Poleman Jack Goff led 11 of the 12 laps in heat three but not the one that matters as Chris Smiley atoned for a heat one DNF with a fantastic last lap lunge to snatch the victory. Lloyd was catching them both at the chequered flag after emerging from a great scrap for third between himself, Dougan and Craig Stirling while the plucky Stirling had to make do with fifth in a race where he held Lloyd and Dougan at bay until three laps from the end. Hawkins claimed sixth followed by Andrews, Gilmour, Quinn and Stephenson.
After a very evenly matched set of heats the stage was set for the final with Andrews on pole from Hawkins, Dougan, Gilmour, Lloyd, Ingram, Stephenson and Quinn with any one of up to a dozen drivers having proved that they had the capability to win.
The race itself didn’t disappoint as Dougan made the best start from row two to take the early lead from Hawkins and a slow starting Andrews while Lloyd and Ingram clashed on the run into turn one and both lost valuable momentum. Gilmour also made a poor getaway and slipped as low as ninth before fighting back to fifth at the end.
Up front Andrews quickly moved back into second place and, on lap ten following a steady chase, made his move for the lead. Andrews’ first strike signalled the start of several laps of spellbinding racing as Dougan fought back on lap 11 only to concede the lead once again a lap later. Suitably fired up the Scotsman retook the lead on lap 13 before Andrews finally retook the lead for good going into turn seven on lap 14. Andrews was then able to keep his nose ahead for the final two laps to win by six tenths with Lloyd passing Stephenson and Hawkins in the final three laps to claim the final podium position just over one second behind the leaders.
Hawkins, Gilmour and Stephenson completed the top six with Ingram, Quinn, Goff and Smiley rounding out the top ten all within six and a half seconds of the winner following a race that can only be described as excellent throughout the field.
JICA
After being at the centre of the controversy at Shenington it was hoped that JICA would provide a clean, safe and protest-free day of racing and it was especially pleasing to see both Jiri Foreman and Alistair Walker back on track in rude health after their meeting-ending incident last time out.
