Lydden hill is one of the best kept secrets among the racing fraternity, a small circuit only a mile in length, it offers unrivalled views of the whole circuit from practically anywhere. The amphitheatre like setting of Lydden no doubt helps the spectators get to see as much of the action as possible but also adds an extra element for the driver.

Already challenging corners are made even tougher by the changes in camber throughout the course, the circuit is made up of everything from sweeping bends down Dover slope at the bottom of hairy hill to the north bend hairpin at the top, with everything inbetween. Paqddock bend, the final corner is notorious, a long sweeping corner and changing camber means that almost everyone takes a different line through it, sometimes bouncing off the kerbs on the inside, sometimes running wide onto the grass and dust at the outside.

The Alfa Romeo/ Auto Italia series took on a slightly different format this year compared to previous , instead of having one Alfa Romeo / Auto Italia race each day over the weekend, the Alfas would now race on the Saturday and the Auto Italia cars would race on the Sunday. The reasons behind this is not clear but what was clear is that the field for the 2 Auto Italia races on the Sunday was seriously depleted compared to other meetings earlier on in the year.

With a full timetable of racing planned, the AI qualifying started bang on time at 12:30, the day was still overcast at this point with a stiff breeze, although rain looked unlikely. With 15 minutes to qualify and few people out on track, several of the AI competitors looked to be taking things quite steady. One of the notable absenses at this stage was Trevor Nicosia, sharing a car this year with Pete Dietsch his name was down in the program, but he was not now on the track.Last year Graham Scott in his Stratos replica had a mammoth battle with the Rare motor sports ex-touring car Alfa 75, alas because of the change to the timetable this would not be the case as the Rare motor sport team were nowhere to be seen. Maybe the Rare motorsport guys didn't fancy doing the panel beating again that was required last year to remove the dents left by a spiritedly driven Stratos.

The qualifying period passed almost without incident, and went with previous form. Graham secured fastest lap, with Giovanni di Gennaro in the very pretty Fiat 128 claiming second fastest, next up were the small but perfectly formed Minaris, that were seen the week before at the Auto Italia festival at Stanford Hall. There was still no sign of Trevor at the end of the 15 minute qualifying session so it looked like he wouldn't be making the grid. Another person who also looked like he wouldn't be making the race, was one of the marshalls at the hairpin, after taking a tumble after qualiying, both the ambulance and course doctor were dispatched. The sight of the ambulance leaving the course shortly after just goes to show that motor racing is indeed dangerous, and not always in the way people expect.

Racing got started a couple of minutes early with a gaggle of 205's Golfs and other associated Hot hatches buzzing around the track trying in vane to avoid each other and the scenery. One Golf left his braking decidedly late, unfortunate for the car infront, both cars made it around the hairpin, albeit with a few more dents and scrapes than they started the race with.

An impropmtou second qualifying session saw the emergence of a single dark blue Alfa Sud out onto the track. As it turns out Trevor had got caught up on the M25 after an accident had closed it. A swift 3 laps saw Trev complete the minimum distance and earn himself a place on the grid.

The South eastern saloon club saw a mixed buch out on track, everything from a prototype sports car to a Sunbeam Tiger out on track at the same time. Controlled driving ensured that they all avoided themselves whilst out on track and didn't delay the start of the first Auto Italia race of the day. The formation lap and rolling start passed without a hitch and within a couple of laps normal service was resumed with Graham Scott in the Statos taking the lead (the Auto Italia grid is run in reverse order remember) closely followed by the fiat 128 of Di Gennaro, and the two open top Minaris. Tony Soper in the tricked up 164 was at the front of the trailing pack which consisted of 156's , 33's and Suds. Bringing up the rear of the field were Trevor, Emma Karwacki in another Sud and the Panda of Phil Thompson

