The revival of the Battle of Britain meeting organised by the NEMCRC and the Darlington and District Motor Club on the 75th anniversary of the conflict took place at Croft Circuit North Yorkshire on the 26th /27
th September . The last time this meeting was run was in 1981 the year the Circuit closed.
For its revival the NEMCRC secured the final round of the FSRA /ACU 2015 British Sidecar championship which proved to be a cracking race the decider going to the last sidecar race on Sunday. A full report is published by the FSRA in the ACU Bulletin.
May we at NEMCRC add our congratulations to Alan Founds and Tom Peters the 2015 FSRA / ACU F2 Sidecar Champions?
Prior to the sidecars commencing their first race the grid stood in one minutes silence in memory of Terry Windle who passed away on Tuesday after a courageous battle with his illness.
The NEMCRC solo competitors had four eight lap races over the weekend with the classes split into 2 groups 1000cc and 600cc group one - with mini twins -preinjection –post classics group two.
The overall winner of the Battle of Britain Trophy going to the rider who completed the four races in the fastest time . This produced some close racing with the Trophy races also going to the last race of the weekend with just .08 secs between Scotlands Garry Hamilton and the North Easts own Lee Longstaff . The trophy going to Garry by the smallest of margin
Sergeant Jason Lappin from RAF Lemming presents the Battle of Britain Trophy to Gary Hamilton who sportingly insisted that second place man Lee who pushed him hard all weekend also gets his due acknowledgement
The NEMCRC VIP for the event Sergeant Jason Lappin greeted to Croft by NEMCRC Clerk of the Coarse Stu Davison and Chief Technical Officer Dave Mallon. Sgt Lappin travelled from RAF Lemming to represent the RAF and present the trophies. It turned out that he was no stranger to Croft having competed in saloon car racing at the venue in the past.
The car racing was hugely entertaining with a huge variation of vehicles including Minis- BMWs- 7.1 litre v8s Australian Holden – Caterhams – Seats – and Hillman Imps .
With such diverse competition from two –three and four wheels over the two days the event proved a huge success and was well attended with many locals reflecting on the original meetings held in the 70s and 80s.
The Darlington and District Motor Club provided a large marque where on Friday night a pie and pea supper was arranged with the appropriate Bar and on Saturday a Roast Hog Buffet and cabaret was in full swing .
The organisations involved i.e. Darlington and District Motor Club /NEMCRC/ Croft Circuit are now looking towards 2016 when it is hoped the event will go from strength to strength .