1990

Harry Sayell at Speed

In what was the wettest Grand Prix Midget World Final for many years, Harry Sayell stormed home to take the title at Alwalton Raceway on September 30. Five continental drivers made the trip including Hans Janssen, Stephen Kunzel, Klaus Kilianski and Keltjers being rated favourites after their excellent showings in the European Championships.

Time trials took place on a damp track in the morning and this was reflected in the times. Top continental driver was Klaus Kilianski with 4th on the grid with a time of 1 9.1 0 seconds. David Shreeve as third with 19.04, whilst Harry Sayell was second with 18.87. Pole position went to Kevin Stanford almost last to go out, finding slightly drier conditions he put in a time of 18.84. The race was a wet one, with the most part taking place in a steady drizzle. Harry Sayell was first to the first bend but the race was immediately red flagged' ~""hen Janssen snapped a drives haft on the grid.

The re-start saw Harry into the lead again however and whilst Stanford and Kiliaski gave chase, neither were in a position to challenge. Lap 6 saw Stanford spin out of contention and whilst the two cars were lapping quickly into the tail end of the field Kilianski was still not posing a threat. Lap 23 saw Kilianski's demise how¬ever when he picked up a lot of unwanted revs after hitting a puddle and also broke a drives haft. After this no-one was in a position to challenge and Sayell consolidated his position by lapping the whole ofthe field by lap 36 of the 40. Peter Shreeve drove well to hold second whilst Long running in 4th behind Dave Wesbroom was also forced to retire with a broken rosejoint. As the race drew to a close, Dave Wesbroom managed to reel in and pass Peter Shreeve for second and McGivern in the Sinclair Arrow pulled up to 4th.

So at the flag Harry Sayell was a full lap clear of second placed Dave Wesbroom and third placed Peter Shreeve.

Alwalton's own East of England Championship was next for the Midgets with Kilianski the eventual winner ahead of Dave Wesbroom and Kevin Stanford. Peter Shreeve and David Shreeve in 4th and 5th. Harry Sayell starting at the very rear of the field, finishing 6th. The Best in Europe Challenge also went to Kilianski, with P Shreeve second and Gordon Pooley a well deserved third.

As Short Circuit goes to print, the Grand Prix Midgets formula has just one fixture left in their Driver's Championship. Harry Sayell having his best ever season has the Driver's Championship under his belt with a 72 point lead over second place.

The rest of the Championship is far from settled however and will go down to the very last race to be decided. John Western and Dave Wesbroom tie for second place with John Western marginally the higher on averages. David Shreeve has leapt into 4th place just 3 points behind second, with Kevin Stanford in 5th, himself only 9 points behind second. Even 6th place Duncan Long is only 22 points behind second and is still in with a shout. So the Ringwood meeting looks to be a very exciting one.

Harry Sayell having won the World Championship at Alwalton on September 30 will be carrying the prestigious gold fin for the meeting and will have to start behind all comers from now on, regardless of engine cc's. With Klaus Kilianski winner of Alwalton's East of England and Best in Europe challenges, thinking of joining the Club at Ringwood it looks like a nail biting finish to a very competitive season's racing.