest for pre-1966 touring cars began in dry conditions, but ended under a rain shower. John Spiers and Nigel Greensall were dominant in their Ford Mustang, but behind there was a thrilling scrap for the podium spots. Reigning BTCC champion Tom Ingram made a move stick in his Mustang to steal second from Le Mans winner Guy Smith with less than a minute remaining, with Alex Brundle following him through to claim third, despite the wet weather making conditions somewhat difficult for their lairy machinery!
Father and son duo Andy and Chris Middlehurst were clear winners in the Historic Touring Car Challenge, driving a spectacular Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R. Darren Fielding's BMW E30 M3 and the similar M3 of Ashley Muldoon completed the podium.
Ben Colburn was the final winner of the event, powering his Alfa Romeo Alfasud to victory in the HRDC Allstars with Classic Alfa Challenge, while the Allstars element was claimed by John Spiers' TVR Griffith, a scant 0.369s clear of Mike Whitaker's own TVR.
For the second day running, F1 demos from a McLaren M29, McLaren MP4/1, Surtees TS14, Arrows FA13 and a Benetton B193B provided a stunning soundtrack and a reminder of Grand Prix racing at it's purest form.
Hundreds of display cars from clubs and individuals, Cyclekarts on the Melbourne Loop, a GT3 Legends pit walk, Sporting Bears passenger rides, arts and crafts, simulators and slot car racing all added to the festival feel.
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