ROBERTS LEAVES IT LATE TO QUALIFY
BRISCA F1
Organiser: Startrax When: June 30 Where: Belle Vue, Manchester Starters: 36.
Before the last World Championship qualifying round at Belle Vue on Sunday, Karl Roberts was 63rd in the points list. A heat and final double earned him enough points to make the top 48 drivers who go through to the semi-finals to be held at Sheffield and Buxton in August.
Sam Jacklin grabbed the lead from the drop of the green with Terry Hawkins and Roberts behind. As the trio exchanged places, seemingly on every turn, Will Hunter was slicing his way through the field and gaining on the leaders.
As Hunter got within striking distance, he was involved in a tangle with Sam Makim which damaged Hunter’s front end and forced him out of the race. Makim rolled his machine.
On the restart, Roberts punted Hawkins wide and held on for the victory. Mark Gilbank came from the pack to claim second while Craig Finnikin barged his way into third on the final turn.
Roberts said: “It was a great race between me, Hawkins and Jacklin at the start and, after the restart, I had to make my move. The car felt good and it was a case of not making any mistakes, I could see Gilbank in my mirror but I just needed to focus on what I was doing and not let him catch me.”
Second-placed man Gilbank, who was making a rare appearance at Belle Vue, said afterwards: “My car was good at the start of the race when the track was wet, but when it dried out I just didn’t have the same drive out of the corners, but it is not a bad result considering I don’t race here often and it is a few more qualifying points.
Credit to Roberts though, he drove a great race.”
Frankie Wainman Jr tops the points chart and has earned the right to choose which semi-final he will start in. At present he has yet to make that decision.
Result
1 Karl Roberts; 2 Mark Gilbank; 3 Craig Finnikin; 4 Frankie Wainman Jr; 5 Mat Newson; 6 Terry Hawkins; 7 Billy Johnson; 8 John Lund; 9 Danny Wainman; 10 Liam Gilbank.