SANDRACING REPORT 30/07/201

8 Cars came to the line for the toughest challenge of the sand racing season when they faced 20 laps in one go (normal races last just 8 laps) to win the largest trophy available that of the Victoria Trophy run as a handicap race. It was rather fitting then that one of the 2 ladies racing won this most demanding race, though the other drivers were giving it their all to claim this prize. Hardest charger was Nigel Ozanne who having the fastest car had to start at least 4 laps behind the lead off car of Faye Downs, but having only a small fuel tank in his car had to make a quick dive into the infield behind the start line for a fuel top up, this losing him time & a chance to win this race finishing in 6^th spot. Jarod Smith was the only car not to reach the chequered flag but for Karl West this was one race too long as coming over the line at the finish there was an almighty bang as smoke, steam & flames came out from the blown motor in the MR2 (luckily he has a spare to be able to continue the season).

The earlier races had been split for the first time this year so that the saloons & racing cars had their own set of races. In the 1^st saloon race Karl West lost out to Karl Marshall who was out in a Citroen Saxo a first for one of these cars on the beach, but in the 2^nd race positions were reversed. The shared car of bother & sister Ricky & Vienna Le Cheminant each took a 3^rd place spot whilst Darren De Carteret was the only other saloon in this class. Nigel Ozanne dominated the racing car class whilst the remaining spots were claimed by Jarod Smith, Stephen Oliviera & an improving Gary Duquemin now that the steering on Dave has been sorted.

5 Races 5 Wins for Anthony Queripel in the Senior Motorcycles whilst a very on form Robert Teed gained three 2^nd & two 3^rd spots with Dave Cleal being the only other rider to gain the remaining two 2^nd places & also a 3^rd spot. This just left two 3 spots to be claimed & these went to 2 of the elder statesmen of racing, Dave Patten took 3^rd in the second championship race whilst club president Bill Cohu took this place in the final race of the day for Committee trophy points.

The juniors once again had some very close racing with 2 of their races again being run clockwise (normal bike races run anti clockwise). Riders not getting a top 3 finish were Billy Russell & Ricky-Lee Rive who nether the less were battling for the 4^th place spot. For this meeting Billy-Reece Rive had to do with just 1 win, whilst the Suzuki pairing of Josh Lambourne & Jarod Carrington also took a win apiece thus it was Alain Bronquet who took the other 2 wins in both the clockwise races where as in the normal races he is usually in 3^rd spot. Having inquired once the meeting was ended as to why he was so much quicker when riding clockwise Alain showed me that he is riding with a handicap in so much that he rides with an artificial left leg so has greater confidence when riding right had bends as against left hand ones.

Having taken a tumble in the practice laps with his bike ending on top of him & a quick inspection by the ambulance crew did not put cadet rider Daniel Clark off his stride as he took 4 wins out of 5 races, Bradley Queripel only getting the upper hand in the final race.

Paul Stanford