Donington GP – 20/21st September 2025 Race Report, Video, Images and Results

Posted on: October 2nd 2025 • Posted in: Race Results

Rounds 8 and 9 – Donington GP

Qualifying and Race Entry

A bumper entry of 37 cars arrived at Donington for the penultimate event in the SRCC 2025 calendar.
Some competitors arrived on Thursday to take part in the test day, which was found to be very frustrating with 13 red flags punctuating the sessions shared with the Radical SR3s. Staying at the circuit on the Friday, the University of Wales Team were able to use the data as a course work session with the students making changes to the setup prior to the Saturday qualifying.
In amongst all the Championship contenders, was Nick Bates finally able to have an outing in his MCR after a 12 months absence from the cockpit. Nick was looking forward to the event but admitted to being a little rusty. Paul Streat who had not raced with S2000 since 2023 at Donington was in a similar situation. Mike Turner would be the sole reserve, using the weekend as an elongated test session. In the Barwell family it would be Tony’s turn behind the wheel for the weekend with James taking up spanner duties. Adrian Ridge was taking charge of the family Gunn. Harriet Johnson was having another turn of sharing driver duties with Peter Needham in his Van Diemen. Grant Gibson was sharing his Van Diemen with Tom Wheatley who is considering having his own car for 2026, and Bryn Tootell had Alistair Bell sharing with him in the MCR.
In a healthy entry of 12 Historic Pinto cars, Historic Champion of 2024 Will Schryver was having what maybe his last outing in the Royale RP37, sharing with Marcus Weller. Making his Sports 2000 debut was Chris Clifton, Patrick’s father. Chris driving a Tiga SC85.
The weather forecast had been changing throughout the week and Saturday’s weather for the late afternoon qualifying was constantly changing. With light rain in the early afternoon, it looked like being used slicks for qualifying. It made the build up very tense with drivers struggling to decided what to do. If they chose wets, whilst perhaps being a safer option did they run the risk of destroying the softer rubber?
A long wait following the Super Kart qualifying session preceding them, made the choice a lot clearer when the rain swept in. A number of people wishing they were part of the University team as they had the resources to quickly change tyres in the assembly area. Chris Snowdon being one of the competitors to slip out of the assembly and back into the paddock to change onto wets.
There were numerous tactics deployed for qualifying. Some drivers elected to simply go out to complete the minimum laps saving their cars and tyres for the two, 25 minute races on the Sunday. Whilst a number used the full allocated time looking for track evolution to give them a good time and position on the grid.
Early pace setters in the Duratec classes were Richard Johnson and Tim Tudor. Josh Law and Michael Gibbins, did make their way into the 2nd and 3rd slots on the grid, but the Friday work by the students ensured a very happy Tim Tudor claimed Pole position. Richard Johnson whilst slipping back to 4th place on the grid was still only 0.782sec away from pole man. It was very close at the front.
Mackenzie Walker was 5th with less than 2 tenths advantage over Tom Wheatley in Grant Gibson’s Van Diemen. The next three slots on the grid were occupied by the Class DB runners. Paul Trayhurn in the Gunn TS11 leading the MCRs of an in form, Steve Ough followed by Roger Donnan. David Houghton the Oulton Park Race Winner completing the top 10.
The Historic classes provided a surprise with Will Schryver in the Royale appearing to be easily dominant, almost a second faster than Nik Johnson in the Lola. However all was explained post qualifying when Nik was returned on the recovery vehicle. The front bearing had failed and Nik’s front wheel had become detached. Some overnight work had him ready to race the next day. Birthday Boy, 21 again, Chris Snowdon (Tiga) was third in the Historic class, with his class rival Simon Aldworth (Lola) lining up alongside him. Simon having attempted to follow Chris during the session which aided his qualifying time. The Peter Needham/Harriet Johnson (Van Diemen) was fifth on the grid with David Muse (Shrike) completing the top six. Making 5 manufacturers sharing the top six places. Paul Streat and Clive Steeper lined up 7th and 9th both having completed qualifying on slicks
Nick Bates, bedding into the car and circuit would be starting 19th, and Mike Turner having qualified 24th would be waiting on the sidelines as all 37 cars had qualified. Peter Brouwer being the last qualifier having retired from qualifying early with an electrical fault, but like Nik Johnson the car would be ready for their first race on the Sunday morning. John Owen was another taking part in some evening working. He was experiencing gearbox issues which with the technical assistance of Andrew Butler were resolved by 8.00p.m.

Race 1

If you thought all the drama of a race meeting was confined to the racing the Saturday night at Donington would prove you wrong. We all know circuits can get quite blustery at night but not normally enough to lift the new hospitality awning, with flag onto a neighbouring transporter at Midnight.

Chloe having been working hard providing some excellent coffee and capturing some of the qualifying on her phone was woken by the legs of the awning tapping on her window. Josh Needham, being a true gentleman, stumbled out of his bed answering Chloe’s appeal for help. Chloe and Josh rescued the awning and damaged contents in the wind and rain. Following daylight team assistance everything was back and operational later on Sunday morning.

