Who can believe we are half way through the season and although the weather was cold and wet it didn’t deter the drivers and their entourage from having a great weekend: full of excitement and some fantastic racing. Saturday practice saw the return of Shane Cox (69), prepping for the round 5, John Griffiths (33) first time out and thoroughly enjoying it and Simon Bateman (good old 66) watch this space!!!Race day we were treated to an afternoon tea organised by our in house party planner Rob Perkins in celebration of her majesty. The Queen celebrates her Platinum whilst the Challenge celebrates its Ruby!!
Heat 1 – Perkins from halfway down the grid made a flyer off the start to lead Plain (who’d joined us once again but not for points) D. Bury, L. Sifleet, A. Sifleet, T. Bury and the rest into the first corner. Lap 3 saw Plain pass Perkins at the end of the Start Straight and D. Bury follow through moments later. Novice Rawden was now up to 6th from 18th on the grid!! By lap 5 as back markers came into play Plain was able to slightly edge away from the chasing gaggle of D. Bury, Perkins, L. Sifleet and A. Sifleet. Plain 1st, D. Bury 2nd, Perkins 3rd, L. Sifleet 4th A. Sifleet 5th, Rawden 6th.
Heat 2 – L. Sifleet took control at the front until lap 3 when both his son A. Sifleet and D. Bury out maneuvered him demoting him to 3rd, Plain lay in 4th, Perkins 5th, Henry 6th. Lap 6 saw L. Sifleet grab his 2nd position back from D. Bury and Rawden was up to 6th!! On the last lap D. Bury lost out to both Plain and Perkins.
1st A. Sifleet, 2nd L. Sifleet, 3rd Plain, 4th Perkins, 5th D. Bury, 6th Rawden (N)
Heat 3 – Perkins made the best start and throughout the race he confidently kept his line as the train of Plain, L. Sifleet, A. Sifleet, D. Bury constantly keeping up the pressure. Henry, Fowler, Hopes and Rawden followed behind in a similar manner, both trains on a mission to arrive first. There was only one passing manoeuvre at the front and that was on lap 6 when D. Bury managed to pass A. Sifleet to claim 4th.
1st Perkins, 2nd Plain, 3rd L. Sifleet, 4th D. Bury, 5th A. Sifleet, 6th Fowler.
Final – The heats had seen 3 different winners and with the top 5 hosting the two front rows of the grid bets were off as the win could be anyone’s. More often than not the final can become processional and not as exciting as the heats, but not this final!! A mad panic was seen on the dummy grid as some changed to slicks, luckily not regretting their decision. As the lights changed it was L. Sifleet who led the harassing pack into the first corner followed by Perkins, Plain, A. Sifleet D. Bury, Rawden (N). For the entire race these 6 were stuck together like glue, there were fleeting moments when gaps between them all appeared but these were soon reduced. Although many overtaking moves were made, everyone immaculately kept their line, fending off any unwanted advances. This train was the express and on time!! A little further down the field and on wets saw Henry in 7th valiantly fend off a hungry Fowler. This pair had battled all weekend! Hancock kept himself out of trouble in 9th whilst behind him T. Bury, Stone and Hopes were all dicing for 10th place. As the flag fell on a nail biting race all drivers down to 10th had maintained their positions from start to finish. Congratulations go to 1st place L. Sifleet who had eeked out the minutest of margins, 2nd Perkins, 3rd Plain, 4th A. Sifleet, 5th D. Bury, 6th Rawden (N), 7th Henry, 8th Fowler, 9th Hancock and T. Bury completing the top 10.