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20th April, Alwalton,
Ace Communications Shield
Report by Gavin Terry
John Salter made it a race win double, winning
the second heat and the Ace Communications Shield final at
Peterborough on 20th April. The first meeting of the 2003
season saw a turnout of 15 cars, although Andy Collins' new
"Gazelle" had clutch trouble in practice and did not make
any of the races. The meeting also saw the long awaited debut
of Evan Stone's "Cheetah", Brian Gough in the European Championship
winning Fireball, as well as the two 16 valve cars of Gary
Granger and Gary Jones. Mark Hodges was also reunited with
one of his old Arrows.
The first heat saw Harold Lowe take a convincing
win from the back of the reds, with Andy Smith 2nd and Andrew
Bilby 3rd. Alan Buckland and Brian Gough clashed wheels which
resulted in neither being able to take any further part in
the meeting. Gary Granger also retired with suspected head
gasket problems.
The second race was a victory for John Salter,
followed over the line by Harold Lowe, Mark Hodges, Andy Smith,
Gordon Pooley and Peter Bourn, these six being less than a
straight apart at the chequered flag. Heat two also saw Neil
Clarke retire with gearbox problems in his Stealth.
Ten cars gridded for the Ace Communications
Shield final, with Andy Smith the early leader. John Salter
stormed into the lead on lap 3, but was chased down firstly
by Gordon Pooley who spun after going wide on the City bend.
Then by Harold Lowe, but despite numerous attempts John Salter
held on to take his second race win of the day and with it
the Ace Communications Shield. Harold Lowe followed John over
the line for 2nd, from Peter Bourn, Andy Smith, Andy Hinch,
Andrew Bilby and Evan Stone who had a good debut meeting finishing
all three races in the points.
Heat 1: 1st Harold Lowe, 2nd Andrew Smith,
3rd Andrew Bilby, 4th Mark Hodges, 5th Neil Clarke, 6th Evan
Stone. NOF
Heat 2: 1st John Salter, 2nd Harold Lowe,
3rd Mark Hodges, 4th Andrew Smith, 5th Gordon Pooley, 6th
Peter Bourn, 7th Andrew Bilby, 8th Evan Stone. NOF
Ace Communications Final: 1st John Salter,
2nd Harold Lowe, 3rd Peter Bourn, 4th Andrew Smith, 5th Andrew
Bilby, 6th Andrew Hinch, 7th Evan Stone. NOF
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