JEC XJS Championship - Donington Park 2^nd August 2003:

Well, what can you say about these cats, they never fail to entertain. Qualifying saw Derek Pearce in his Millennium sponsored 6 litre easily take pole by over 4.5 seconds from Tony Dunk of Harrogate 2nd and Martin Sutherland of Gundleton 3rd. The first 3 on the grid also happened to be Class E. Kevin Doyle started at the back of the pack after suffering fuel flow problems thus unable to put a descent lap time together.

However Dave Robbie in his 5.3 litre cat had the crowd cheering when he finally negotiated the Esses successfully after spinning 3 times on the trot. 19 cats lined up on the grid ready to pounce and when the lights went from red to green Pearce who shot off like a scalded Jaguar didn't put a paw wrong in the entire race, taking Class E, fastest lap and race win by 20 seconds.

Elsewhere, Robert McVicar was in a comfortable 3rd until he spun at the Esses and dropped back to 5th, just beating Class D winner Adam Ashmore by 0.5 seconds. Phil Taylor and Dave Robbie (who in qualifying was the spinner) were inseparable with a great battle, Dave certainly learned his lesson from qualifying.

Finally, Kevin (Hannibal the cannibal) Doyle showed what a top driver he is on his day when he started at the back of the grid and digested the other 16 courses on his plate with a still ailing V12 to take a fantastic Class G win and 3rd in race. Could have been drive of the race but I think Mr Pearce only just nicked that one. Other class winner was Steve Davis (F). After a fine run following more power steering problems, which has bothered him all season.

Report by Steve Gorey. (JEC)