2000

Round 7 saw Rob Sayell extend his lead in the Image Wheels driver's championship taking both Heat One and the Gerald Smith Memorial Final. Anthony Brewer continued his success from Ringwood two weeks earlier with a win in Heat Two.

Brewer led from the first lap on heat one chased hard by Peter Bourn but their comfortable lead was when the race was stopped when Bourn spun being stranded across the racing line on the city bend. The race was restarted in lap sheet order with Neil Clarke passing Brewer for the as soon the flag was waved on lap 7. But Clarke's glory was short-lived and he was in turn passed by Sayell one lap later at mid distance. Sayell took a comfortable win with Clarke second, Brewer third and Gary Jones 4th. Chris Phillips followed Andrew Bilby for 6th with Brian Gough 7th, John Bilby collected the last of the points in 8th.

Heat Two gave the closest finish of the day - Brewer led from lap one and was shadowed throughout by Peter Bourn taking 1st and 2nd places. But any one of three different drivers could have taken third place. Gary Granger had resisted the attentions of Rob Sayell for 10 laps allowing Neil Clarke to join the fray in turn putting Sayell under pressure. A final dash around the last corner saw Sayell ahead of Granger by just a nosecone as they crossed the line, with Clarke on Granger's tailpipe in third. Excellent spectator racing!

Anthony Brewer again took an early lead in the final demoting Phillips on lap 2. Gordon Pooley driving Andrew Hinch's car held second for 4 laps but Sayell eventually passed him on lap 10 and hit the front one lap later. Pooley's engine expired shortly after being demoted to third allowing Bourn to move up. Brewer held on for second with Bourn holding off Clarke for third with Andrew Bilby and Gary Jones 5th and 6th ahead of John Bilby and youngster Chris Phillips in the points for the second time that day.

Former series leader Mark Hodges picked up damage in heat one after glancing the armco, finished 8th in heat two and missed the final. Two victories and a third place saw Sayell Junior extend his series lead from just 2 to 26 points and Clarke's consistent scoring further demoted Hodges to third in the Image Wheels Series.

Heat One 10 Rob Sayell, 77 Neil Clarke, 48 Tony Brewer, 72 Gary Jones, 16 Andrew Bilby, 12 Chris Phillips, 44 Brian Gough, 61 John Bilby, 40 Gary Lennox Heat Two, 48 Tony Brewer, 88 Peter Bourne, 10 Rob Sayell, 25 Gary Granger, 77 Neil Clarke, 33 Gordon Pooley, 16 Andrew Bilby, 5 Mark Hodges, 72 Gary Jones, 61 John Bilby, 11 Steve Piggins, 12 Chris Phillips, 44 Brian Gough, 40 Gary Lennox

Gerald Smith Final, 10 Rob Sayell, 48 Tony Brewer, 88 Peter Bourne, 77 Neil Clarke, 16 Andrew Bilby, 72 Gary Jones, 61 John Bilby, 12 Chris Phillips, 44 Brian Gough, 11 Steve Piggins, 40 Gary Lennox

MIDGET NEWS:

Steve Piggins debuted his new car at the weekend - a front-engined Dastle design with a Peugeot engine. The whole car was built and race going for around £1,500. He enjoyed the day, which he regarded as a test session.

2nd July - Buxton - Simon Pashley Memorial The racing again consisted of several separate battles for placings. Gary Jones took victory in a wet first heat - pressured very hard in the closing stages by Gary Granger. An early collision on the back straight between Brian Gough and Neil Clarke saw Neil well down the placings. Rob Sayell was hampered by a misfire in the early stages but closed to 4th place once it cleared later in the race but not enough to challenge Hodges. Ben Pashley crashed heavily into the wall on the final bend of the first heat and may well be out for the remainder of the season.

Heat Two and the final were run in sunshine. The second heat saw John Bilby, Gary Jones and Mark Hodges all lead before Rob Sayell hit the front on lap 8. Hodges held on initially but was gradually left behind through traffic. Peter Bourn formed the meat in the sandwich between the two Garys Jones and Granger with the latter demoting Peter two laps from the end.

The final saw John Bilby lead until forced to nurse a failing diff with Gary Jones leading Bourn whilst Mark Hodges and Rob sayell battled for 3rd place. Lap 9 saw Rob Sayell hit the front, Mark Hodges going round Jones 3 laps later for 2nd but already some way down on the lead car. As Sayell pulled out a comprehensive lead from Hodges, they left behind a huge battle for 3rd place between Jones, Bourn and Granger. Rob sayell finished almost half a lap clear the first person to win the Simon Pashley Cup for the second time since its inauguration in 1994. Hodges second and moving back up to second in the Series. The battle for third raged for 9 laps however and was resolved only on the final lap as Granger took Bourn on the inside for 4th place both cars just inches behind Jones in 3rd. Andrew Bilby had been quietly minding his own business to take 6th place. John Bilby surviving for 7th with Brian Gough picking up the final points in 8th place.

Heat One: 72 Gary Jones, 25 Gary Granger, 5 Mark Hodges, 10 Rob Sayell, 16 Andrew Bilby, 88 Peter Bourn, 11 Steve Piggins, 77 Neil Clarke, 61 John Bilby, 44 Brian Gough

Heat Two: 10 Rob Sayell, 5 Mark Hodges, 72 Gary Jones, 25 Gary Granger, 88 Peter Bourn, 16 Andrew Bilby, 61 John Bilby, 44 Brian Gough.

Simon Pashley Memorial Cup: 10 Rob Sayell, 5 Mark Hodges, 72 Gary Jones, 25 Gary Granger, 88 Peter Bourn, 16 Andrew Bilby, 61 John Bilby, 44 Brian Gough.