BLEASDALE GETS HIS REWARDS WITH ANOTHER BTRDA VICTORY
Fog disrupted the final round of the BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship at Knockhill in Scotland but didn’t halt proceedings altogether, as Vauxhall VX220 driver Darren Bleasdale stormed to another victory in the SuperModified division to secure the overall crown.
Bleasdale led the headline two-wheel-drive category from the start of the final, having qualified on pole position was never headed, en route to a maximum season points haul to wrap up the Gold Star title, a year after his brother Jason secured the same crown, indeed racing the same car.
The foggy conditions at the Scottish venue meant practice was held behind a course car, the opening heats were delayed and the SuperFinal didn’t get done before visibility rescinded at the end of the day. Otherwise, the all-important finals took place.
In the last SuperModified race of the year, Stanley Bovill kept winner Bleasdale on his toes to the end, while Todd Crooks finished third with his BMW Mini and fourth position was enough for Citroen C2 racer Darren Scott to take the SuperModified title, the crown vacant as Bleasdale took overall honours.
Fellow Citroen C2 drivers Phil Chicken and David Watt retired during the qualifying stages. Richard Moore made his debut in his new Mercedes SLK, but an engine misfire and gearbox issue meant he elected to continue development rather than risk further damage on track.
Once again providing some of the best racing of the event, Lee Wood won the Classic final from pole position, but behind, Cumbrian farmer David Ewin delivered one of his best-yet performances. Ewin qualified on the front row for the final with his Mitsubishi-powered rear-wheel-drive Ford Fiesta, then battled with Davy Crockett for the runner-up spot, just missing out on the position by a tenth of a second.
Peugeot 205 racer Jamie McBain had also started on the front row and initially led into Turn 1, but for an electrical issue with his car to dump him out of victory contention.
In the final preparation for competing in Junior Cross Car at the Motorsport Games in France next week, Corey Padgett won the Junior final from the front on track, but was penalised for Turn 1 contact, meaning that new champion Owen Robbins, who had passed local driver Finley Scott during the race for second, claimed the win. Padgett was classified second.
In the FIA Cross Car class, David Attiwell won the final ahead of Luke Holly. Charley Moroney secured the Production crown with a lightsto-flag win, while Andrew Hawkes won the BMW Mini final just ahead of Abbie McGuinness and claimed the crown. Alex Fletcher won the Modified final, and the class championship.
Results
Organiser: DDMC When: October 23 Where: Knockhill, Fife Starters: 39
Round 7: Super Modified: 1 Darren Bleasdale (Vauxhall VX220) 4m12.069s; 2 Stanley Bovill (Escort) +2.360s; 3 Todd Crooks (Mini); 4 Darren Scott (Citroen C2); 5 Richard Moore (SLK). Production: Charley Moroney (Citroen Saxo). Junior: Owen Robbins (Suzuki). Modified: Alex Fletcher (Civic). BMW Mini: Andrew Hawkes (Mini). Classic: Lee Wood (Escort).
FIA Cross Car: David Attiwell (Ya Car)