Croft is Yorkshires only race circuit and its historic event sits alongside other events at Silverstone and Donnington. Without a doubt Silverstone is the biggest followed by Donnington and Croft coming up third.
Croft historic was a successful event until it missed a year and this was followed by Covid leaving it to catch up ever since. However I am pleased to say that it is well on its way back. The attendance of military vehicles is down on previous years but the classic cars displays were as strong as ever.
A few people turned up in period costume but only a tiny minority. Stalls were thin on the ground though there was plenty of food available and the traditional Merry Go Round was free for everyone. At £18 the tickets were excellent value but if you bring a classic into the circuit you can get in for free.
On track, the HSCC categories delivered fine grids and close racing as championship battles headed into their closing stages. Benn Simms was the star of the weekend as he clinched three Formula Ford 1600 victories in his Jomo JMR7. Historic Formula Fords were out in strength for two rounds of the Barnett Racing Engines championship. On Sunday he Northern Lights Formula Ford 1600 race brought competitors together from both championships for a non-championship race.
It was a fine weekend for the Historic Modsports and Special Saloon Series with a 22-strong field marking the biggest grid yet for the series. After a popular grid walk on Saturday lunch time, Jack Harper moved his Triumph Spitfire ahead in the opening race when Andy Robinson spun his mighty Ford Falcon out of the lead. From a midfield start, Joe Ward had a great race to bring the ex-Gerry Marshall ‘Baby Bertha’ up to second place.
On Sunday, Ron Cumming brought his AC 3000ME back into racing after a long gap. Others to feature near the front of the pack included Andrew Willis in his mighty Austin A30 V8 and the rapid MG Midgets of David Morrison and Stephen Watkins.
Both Road Sports Championships featured excellent grids for double-header events and in the historic division, which shared a grid with the Historic Touring Cars, Rupert Ashdown (Lotus Elan) and Mark Godfrey (Lotus 7) claimed a win each. A strong 70s Road Sports field was always headed by John Williams in his Porsche 911SC and Will Leverett in his Lotus Elan and there was an appropriate result as they scored a win each after two excellent races.
Finally, the Guards Trophy provided another victory for father and son Robert and Ben Tusting in their very effective Lenham P69. They were able to move well clear of the Chevron B8 of Ted Pearson and Callum Grant, while Benn Tilley was a class winning third in his Lotus 23B.#
