After 20 years of 2CV racing, the 21st season in 2010 was a step into the unknown! Notable technical changes meant that it was impossible to predict who would be up at the front, as a new control tyre and the opportunity to run a Weber carburettor were introduced to level the playing field. But whilst the new Toyo tyres were universally accepted, the Weber carb proved a bit more controversial! Was it better to stick with the original Solex, or switch to the Weber, which was believed to be more powerful? Despite all the testing and number crunching, it was a surprise to many as to how the races panned out!

One thing that was certain was that reigning champion Phil Myatt would not be back to defend his title. Shortly before the start of the season, his fingers had got into an argument with a granite slab, and come off worst. Thankfully his injuries didn't result in him losing any digits, but they were serious enough to prevent him driving for the foreseeable future. So it was left to Sammie Fritchley to drive the winning Tete Rouge car, but she woud be up against numerous drivers who were also out to take the title! Matthew Hollis, runner-up from 2009, was back, as was 3rd placed Alec Graham. Gadget Racing now had two cars for four drivers - Wayne Cowling & Simon Clarke, and Steve Panas & Ainslie Bousfield. There were however a few notable leading names missing from the grid, including Sandro Proietti, Martin Hindley, Aubrey Brocklebank and Mark Turner. Indeed, in these uncertain financial times, the number of cars entered had decreased somewhat, but 15 2CVs made it to the Lincolnshire track to answer the question everyone was asking - Weber or Solex?

Qualifying didn't help much though. A damp track caused by overnight rain left the cars slipping and sliding their way around on the new tyres. The person who made the best of it was Lewis Hopkins. No doubt already fed up with being compared to a certain other Lewis by wise-cracking commentators and 2CV magazine editors, the ex-Porsche racer (who had driven with Tony Robinson in the 2009 24hr) took pole position, driving Martin Hindley's old car (which had been bought and rented out by Phil Myatt). Fritchley was next up, followed by a very surprised Richard Hollis, who had barely touched his car over the winter (indeed, the engine had not run until that morning!). He was the first Solex runner, but nearly 2 seconds off the pace. Tony Robinson was a career best 4th, followed by Alec Graham, Wayne Cowling, Matthew Hollis, and Ainslie Bousfield. Two returning faces made a welcome appearance behind Trevor Williams in 9th (although Trevor might not have found it that welcoming), in the form of Steve Jaques and Mick Storey. Michael Fox was going much better than he had in 2009, whereas Simon Crook only managed two laps before his crankshaft in his newly built engine had a fit and destroyed itself!

It looked as though Hopkins had broken away already after one lap of the race, when he crossed the line on the now dry track clear ahead of Fritchley, Graham and M Hollis, who had spent virtually the entire first lap side-by-side. The big losers were Richard Hollis, who had dropped from 3rd to 6th, and Wayne Cowling, who had dropped from 6th to 11th. Michael Fox's Cadwell bad luck had returned, as he found himself last and already 10 seconds behind the car in front. The first retirement of the season was chalked up by Steve Jaques, who only made it to lap 3. Just after this, up at the front, Hopkins found himself demoted to 3rd as both Fritchley and Hollis got past. Bousfield was going well and was soon able to catch and challenge Hopkins, although he was lucky not to get summoned to the pits as his rear passenger door was making a bid for freedom. A handy knock on the side of his car by a passing competitor fortunately slammed it shut before somebody noticed!

Fritchley led for one lap before Hollis got impatient and took the lead, though this was still only lap 5, so there was still plenty to play for. Bousfield and Hopkins had now begun battling for 3rd, but were still close enough to worry the cars in front. 5th was Robinson, followed by Graham, and then a significant gap back to Cowling, Williams, R Hollis and Storey in close formation. Lien Davies was having a bit of a lonely race in 11th, whilst Fox had caught Simon Crook and Mark Paterson, passing the latter before losing pace and dropping back to finish a lap down in 13th.

As the time wore down, Hollis still led but Fritchley was always within a second of him, and Bousfield and Hopkins were only a couple of seconds back. With a few laps to go, Graham inherited 5th as Robinson slowed and eventually retired at the Mountain. It was all he could do to pull onto the grass just off the track, halfway up the hill. Fortunately his handbrake was in good working order! For those people anticipating a change of lead on the last lap, as is usually the case in closely fought 2CV races, they were to be disappointed. That's not to say Fritchley didn't have a go, but Hollis just held on as they crossed the line, separated by just 0.170 seconds! Bousfield got the better of Hopkins to take the final podium place, followed by Graham, Cowling, Williams and Storey. Richard Hollis and Lien Davies completed the top 10, trailed home by Crook, Paterson and Fox.