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A new circuit to all the drivers this year meant Gary was on a more level playing field. He had also replaced the head gasket the previous weekend after an overheating issue, so the car was running better than it ever had.
Qualifying went very well, with Gary getting a season best of 2nd on the grid, just behind Steve Cheetham. The 2 people that could still catch Gary in the championship for 4th place were running well, but Carl Powell had his engine cut out just as he was entering the first chicane, causing him to hit the marshal post and rule him out of the race. Paul Patterson, the other driver capable of stealing 4th, managed a seasons best of 3rd place, just behind Gary.
Just before the race was about to start, specks of rain were appearing – all the drivers had dry setups on their cars and there was no time to change this. A damp start for the race saw Gary tuck in behind Steve Cheetham and hold 2nd into the first lap. Steve appeared to be struggling with the tricky conditions though and Gary had soon caught him, looking for a way past.
With 2 laps gone and Gary about to make a move on Steve, Richard Mowbray lost control of his car in the entry to the banked section, which is pretty much the fastest part of the circuit. He hit the outer wall, causing massive damage to his car, although Richard appeared to be OK. This meant the race was red flagged and there would be a restart.
5 minutes later, the rain was now pouring down and the track was soaking wet – Rockingham is notoriously slippery in the dry, so add a bit of water and it becomes very bad, but in cars that are setup for dry conditions its an ice rink!!
Gary had a great start again, tucking in behind Steve into the first corner and then staying close behind through to the fast lefthander on the back section. Steve had a bit of a slide through the lefthander and Gary got a great run on him down into the right hand hairpin, out breaking him and moving into the lead!
Steve Cheetham and the rest of Lodge Sports congratulated Gary on a great drive – This meant a lot to Gary. Beating Steve, the Championship winner of 2005 is a sure sign that there is more to come next year from the Crazy Duck!!
Report by Gary Duckman |
