photo: Steve Jones, 1998
photo: Steve Jones, 1998 |
CSCC Classic & Historic Champion 1998
Mike Dowsett's success can be seen on the CSCC website.
He has been driving an Imp for years now in CSCC championships, and successfully so. He won the 1998 classic & historic series of historic circuit racing UK. In 2000 he's not doing badly either.
There used to be several other Imps running with the club in the early 90's... but where they went to is a bit of a mystery.
Driving a Hillman Imp, he finished 4th overall in the CSCC Pre-'65 championship
Driving a Hillman Imp, he finished 3rd overall in the CSCC Historic Touring championship
| CSCC Rules
Fastest laps in race may not be outright class lap records but will earn a championship point. One of the rules that surprised me: Classics & Historics have to drop their worst score. |
Mike Dowsett participated in the Post Historic Touring Cars (Pre '74) in Class F and finished 2nd. Sources differ on what he drove: either a Hillman Imp Sport or a Hillman Imp Rallye.
Lap records:
22 May 1994 at Pembrey (1.456miles): 1m 21.98 secs, which stood at least until 29-6-1997.
19 June at Cadwell Park: 2m 05.08 secs
3 July 1994 at Lydden Hill: 55.30 secs, which still stood at least until 20 July 1997
2 October at Brands Hatch: 1m 03.00 secs.
Mike competed in the CSCC Championship in class E of the Historic Touring Car (Pre '66) races, using a Hillman Ralley Imp (probably not a simple Hillman Imp, as some archives state). He finished 4th.
Lap records:
3 September 1995 at Donington Park (1.960miles) in the Corgi Classic FIA European Historic Championship Race of 1m 39.28 secs on , which still stood at least until November 1997.
30 April 1995 at Lydden (1.000miles): 53.50 secs, which still stood on 20 July 1997.
4 June 1995 at Mallory Park (1.350 miles): 1m 02.03 secs, which still stood at least until August 1997.
He competed in Class E of the Historic Touring Cars (Pre '66), driving his Hillman Ralley Imp and finished 1st.
Lap records:
24 Mar. 1996 at Thruxton (2.356miles): 1m 48.42 secs
17 Aug. 1996 at Oulton Park (2.775miles): 2m 25.61 secs
He competed in Class E of the Historic Touring Cars (Pre '66), driving his Hillman Ralley Imp and he finished 4th.
Lap records:
29 Jun. 1997 at Pembrey (1.456miles): 1m 17.59 secs
14 Sep. 1997 at Cadwell Park
19 Oct. 1997 at Snetterton (1.952 miles): 1m 38.18 secs
| Mike D scored: | ||||
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 |
SV OP SN PM CP LH MP BH MP DP |
Silverstone Oulton Park Snetterton Pembrey Cadwell Park Lydden Hill Mallory Park Brands Hatch Mallory Park Donington Park |
11 10 1 11 7 11 10 11 10 11 |
During 1998 Dowsett used his Hillman Imp Rallye in the CSCC Historic Touring Cars (Pre '66) in class E. He finished 1st.
There were ten rounds. The others in class E were five Morris Minors, and two Austin A35s. He gained eight class wins from ten starts with five class fastest laps!
Lap records:
14 March 1998 at Silverstone (1.639miles): 1m 20.68 secs
21 March 1998 at Oulton Park (Fosters) (1.654 miles): 1m 22.93 secs
23 August 1998 at Brands Hatch (1.203 miles): 1m 01.42 secs. He probably wasn't driving a Hillman Imp (as stated), but an Imp Rallye
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | 13 Mar. 21 Mar. 17 Apr. 9 May 29-30 May 24 Jul. 8 Aug. 22 Aug. 4th-5th Sep. 11-12 Sep. 26 Sept. 3 Oct. 31 Oct. |
Silverstone Thruxton Oulton Pk Cadwell Pk Croix en Ternois (France) Pembrey Mallory Pk Snetterton Brands Hatch Spa Francorchamps (Non Championship) Mallory Pk Castle Combe Donington Pk |
For the 99 season he is picking and choosing his races; concentrating on the long distance and the Spa Francorchamps meeting 11th/12th September (Non Championship).
For Mike Dowsett the competition this year in class E consists of six Morris Minors and one Austin A35. But he isn't after winning the championship. He only participated in round 2 (Thruxton) which he won.
Thruxton is a nice fast circuit, close to the Dowsett residence.
From: Cherry Dowsett
Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2000 15:48:53 EDT
I came across your site whilst searching for a pre 1966 Imp bodyshell and was amazed to find my husband Mike Dowsett featured on your competition page.
