Tuesday 28th May 2013 – May Trophy Meeting – Superstar Louis in a class of his own
Team Parker dominated the qualifying heats with Louis taking the top spot and his dad Richard being second fastest qualifier. There were good performances also from Daniel Lacey in third place and Graham Oxford fourth.
Nine-minute duration finals again this week, first up being the “C” final. Jenson Butlin led the race from the start and Courtney Orme was an early casualty, retiring with a steering mechanical fault. A fine drive from Jenson gave him a victory with Alwyn Hodges several laps back in second place.
The “B” final had some fast drivers and club chairman Robert Hambridge continued his return to form by winning the race, beating Michelle Snowden by 1 lap with Chris ward a further lap behind.
The “A” final was next and what a race it turned out to be! Louis Parker in his new car starting from pole position was in stunning form having a faultless race at a very fast pace. Daniel Lacey finished 2 laps down in second place after another good drive and Graham Oxford took third place.
After the racing the trophies were presented by the club chairman Rob, an extra loud round of applause going to Louis for winning the “A” final – well done.
Tuesday 21st May 2013 – Spring League Round 5 – Mike leads the way despite a dazzling performance from Daniel
A large track design this week for a change with a long straight and tight sections of infield made for a testing drive. Richard Parker got off to a great start in round 1 being fastest qualifier, only to see Lee Bishop win round 2 and take over the fastest qualifier position. Round 3 saw a tremendous race between Lee Bishop and Mike Simpson with Mike eventually first over the finish line just 0.27 seconds ahead of Lee and setting the best qualifying time, Dave Tomlinson took third place and Daniel Lacey was very quick in division 2 to be 4th fastest overall and earn a place in the “A” final. Nathan Marshall was fastest in division 3 with Jordan Galbraith second.
Nine – minute duration finals this week for a change, the “C” final was won convincingly by Jordan Galbraith with Roy Matthews second, however both these drivers were beaten in division 3 by Nathan Marshall in the “B” final. Graham Oxford continued his good form by winning the “B” final but was only third in division 2 as Daniel Lacey and Bob Harley took first and second places being faster in the “A” final. The “A” final promised to be a great race as all seven drivers achieved fast qualifying times. Mike Simpson got a clean start from pole position and established a 2 second lead, Daniel Lacey was driving very quickly and gradually making up ground whilst behind these two drivers positions were changing frequently with much overtaking. About six minutes into the race Daniel took the lead with Mike in pursuit this time and making up ground as Daniels car began to slow down slightly towards the end of the race. Mike regained the lead and won the race, Daniel was second just 4 seconds back very closely followed by Dave Tomlinson a further second behind. A very exciting race both to be in and watch as it was down to the wire at a very fast pace with very few mistakes being made, this is really what racing is all about. What a superb performance from Daniel, watch out for him in future weeks, I am sure that he will soon be in division 1.
Tuesday 14th May 2013 – Spring League Round 4 – Senior’s rise to the top
A quick start to the evening gave sufficient time for four six minute long rounds of qualifying heats and an eight minute final – a tremendous thirty two minutes of racing for everyone.
In the qualifying Dave Tomlinson was in control achieving 30 laps which was one better than anyone else, Richard Parker being second and Mike Simpson third with 29 laps each.
In division 2 Graham Oxford had another good evening being 4th fastest overall with 29 laps followed by Daniel Lacey on 28 and Jenson Butlin 25.
Nathan Marshall was quickest in division 3 achieving 24 laps with Shane Stones in hot pursuit on the same lap, Roy Matthews being third on 21.
In the finals it was a similar story in division 3, Nathan winning, Shane second and a good drive by Courtney Orme gave him third position.
In division 2 Graham Oxford and Daniel Lacey left everyone else for dust scoring 39 and 38 laps respectively to take 4th and 6th places in the “A” final, Matthew Stones also had a great drive to make 36 laps and claim third position.
The “A” final was the last race of the evening and pole position drive Dave Tomlinson had a terrible start dropping him down to the back of the field on the first corner. This let Mike Simpson through into the lead, which he managed to retain to the end of the race. Louis Parker had got his car really flying and took second place (beating his dad yet again!) and Dave Tomlinson made a tremendous comeback to fight his way back up the field to take third place.
A great evenings racing and a good one for the more senior members of the club with Dave Tomlinson being fastest qualifier, Mike Simpson winning the “A” final and great performances from Graham Oxford – you youngsters better buck up!
Tuesday 7th May 2013 – Spring League Round 3
Darren Ford was yet again fastest qualifier and duly went on to win the “A” final, Dave Tomlinson took second place in the qualifying but was pushed down into third place in the final by Richard Parker.
Graham Oxford was fastest in division 2 with a tremendous third fastest in the qualifying and making the “A” final. Daniel Lacey and Jenson Butlin both had good drives to be second and third respectively.
Nathan Marshall increased his lead in division 3 with a second successive maximum points, Roy Matthews was also in good form to take second place in both the qualifying and finals.