James Hart takes another maximum points in the GT12 class
Dave Tomlinson is top division two driver with an excellent performance
Nick Wallace wins the GT12 C Final
Mike Simpson wins the Club Mardave Final as meshing of teeth failed to “spur” Lee Bishop on to victory
The first race meeting of the year and several members were trying out new cars – Christmas presents?
The track was back to full width this week following the removal of the festive decorations in the hall and was of a fast and flowing design.
Qualifying
In the Gt12 qualifying James Hart was best qualifier but was pushed hard by Louis Parker who won the first round. Darren Ford was third with all the first three drivers on 31 laps.
In division 2 Dave Tomlinson was in top form and was fastest with 28 laps which qualified him for a place in the “A” Final. Behind him Bob Harley took pole position in the “B” final just ahead of Chelle Snowden, all three drivers on the same lap.
Club Chairman Rob Hambridge was fastest in division 3 with 25 laps, two laps better than second placed driver Jack Cook with Alister Hart third on 22.
The Mardave class was very close as always with Lee Bishop winning the first two rounds, then Mike Simpson won the third to take pole in the final with Paul Galbraith second and Lee Third.
In division 2 Jake Galbraith eventually got the better of Jenson Butlin to be top qualifier and Roy Matthews was third.
Finals
The first final was the club class Mardave and Mike Simpson got a clean start from pole position to take an early lead, things were very evenly matched however and by lap 26 Lee overtook be in front, three laps later Mike got back into the lead only to be overtaken once more by Lee on lap 31. Both drivers were lapping at very similar speeds but Mike slowly closed the gap and right near the end of the race hit the front at which point disaster struck once more for Lee when his motor pinion came off and he had to retire but still finished in second place.
He was heard in the pits afterwards to mutter “IN MY A-PINION I TIGHTENED IT UP ENOUGH NOT TO COME LOOSE”
Jake Galbraith was the top division 2 driver taking third place to be the best placed in “team Galbraith”
In the GT12 “C” Final it was pole position driver Nick Wallace who was first over the finishing line after a great race with Jack Cook, both getting 39 laps and Graham Oxford back after a 4 week break was third.
Bob Harley was on pole for the GT12 “B” Final but a disastrous start let Chelle Snowden into the lead on the first corner and with some consistently good driving went on to win with 45 laps. It was very close between the next four drivers with Mitch Howard taking second place on 44 laps just three seconds ahead of Bob Harley.
The final race of the evening was the GT12 “A” Final and it was a great race to watch. James hart was on pole and Louis Parker having a poor start but soon making up ground with some quick lap times and setting the fastest lap 9.31 seconds just 1/100th second faster than James. A racing incident and problem with his car put Louis out of contention and the battle for second place was then between Darren Ford, David Simpson and Gavin Maciver. After several changes of order Darren finished second, David third and Gavin in fourth place. What a race!
Round 4 of the league is next week.