Oulton Park International - September 22nd 

The penultimate race of the season was at one of the great English circuits, Oulton Park, 2.69 miles of glorious undulating track, with fast sweeping bends and everything a racer desires.

A dry qualifying session saw Richard put the car on pole on the third lap, he came in for a tyre check on lap four and enthused about the cars handling. He was sure he could go much quicker but I saw little point in going out again as the rest of the field were seconds down on our time. By the end of qualifying only Tom Mills had come near to our time, we ran another lap, Richard came in to wait for a gap in the traffic and by then the session was all but over.

The race was not until late in the day so we had a relaxing time as we did not feel like working on the car that was working fine. As we entered the assembly area, petrol was pouring out of the engine bay, we quickly assessed the problem, a broken fuel line. It would have been easy to have panicked at this point, but a couple of trips to the garage, the removal of the broken fuel pressure gauge, and reconnection of the fuel pipe, put all to rights.

The race was to be a fun run, as we only needed to start to win the championship, telling that to Richard was not quite so easy, he had only one answer, it was a race and a race he was going to win.

I for once did not stay in the pits, but walked to a good viewing area on the hill beyond Old Hall and before Cascades. I heard the start as the engines were brought up to revs. My first sight was Richard coming cleanly through Old Hall with Mills close behind, followed by the rest. Down into Cascades and along Lakeside and out of sight. As they emerged on the run down to Nickerbrook for the first time Richard had pulled out a hundred metre lead on Mills. Throughout the remaining half hour Richard just extended this each lap to finish nearly nine seconds ahead of Mills and stamp his authority once again on the Championship.

I received a lift back to the paddock and was able to congratulate Richard as he stepped from the car. Another podium another Championship and he looked as though he had just been for a walk in the park, how I wish I had that energy.

The Van Diemen and Richard have broken all records in this the thirtieth year of Sports 2000, he has won ten of the last eleven races and finished second in the remaining one. His Van Diemen has finished every race entered since he first drove it mid 2005 with the exception of one flat tyre. For next season there is a new man to watch, Mike Jenvey driving a Gunn, he looks to be quicker than Mills and more controlled.

Gunn cars must be pleased to see a driver with real potential in one of their cars. I think on this years form, John Finch and Mike Jenvey will be our biggest rivals next season. Robert Oldershaw looks to be better than the car he is driving, the Juno is still off the pace but Euan will work hard I am sure to improve that, and Robert will be up there as his racecraft and commitment are clear to see.

Harry Chapman is just fast and a fantastic supporter of the series, if he can keep his pace all the race he will also be a contender. Rupert Russell and his Van Diemen are yet another possible, now the car is sorted he just needs to add bigger brakes and possibly a five speed box to complete the package.

The others that keep getting better are Dodds and Ellis,and with Colin Rodger now back on form it will make it much more difficult next time out. Nick Bates was always around the front but he has been slow in the new Lola. His team work hard to turn out an immaculate car and Nick can be quick, but he must be wondering if he has spent his money wisely as he looks very uncomfortable in the new car.

I must just mention David Houghton who drives a pinto Van Diemen. David and Sylvana his wife are the nicest most enthusiastic couple you will ever meet. At Oulton Park David drove the race of his life to get onto the podium for the first time. All my family are delighted for him, may it be the start of many more to come. We will be at Brands Hatch, God willing, but without Richard at the wheel.