Two different winners North of the Border Keeps Championship Hopes Alive

Those who made the journey North of the border to Knockhill race circuit for round 5 and 6 shook the points table up. Nothing separates the top contenders and as we head to Lydden Hill in November for the final round, the championship is very much wide open where the champion can emerge from either of the top Retro Rallycross categories.

The day started well for Wigan racer Tony Lynch on the first day of the Scottish double header but found it to be short lived when an engine fire caused retirement during the second heats leaving the way clear for Simon Hart to take a popular win in the Retro Rallycross category.

In the Super Retro’s there was everything to play for with the times being close at the top throughout qualifying, battle commenced early on between Barry Stewart; Porsche, Vince Bristow; BMW, John Cross; Lancia Stratos, Phil Collard; Renault 5 and Ray Morgan in his Ford Escort.

It was Barry Stewart and his mighty Porsche who surprised no one by literally flying off the start line as the lights turned green, a lead that was to be short lived, with John Cross breathing down his neck, the Porsche driver had to go defensive and did a great job until Cross made an awesome overtaking move that Stewart could do nothing about at the start of the second lap.

Third place man Phil Collard was fighting hard to hold on to his position despite the challenge coming from a very determined Vince Bristow behind. Bristow finally got past but only for a brief spell with Collard quickly retaking the place, where the pair continued their squabble.

A mistake by Collard, causing him to spin and contacting the Porsche, demoted Stewart to last place. A recovering Ray Morgan, who had an early race blip was able to capitalise and move into third position leaving Bristow to concentrate on the Lancia in front. The move on Cross came just in time for him to take the chequered flag ahead of Cross, Morgan, Collard, Moroney and Ewin with Stewart bringing up the rear.

The following morning started damp and grey with teams keeping an anxious eye on the weather forecast. Spirits were quickly raised at the sight on Tony Lynch driving his rig back into the paddock. Having returned to base and working overnight, Team Geriatric Rallycross mechanics had repaired the damage to the engine loom and oil pipe caused by the previous days fire.

In the first qualifying heat it was Ray Morgan who scored the fastest time, ahead of Bristow, Ewin, Stewart, and Cross with John Moroney taking early retirement. Heats two and three put the Porsche of Stewart into the lead heading into the finals.

A disappointed Phil Collard couldn’t improve on his great form the previous day, having retired prior to the start of the days racing with an oil seal problem.

The first attempt at the final was aborted after Lynch rolled his Toyota MR2 and was unable to make the restart; it was Stewart who was once again first away off the line, with Cross, Morgan and Bristow in hot pursuit. A mistake by Cross at the end of the first lap moved Morgan ahead briefly before the Lancia regained the position and turn his concentration to trying to catch the Porsche.  Morgan was feeling the pressure from Bristow behind; the pair provided the best action of the race that ended with Morgan managing to hold on finishing third behind Cross with Bristow fourth and Simon Hart bringing up the rear.

The win by championship leader Barry Stewart now puts him 9 points ahead of nearest rival Vince Bristow. The pair are sure to be the ones to watch when we head to Lydden Hill for the Championship final. Stewart in his popular Porsche will prove to be the car to beat on return to his favourite rallycross circuit

Ends