12 months ago near enough to the day we all decamped to deepest darkest Durham, and got our kicks off the A66, as Barford held its second world final.
Fresh from the plaudits it didn't earn in its presentation in 2004, its second attempt was better, but no frills. With the Vicar in the comm box with a laptop full of "comedy" sound effects, and with the ultra reliable Richard Kaleta on gee up duties, which with the two clear camps, the ABM folk or the girls in moooooooo-die cow print onesies. Cue sound effect of a cow from the vicar, or in Barfords gone by, one of the pit marshalls...
Nice touches included the parade of former champions, including octogenerian Roy Goodman, who was presented with the opportunity to turn back the clock as he started alongside Jelle Kurstjens (H19) in the Polley Hire car. Getting a bit keen, he pulled off before it got too tasty.
The opening corner saw both pole sitter John Dowson (494) and Barry Goldin (401) get away cleanly, however furthest travelled, Cornishman Liam Rowe (605) drove over the concrete cowpat, and got some serious airtime which took out a few cars, but more importantly a yellow flag, sorted the field out. Whilst Micky Brennan (968) had taken over the running, it was clear and apparent that all eyes were on the feuding greats Rob Speak (218) and Gordon Moodie (7) weren't going to play fair, much to the rapture of the crowd. Speak started goading the Scotsman to get him to hit him. The crowd went wild.
Brennan was the first to break, taking Dowson and Goldin for company. Dowson fell away and Goldin landed the blows on Brennan, but couldn't shift the plucky driver. Meanwhile the chasing pack of Bradbury (886), George Macmillan (100) and Paul Ford (888) were joined by Moodie and Speak, however, following a telling blow, the #7 car was left crippled. As another caution came along, liquid was falling out of the Moodie RCE. He soon pulled off but Speak joined in the scrap developing up front. Sadly, Mike Green (115) stopped him in his tracks and that was the end of the multi champ. Meanwhile, the lead was changing every corner. Goldin, Brennan, Bradbury and Macmillan traded blows, but as Brennan lost going into the corner, he gained a good gap between Macmillan and Bradbury, and gained 2 car lengths. A crucial move which gave him the gold. Once the post race scruitineering, Macmillan was disqualified for a ballast technicality, which elevated 3rd place to local lad Sam Wagner (823)
Video courtesy of Stevie1C1....
No comments:
Post a Comment