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Lotus Cup Europe 2009 - Round 4
Donington Park race report
15th August
Introduction
After a short summer break, the Lotus Cup Europe returned to the UK, at the Donington Park circuit. Set to become the new home of the British GP, the track features undulations and a combination of fast and slow corners. We would be supporting the FIA Formula Two championship and at the previous round of this series at Brands Hatch, the popular driver Henry Surtees had been killed. By way of tribute, all of our cars carried a message of condolence.
Qualifying
Scott Cruickshank hammered home his local knowledge by topping the times amongst the Lotus Cup Europe runners, lining up 6th on the grid, behind UK Elise Trophy drivers Chris Randall, Jamie Stanley, Steve Williams, Mark Fullalove and Chris Headlam. Of these, experienced Lotus racer Fullalove was also running a 2-Eleven, the track car dominating the Lotus Cup Europe entries. Michael Damoiseaux and Harry Steegmans were next up, in 10th and 11th place. Two places back would be Robert Mongomery, with the sole Exige entry of Denis Van Den Savel 21st and Yves Cooreman’s 2-Eleven in 30th place.
The Production class was headed by Andy Dolan in 16th overall and three places ahead of Matt Franks. Just behind Van Den Savel’s Exige was Rob Anderson.
Race One
Held on an overcast and breezy Saturday morning, the first race commenced under a rolling start. Up at the front, the UK Modified trio of Randall, Stanley and Williams made the running, putting enough distance between themselves to settle the podium placings. With Fullalove spinning into the gravel at McLeans, the LCE 2-Elevens had the lead to themselves, Cruickshank holding the advantage over Steegmans and Montgomery. Damoiseaux made a poor start, slipping down the order.
Cruickshank got amongst the Modified cars and challenged for fourth place, at this point held by Sean Bicknell. Between him and Steegmans were Chris Headlam, Connaire Finn and David Harvey. Having the advantage of racing these men in the UK Elise Trophy, Cruickshank got stuck in but would soon come to blows with Finn and Harvey as the three fought hard. This demoted him and he now found himself having to fend off Damoiseaux, who was back in contention for the lead, and Steegmans.
These three were the class of the LCE entries and Cruickshank just managed to hold an advantage to the flag, with an eight second gap covering them all. Finn’s problems nearly let Montgomery in on this battle but he was busy holding off the UK 2-Eleven entries of Mark Gooday and the recovering Fullalove. Further back, Van Den Savel finished 19th overall, behind Production leaders Dolan and Anderson but ahead of third placed BJ Chong. Cooreman finished 27th overall, with fastest lap falling to Cruickshank.
Race Two
A warm late afternoon standing start led to a little less confusion, with overall race one winner Randall unable to make the grid. This meant Stanley was unchallenged and Fullalove made amends with a clear second place. However third was heavily disputed between UK modified runners Harvey, Headlam and Finn amongst the 2-Eleven entries of Cruickshank and Damoiseaux. The quintet provided a highly-entertaining tussle, which started when Headlam, which worked in Finn’s favour.
Cruickshank had been running third but was demoted by Williams before the latter had an off-track excursion at The Old Hairpin and had to pit to clear grass from his radiator. Cruickshank then fell behind Harvey, who was battling with Damoiseaux. Meanwhile Finn was having problems with his car and dropped out of the fight.
Cruickshank then passed Harvey and was clearly after third place overall. Harvey wasn’t letting go and the three all circulated as one for the final laps. Cruickshank then made his move, taking third overall and another LCE win from Damoiseaux, an excellent performance from both. Further back, Steegmans and Montgomery spent the race together, finishing 9th and 10th overall, with the sole Exige of Van Den Savel 17th and squabbling with clear Production victor Simon Phillips, himself 15th in the final reckoning.
Second and third places in Production were under dispute. First Peter Driver impressed, then Russell Hill took over, with BJ Chong dispatching Nigel Ayres for third place before chasing down Hill and successfully challenging for second by the flag.
Conclusion
A good day’s racing on the Donington Park GP circuit, which is likely to be one of the last races in its current configuration before extensive redevelopment work for the Formula One circus. Next stop is the Dijon-Prenois circuit in France at the beginning of September.
Kevin Ritson
Press Officer LoTRDC