Mike is competing again this year and is currently 3rd overall in the CSCC Historic Championship. We have just come back from Spa where the car completed in a 10 lap and 2 driver 1 hour race - it's third this season !
Would you like some more info on the 2000 season
Regards
Cherry Dowsett
Mike Dowsett (Hillman Rallye Imp) came 3rd overal in the Historic Touring class. Not the Post Historic Touring class).
2000 Millers VSP Plus Classic & Historic Touring Car points after 11 rounds
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total | ||
| SV | MP | CP | BH | MP | LY | TX | SN | OP | PM | KH | SN | |||
| Class E | ||||||||||||||
| Mike Dowsett | Hillman Imp | 10 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 83 | |||
| Tony Lake | Morris Minor | 5 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 80 |
Classic Saloon Car Club (CSCC) of Great Britain
Records up until 31.12.96
HISTORIC TOURING CARS (Pre'66 )
2 New Records in 1998
| Class A | Leo Voyazides | Ford Falcon | 55.88 secs | 02.10.94 |
| Class B | Andy Roberts | Triumph 2000 MkI | 1m 00.46 secs | 02.10.94 |
| Class C | Jim Burrows | Mini Cooper S | 58.63 secs | 23.08.98 |
| Class D | Derek Harris | Austin A40 | 1m 03.07 secs | 02.10.94 |
| Class E | Mike Dowsett | Hillman Imp | 1m 01.42 secs | 23.08.98 |
| Class F | Les Nash | Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.1 | 56.40 secs | 02.10.94 |
POST HISTORIC TOURING CARS (Pre'74)
1 New Record in 1998
| Class A | Andy Bacon | Chevrolet Camaro Z28 | 54.08 secs | 02.10.94 |
| Class B | David Thomas | Ford Capri | 56.05 secs | 02.10.94 |
| Class C | Ian Lawless | Mazda RX3 | 55.34 secs | 17.11.91 |
| Class D | Alasdair Southall | Ford LotusCortina Mk.2 | 56.97 secs | 19.09.93 |
| Class E | Clive Tonge | Leyland Mini G.T. | 59.28 secs | 27.09.98 |
| Class F | Mike Dowsett | Hillman Imp Sport | 1m 03.00 secs | 02.10.94 |
Records up until 14.09.97
HISTORIC TOURING CARS (Pre'66 )
1 New Record in 1997
| Class A | Allen Lloyd | Jaguar Mk.2. | 1m 51.33 secs | 16.09.95 |
| Class B | Peter Lloyd | Jaguar Mk.1. | 1m 53.70 secs | 01.08.93 |
| Class C | Mark Scruton | Ford Cortina G.T. | 1m 54.10 secs | 01.08.93 |
| Class D | Kevin Templeman | Ford Anglia | 1m 54.00 secs | 01.08.93 |
| Class E | Mike Dowsett | Hillman Rallye Imp | 1m 59.96 secs | 14.09.97 |
| Class F | Kevin Mansell | Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.1. | 1m 50.10 secs | 01.08.93 |
POST HISTORIC TOURING CARS (Pre'74 )
2 New Records in 1997
| Class A | Allen Lloyd | Jaguar XJ12 | 1m 46.18 secs | 09.04.95 |
| Class B | Colin Stubbs | Ford Capri | 1m 48.89 secs | 09.04.95 |
| Class C | Nigel Garrett | Triumph Dolomite Sprint | 1m 48.40 secs | 14.09.97 |
| Class D | Les Nash | Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.I. | 1m 49.33 secs | 19.06.94 |
| Class E | Clive Tonge | Leyland Mini G.T. | 1m 56.43 secs | 14.09.97 |
| Class F | Mike Dowsett | Hillman Imp Sport | 2m 05.08 secs | 19.06.94 |
Records up until 02.11.97
HISTORIC TOURING CARS (Pre'66 )
No CSCC Races in 1994,1995 & 1996
3 New Records in 1995
| Class A | Tony Bailey | Jaguar Mk.2. | 1m 30.14 secs | 03.09.95* |
| Class B | Roddy Pratt | Triumph 2000 Mk.1. | 1m 35.22 secs | 03.09.95* |
| Class C | Mark Scruton | Ford Cortina G.T. | 1m 31.80 secs | 18.10.92 |
| Class D | Kevin Templeman | Ford Anglia | 1m 37.44 secs | 04.09.93 |
| Class E | Mike Dowsett | Hillman Ralley Imp | 1m 39.28 secs | 03.09.95* |
| Class F | Les Nash | Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.1. | 1m 28.42 secs | 04.09.93 |
N.B. HISTORIC TOURING CARS Marked * were established in the 'Corgi Classic FIA European Historic Championship Race.
