2004 STOCKHATCH CHAMPIONSHIP

MALLORY

With the track slowly drying the final qualifiers in group C had a marginal advantage. Gareth Wright was on Pole with Craig Sheppard in his immaculately  finished Saxo was third on the grid. Andy Burgess in the new Lupo was fourth fastest.

The two B races were run with lots of break downs and a few crashes. The surviving cars made up the back of the A race and the weather held off, but it was windy but dry!

Gareth lost his lead at the start but remained second over the first few laps. The front two pulled away from Craig and Andy, and over the latter part of the race Gareth gradually pulled in and went past when he saw his chance. He did not squander his chances and pulled an impressive lead by the finish. Craig got a great drive out of the hairpin on the last lap to snatch third on the line. Andy had a lonely race but came in a admiral fourth. Paul Tibbs came in 5th while Robert Foreman in the ex McMillan car came in 6th. Paul Taylor with his big off in the first corner made great headway carving his way through the field to finish 8th

Donnington

With the weather very windy it remained dry for the two B races. The first was won by Roger Neep chases hard by John Munday. Gary Parkes had a lonely race with Jonathan Howes and Mark Rodway coming in 4th and 5th. In the second race Gordon Macmillan stonked through the field to take an easy win with Paul Tibbs 2nd, Stewart Nind 3rd, Robert Foreman 4th and Andrew Thorpe 5th.

On the start of the A race a coming together with John Hemming and Gareth Wright saw them in the kitty litter. As Gareth rejoined he collected John Munday who had to retire with a severely battered car. Paul Taylor made a mistake and went off coming on last with Richard Kingsnorth also going off on the first lap. Craig Sheppard shot into the lead which he was never troubled. Andy Burgess was the only person to stay with Craig to take 2nd. Martin Boon came 3rd and with his best finish since buying a 106 Paul Sheehan took 4th. Gordon Macmillan ended the race early by parking his 205 upside down after losing it through the Craners.

Snetterton

B Race 1

Matt Lewis won convincing from David Lewis, with Ian Laughton taking third. Old boy Roughton came in 5th and Pat Grove in his newly built Rallye was 12th.

B Race 2

The second heat saw a collision with Simon Holloway, Pinky, Mr. Turbo and Matt Fincham at Russell's leaving only Simon to continue due to damage on the others. Phil Smith had a great race with Simon Howard with them changing places lap after lap. Phil finally won with Simon 2nd, Roger Neep was 3rd. Pete Morgan could only manage 5th.

A Final

Paul Taylor got a flyer off the line and with the others fighting for position he was 4 seconds ahead as they crossed the line. Andy Burgess, Richard Kingsnorth, Maurice Hayden, Paul Sheehan, Martin Boon and Gareth Wright all swooped places lap after lap. Paul Taylor won with Andy Burgess second. Maurice came in third. After post race scruitneering Maurice and Paul where excluded with Paul appealing the decision. This means Andy burgess wins with Richard Kingsnorth 2nd and Paul Sheehan 3rd.

Donington 2

Paul Taylor trounces the field to take a comfortable win at Donnington. Andy Burgess gets pipped to the line as a XR3i takes second. Craig had more problems with his car but hung on to finish 4th. Old boy Roughton has got his saxo back on the pace and finishes 6th. New boy Malcolm Russell gets knocked off while in 7th to finish 11th. 

Heat 1

This race was won by Pete Morgan followed home by Paul Tibbs and Ian Laughton all in XR2's.

Heat 2

Jonathan Howes just beat Paul Sheehan to win the second heat. Pat Grove in his new Rallye came third.

Oulton Park

In the heat Alastair Boulton in his 106 was untroubled at the front and won by six and a half seconds. Jonathan Howes kept Matt Fincham at bay to come in second, Matt was third with Pat Grove fourth. A few crashes saw nearly half the field retire.

The final had to be stopped after Craig Sheppard had a coming together with the tyre wall. On the restart Paul Taylor was off and with consistent lap times stretched his lead to 10 seconds. Paul Sheehan has finally got to grips with his 106 to finish second. Old boy Roughton came in fourth with Andy Burgess 5th. Mark Rodway held of Gareth Wright to finish a creditable 6th.