SVELTE LOLAS TOPPLE V8 BRAWN

Marcus Pye
Jun 4
3 min read

Updated: Jun 16

THUNDERSPORTS: HSCC SPRING TROPHY MEETING DONINGTON PARK 31 MAY 2026: MARCUS PYE

The return of Thundersports gave a taste of the full-blooded ‘anything goes’ closed-wheel contests originated in 1983 by Motor Circuit Developments boss and promoter extraordinaire John Webb, the like of whom motorsport will not see again.

The charismatic Can-Am/Interserie, Group 6 and Group C, via Sports 2000, promotion supported F1 Grands Prix at Brands Hatch at its height and subsequently lent its name to HSCC races.

Julian Stokes surprised himself by qualifying the unique Vogue-BDG SP2 – designed by ARK Racing’s Derek Matthews and Lester Ray and loaned for the occasion - on pole with a 1:37.026 (92.28mph) lap on the Grand Prix circuit. Mark Richardson, son/nephew of period European 2-litre Championship racers Peter and Jeremy - sat alongside in his gorgeous Lola-BDG T290.

Adam Sykes’ first run in the Harrier-BDG LR4 – a period Thundersports car from Lester Ray’s equipe with huge underfloor ventures – qualified third alongside Paul Cope’s March-BDG 75S, which was sidelined after practice, promoting Dave Karaskas’ Harrier-Chevrolet LR5. Gary Furst’s Lola T212 and Chris Porritt’s Chevron B19 were also inside 1:40.

FROM TOP LEFT:CLOCKWISE: 31 GARY FURST, LOLA T212, ADAM SYKES BLUE HAWY HARRIER LR5, MARK RICHARDSON'S VICTORIOUS LOLA T290, 16 DAVID ALBOROUGH OSELLA PA2 AND 27 STEPHEN HEPWORTH'S ROTARY POWERED CHEVRON B60

Eighty-year-old Frank Bradley was recalled to saddle Richard Dodkins’ March-Chevrolet 717 – rooted in Helmut Kelleners’ 1970 Croft Interserie-winning 707 - and gridded it eighth. David Alborough’s Osella PA2, the S2000s of Irishman Bernard Foley (Crossle 42S), Clive Steeper (Tiga SC80), Mike Fry (Lola T86/90) and Charlie Richardson (March 84S) were well matched in their wake. Two post-Derek Bennett era Chevrons completed the field. Stephen Hepworth awoke his Mazda rotary engined B60 from hibernation, while Jonathan Storer drove dad Andy’s B52 S2000.

While unlikely to be super-competitive, particularly with several long dormant cars refettled and running in searing heat, the race was nonetheless intriguing. Sykes brought the Blue Hawk Harrier into the pits from the rolling start’s formation lap, its clutch inoperable. While Adam returned, getting down to the pace before its engine oil light flickered, Stokes’ Vogue was out within a lap. Battling for the lead, it turned sharp left under braking for the hairpin when an upright failed.

LEFT TO RIGHT: RICHARD DODKINS MARCH 717, PAUL COPE MARCH 75S, THE HUGE MARCH 717 V8 POWERPLANT

Leader Richardson was hounded down by Bradley, who bravely topped 150mph through the speed trap on the Exhibition Straight - from Coppice to the GP layout’s left-right chicane - before charging past. The physicality of piloting the monster would have challenged a young pro, but when it proved too much for the fabled Feltham fishmonger he wisely retired it, having put on a fantastic show for spectators.

Richardson thus won, with Furst just six seconds behind after 18 laps having reeled him in rapidly over the final few circuits. After driving the majority of the race without brakes after the fluid drained away in the early laps the Karaskas’ Harrier bagged a distant third , ahead of Steeper, Alborough, Foley, Richardson Jr and Storer. Porritt’s Chevron had the pace to challenge for victory, but not the longevity. A brake master cylinder issue sidelined it to complete a frustrating day (see Derek Bell Trophy report).