Cavan Autocross - 1 Oct 06

Posted: October 3, 2006 11:56 AM

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WHAM BAM SAM, TWO IN A ROW FOR MOFFETT. On Sunday, last Sam Moffett continued his winning streak with a 2.74 second win from series sponsor Mervyn Wedlock. The Drumgoon driver was 1.71 seconds ahead of third placed Stephen Lipsett. Sam Moffett posted the fastest time of the day on the second timed run, using the full advantage of his lightweight R6 Buggy in addition to a dry run ahead of torrential rain. The young Clontibret driver was fastest again on run 3, as the track remained wet.

The opening advantage went to Wedlock as Cavan Motor Club unveiled the final evolution of the Hutt Cross track with additional asphalt areas and a new mid section. Stephen Lipsett was fractionally slower inside the same second as all driver’s complained of a lack of grip especially while turning into corners. Also inside the 2.03 bracket was James Cassidy with eventual winner Sam Moffett making up the top four all inside the same second after the first timed run.

On the Second Run times improved as the surface dried out, it on this run that Sam Moffett recorded the 1:58.85 time that secured the win for him on the day, his nearest challenger Mervyn Wedlock was over 4 seconds adrift exposing the weight difference between the little buggy and Wedlock’s long serving G4 Ford Escort. The race for runner up spot on the second run was much closer as Trevor Lancashire made his first visit to Hutt Cross since fitting a 2.4 Cosworth engine to his Mk2 Escort, the Drum driver was only 0.71 seconds off Wedlock as they shared the track.

Despite the heavy rain on run two, the surface of the track still retained some grip and the later runners in the smaller classes started to post some quick times. While Sam was once again fastest, young Scott Winslow from Clogher was second fastest in his Suzuki engined Nova on the the same second as Sam, multiple Autocross Champion Ronnie Coulter was third fastest almost a second adrift of his young Tyrone compatriot Winslow.

Amongst the Classes Micheal Conlon scored another start to finish win in Class 1, while ypung Stephen Wright followed the Mini home in second sharing the family Nova with his Father David. Tommy Donlon survived the loss of second gear in his 106 to come home third in Class 1. In Class 2 Scott Winslow combined fastest time on the second and third runs to take victory from the similar car of initial class leader Adrian Foley with Seamus Cooke third in his Mk2 Escort.

Class 3 was entirely the domain of Stephen Lipsett as the young Fintona driver left all others in his wake taking victory by 6 seconds and third overall in the little 106 Gti. Aiden Wray made good his first visit to Hutt Cross with second in class in his Civic while Tom Gardiner was some distance further back in his older model Civic. Joseph Smith took the Class 4 win once again extending his perfect record in 2006 with 5 wins from 5 starts. James Cassidy did keep the reigning Champion honest with fastest time on the first run but finished 0.8 seconds behind Joe. Peter Deery broke the Escort domination of Class 4 with third in class on the day driving Tommy Smiths Nova.

Mervyn Wedlock took Class 5 in the absence of Championship class leader Ollie O’Rielly with Ronnie Coulter second in his Astra. Gerard McAleer made a return to Hutt Cross having last appeared in February to take third in class in his Mk2 Escort. The Wedlock Plant Hire Autocross Championship returns to Hutt Cross on November 19th when reigning Champion Joseph Smith will be trying to extend his 4 point lead in the series as he try’s to secure back to back titles. PRE EVENT NEWS

• Regulations available

Round 5 of the Wedlock Plant Hire Autocross Championship 2006 will take place on the 1st October.

First 80 fully completed and Paid up entries accepted plus 10 on reserve.

Priority will be given to 2006 Championship Registered Competitors providing their fully completed entries are received before closing date 29th September 2006. Please ensure to have your entries in on time.

Gates open 8.30am.
Scrutiny from 9.00am.
Practice 10.00am.
First timed run 11.00am.

Cavan Motor Club