2000

Round 5 of the GP Midget Image Wheels Series had three different winners from a 15-car grid. Gary Piper won Heat One, Anthony Brewer took his new car to victory in Heat Two and new World Champion, Rob Sayell took championship lead after winning the Bill Boarer Memorial final.

Gary Piper took the lead from Chris Phillips on lap 2 of race one and was over half a lap clear at the flag so far in front in fact that Gary Granger and many spectators thought he had won. Anthony Brewer had held second place for 10 laps but was rapidly demoted from 2nd to 6th on lap 11 of 15 by a train of cars including Gary Granger, Mark Hodges, Rob Sayell and Neil Clarke. Allen Herbert didn't make it much beyond the warm up laps with what appears to be a broken crankshaft and Doug Cronk pulled off on lap 1. At the other end of the field a number of individual races were fought for the lower placings making one wonder if 8 places are actually enough when it comes to points. Gary Piper

Heat Two saw Anthony Brewer take up the running from Doug Cronk on lap 3 rapidly pulling clear of the field. As As local lads Doug Cronk and Clive Sillence did battle over second place at the front, Rob Sayell was making rapid progress through the field, up to second on lap 6. Again Anthony Brewer had built up a very wide lead but Rob was closing in and Anthony having spotted Sayell in his mirrors was a little relieved when the flag dropped. Meanwhile Neil Clarke successfully resisting a 7 lap challenge from Mark Hodges for 3rd place the two sprinting to the line for a very close finish. Even closer was the finish between Andrew Bilby and Andrew Hinch for 5th place only a matter of inches in it.

The 20 lap final saw Anthony Brewer again the early leader passing Doug Cronk Cronk and newcomer Steve Summers in the Evo Ford to take up the lead on lap 3. But Rob Sayell was again finding all sorts of grip moving up to 2nd on lap 7 and already on the same straight as the leader; when the race was brought under caution on lap 10 following a coming together by Mark Hodges and Gary Jones. The latter was left stranded on the racing line and Mark Hodges retired to the infield a few yards further on, Gary Granger also caught up in the melé and losing ground to the lead pack. Rob Sayell over took Anthony Brewer soon after the restart and took the flag, as well as his first ever Ringwood victory, 8 laps later. Anthony Brewer held on for 2nd., with Neil Clarke 3rd from Andrew Bilby, Steve Summers and Gary Granger.

Heat one: 1st Gary Piper, 2nd Gary Granger, 3rd Mark Hodges, 4th Rob Sayell, 5th Neil Clarke, 6th Tony Brewer, 7th Andrew Hinch, 8th Andrew Bilby, 9th Clive Sillence, 10th Gary Jones, 11th Steve Summers, 12th Peter Bourn, 13th Chris Phillips. Heat two: 1st Tony Brewer, 2nd Rob Sayell, 3rd Neil Clarke, 4th Mark Hodges, 5th Andrew Bilby, 6th Andrew Hinch, 7th Gary Jones, 8th Clive Sillence, 9th Doug Cronk, 10th Steve Summers, 11th Chris Phillips. Bill Boarer Memorial: 1st Rob Sayell, 2nd Tony Brewer, 3rd Neil Clarke, 4th Andrew Bilby, 5th Steve Summers, 6th Gary Granger, 7th Doug Cronk, 8th Clive Sillence, 9th Chris Phillips.

MIDGET PIT NEWS:

The Rapid Orange Team made their Grand Prix Midget debut at the weekend with Steve Summers piloting the very attractive Loseby Evo Ford. Summers, a former British Kart Champion, enjoyed the outing immensely preferring the car to both the Legends and Rebel formulae previously tried. Summers found the racing fast and visibility good - and was pleased with the car's performance. He is now considering buying a car if he can sell his kart.

Mark Hodges was sidelined with suspension damage after a collision Gary Jones on the Bill Boarer Memorial and this cost him the championship lead losing a potential 12 points to rival Rob Sayell. Collins meanwhile was forced to watch his 4th place in the championship go to Gary Granger. Collins was sidelined from the meeting after his Dastle was written off in a roll over at the East of England Championships 2 weeks earlier.

Gary Piper had his first success of the season in his new car - the ex Steve Piggins VW Van Diemen. Piggins is close to finishing his new build but has been severely handicapped after the theft of his tools not once but twice in a matter of months.