Continuing the paddock excitement Adrian Ridge struggled to get his car to start to get to the assembly area. The slave battery not wanting to turn the engine over. With the remaining cars waiting to go on track, there was a sprint to push start Adrian’s Gunn but he did make it and Mike Turner would go down to the pit lane to see if he could get a start in the race.

On track there was a delay to the start, when Chris Clifton’s car cut out on the grid and would not restart. Quick work by the Marshals, had the errant Tiga pushed into the pit lane and the Duratecs raced into Redgate as the Pinto’s waited for their 10 second delayed start signalled by the Union Flag.

All of the students’ hard work on the Friday came undone as Tim Tudor was left off the line with Josh Law taking an early lead. John Iley had made a good start that came unravelled when he lost all drive in the middle of Redgate. Almost directly in front of John Owen. Quick reactions ensured no contact but left John a long way down the field in 19^th place. Harriet Johnson was another to spin on lap 1 rejoining at the back. Those making progress included David Houghton from 10^th place to 4^th, Nick Bates gaining 6 places on to 13^th at the end of the lap. The demise of John Iley allowed Mike Turner to be released from the Pit lane to take part in the race.

The order at the end of lap 1, would be Josh Law, leading from Richard Johnson, Mackenzie Walker, David Houghton, Tim Tudor and Tom Wheatley. In 7^th place and leading class DB was Paul Trayhurn. Josh Needham after his night in the rain was leading Class B but close in his wheel tracks from the back of the grid was class rival Peter Brouwer.

Will Schryver was leading the Historics from Nik Johnson, Chris Snowdon and Paul Streat.

Before the end of the opening lap Michael Gibbins pulled off at the Melbourne loop. The stub Axle had sheared. After the race Michael’s dad Alan presented the failed component. The metal composition had been weak and he was surprised it had lasted as long as it had. On lap 2 Tom Wheatley found the gravel trap at Coppice ending his impressive run in the Van Diemen. A safety car was scrambled in front of the three cars that were still catching the pack. Mike Turner and Chris Clifton who had both started from the Pit lane and Harriet Johnson.

The three were released when the recovery was completed, and at the start of lap 5 racing recommenced. Josh Law leading from Richard Johnson Mackenzie Walker and David Houghton.

Josh could not shake off Richard, a bit like a terrier nipping at his heels, just when it looked like Josh had started to build an advantage Richard again came back at him. But Richard was not having an easy race with Mackenzie Walker posting similar times to him. The top 4 ultimately being separated by just under 2 seconds, with 7/10^ths covering their fastest laps.

In 5^th place Tim Tudor was having a lonely race with a gap back to Paul Trayhurn in 6^th place and Tom Stoten in 7^th place in Gunn’s respectively. Steve Ough was having a less comfortable time heading a four car train. Roger Donnan was chasing him for second place honours in the DB class, whilst Roger was also watching his mirrors for Nick Bates and Ash Law who were both looking to pass him.

It was looking to be a good race for the Johnson brothers when on lap 6 Nik took the lead of the Historic race from Will Schryver, Chris Snowdon in third place had lost touch with the leading pair and had Adrian Ridge ahead in the Duratec Gunn. Behind Chris was Mike Fry, who had Paul Streat following him closely. Simon Aldworth had followed Chris in the beginning but was out manouvred by Mike Fry on the first lap.

On lap 6 Andy Chittenden retired to the pits elevating John Owen to 15^th place overall. John was closing in on Rollo Tommasi but in turn he had Andy Noble shaping up for what would be a close race to the finish.

Lap 9 commenced with a retirement to the pits for Patrick Clifton. Abolt on the exhaust manifold had come off. Not knowing what the awful sound was Patrick brought the car into the pits rather than risk any serious damage. On this lap, two independent retirements led to the Red Flag being called, with a result being declared at 10 racing laps.

Steve Ough was encountering handling problems possibly tyres going off, he ran wide at Old Hairpin, becoming airborne in the gravel. The impact of landing broke the rear suspension and he pulled off at the exit of Shwantz curve his race over.

Whilst at Starkeys, Alistair Bell’s race crawled to an end, when the fuel pump solenoid failed not leaving him enough power to park up in a safe place. Instead he was stranded on the edge of the gravel trap.

Race 1 result being a win for Josh Law, with Richard Johnson second, Mackenzie Walker third. David Houghton was 4^th Tim Tudor 5^th, Paul Trayhurn 6^th and Class DB winner, 7^th Tom Stoten, 8^th Roger Donnan, 2^nd in Class DB, 9^th Ash Law and 10^th a very happy Nick Bates. Nick already assessing how far he could get in race 2. 11^th was Peter Brouwer winner of Class B.

In the Historics Nik Johnson was the overall winner and Historic A Class Winner, 2^nd Will Schryver and Historic Class B Winner, 3^rd Paul Streat, 4^th Chris Snowdon and Winner Historic Class C.

