Silsden's Chris Fort successfully retained the National Championship at Northampton International Raceway on sunday. Racing from pole, he quickly established a lead he would not relinquish despite a caution period for Ashley Boam (broken propshaft left him stranded on the home straight). Kevin Stuchbury seemed able to offer the best competition after making his way through into 2nd and was visibly catching Forty only to suffer a broken propshaft ending his chances.

The race was not perhaps a classic with Fort breaking away early, it was none the less a well deserved and dominant victory. Chris was visibly delighted with the win which netted him a drive in an F1 stock car thanks to Neil Fitton's NFR outfit, as he celebrated in style with some obligatory doughnuts.

The Champion's placemen were 159 Carl Radforth and 161 Mark Allen. Radforth must have been very pleased with his efforts especially having such a poor record in the big race (0 finishes in his previous 6 attempts) likewise Allen worked hard to capture 3rd having made the choice to run his shale car.

Drive of the race has to go to Bryan Andrew who came home 4th all the way from the back. I don't even think he was halfway through the pack when the yellows came out for Boam at around the halfway stage. He made astonishing progress to the flag eventually coming home just out of the podium positions. 212 Frank Wainman came home in 5th - no mean feat from the rear half of the grid but perhaps no real surprise all things considered.

Darren Cottrill was a little disappointed with his race having dropped back from his front row start. "I've never known my car to be so bad, and the worry is I don't know why it was, it's the worst I've ever known it" was what Darren offered post race.

Forty opted to collect 75 points for winning and in doing so, he forfeited  the rest of the meeting (he could have elected to recieve 50 points and continue to race, but if I know Forty, he probably fancied half a shandy in the bar instead....quite right too) He also put the National Points out of the reach of his nearest rival  Darren Cottrill so he had every excuse to celebrate.

A full meeting report will follow along with a gallery from the days events.