Just a blooming motor race? (9)

I believe the answer is:

carnation

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'just a blooming' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'motor race?' is the wordplay.
'motor' becomes 'car' (informal term for car).
'race?' becomes 'nation' (both can mean a national or ethnic group).
'car'+'nation'='CARNATION'

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(Other definitions for carnation that I've seen before include "Flower suitable for buttonhole ..." , "Not in a car (anag) - plant" , "Showy flower" , "Pink - garden flower" , "Anoint car with the strange flower" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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