Race 2

In the intervening 2.1/2 hours between the races, all retired cars were fixed and ready to go. Patrick Clifton’s car also having a change of head gasket as they found some traces of fluid. Whilst Tony Barwell had completed the first race they found a cracked rear upright which was repaired in time. With all cars present and correct once again Mike Turner would go down to the pit lane to see if he could take part in Race 2.
With the cars being gridded in their finishing order from Race 1 there was a lot of interest around the rear of the grid, with Michael Gibbins, John Iley and Steve Ough all starting from the back there would be a lot of attention being paid to mirrors on those opening laps. Nick Bates starting 10th had a clear view of where he wanted to be into Redgate.
Unfortunately for Mackenzie Walker his raced ended with being pushed from the grid when his engine appeared to drop a cylinder when a puff of black smoke came from the back of the car. Mackenzie was pushed off to the side of the track and the lights turned to red for the race start. With a clear view and an empty track ahead, Josh Law took the lead into Redgate, with Richard Johnson second Tim Tudor in 3rd David Houghton 4th, Tom Stoten 5th and Paul Trayhurn 6th. Michael Gibbins in his first lap had come up to 9th place.
Nik Johnson, was leading the Historics with Marcus Weller in the Royale 2nd from Paul Streat, Chris Snowdon, Simon Aldworth and Mike Fry. Peter Needham having moved up to 7th from the back of the Historics grid.
On lap 2 Steve Ough retired onto the grass approaching Redgate, what had been a really good Saturday qualifying session had sadly translated into two DNFs.
Josh Law used the opening laps to extend a gap back to Richard Johnson but each time there appeared to be an unseen piece of elastic that brought Richard back to within range of Josh.
On lap 6 Richard set the fastest lap of the race which would be a new lap record, bringing him to within .658sec of the leader. That would be the closest he would get. Michael Gibbins was now 5th and 14 seconds behind the leader. Nick Bates was now running 9th and closing in on Roger Donnan in 8th whilst behind Ash Law was chasing down Nick. Andy Noble had slipped past John Owen on the previous lap to 11th place. From his pit lane start Mike Turner was having a great run coming up to 26th place.
Lap 9 and there was a spate of pit callers to retire. Patrick Clifton followed Simon Aldworth who retired when a plug lead had disconnected. Peter Needham and John Iley also calling it a day.
Josh Law, was starting to extend his lead. Edging away from the chasing Richard Johnson, with so much traffic to contend with a little bit of luck and tactical driving helping him extend the lead. Michael Gibbins was into 3rd place by lap 10 but not over 15 seconds behind.
On lap 9 Nick Bates had a bad lap catching a slower car in the wrong place enabled Ash Law to catch up and into the Melbourne loop the two did make contact. Nick also collected a penalty for track limits. With MSV it is very solid evidence, if they have your picture, you were crossing the line. The penalty costing him places in the result but without the time penalty he had a top ten finish on the road a very good return after a 12 month layoff.
As Josh Law had command of the lead in the Duratecs, Nik Johnson was in total control of the Historic race extending a 7 second gap back to Marcus Weller who had a 13 second advantage over Paul Streat in 3rd place.
In the closing laps of the race there were more retirements, Paul Trayhurn being the first, with Roger Donnan becoming the leader of the DB class. Chris Clifton retired his Tiga and Bryn Tootell being the final non finisher.
In a race uninterrupted by Safety Cars or Red Flags, it was a win for Josh Law, from Richard Johnson, with Michael Gibbins 3rd. Tim Tudor was 4th and David 5th the positions swapped due to track limit penalties for David. Tom Stoten brought the Gunn home 6th. Roger Donnan was 7th , Ash Law 8th ,Andy Noble 9th and winner of Class B. 10th and second in Class B was John Owen, who closed up to within half a second of Andy at the end. John recording the fastest lap in the class in his chase of Andy. Nick Bates was classified 13th but again a big track limits penalty dropping him down the order.
Nik Johnson was the winner of the Historic Race, Historic Class A winner, new lap record holder and after the points were totalled the first of the Champions for 2025. Second and winner of Historic Class B Marcus Weller, 3rd was Paul Streat. It seems an absence from racing inspires drivers on their return. Chris Snowdown was 4th and winner of Historic Class C, followed home by fellow Class C runners Mike Fry and Clive Steeper.

Driver of the Day: Perhaps Heroine of the Night would be more appropriate. For rescuing the Sports 2000 Hospitality and having everything running a few hours later. Chloe was a worthy winner.

The next event is the Grand Finale at Snetterton October 11th and 12th 3 rounds in one weekend and everything to be decided.

Many thanks to Alan Jones for this report.

Full results are available via the Results Page. Here

Race Images

Many thanks to Kevin Gibson of KJG Photograpy for these Images from the event. To view the full set or purchase copies visit https://www.kjgphotography.co.uk

Driver of the Day – Chloe Leister

An unusual award this round, however occaisionally we give the Driver of the day award to a team or individual who goes above and beyond in the support of the club.

Chloe was working from 3am came straight home and picked up Jon Harmers camper van and drove to Donington in order to set up and serve coffee to us.
Then endured the gale where the club awning landed up on top of her camper van at midnight which she rescued with the help of Josh Needham in the wind and the rain, not getting back into the dry till past 1am. She still got everything looking like nothing happened serving coffee in the morning!