Classic Sports and Saloons
Robertson's races
In the SMRC's Classic Sports and Saloons Willie Robertson did the double at Knockhill today (Sunday) winning both races in his Datsun 240Z. In the first race Championship leader and winner of most of the races this year failed to finish leaving Robertson to win with nearly 10 seconds in hand over second placed Brian Morris in a second Datsun 240Z. Third was Olly Ross in his Lotus Europa.
In race 2 Robertson led all but one lap, the first, after Kenny Allen got the jump on him at the start. Robertson resume his front running position on lap 2 and was never headed winning by 13.391 seconds from Matthew Gordon's Porsche. Allen came home was just a second behind Gordon with Tommy Gilmartin's Capri fourth a further second up the road. The trio had circulated almost as one for most of the race alongside Jimmy Crow's Escort, with no quarter expected of given. Until, that is, the Escort expired on lap 10 right on the edge of the track at Butchers, forcing a red flag. With only 2 laps remaining the officials decided that was that and ended the race.
Race 1 |
Race 2 |
|---|---|
1. Olly Ross (Lotus Europa) |
1. Matthew Gordon (Porsche 911) |
2. Matthew Gordon (Porsche 911) |
2. Kenny Allen (Lotus Elan) |
3. Kenny Allen (Lotus Elan) |
3. Tommy Gilmartin (Ford Capri) |
4. George Leitch (Mini Ogle) |
4. George Leitch (Mini Ogle) |
5. Colin Beveridge (Alfa Sud) |
5. Grant Allan (Porsche 911) |
6 Richard Merrell (Alfa GTJ) |
6. Colin Beveridge (Alfa Sud) |
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Class Winners: |
Class Winners: |
George Leitch (b) |
George Leitch (b) |
Olly Ross (c) |
Olly Ross (c) |
Matthew Gordon (d) |
Matthew Gordon (d) |
Note: Willie Roberston Datsun 240Z and Brian Morris Datsun 240Z both running in invitational class and not eligible for race awards or Championship points
Ross rains on Bernard’s ‘parade’s
Stan Bernard continues to be the man to beat in the Classic Sports and Saloons at Knockhill as he maintained his 100% record with a win in the opening race at Knockhill on Sunday. Son Adam was second in a 911 with Olly Ross(left) in a Elan third.
In race two however a damp track and the reversed grid served to end the Porsche 911 driver’s record. Matthew Gordon’s Porsche led the opening stages from Olly Ross’s Elan, the Lotus revelling in the damp conditions. Stan Bernard trailed back in fifth as he tried to get passed the slower cars in front, aware that up front Gordon and Ross was getting away.
On lap two Gordon still led from Ross while Stan Bernard was held up briefly by the Jimmy Crow, the Porsche driver getting by on lap 3. With an empty track in front of him he set about closing down the leading pair but by the time he caught them Ross was in front and pulling away. It took Stan until the end of lap 9 to get into second by which time Ross had the race in the bag winning by3.2 seconds. Gordon held a comfortable third with Crow fourth and Adam Bernard fifth and Tommy Gilmartin’s Capri sixth.
Drive of the day should have gone to Willie Robertson in a Datsun 240z but sadly he spoilt it all on the last lap. Starting well down the field he seemed oblivious to the wet track, moving passed cars at every opportunity. Tenth of lap 2 he went to seventh on lap 3, sixth on lap 6, fifth on lap 9 before he threw it all away at the hairpin on the final tour by going over-doing his braking, loosing two places in the process.
Stan Bernard’s 100% record may have gone but don’t expect too many days like Sunday, unless it rains of course…
Race 1 |
Race 2 |
|---|---|
1. Stan Bernard (Porsche 911) |
1. Olly Ross (Lotus Europa) |
2. Adam Bernard (Porsche 911) |
2. Stan Bernard (Porsche 911) |
3. Olly Ross (Lotus Europa) |
3. Matthew Gordon (Porsche 911) |
4. Tommy Gilmarton (Ford Capri) |
4. Jimmy Crow (Ford Escort) |
5. Matthew Gordon (Porsche 911) |
5. Adam Bernard (Porsche 911) |
6 Jimmy Crow (Ford Escort) |
6. Tommy Gilmartin (Ford Capri) |
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Class Winners: |
Class Winners: |
George Leitch (Mini Ogle) |
George Leitch |
Olly Ross |
Olly Ross |
Stan Bernard |
Stan Bernard |