Records up until 20.07.97
HISTORIC TOURING CARS (Pre'66 )
1 New Record in 1998
| Class A | Roger Cope | Jaguar ‘S’ Type | 49.97 secs | 28.06.98 |
| Class B | Roddy Pratt | Triumph 2000 Mk.I | 53.20 secs | 30.04.95 |
| Class C | Peter Taylor | Ford Cortina GT | 52.30 secs | 08.05.94 |
| Class D | Derek Harris | Austin A40 | 53.60 secs | 20.07.97 |
| Class E | Michael Dowsett | Hillman Imp | 53.50 secs | 30.04.95 |
| Class F | Les Nash | Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.I. | 49.10 secs | 08.05.94 |
POST HISTORIC TOURING CARS (Pre'74 )
1 New Records in 1998
| Class A | Andy Bacon | Chevrolet Camaro | 47.60 secs | 08.05.94 |
| Class B | John Allen | Ford Capri | 49.30 secs | 08.05.94 |
| Class C | Julian Belcher | Ford Escort RS 2000 | 48.70 secs | 08.05.94 |
| Class D | Les Nash | Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.I. | 49.00 secs | 03.07.94 |
| Class E | Clive Tonge | Leyland Mini Clubman G.T. | 52.21 secs | 28.06.98 |
| Class F | Mike Dowsett | Hillman Imp Sport | 55.30 secs | 03.07.94 |
Records up until 03.08.97
HISTORIC TOURING CARS (Pre'66)
2 New Records in 1997
| Class A | Alec Hammond | Jaguar Mk.2. | 56.55 secs | 03.08.97 |
| Class B | Roddy Pratt | Triumph 2000 Mk.1 | 59.47 secs | 15.10.95 |
| Class C | Mark Scruton | Ford Cortina G.T. | 58.67 secs | 15.08.93 |
| Class D | Nick Jones | Ford Anglia | 1m 01.83 secs | 03.08.97 |
| Class E | Mike Dowsett | Hillman Ralley Imp | 1m 02.03 secs | 04.06.95 |
| Class F | Les Nash | Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.1. | 56.31 secs | 15.08.93 |
Records up until 21.03.98
HISTORIC TOURING CARS (Pre'66)
6 New Records in 1998
| Class A | Alec Hammond | Jaguar Mk.2. | 1m 15.26 secs | 21.03.98 |
| Class B | Roddy Pratt | Triumph 2000 Mk.1 | 1m 20.84 secs | 21.03.98 |
| Class C | Peter Snowdon | Ford Cortina G.T. | 1m 21.28 secs | 21.03.98 |
| Class D | Jim Burrows | Mini Cooper ‘S’ | 1m 22.53 secs | 21.03.98 |
| Class E | Mike Dowsett | Hillman Rallye Imp | 1m 22.93 secs | 21.03.98 |
| Class F | Les Nash | Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.1. | 1m 15.36 secs | 21.03.98 |
Records up until 17.05.97
HISTORIC TOURING CARS (Pre'66 )
No New Records in 1997
| Class A | Leo Voyazides | Ford Falcon | 2m 05.46 secs | 09.10.93 |
| Class B | Roddy Pratt | Triumph 2000 Mk.1 | 2m 14.80 secs | 17.08.96 |
| Class C | Kevin Templeman | Ford Anglia | 2m 12.38 secs | 09.10.93 |
| Class D | Dave Watson | Ford Anglia | 2m 23.70 secs | 25.04.87 |
| Class E | Mike Dowsett | Hillman Rallye Imp | 2m 25.61 secs | 17.08.96 |
| Class F | Les Nash | Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.1. | 2m 05.20 secs | 09.10.93 |
Records up until 29.06.97
HISTORIC TOURING CARS (Pre'66 )
3 New Records in 1998
| Class A | Alec Hammond | Jaguar Mk.2. | 1m 10.70 secs | 18.04.98 |
| Class B | Roddy Pratt | Triumph 2000 Mk.1 | 1m 14.90 secs | 04.08.96 |
| Class C | Peter Snowdon | Ford Cortina G.T. | 1m 13.57 secs | 18.04.98 |
| Class D | Derek Harris | Austin A40 | 1m 28.65 secs | 27.06.93 |
| Class E | Mike Dowsett | Hillman Rallye Imp | 1m 17.59 secs | 29.06.97 |
| Class F | Les Nash | Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.1. | 1m 10.66 secs | 18.04.98 |
POST HISTORIC TOURING CARS (Pre'74 )
1 New Records in 1998
| Class A | Andy Bacon | Chevrolet Camaro Z28 | 1m 08.98 secs | 27.06.93 |
