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29
May 1988 - Peterborough, British Championship
report by Dave Cox from Short Circuit, July 1988
The Grand
Prix Midgets visit to Peterborough for the Budget Raceway
sponsored British Championship on May 29th proved a useful
practice session for Basil Craske in preparation for the World
Championship, to be held at the same venue later in the season.
Craske retained the title he won at Ringwood last year in
very convincing manner.
The best
turn out of the year, so far, saw eighteen cars line up for
the 25 lap British Championship and it was Steve Jobson, returning
after a three year lay off who led the field away. Jobson's
glory was short lived as Mike Fowler took over with the Retchles
brothers Philip and Marcus in pursuit. Fowler was beginning
to open up a lead but star men Harry Lowe and Craske were
making rapid progress through the pack, quickly disposing
of the Retchless brothers to go second and third. Lowe and
Craske soon caught Fowler for a hectic dice for the lead which
was resolved when Fowler spun taking out Lowe in the process.
Craske slipped through unscathed for an unchallenged run to
the chequered flag. The demise of Fowler and Harry L left
a frantic battle for second between Marcus Retchless, Harry
Sayell, John Lowe, Anthony Brewer and current silver top David
Wesbroom. Marcus Retchless doggedly held on to second place
as positions behind him changed from lap to lap with the eventual
finishing order Craske, Marcus Retchless, John Lowe, Brewer
whilst Wesbroom pipped Sayell on the line for fifth.
The supporting
races were both run on a wet track. Craske winning the first
by a comfortable half lap margin. Jobson was cming to terms
with Dermott McGivern's De-Dion Special only losing second
place to a hard charging John Lowe on the final lap. Wesbroom
was fourth ahead of Brewer and Marcus Retchless.
Track
conditions for the final deteriorated rapidly although Jobson
was revelling in them opening up a substantial lead in the
early stages. Craske on this occasion failed to finish and
after a slow start it was Anthony Brewer who was the fastest
man on the track, coming through to take the lead on lap 12
of 15. However on the following lap with conditions now atrocious
and with Sayell and Paul Rogders tangled up in the middle
of the track the race was red flagged. Brewer taking his first
win of the season ahead of Jobson, Marcus Retchless, Wesbroom,
Harry Lowe and John Lowe.
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