It was with great excitement that Rob accepted the drive in the Merlyn Mk 11a Formula Ford at the HSCC Historic Superprix meeting over the weekend of the 4th/5th June. "Getting to drive such a fantastic Car at one of my favorite circuits in the world, it was a no brainer really. For me, the Brands Hatch GP circuit is like stepping back in time and racing on a circuit from the same era as the car. There is none of this huge wide open spaces with huge gravel traps, when you pull off the Indy circuit and head out into the trees with the barriers only feet from the edge of the track, the feeling of speed is fantastic. Add to that racing against such fantastic single seater race cars, I can't imagine anyone not wanting to grab the opportunity with both hands!!!".

For the Superprix meeting, Hedley would be stepping up to the full Historic Formula Ford Championship as the Classic Race Car Championship, the race in which Rob competed in back in April (see Rob starts the year with pole, fastest lap and a win!!), was over subscribed. Hedley was really going to raise his game as he would be racing against some of the quickest historic FF drivers in the country including Westie Mitchell and Amanda Witaker.

With no time to test the car prior to the meeting the car would run more or less as it finished Donington months earlier. During qualifying a major problem was apparent when Rob arrived at the braking area for Druids hairpin on his first flying lap. " The rears (wheels) locked up as I braked for Paddock Hill bend but I just put that down to the bumpy entry into the corner. When I got up to the bridge at Druids and the rears locked solid whilst the fronts were still spinning freely I knew there was a major problem with the front brakes. Unfortunately in this era of car you cannot have an cockpit adjustable brake balance otherwise I could have wound it towards the front to try and alleviate the problem". With only a 15 minute qualifying session it was important that Hedley completed the 3 required laps to qualify for the race. After battling the brake problem Rob qualified 24 out of 29. "It was a little disappointed to be so far back but I don't suppose it is that bad after having no brakes on the front".

Immediately after qualifying, the car was taken back to the paddock and inspected to ascertain the reason for the brake problem. It was soon discovered that the grease from the front left wheel bearing had broken down and sprayed out all over the disc and pads. The problem was quickly rectified by stripping down the front corner, replacing the bearing and grease and cleaning everything ready for the race.

"I was feeling quite confident when I sat in the assembly area waiting for the race as I knew I had qualified slower than I could have done and was looking forward to moving up the field. Unfortunately as we went round for the green flag lap, the problem we thought we had cured was still there!!! Again as I came up to Druids warming my brakes up, the rears locked again with the fronts still rotating. From then on it was going to be a struggle to slow the car at the big stops at Paddock Hill and Druids".

The race started without incident and Hedley set about making his way up the field. "Things started really well and I got past the first few quite quickly. I was really struggling through Paddock Hill and Druids due to the braking problems and kept losing a few places, however as soon as we headed out through the trees onto the GP circuit I could be a lot braver than the others and gained 2 or 3 places back every lap". Following an intense race of slipstreaming and lots of overtaking, Rob managed to bring home the Merlyn Mk11A home in 17th position. "It wasn't a bad result considering the brake problem but I have to be honest I was a little disappointed I couldn't have been further up the front as I was hoping to get into the top 10"