Speak Swipes Barford Qualifier

Barford reports and it's not Wrighty for once, first time reporter Dave Crossman reports from a blistering Barford....

Who said Barford's gone to the dogs? Or Something like that

It was a sunny morning when we set off for my first trip to Barford since the 2004 world final , as it is one of the more local tracks since we moved to East Yorkshire . What should of been a 2 hour trip was made longer by someone having there own bit of caravan chaos by leaving it on it's side over 2 lanes of the A1(M).

On arrival it was dry, but windy and thinking "bugger should of not worn shorts"! The program left a lot to the imagination no driver list or race order !!!! .

We started with the white and yellow race which was won by David Parker (934) 

Next up was the 1st heat for the 2's and what a race it was there was an early clash which saw Paul Prest (49) being pushed sideways halfway down the back straight. When the race started to settle, Charlie Whitfield (301) (with a very dodgy roof is it red or blue ?) and Bobby Griffin (866) battling for the lead. Then they were joined by John Dowson (494) and Marc Fortune (64). With 3 to go 494 takes the lead onto the last bend and all hell breaks loose 301 64 and 886 all end up in the plating leaving 494 to take the win. Dave Pannett (836) took advantage to get 2nd while 866 gets back for 5th followed by 301.

Heat 2 was a quiet race with the yellows battling out the lead Carl Shield (617) leading  Luke Maw (409) until the last bend where 409 pushed his way past. and Sir Rob (218) in 3rd.

Consolation time and there was a small delay while Fortune repaired the damage from heat 1. When it got under way it turns out to be a red top benefit , after a big crash for Parker which looked like a stuck throttle leaving him with lots of damage. The race was won by Micky Brennan (968)from 888 and 64.

Time for the final all eyes were on Sir Rob who was starting outside front of the reds,it was going to be frantic with 26 cars on track.

Not sure you wanted to Parker it there

Making the Prest of the situation

There was early problems in the yellows and blues with 866 pulling off and Speak making the most of it to soon shoot up to 3rd. The race was brought under caution for Holly Glen (321) who needed attention for a broken fingernail!(Ed. please be aware Holly I have nothing to do with this!) . On the restart the order was 409, John Broatch (72) and 218 from 301 and 100. Speak soon took up the lead and then another stoppage for 617 . 2nd restart the order was 218 100 72 301 with 4 to go the last few laps ran out and 218 took the win from 100 and 301 . 

It took the tractors 20 mins to clear the 6 or so stranded cars in which time the PA played Slade "Merry Christmas Everybody"  (I am not joking ).

I did not see much of the GN as I was in the pits getting out of one of the local hot rods after being a passenger for one of there races it was won by Billy Webster (226) from 301 with Speak up to 6th from the handicap.

All in not a bad day from the 2's the support classes where lacking in numbers , and  surprisingly no Gordon Moodie (7) ?

Thanks to Dave for that report. Things certainly are spicing up. Just to let you all know, we will be reporting in from Skegness and will tell you who is where tonight.