| Class B | Colin Potter | Ford Capri | 1m 10.23 secs | 28.06.97 |
| Class C | Nigel Garrett | Triumph Dolomite Sprint | 1m 09.50 secs | 18.04.98 |
| Class D | Alasdair Southall | Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.2. | 1m 10.29 secs | 27.06.93 |
| Class E | Clive Tonge | Mini Clubman G.T. | 1m 13.06 secs | 28.06.97 |
| Class F | Mike Dowsett | Hillman Imp Sport | 1m 21.98 secs | 22.05.94 |
Records up until 14.03.98
N.B. Circuit layout revised 1996/7
HISTORIC TOURING CARS (Pre'66)
2 New Records in 1998
| Class A | Laurence Bailey | Jaguar Mk.2. | 1m 12.65 secs | 08.03.97 |
| Class B | Andy Roberts | Triumph 2000 Mk.1. | 1m 18.42 secs | 14.03.98 |
| Class C | Peter Snowdon | Ford Cortina G.T | 1m 17.00 secs | 08.03.97 |
| Class D | Nick Jones | Ford Anglia | 1m 23.35 secs | 08.03.97 |
| Class E | Mike Dowsett | Hillman Rallye Imp | 1m 20.68 secs | 14.03.98 |
| Class F | Peter Taylor | Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.1. | 1m 13.61 secs | 08.03.97 |
Records up until 19.10.97
NB: Circuit layout revised (Russell Complex) during winter 1996/97. The lap distance remains unchanged but, all fastest laps after that date will be considered for new lap records.
HISTORIC TOURING CARS (Pre'66 )
2 New Record in 1998
| Class A | Alec Hammond | Jaguar Mk.2. | 1m 27.98 secs | 05.04.98 |
| Class B | Roddy Pratt | Triumph 2000 Mk.1. | 1m 34.95 secs | 19.10.97 |
| Class C | Vaughan Winter | Austin Mini cooper ‘S’ | 1m 34.13 secs | 19.10.97 |
| Class D | Nick Jones | Ford Anglia | 1m 39.85 secs | 19.10.97 |
| Class E | Mike Dowsett | Hillman Rallye Imp | 1m 38.18 secs | 19.10.97 |
| Class F | Les Nash | Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.1 | 1m 28.25 secs | 05.04.98 |
Records up until 16.03.97
HISTORIC TOURING CARS (Pre'66 )
1 New Record in 1997
| Class A | Nickie Torregiani | Ford Mustang | 1m 36.77 secs | 04.05.92 |
| Class B | Roddy Pratt | Triumph 2000 Mk.1 | 1m 42.88 secs | 16.03.97 |
| Class C | Stephen Ellis | Ford Cortina G.T. | 1m 41.96 secs | 04.05.92 |
| Class D | Kevin Templeman | Ford Anglia | 1m 47.93 secs | 08.10.89 |
| Class E | Mike Dowsett | Hillman Ralley Imp | 1m 48.42 secs | 24.03.96 |
| Class F | Les Nash Kevin Mansell |
Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.1 Ford Lotus Cortina Mk.1 |
1m 35.81 secs 1m 35.81 secs |
20.03.94 20.03.94 |
[...]
The Grid - News: 1998 CSCC Historic Touring Car Champion, Mike Dowsett, is building a new Hillman Imp, to race in European & Top Hat Endurance races. His sponsors, Holland & Watts, are staying with him for 2001.
Mike Dowsett with competition no. 99 raced his 998 Hillman Rallye Imp in Class SK: Special up to 1000cc on Castle Combe Monday 17th April 2006, Easter Monday Race Day - Top Hat Sir John Whitmore Trophy for pre-’66 Historic Touring Cars
In the same class were Chris Ledburg, comp.#9 in a 998 Hillman Fraser Imp; Roger Hurt, comp.#94 in a Hartwell Imp.
Vanguards made a diorama with a Hillman Imp and a Ford Anglia:
"This diorama features Mike Dowsetts Hillman Imp and Nick and Debbie Jones Ford Anglia 105E. The Ford Anglia has been completely rebuilt for the specific intention of racing in the Classic Saloon Car Club Championship. The Hillman Imp has achieved approximatley 80 class wins during its nine years of racing. This scene captures both vehicles in action."
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