OULTON PARK 17/05 BARC(NW)
The BARC NW Sports/Saloon Challenge is moving from strength to strength this
year, a full grid appearing for another 12-lapper. However, faulty lights led to
a confused getaway, and the race had to be re-started. Steve Cole and Malcolm
Hamilton pushed David Ellis down into third at the second attempt, the AM V8 now
all one colour again. But by Knicker Brook, Ellis was in front, and there he
stayed. Cole soon moved clear into second, also finishing in that position. But
the person to watch was Michael Cousins. His rise through the field in an AM V8
from a lowly starting position was a joy to behold. Tenth on lap 3, he was
seventh by lap 5, fifth on lap 7, and challenging Chris Crawford and Hamilton
next time around. On the 10th tour, the AM was by this duo, and at the zenith of
its remarkable progress.
BARC North West Sports/Saloons Challenge race (12 laps) - overall: 1, David
Ellis (5.3 Aston Martin V8), 20m14.3s, 83.81mph; 2,
Steve
Cole (4.2 TVR SE), 20m30.3s
; 3, Michael Cousins (5.3 Aston Martin V8),
20m45.3S; 4, Chris Crawford (2.0 Lotus Esprit), 20m59.4s.
Modified over 2500cc: 1, Ellis; 2, Cousins; 3, Crawford. Fastest lap: Cousins,
1m38.6s, 86.02mph. Modified 1501-2500cc: 1, Dave Forster (1.0 Maguire Mini),
21m44.9s, 77.99mph; 2, Nigel Boardman (2.3 Vauxhall Firenza), 11 laps; 3, Colin
Robinson (2.0 Ford Escort), 10 laps. Fastest lap: Forster, 1 m44.3s, 81.31 mph..
Modified up to 1500cc: 1, Philip Hepworth (1.3 Mini), 21m43.8s, 78.06mph; 2,
John Helme (1.4 Lenham Le Mans), 11 laps; 3, lain Gorrie (1.4 Cox GTM). Fastest
lap: Hepworth, 1m45.9s, 80.09mph.
Production over 2300cc:
1, Cole, 82.72mph; 2,
Stephen Woolf e (2.8 Ford Capri), 10 laps. No other starters.
Fastest lap: Cole, 1 m40.2s, 84.64mph (record).
Production up to 2300cc: 1, Richard Johnson (1.6 Lotus Europa), 11 laps,
72.13mph; 2. Peter Brown (2.0 Triumph Dolomite Sprint); 3, Terry Watts (2.3
Vauxhall Firenze), 10 laps. Fastest lap: Brown, 1m55.0s, 73.75mph.