FIRST CITROEN C 124 HOUR RACE PRAISED BY ELITE

Forty-nine cars took part in inaugural 24 hour event at rockingham

Leading figures in British motorsport have praised the C1 Challenge after it held its first UK 24-hour race, also the first race of that duration held at Rockingham.

A total of 32 Citroens competed in a three-hour overspill race, which was put in especially as demand outweighed grid space in the 24 Hours. Poorboys Racing won the race of 91 laps.

The 24 Hours started 49 cars, with Team C’est La Vie taking the victory with a line-up of Robin Welsh, James Macintyre-ure, Paul Dickinson, Chris Chadwick, and Matt Maxted.

The team won by two laps, with an average speed of 54.34mph.

Among the entries was British Touring Car Championship boss Alan Gow, World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx and his FIA Formula 4-racing son, Seb, and BTCC race winner Rob Austin.

Gow said: “This event really appealed to me from the moment I found out about it. It is a no pressure weekend and the cars are great fun to drive. It is costeffective and there is no reason why this can’t continue to grow and be a success. I am gutted we didn’t win though…”

Austin credited the championship as a way to bring people into motorsport and the grassroots.

“I can’t imagine the number of newcomers who were at Rockingham – what a way to start a racing career. The atmosphere was brilliant and we have already started planning our return,” he

Priaulx backed the club feel of the event, adding: “I started in club racing and people are so nice, there is a lot of respect: this is everything that professional motorsport isn’t and perhaps it’s what top level racing has lost.”