Mitch Godden’s hopes of a Sand Ace hat-trick were hit by ignition problems. (Picture by Tony Rive)
DEFENDING champion Mitch Godden triumphed in two of his heats on Saturday, was second twice but, disastrously for his overall points score, did not finish another as his bike played up.
‘We did quite a bit of water-proofing, but not enough in the right parts,’ he added ruefully. ‘The problem was the ignition.’
Godden started in gate eight for the final, while Queripel, who scored more qualifying points than anyone, had first pick for starting gate and went from the middle. But the champion still felt he could win the A final which brought the curtain down on a superb afternoon’s entertainment in the sun.
‘I came through from fourth, to third and then to second. I was catching him [Queripel] up, but then got water in the spark plug.’
Consequently, his Godden machine began to misfire and he lost two places in the closing stages to place fifth.
Vince Kinchin, who had won two heats and finished runner-up twice to score only one point fewer than Queripel in qualifying, took second in the A final while Phil Ashscroft filled third and Bougourd stole fourth from a faltering Godden.
The new champion was quick to pay tribute to his father for the work he had done on his bike, as well as to the course.
‘The track was perfect, in really good shape.
‘It’s a new engine. It’s brilliant and the whole set-up is perfect.’
The B final for riders who qualified in 12th to 21st positions – it had supposed to be a 10-10 split but with two riders unable to be split 11 were allowed into the final – saw Steven Tayler lead for all four laps.
The visitor was never threatened and Guernseyman Jon Le Page never looked like being deposed from second place. Rocky Guilbert came through to place third with Bob Grant fourth and 63-year-old Maurice Jones fifth.
Simon Cohu had the day’s most spectacular spill in the final qualifying heat, but picked himself up from the sand on the top bend to take his place in the final.
Article posted on 9th June, 2008 - 2.29pm
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