The Lotus on Track Elise Trophy returned in a single-class format and this resulted in a bumper grid, with two qualifying heats followed by a final for the fastest drivers and a consolation race to sort the best of the rest.

With many new faces it was the familiar names of Martin Donnelly and Mark Speller dominating the heats, the former Lotus Grand Prix driver triumphing in a thriller of an opening race, which saw Marcus Jewell capitalise on a great start, slotting through row two on his way to second place on a damp but drying track. Fighting with Steve Williams and Michael Edwards, he was also tracked by spectacular debutant Luigi Valentino Mazza, who made quite an impression from tenth place.

Speller’s victory was in front of another fighting pack, with David Hay defending from Paul Harding and Simon Phillips. Harding took second, whilst Phillips spun and Hay was almost overhauled by another fightback from Gary Broad.

It was always going to be Donnelly and Speller’s race in the final. Whilst the former took off at great speed, Speller caught up and whilst he made several attempts to wrest the lead, a lurid slide out of Graham Hill bend ended his challenge. Settling for second, he headed Jewell who fought hard with Edwards and Harding over the final podium position. In an equally entertaining race, Steve Quick overhauled Phil Stratton-Lake, who was enjoying his first race weekend, with Andy Dolan third.