by Maureen Gibbins

The Donnington meeting on Sunday 5th July consisted of a qualifying session and two races, all on the same day. As we were unable to travel up the previous day, it meant a 3:00 am start in order to be at the track in time for a 7:30 am sign on and scruitineering. Qualifying was a little disappointing as the fuel pressure problems that emerged at Spa still seemed evident, despite the renewed fuel pump and alternator in the meantime, as Michael qualified fourth, whilst suffering a degree of hesitation from the engine on acceleration. The fuel filter was replaced with a unit with a slightly more coarse mesh, hence higher flow rate after qualifying. This helped, as Michael steadily improved on his fourth place start, taking the lead by half way through the race, and setting the fastest race lap and lap record on his 7^th lap. Then, on the second last lap, with a reasonably secure gap to the second place man,  just when the win looked likely, disaster struck – the right rear suspension wishbone snapped, sending Michael spinning off the track and out of the race. The team then spent a busy two hours replacing the broken suspension arms, and repairing the other damage in a effort to make the start of the second race. This was achieved in time, however the starting position for the second race was the finishing position in the first, thus due to the non finish, Michael would be starting from a lowly 24^th place on the grid. By now, late afternoon, the rain clouds had gathered, resulting in a difficult tyre choice. Most drivers bet on only a light smattering of rain, with all but one car starting on slicks. The rain began to fall on the green flag lap, leaving some drivers to doubt the wisdom of choosing slicks rather than wet tyres. Michael drove a superb first lap from his 24^th place start, crossing the line at the end of it in 5^th place. However, he was pushing just a little too hard for the conditions as he suffered a rare spin on the second lap - his first ever in competition – dropping him down to 10^th place. From there he steadily worked his way back up to the front, taking second place on the second last lap, and the lead on the last lap, to take the chequered flag, thus putting behind him some of the disappointment of the car failure whilst in the lead in the first race.