The panda was definately not on form at Lydden and as such both of the rear running suds were ahead of it very early on in the race. A passing move by Trevor coming up Hairy Hill into the hairpin saw him move ahead of the other Sud. With little chance of catching the field ahead, the race fell into its familiar pattern. Graham in the lead, a midfield battle between the 156 and 33 masses, and Trevor and the Suds bringing up the rear. Di Gennaro was for once running reliably and manageing to apply pressure to Graham, one of the 156's seemed to be having problems with his brakes in the midfield. The approach to the hairpin saw smoke pouring out from the front wheelarches. ???? troubles with the Panda appeared to be getting worse with him doing a passable impression of a world war II frigate laying smoke. Thankfully all of the starters finished, despite their obvious problems, returning to the pits to make repairs and prepare for the second 'feature' race of the day. A 30 minute endurance race compared to the first 10 lap sprint race.

 

With only a short time between the races, and some obvious problems, a few of the cars were not expected to make it out for the feature race. However only a couple of the runners failed to make the grid. Tony Soper in the 164 had problems with a driveshaft, and the Strada of Chris Brogden ran its big ends.All the others put on a brave face overcame their problems and appeared on the grid for the second longer race of the day. As with the first race, the warmup /formation lap went to plan, but as the lights went green and the faster cars at the rear of the grid started making their way through the field to the front, a strange thing happened. Graham in the Stratos replica found himself having to race the 2 minaris and the Fiat 128. Whatever the reason for this loss of performance, it certainly made entertaining viewing with 4 cars running around the track in formation for at least 3 laps.

Something had to give, and after about 8 of the designated 30 minutes of racing, comikng around Chessons drift, the lead Minari was all out of shape and the Stratos was half of the grass. Thankfully the drivers involved managed to keep it all together and stay on the black stuff, Graham seemed to ease off a little and for the next lap or two the 4 car formation held station. Back in the main field, which by this time were some way behind, a close battle between the strada and 2 156's had broken out with plenty of close action and lots of passing manouvers going on. Bringing up the rear of the field were the 2 suds and panda again. The Panda was still smoking like docker, but continuing to circulate, Trevor had pulled clear of the other sud and was trying to make an impression on the gap between himself and the main group. The race then fell into its usual form with Graham using the extra power of the Stratos to get past the Minaris, and Di Gennaro following suit. Then at about the midway part of the race the Fiat disappeared from view, his mechanical problems had reappeared and he had pulled off into the pits. This left the Stratos in a comfortable lead, with the two front wheel drive minaris fighting it out for second place. By now the cars had been out on track in the heat for quite a time, the stress and strain on the engines was beginning to show, with a number of the runners smoking, especially the Panda!! The raceing looked to be coming to an end, the Stratos having the lead, the Minaris had sorted themselves out and were running comfortably in second and third, the midfield was now strung out around most of the track, with only a pocket or two or cars doing battle with each other. With only 8 minutes to go, the Stratos began to looks very very loose going into Devils Elbow, it turns out that he had picked up a puncture and the tyre had let go of the rim. Graham managed to hold it together but is missing on the next lap. He managed to dive into the pits to get the wheel replaced but over jealous officials on the approach road hold him up so that when he finally rejoins he is down in 10th position. The Minari boys are now first and second, and looking to pick up the first Minari win.

All but one of the field managed to make it to the end of the race and take the chequered flag, despite the small field and widely varying speed of the cars taking part, a good days racing was had, and even the Panda managed to limp to the finish smoking as it had done all day. The Fiat 128 of Giovanni di Gennaro managed to grenade his transmission in the second race and was the no finisher.

 

Results from Race 1

Position	Driver	Car
1	Graham Scott	Corse Stratos
2	Giovanni Di Gennaro	Fiat 128
3	Mark Pollard	Minari RSR

 

Results from Race 2

Position	Driver	Car
1	Andy Thompson	Minari RSR
2	Mark Pollard	Minari RSR
3	Simon Griffiths	Alfasud

 

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