Results

Event: 24-Jul-2016

Note: BPLD = Best Performance by a Lady Driver, BPYD = Best Performance by a Young Driver, Max = Maximum penalty for incomplete test(s), DNF = Did Not Finish

Report

The fourth autotest to fall in the month of July got underway on Sunday the 24th. A field of nine entries comprising of seven different drivers turned out vehicles in the hope of reaching the top step of the podium. With the damp forecast holding off until the final round of tests, the drivers were on maximum attack to pull a lead early on.

The bottom two positions of the field were occupied by a car that was surely never destined to take part in a motorsport requiring agility and control. The Saab 900, which was regularly seen at Caldale as a tow car for a previous competitor, was being driven by the duo of Ian Spence and Ross Mackie. Despite its size, the car was thrown around well and an effective handbrake made for some spectacular viewing but a selection of penalties for striking course markers dropped Ian to 9th position and a maximum time penalty in test two limited Ross to 8th.

In 7th was Karen Laughton in the borrowed MGTF that has brought her success in the past. Getting off to a shaky start, striking course markers in tests one and two, she began to get to grips later in the day with the freshly modified handbrake that proved to be very effective. An excellent time in test four helped earn her the award for the Best Performance by a Lady Driver.

Next up the order was Ross Mackie in his second entry of the day. He had four penalty free runs in the Toyota Celica that continues to battle on, improving in each of his second runs suggesting that he is yet to realise his true pace. With a little more risk, Ross could challenge for a position higher than the 6th this time out.

The Celica's other driver, Ian Spence, took the opposite approach to the tests, firing away from the line on full steam. He picked up penalties for striking three course markers but was able to wring enough out of the Celica with some impressive manoeuvres to set four good times and finish in 5th position.

The competitor to miss out on the podium this time out was usual front runner Aaron Moar. He got off to his usual start, setting good times in tests one and two, but racked up a number of penalties as the afternoon went on. A few mistakes in a last attempt to make up the time ended his chances of taking home a trophy as he settled for 4th. Aaron still stands in second place in the championship race so will be keen to get back to winning ways in the next event.

Johnny Mackay was the man to once again reach the podium. For the second week in a row he took the bottom step after an impressive display in the MGZR. All four runs were penalty free in a welcomed turnaround from last week and with a dramatic improvement in each of the second course runs, Johnny is another driver who may be holding a little in reserve.

The championship leader, Adam Eddington got off to a good start in the first test but struck a course marker in the second as he reversed out of a gate in his second run. Two identical, quick runs on the final course layout of the day was enough to shake off a challenge from behind but was not close enough to spook the man ahead.



The day's ultimate prize went to Andrew Moar to give him a second win of the year. The Reliant Scimitar that has given him some difficulty in the previous few weeks bounced back in an impressive fashion, making four faultless runs. The rear wheel drive car allowed him to accurately spin around course markers and achieve fastest times on all four tests. With an outside chance of winning the championship, he has nothing to lose in the final two events.

With the season nearing its conclusion the pressure is on for the competitors to take home maximum points, a welcome break until the next event on the 21st of August provides plenty of time to rectify any mechanical issues and perfect modifications. The full event calendar and further information can be found at www.orkneymotorclub.co.uk, thank you to Mr Brian Laughton for use of the site.