Northern Ireland takes team Autotest spoils again
Ken Wharton Autotest: Alcester
Organiser: Hagley and District Light Car Club When: October 21 Where: Arrow Mill, Warwickshire Starters: 32 Northern Ireland was favourite for this year’s Ken Whorton Autotest, and the team duly chalked up its 36th win. The crew took the lead on the opening test and stayed in front all the way to the end.
For much of the day England provided the closest challenge, reducing the Ulstermen’s lead from a high point of 36s shortly after half distance to 14.7s when double NI champion Paul Mooney collected a 20s wrong test penalty. However, the home team faded on the closing tests and Ireland went ahead of them to claim runner-up position at the end, 20.1s behind the clear winners.
Malcolm Livingston took his individual lead to 7.3s over Ian White, with Paul Blair and David Thompson’s class-winning Vauxhall Nova next in line. NI’S Ashley Lamont drove his Westfield to victory in the reserves’ competition ahead of Alastair Moffatt.
Results
1 Northern Ireland (Paul Mooney; Robin Lyons; Paul Blair; Mark King) 2264.5s; 2 Republic of Ireland (Ian White; Chris Grimes; Timmy Lynch; David Thompson) +20.1s; 3 England (Malcolm Livingston; Dave Mosey; Richard Pinkney; Mark Thornton); 4 Scotland (Stuart Perren; Mike Biss; Willie Keaning; Warren Gillespie); 5 Wales (Dave Evans; Ash Slights; John Moffatt; Dafydd Roberts).
Individuals: 1 Malcolm Livingston (Lindsay Special) 546.2s; 2 Ian White (Mini Special) +7.3s; 3 Paul Blair (Striker); 4 David Thompson (Vauxhall Nova); 5 Dave Mosey (Mini); 6 Richard Pinkney (Caterham); 7 Mark King (Nova); 8 Paul Mooney (Mini-nova Special); 9 Robin Lyons (Mini); 10 Chris Grimes (Mini); 11 Timmy Lynch (Westfield); 12 John Moffatt (Westfield). Class winners: Mosey; Thompson; Blair; White.
Reserves: 1 Ashley Lamont (Westfield) 547.9s; 2 Alastair Moffatt (Mini Special) +7.5s; 3 Chris Chapman (Striker); 4 Peter Grimes (Mini); 5 Steven Ferguson (Mini-nova Special); 6 Guy Foster (Mini Special). Class winners: Peter Grimes; Jamie Mcmillan (Nova); Lamont; Alastair Moffatt.