TOM SCOTT, the island’s top trials-bike rider, made his debut on the sands for the seventh round of this season’s championship at Vazon. Scott had previously competed in sprints and hillclimbs but this was his first taste of actual racing and he wasn’t slow in mixing it with the more-experienced racers.
He just failed to register his maiden win in the third championship race because he crossed the line outside the marked track and was disqualified in what was nevertheless a fine debut meeting.
For once it was very difficult to predict who would win any of the small-bike class races, with positions changing rapidly on every lap of every one.
But each time Robert Campbell came through.
With only four sliders, the larger class was more predictable, Anthony Bougourd taking the majority of first places and being the only rider not to suffer any problems.
Bill Cohu suffered his first puncture in many years of racing, besides other problems.
Anthony Queripel also suffered engine troubles but worst off was Dave Cleal who, having blown the motor on his lead bike during the penultimate race, brought out his spare one for the final championship one only to have another engine let go.
In the car section, chairman Reuben (Amos) Ozanne decided to liven up the action by becoming a mobile chicane with the bright-pink Maestro.
There were some good tussles with the two production Micras of Tom Shaw and Vince Le Gallez, together with the bright-orange modified mini of Graham Jehan.
Mark Ozanne, having entered the Jaguar saloon, decided to bring along the turbo Skoda instead, but was probably wishing he had kept to his original entry when after practice, he came out for only two races.
The first saw him last one lap as a rear tyre decided to part company from the wheel.
In the final championship race Ben Batiste enjoyed a battle with Roger King, who had to pull in on the seventh lap because he was unable to see out of his helmet where he was going.
This left Ozanne in third place with Peter Dorey just behind, but problems with the Skoda allowed the latter to nip through and take second place once King had pulled out.
Ozanne was the final finisher as Graham Carrington in the other Jaguar special had already retired with electrical problems.
The only other retirement was Steve Marquis’ Suzuki saloon with major overheating problems.
Trophy winners of the day were John Damarell, who took the Pealing Carey for the bike handicap, and Martin Dorey, the Moullin Challenge for the car handicap.
Article posted on 5th August, 2004 - 12.00am
Loading ...
Most Commented: