| |
News: Snetterton Rounds 9&10 2010 Race Report
Tester takes two wins at Snetterton
With much of the season already completed, the weekend of 19/20th June saw the next instalment of the Toyo Tires Racing Saloons series take place. Snetterton was the venue in question, with a packed grid of 29 cars and two races ahead of them.
Morning practice and qualifying kicked started the action, with a wet track in practice waking everyone up. Colin Tester powered his Ford Sierra Cosworth to pole position for race one, with Rob Sadler keeping him honest alongside. The two shared the quickest time throughout the session, with Tester just gaining the advantage.
Photo: www.snappyracers.com
Race 1:
As the first race got underway, the wheel spinning duo on the front row both got an even start, as they ran side by side towards the first corner, with Tester holding the inside line. Eventually it was the Sierra Cosworth leading the way as the action began to hot up in his mirrors.
As Tester concentrated on edging away at the front, it was a battle of the red BMW’s behind, with Sadler soon coming under pressure from Roger Kneebone. After starting third on the grid Kneebone had rocketed away to latch onto the rear of Sadler’s comparable machine. As they weaved around the opening tour Kneebone saw his opportunity, demoting the BMW E36 M3 of Sadler back to third. This scrap continued for much of the 11 lap duration, with Sadler eventually stealing back his position.
As the top few battled for position, carnage struck many others in the field, with yellow flags urging everyone to slow down. Many drivers succumbed to the chaos, whilst others were lucky to avoid it.
Whilst the top three chased each other around the Norfolk-based track, Tim Sweet was hot on their tails, holding the fort in fourth place. Behind, Lawrie Dunster managed to fend off Leigh Franklin for fifth, whilst Wayne Howlett brought his BMW E36 M3 home seventh, behind Franklin.
Lawrence Ball managed a sturdy eighth place finish, whilst Tom Murphy exchanged a start from the back of the grid with a ten second penalty for a ninth place finish, much to his delight. James Hebditch rounded out the top ten, and first in Class D, in his first ever outing in the VW Scirocco. After spending time upgrading the car over the winter Hebditch enjoyed his first race of the season with his new car, and also his first race at Snetterton. Completing the ‘firsts’ theme, Adam Tindell also sampled the Snetterton tarmac for the inaugural time, finishing 25th in race one.
Race 2:
Confusion reigned as all drivers arrived in the assembly area for the start of race two, when they were told by officials where they would be starting. For reasons unknown, different positions were handed out, with Wayne Howlett being awarded pole position, whilst Tester lined up next to him in second.
More side by side action came as the lights went out, however this time Tester was sharing the tarmac with Howlett, as they thundered towards the first corner. Wet conditions made for an interesting outing, as everyone scrambled for position.
With Tester again taking the advantage ahead Howlett was left to defend from Sadler, as the BMW pilots exchanged positions. Eventually it was Howlett who held second, with Sadler third ahead of Kneebone. Sweet again had the pleasure of following Kneebone across the line in fifth, with Dunster sixth. A delighted Tester beamed: “Pole and two wins was a first for me so I’m over the moon.”
The next track encounter for the TTRS series is at Oulton Park on 24th July.
Race Report by Leanne Fahy (leannefahy@hotmail.com)
|
|
|
