On a hot, sunny day at Snetterton is was a game of "hunt the tow" in qualifying, Peter Clarke being most successful with an incredible 1m 10.77 to take pole. Next up was Charles Hall in the Tatuus, followed by Matt Bettley, Nick Dudfield and Stuart Wood - all five well inside the lap record set just 3 months earlier.
Stuart made a poor start, loosing two places into Sear and reclaiming one at the Esses. However, the race was red flagged on the second lap so it was back to the grid and try again!
A much better start this time and right on Nick Dudfields' tail into Riches. Nick dived inside Matt Bettley at Sear but Stuart held the tow down the Revitt Straight and drove around the outside of both at the Esses! However, this was to no avail because the race was red flagged again on lap two and the cars returned to the paddock in the hope of a racing if time permitted at the end of the programme!
So, at 6pm the cars reformed on the grid for a third (and final) try! Stuart again made a good start, passing Nick Dudfield at Sear while Charles Hall slipped past Peter Clarke into the lead. By lap 3, Stuart was on Bettley's tail down the Revitt Straight. As Matt protected the inside line, Stuart went round the outside at the Esses (again) and then took Peter Clarke on the entry to the bombhole to move into second place, some 4 seconds behind Charles. Five laps later, Charles' lead was down to a second - but Stuart was now having gear selector problems and could close the gap no further.
Still, second place and fastest lap proved that we are now on the pace - just one more place left to achieve!
Next race is at Pembrey on the 17th of August - see you there!
Race Results - 11 laps, 21.47 miles.
| Pos | Driver | Car | Division | Time | |
| 1. | Charles Hall | Tatuus RC96 | 2000 | 13:23.99 | |
| 2. | Stuart Wood | Van Diemen RF96 | 2000 | +0.95 | Fastest Lap - 1m 11.49 |
| 3. | Peter Clarke | Van Diemen RF96 | 2000 | +1.86 | Pole |
| 4. | Matt Bettley | Van Diemen RF96 | 2000 | +5.87 | |
| 5. | Nick Dudfield | Stryx RT96 | 2000 | +13.72 | |
| 6. | Alex Garner | Van Diemen RF96 | 2000 | +22.37 |
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This page was last updated on 16 October 1997 17:42:45