2007

Coventry's Steve Young won this year's British Championship in tricky conditions on Sunday.

Steve who raced F2 stock cars and Alwalton Superstox before joining the Grand Prix Midgets in 2005 finds the Dastle very easy to drive but feels it could do with more power "A switch to Michelin tyres this year seems to be an improvement. I think it could do with a lot more inside weight to be competitive". Steve is something of a rain master and the track was wet following a downpour two races earlier making it ideal for Steve's Dastle and suited his smooth driving style.

Neil Clarke had made all the early running however leading from lap 1 through to 16 with Cliff Bunn is contention to the halfway mark before Steve Young overtook him on lap 10. The race came under caution just before mid distance when several cars tripped over each other on the start finish straight including what might have been considered the favourite at one time Jason Carnwell. The wet conditions apparently not suiting the European Champion Jason having made heavy weather of the race to that point still down in 8th on lap 8 of 20.

Steve Young demoted Neil Clarke with 4 laps to go and Alan Buckland took up third from Cliff Bunn a lap later. Steve took a comfortable and popular win ahead of Neil who held onto second from Alan Buckland with Cliff Bunn retaining fourth.

The meeting was the last qualifying round for the World Championship which takes place on July 21st at Ipswich. Jason Carnwell made sure of his pole position place with wins in both supporting dry heats. Gordon Pooley and Harry Sayell had a now customary battle for second and third in the first of the heats Jason Carnwell leaving it to lap 13 before passing them both around the outside in one corner. Dave Smith was the fourth driver to lead the second heat when he took up the running on lap 11 of 15 but despite a valiant effort fell prey to the Cheetah with 2 laps to go; Jonathan Pooley leading his father home for third and fourth.

Both heats were dramatic with failed suspension on Gary Bonner's car firing him into the wall in heat one and a spin by Neil Clarke launching Gary Granger high into the air in heat two. All three drivers were unhurt, Gary Bonner's car received substantial damage but Clarke and Granger's cars received mostly superficial damage. (Photos by Matt Bull from the meeting including the above incidents are available on www.racepixels.com.uk)

The meeting also saw Daniel Pooley's Midget debut. The former Junior Mini champion and Stock Rod driver drove his father's Dastle fitted with a Vauxhall engine.

Anne Sayell