Nick shows the Roots to Superstox success
JUST weeks after returning from Ipswich as the new East Anglian Superstox champion, youngster Nick Roots has upset the traditional order by adding the Southern Championship title to his growing reputation.
Third generation racer Nick, from the Roots family dynasty of drivers, upstaged even his experienced father Chris, as he crossed the line first in the final on Sunday at the Aldershot Raceway.
The outcome could have been so very different, with another local driver, Dave Miles, with his experimental Ford Zetec engine dominating the earlier heats.
After leading for most of the race, Miles was nudged aside to come home a close second in the first heat. Chasing hard, Nick Roots was third.
Miles went one better the second time out, storming into the lead early on, and then holding his nerve to the chequered flag. With Nick out of contention, maintaining the family honour, Dad Chris Roots charged through the field from the superstars division to claim fourth.
Ultimately, when it came to the afternoon’s 25 lap final, youth triumphed over experience.
Racing from the yellow grade, Miles was again very quickly challenging for the lead. Nick Roots meanwhile was close behind, putting in the bumper, to legally take out his rivals.
Maintaining the preferred inside line around the circuit, Roots picked off cars with consummate ease, to get into third position after just five laps.
By half way, Roots was nibbling at the bumper of Miles, and within two laps had edged ahead.
When the leader then made a mistake and went wide on the pit bend with just five laps to go, Roots calmly took his chance and snuck through. With his nose in front, he powered on to take his second trophy in a matter of months.
On his victory lap, a beaming Roots was asked after winning the East Anglian and now the Southern titles, what was next?
“Well the World Final is at Wimbledon Raceway at the start of October. That would be nice”, he joked.
Aldershot Raceway has a busy four formula bill this Sunday headlined by the 2-litre stock cars racing for their English Championship.
The National Bangers have a speciality SUV/4x4 event including a Destruction Derby, whilst the Domestic Bangers will fight it out in round eight of the Think Ford League.
The youngsters in the Ninja Karts close out the meeting.
Racing starts at 1pm and turnstiles open at 11am.