STERKENS LEADS THE BELGIAN INVASION AT LYDDEN HILL
A trio of barnstorming Belgians blitzed the best of British opposition at the second round of the Lydden Hill Winter Rallycross series on Saturday when Jos Sterkens, Bart Coninx and
Peter Byloos finished 1-2-3 in the Superfinal.
It could have been a very different story if the Brits had not been stricken with such a high rate of attrition. John Cross managed to complete just the first practice session before his Lancia Stratos was loaded up again, Chris Scott suffered a front suspension failure on his Suzuki Swift and the spectacular Vincent Bristow popped a rear tyre on his BMW 328.
Sadly, Tristan Ovenden, the winner of last month’s opening round of the
Lydden Winter Rallycross series, was a non-starter this time as his
Clio’s 3.5 V6 engine was being refurbished in Julian Godfrey’s workshop.
Fred Ling suffered the most critical retirement when he was forced to pull out while leading the Superfinal for the 10 fastest drivers.
Ling was a clear candidate for pole position after he had won all three heats and the final for the Over
1600cc category with a feisty two-litre Ford Fiesta prepared by himself and his dad Dave, a former regular rallycross frontrunner.
The SEAT Ibiza of Coninx, Ling’s class rival, was in the centre of the front row alongside former European Championship contender Sterkens, now 65, who had qualified from the Retro category with his purposeful, highwinged, Zetec-powered Ford Escort Mk1.
Rear-wheel drive helped Sterkens surge ahead at the start but Ling was much quicker in the corners and on the opening lap he drew alongside at the hairpin, outbraked the Belgian at Paddock Bend and then swept around the outside to seize the lead. But then it was all over for the Brit as he pulled off the track after only one lap.
Sterkens raced on to take a narrow victory over Coninx, Byloos and Bristow, undoubtedly the greatest showman of the day, who wore his tyres down to the canvas.
Winners
Over 1600cc Final: Fred Ling (Ford Fiesta) Up to 1600cc Final: Tomasz Wielgosz (Peugeot 106) Classic & Retro Final: Jos Sterkens (Ford Escort Mk1) Juniors Final: Abbie Mcguinness (VW Lupo)