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Sunshine and a near capacity entry saw the 2002 season get underway at Snetterton on April 7th. With thanks once again to the
Le Mans Group 27 cars turned out for qualifying and they included new faces and the return of an ex-champion, Ian Brookfield. Karting champion 16 year-old Nino Piccoli tried his hand at racing a saloon for the first
time and there were three ladies: Jackie Osborne, Emma Karwacki and Margaret Hilton. How about someone arranging a Coupe des Dames award?
Familiar names took the fastest three times at the end of qualifying with Julian Birley and Graham Scott from Class A some
five seconds better than next up Mike Watson who reckoned he had solved his misfire problems from last year. Whetting the appetite for the race was news that Keith Fawdington had gone fastest in Class C in the De
Tomaso Pantera and was only just over 0.I seconds behind Mike Watson who had taken Class B pole. Andy Thompson was back in the groove with a neat fifth overall and headed up Class D whilst Graham Warner was back to
take the Class E pole less than 0.2 seconds ahead of last year's champion, Neil Smith.
After a delayed start due to gaps in the rolling formation 2002 was go with Graham Scott just taking the lead by the end of
the first lap. Everyone made it cleanly round the first lap and at first it looked like Graham would have a relatively easy afternoon. Julian was soon into the groove though after a subdued first lap and then set
about gaining the lead in very positive fashion. Meanwhile Mike Watson was going well and Keith Fawdington was beginning to show his qualifying form. A great chase began up front with Julian taking Graham and the
latter refusing to give up whilst Mike Watson had a big bronze burbly motor-car looming ever larger in his mirror. Could Keith get past? The answer was yes but he couldn't make it stick, and his trying created great
entertainment for the spectators.
So, with Birley, Watson and Fawdington wrapping up the top three classes Andy Thompson repeated his qualifying performance and took Class D in the race
whilst Neil Smith put his foot down and ousted Graham Warner from top spot in Class E. A good race to get the season started. Thank you to the sponsors for your continued support, the good grids prove it's
worthwhile. See you at Brands. (By Peter Collins)
You can read Trevor Nicosia's driver's (spectator's ?!) eye view of the race HERE.
Full results are below.
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