Coventry, 7th May 2005
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COVENTRY RESULTS
With 3 formulas racing at Coventry, it was always going to be a busy night. Heat 1 gridded a full 29 cars racing under bright sunlight. 108 Neil Fry's racing return lasted but a lap with a badly missing engine that just would not go away despite the teams best efforts to clear it during the meeting. 204 Dean Laird & 210 Matt Smith made the early running whilst further back Carl Radforth 159 was making the break from the reds who were scrapping it out amongst each other. 244 Mick Rogers found a new friend in the shape of Dougie Bracher 167 who did his best to put Mick up the fence. Both scraped around the armoco before continuing on. At just after half distance 281 Lee Summers & 575 Darren Cottrill tangled along the homestretch & clattered into the fence. Summers pulled off shortly afterwards with a badly bent front axle & springs. Radforth managed to overhaul Dean Larid in the closing stages to make it 3 race wins at 3 meetings. Heat 2 Produced a superb scrap from yellow tops 161 Mark Allen & 210 Matt Smith. Allen even managed a half spin as did 159 Radforth who trailed smoke for the remainder of the race. 332 Phil Hodgson spun off to the centre whilst Cottrill & Dougie Bracher tangled on the back stretch. Paul Heath 77 & 473 Chris Bracher ended up facing the oncoming traffic at the exit of turn 4 which 313 Andy Craven got mixed up in to his detriment. 210 Smith was leading by some way, but must have got caught up somewhere as 161 Allen managed to catch & pass Smith for the win. 210 was 2nd followed by Chris Fort in 3rd The Final saw 281 Summers back on track but it wouldnt last long as he lost his brakes early on. 304 Chris Mellor led them away & was passed by Smith 210 when he spun on his own. Smith then began to build up a considerable lead while 161 Allen & 204 Laird both span out of contention. 127 Mike Bennett in the Rogers hire car was laying a thick smoke screen around the oval & 113 Stuchbury caused havoc for his own brother when he rejoined in front of him on the back stretch. Kev ran into Neil who eneded up facing the wrong way & was collected by 37 Cowley. Dougie Bracher decided to drive up the fence on the pit bend over & onto his roof which called for a stoppage to retrieve his car minus the front axle. Smith must've been cursing his luck as his massive lead was now reduced to zero. On the restart Smith had Fort & Cottrill for company & many expected the red train to steam roller through, but Smith held on with an excellent display of driving. Enevitably Fort passed Smith only to have the Worcs yellow top come back at him. Further down the field Rogers loomed ominously in 5th spot, that is until Marc Radforth 149 tangled with the gold roof & took them both head long into the home straight fence. Rogers rolled on to his roof & Radforth was in trouble. The race was flagged with Fort the winner from a gallant Smith in 2nd & 575 Cottrill 3rd. Rogers emerged from his car unscathed although he'll be needing a new wing & Radforth got out with some assistance although was declared ok. His car not so, having snapped the front axle in the skirmish. All in all, a very lively night from the Hotstox with a young man from Worcs coming away with a hefty haul of points, well done Matt, nice driving !    |
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