|
THEY THINK IT'S ALL OVER - IT IS NOW
The finish of the Le Mans AutoItalia championship round at Oulton Park on October 13th has brought the curtain down on the 2001 season. Another successful year had been enjoyed by everyone and the
series has raised it's profile one more notch with some great racing and entertainment for the public which will help to ensure the future of the series.
Meanwhile back at a damp and foggy Oulton park qualifying again revealed the class A combatants at the top of the list with Julian
Birley pipping Graham Scott by half a second. The track was a bit slippery in places which possibly reshuffled the pack but even so Giovanni di Gennaro underlined his front running performance with
third overall and class B pole, with Oulton debutant Mark Pollard close behind with his Alfa engined Minari RSR. Richard Connell was fifth overall having just taken
care of class D by a whisker from Andy Thompson. Mike Watson was ruefully watching his early season good form slip away with fuel pressure problems Ron Davidson took class C fastest commenting
that "there's more to come from the car by making it lighter". Likely new champion Neil Smith wrapped up class E with Roger Donnan providing the competition in an
Alfa 33. Tony Soper's sideways antics at Old Hall suggested he had fitted rear wheel drive to his 164 whilst poor Jon Goodwin found the pace literally to hot when his Ferrari Mondial burst in to
flames at Fosters and by the time he made it back to the pits it was a fierce blaze that took five extinguishers to control.
To the race, and a purposeful Birley took the lead past the pits and Scott went with him staying very close and threatening to
pounce. After a few tries he took the inside line out of Fosters, exiting faster than Julian but the power of the 75 told and they went through the subsequent kink before touching. This was
enough to throw Julian off balance and across the grass to retirement. Graham headed for the win with a big lead over Giovanni who took a jubilant second.
 Third place saw a good tussle between Mark Pollard and Andy Thompson with the Minari heading home for the final
podium position. Another good dice was Soper versus Griffiths. Mike Watson limped round for enough points to secure the championship class win. Ron Davidson took class C and we were able to crown a new
champion when Neil Smith took yet another class win with his Fiat Uno. Congratulations. A huge thank you to our sponsors Stuart and Margaret Cumming at Le Mans Motorsport, supporters, friends and to
everyone who has got out there and raced in 2001.
( By Peter Collins )
POINTS
Any outstanding jokers were applied at Oulton. Neil Smith proved uncatchable for the championship and his domination of class E saw him end the year with 377 points. Andy Thompson
had the misfortune of meeting stiff opposition in class D in the form of Gary Buckland and latterly Richard Connell but he came through to take the class D cup and second overall with 352
points from Gary Buckland who ended the year second in class D and third overall. Class C fell to Ron Davidson, who with 339 points could have won the championship overall had he not
missed two rounds. Mike Watson just held on to class B from Kevin Griffiths whilst class A saw Graham Scott the eventual victor. Graham's Corse Stratos has now been class champion with
three different drivers. Class winners can receive their trophies at the BRSCC dinner dance in January (see BRSCC news for booking details). AutoItalia trophies to 1st, 2nd & 3rd in class will be
presented at the Alfa / AutoItalia dinner dance at the Reigate Manor Hotel on 26th Jan 2002. Winners of the £500 cash prize for the "Tramontina Team Challenge" are "Rare", for drivers Julian
Birley and Andy Thomson.
NEWS
Don't forget the winter Italian races, November 11th, 18th and 25th. Call Vicki at the BRSCC for entry forms (Tel 01732-848884)
|
