As was the case with the penultimate outing of the year at Silverstone International, the BRSCC Alfa Romeo Championship returns to the equally popular Donington Park circuit after a break of over two years for the final race meeting of the year.
The popularity of the venue is reflected in another healthy grid for what has turned out to be the last competitive action under the wing of the BRSCC before the championship moves to the 750 Motor Club for next season. Whilst it is considered to be an appropriate and timely move for a number of reasons, everyone involved with the championship recognises and acknowledges the tremendous assistance given to us over the last 36 years and we send everyone at the BRSCC our thanks and best wishes for the future.
Leading the way as he has done for most of the year and determinedly going for a hat-trick of championships is Tom Hill in his black and gold liveried 156, who continues to hold a slender, now 6 point lead from Dave Messenger having marginally increased his advantage last time out. Adrift from the leaders, 2017 champion Andrew Bourke is now concentrating his efforts on consolidating his third place overall from a consistently performing Simon Cresswell who has a gap of 27 points to make up if he is to wrest third place at the eleventh hour.
A group of modified class cars returns to the grid this weekend after some exciting racing in the mixed conditions last time out, and are headed by class leader Mervyn Miller in his 156 3 litre. Second placed Barry McMahon is once again unable to make the meeting but third placed George Osborne in his impressive 75 3 litre will be having a go at overhauling the leader, needing to make up a 19 point deficit. Only 4 further points adrift is 2015 champion Graham Seager, back in action in the distinctive GTV and feeling that he too could still emerge on top of the modified class standings. Bryan Shrubb is once again out in the very competitive orange 33, whilst completing the line up is the now familiar green 33v 8v, this time driven by Tom Waite in his first competitive Alfa Championship outing and we wish him well.
Joining Dave in the power trophy is regular competitor Jamie Thwaites in the Caged Steel Motorsport 155 3 litre, seeking to improve on his current 4th place and overhaul his rivals Paul Webster in the 156 GTA and Ben Sharich who has driven a steadily improving Mito at most meetings this year but who is going to miss out on the final action of the season. Second placed Paul will be hoping to consolidate his position by a strong drive this weekend. Also in a 156 GTA, Andy Inman will be further getting to grips with the extra power that he has enjoyed this season and a class podium is still a possibility for the Newcastle based driver. Rounding off the power trophy class and making a welcome return to the action are David Lambourne in the 156 and Ron Davidson in his 164, both out to enjoy the challenges of the Donington circuit in their first outings of the year.
In the twin sparks, the top three of Tom, Andrew and Simon in their Bianco Motorsports supported 156s are joined on a healthy twin spark grid by a strong entry comprising former champions and season regulars with a number of potential class winners in the mix. After missing out at Silverstone, season regular Martin Jones returns in his 147, with Cip Nistorica returning to the fray in his Turatello trailers 156. Matt Daly makes his third outing of the year in the agile 145, whilst James and Richard Ford both return in their 156s. Making their first appearances of the season are Paul Plant and Mike Tydeman in their 156s and Thomas Gallagher makes his second outing of the year in his newly built 156.
Despite the size of the entry, the qualifying session will once again be shared with the Porsche championship but we are pleased that the Alfas will be competing in their own races subsequently, with the Kevin Griffiths trophy being awarded to the winner of race two.