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With only the final rounds at Doune to go, Graeme Wight Junior edged two points closer to Adam Fleetwood on Sunday at Prescott. But Team Moran were probably the happiest crew of the weekend! The promised rain fell only for 10 minutes on practise Saturday but still nearly every competitor got 3 runs. Sunday was set for a fine day of competition, which is exactly what the eager spectators got.

Morning qualifying was a torrid time for several competitors with Roy Lane not starting and Simon Durling not making the cut. The dark horse of the weekend Flying Phil Cooke qualified his new Force PC with a new class record for 1600's then finished ahead of 2 litre flyers Butterfield and Willis with a sensational time a full half second quicker than his new class record. In the last run of the opening session Graeme Wight Junior made what would become Best Time of the Day, in just the way we have become accustomed to. In doing so he shaded out Adam Fleetwood who seemed to be having a minor 2nd gear engagement problem all weekend. Rob Turnbull took third in his usual accomplished style. Willem Toet was a good value fourth. Long time 3rd place championship chaser Tim Mason must be disappointed with a seventh place and only four points.

The afternoon session had only just begun when a spectacular shunt by Robin Hawker halted proceedings, upending his Westfield 50 feet short of the old short course Orchard hairpin. It gave the ever efficient Prescott rescue team the chance to prove how invaluable the Massey Ferguson cherry picker is, as they dangled away the Westfield that showed surprisingly little damage considering the shocking nature of the crash.

Roy Lane again failed to start, and as the spectators awaited morning sensation Phil Cooke he broke a drive chain on the start line. This time Rob Turnbull was a surprise non-qualifier. Come the run-off we saw Roger Fleetwood setting down a 38.28 marker that only four others could better. Scott Moran was first to better this time and only four could better him. Poor Mike Dean had a hesitant moment out of the esses and slipped to 11th and nil point after sensationally qualifying fourth. Two runners to go and a 37.88 marker laid down by Adam Fleetwood set Roger Moran a stiff challenge. Proving again just what a dogged competitor he is Roger dug deep for a 37.65. By the midway point of the final run, Graeme Wight had a sensational time, but a similar moment out of the esses to the unlucky Mike Dean meant he could not better Roger's time.

Surprised but happy Roger Moran said "There's life in the old dog yet. That one has been a long time coming" He revealed that the win had come with old tyres. Class winning mechanic Dave Wilson noted a loose tyre valve moments before Scott's run. "We had to change both wheels and quickly file the tyres up" revealed a pleased Roger.

A quick word with Graeme Wight Junior revealed that he had been a little early on the throttle coming out of the esses. "It was my fault, I don't usually go for the record, but needed the points. Usually I just go for the win, and the records come" he sighed.

Looking at overall performance of the weekend, the writer chooses Phil Cooke for his new class record and follow-on sensational run-off time. Long tall Phil may not have a pretty car, but it is as effective a car/driver combination as seen on any hill. Peter Voight took the classic Sports and Racing Car record in the beautiful Tech-Craft then took it again in the afternoon. What a wonderful blast from the past.

So dropped scores notwithstanding, its all down to Doune in a fortnight. If Adam Fleetwood can keep it on the island at the Scottish hill surely he must be home and dry. But who would discount two times Champion Graeme Wight Junior on his home hill? Whether you drive, fly (or slum it by train), you just have to be there!

Photos by Nick Gurney

Photos by John Charters