Lotus Europa-mounted Malcolm Johnson found American V8 power just too hot to handle in the Swinging Sixties Group 2 race at Snetterton.

Eastern Daily Press: The Classic K Mini Cooper S of Billy and Carl Nairn, prepared by Snetterton Speedshop, fights off the Steve Monk/James Bloore Porsche 911. Picture: Ellen Tunstall Photography.The Classic K Mini Cooper S of Billy and Carl Nairn, prepared by Snetterton Speedshop, fights off the Steve Monk/James Bloore Porsche 911. Picture: Ellen Tunstall Photography. (Image: @Ellen Tunstall)

The Norwich racer powered into an early lead but was unable to hold off Daniel Williamson's Chevrolet Corvette or the Chevrolet Camaro of Ray Barrow, having to settle for a class-winning third place.

In the earlier Group 1 event the BMW 1502 of Ian Everett dominated, leaving fellow Suffolk racer Tim Cairns in his wake while a late slip from Charles Tippett promoted Ian Hulett to third.

Keith Ahlers secured his 99th Morgan Challenge victory in race two but had to fight back after taking to the Esess Complex slip road on lap one before he claimed victory in the earlier encounter. Peter Ratcliff fought off Jonathan Mitchell's last-lap challenge to secure victory in the Magnificent Sevens, having taken the lead at one-third distance from Christian Pittard, who completed the podium. Mitchell got his revenge in the Open Series race by taking a clear victory ahead of Gary Bate with mid-race leader Ratcliff fading to fourth.

A quick pit stop promoted Edward Leigh into the lead of the Modern Classics race at the expense of early leader Stuart Daburn, whose TVR Tuscan then let him down, allowing the BMW M3 to coast home. Russell Hird appeared to have breezed to an easy victory in the Tin Tops encounter. but was penalised 60 seconds for a pit stop violation dropping him to fourth, leaving a delighted Tom Mensley the victor.

The BMW M3 of Mark Smith and James Moulton-Smith dominated the New Millennium event finishing well ahead of five more of the Munich-built machines. James Ramm was an easy race one winner in the combined Jaguar Saloon and GT Challenge while Colin Philpott unseated Adam Powderham to claim second spot. Ramm again triumphed in race two with Rodney Frost relishing the slippery conditions to be placed second after fighting his way up from fifth place.

A slow exchange between Alan Tice and Chris Conoley cost the pair victory in the Classic K race as Luke Wos eased to the win.