GINETTA G40 CUP
Two championship protagonists going into the final race tied on points. An outside contender in with a shot of the title. A last-lap pass and then re-pass deciding where the accolade would go.
The only way the 2019 Ginetta G40 Cup script could have been even more dramatic is if the final pass had taken place on the last corner instead of the penultimate.
Not that it mattered, as it was still a highly fitting end to an incredible season and come the podium celebrations the embrace between Chris Salkeld and Rob Keogh was testament to a hard-fought and respectful championship battle.
“This means the world to me,” said an emotional Salkeld after claiming the title.
“At the beginning of the year, after Oulton Park and Snetterton, I never thought it would come to this. The fightback has been sensational. I’ve come back from 50 points behind and to take it on the penultimate corner on the last lap of the last race is incredible.”
Salkeld was the man to beat heading into the meeting and held a slender points advantage over Keogh with Daniel Morris an outside contender.
Keogh, the 2015 GRDC+ champion, used his years of experience to take pole for the first two races before romping to the win in the opening race along with the fastest lap, which put him three points to the good over Salkeld.
“Until it’s the last race I’m not really thinking about it [the championship], I’m not doing the maths,” he said.
Salkeld had to settle for third which ended a run of eight consecutive finishes in the top two. He’d lost the runner-up spot to Morris three laps from home after his bonnet partially came up, blocking his view and meaning he decided to play it safe. It was an approach that was ultimately to prove crucial.
In race two Morris led the way and as Keogh looked for a way through, he ran wide at the Fogarty Esses giving second to Salkeld. It meant heading into the final race both Keogh and Salkeld were tied on points with the driver finishing ahead becoming champion. Neither could afford not to finish however, as poleman Morris was still in with an outside chance of taking the title.
Keogh’s title aspirations almost ended at Redgate after being forced through the gravel and dropping to eighth. “I had the mist on then,” he claimed, as he surged back into third by the start of lap three.
With Morris streaking clear, Keogh moved into second at Redgate and appeared to have the beating of Salkeld. But there was one final twist, as Salkeld forced his way back up the inside at the Melbourne Hairpin as the two cars traded paint.
While Salkeld was elated, Keogh was crestfallen albeit pleased for his rival.
“Going into the Melbourne loop I thought I was far enough ahead but he went for a huge lunge. In hindsight I should have hugged the grass,” he admitted.
“It was a great race and I hope it [Salkeld’s overtaking move] doesn’t go to the stewards.
“Half of me is gutted and the other half thinks that was probably the best race I have had.”
If ever there was an advertisement for hard, fair and respectful club motorsport, this was it.