The final round of this year’s title chase – the 30th year of the championship – and one of, if not the closest ever battle for honours. Round 5 at Croft sorted out matters considerably, though five teams can, mathematically, still take the title. However, Gordon Shand and Phil Hyde, 5th on 118 points, Conrad Harrison and Lee Patterson, 4th with 122, and Carl Fenwick and Ashley Moore third on 133, need both the top two to have at least one DNF, though if ever a title chase has had twists and turns, this is it!
Fourth going into Croft were Gary Bryan and Jamie Winn, at that stage eight finishes in the top six from eight starts but no wins – until Croft. What a time to take a double win – and with two of the top four suffering misfortune. They are now on 162 points, eleven ahead of Alan Founds and Tom Peters who have also recorded ten top 6 finishes from ten starts. (The only other team to score points in every round are Tony and Fiona Baker, but of course you knew that!).
So, Bryan/Winn, Founds/Peters, Fenwick/Moore, Harrison/Patterson and Shand/Hyde. From these five, one will be the 2014 champions and not one has won the title before. Time to place your bets!
One title was decided at Croft – that of the F2 Cup, the championship for less experienced teams. When a practice prang ruled out Dean Lindley and Nev Bell, Alan Founds and Tom Peters took the title with so far, 230 points from a maximum 250. Dean is second on 139 points but is likely to need at least one more finish to secure that place as Steve and Mattie Ramsden, and Tom and Thomas Quaye, in a close battle for third place could both overtake him.
And now, some ‘Thank You’s to close with. Many thanks to Bemsee, Wirral 100, North Gloucester and last but by no means least, Derby Phoenix – the four clubs who have ‘hosted’ our championship rounds. Once again here at Cadwell, Bill Barraclough will be presenting some of his special trophies, and lastly thanks from me to ‘our’ photographers, Derek Donsworth and John Mushet, whose wonderful pics brighten up the dullest of reports!