HOT RODS Waller-barrett takes Euro crown

Carl Waller-barrett took the European Championship win at Lochgelly, holding off a fast-charging Chris Haird over the closing laps.

Alistair Lowe led the first heat from Chris Haird and Jamie Mccurdy. Haird was soon through to take up the running. Mccurdy and Rob Mcdonald clashed, leaving Mcdonald with a puncture and retiring while Haird cruised to victory.

In the second heat, Layton Milsom led but was quickly challenged by Billy Bonnar. Bonnar then took up the running from Milsom, with Terry Hunn in his Mazda dropping into third.

Glen Bell led the final heat but he had David Casey and Derek Martin chasing him. These three opened up a gap over the rest of the field, staying nose-to-tail for most of the race. Casey was just unable to find a way around Bell.

A second and a fifth in the heats had done enough for Waller-barrett to secure pole. However, with Haird alongside and Kym Weaver and Bell on row two, it was never going to be easy.

The first start ended in tears after Waller-barrett, Haird and Bell all tried going into the first bend together, with the pack following behind a massive pile-up ensued.

Waller-barrett headed the pack at the restart from Bell, Haird and Weaver. Weaver soon found his way past Haird to take up third, while WallerBarrett opened a gap at the front.

Weaver’s race ended when something broke on the car and that brought out the yellows. At the restart, Waller-barrett again opened up a gap from Bell, who was now being hounded by Haird.

Bell let Haird through to chase after WallerBarrett and, with 15 laps to go, Haird caught the leader. It was not until the last couple of laps that Haird was close enough to try a look around the outside but, with chequered flag out, WallerBarrett had driven a faultless race to take the title.

Heat one:

Heat three: