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13th July, Swaffham,
Gerald Smith Memorial
report by Gavin Terry
Harold Lowe won the
Gerald Smith Memorial trophy at Swaffham on Sunday 13th July,
taking the lead just three laps from the end. The trophy was
presented by Trudy Smith and her fiancé Rob Sayell, in the
memory of Trudy's late father who was a keen competitor in
the formula. The meeting saw a healthy turn out of 17 cars,
clearly many drivers were taking the opportunity to prepare
for the World Championship taking place at Swaffham on the
30th and 31st of August. Both Brian Gough and Andy Collins
managed to get their cars out after early season mechanical
difficulties. John Salter also turned up to boost car numbers
despite damage to his engines inlet valves.
Race one was won by
Gary Bonner after a flying restart, after a collision between
Gordon Pooley and Peter Bourn caused the pace car to be brought
out. Dave Smith also did well to cling on to second place
having led for some of the race and coming under pressure
in the closing stages. He was followed over the line by Andy
Hinch, Daz Rycroft, Neil Clarke, Steve Terry, Gary Granger,
and Mark Hodges.
Local driver Gordon
Pooley won the second race, after he was able to keep the
bunched up reds at bay. Alan Buckland also did well coming
from the middle of a large pack of red graders to eventually
take 4th. Gordon was followed over the line by Gary Granger,
Harold Lowe, Alan Buckland, Andy Collins, Steve Terry, Mark
Hodges and Dave Smith, who rounded off the top eight.
The Gerald Smith Memorial
trophy final saw good starts from both Andy Hinch and Andy
Collins. However it was Harold Lowe and Gordon Pooley who
were able to fly through the field quickly, eventually passing
initial leader Steve Terry. However a spin from Steve Terry
caused Gordon Pooley and Gary Bonner to take avoiding action
and also spin, which in turn brought out the pace car, closing
up the cars once more. Without the presence of Gordon in his
mirrors Harold was able to pull away on the restart to take
the win. Andy Hinch and Andy Collins who had had an intense
battle with each other for most of the race followed him over
the line. With Alan Buckland, Andrew Bilby, Daz Rycroft and
a recovering Gordon Pooley rounding off the point's finishers.
Race 1 1st Gary Bonner,
2nd Dave Smith, 3rd Andrew Hinch, 4th Daz Rycroft, 5th Neil
Clarke, 6th Steve Terry, 7th Gary Granger, 8th Mark Hodges,
9th Alan Buckland, 10th Andrew Bilby.
Race 2 1st Gordon Pooley,
2nd Gary Granger, 3rd Harold Lowe, 4th Alan Buckland, 5th
Andy Collins, 6th Steve Terry, 7th Mark Hodges, 8th Dave Smith,
9th Andrew Bilby, 10th Neil Clarke
Gerald Smith Memorial
1st Harold Lowe, 2nd Andrew Hinch, 3rd Andy Collins, 4th Alan
Buckland, 5th Andrew Bilby, 6th Daz Rycroft, 7th Gordon Pooley,
8th Mark Hodges
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