Last updated at 13:51, Thursday, 09 August 2012

THE annual Cumberland Open meeting was held by Solway Autograss Club last month at their Hay Close track, Calthwaite.

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A now well established event, which first ran in 2003, saw a good number of entries for this year made up of both Solway and visiting drivers, with no shortage of racing for all classes, with five heats and a final each over the two-day event.

Each winner of the individual class finals was then eligible to compete in the Cumberland Open Finals to race for the Championship title.

All of the winners in the men class finals and the defending champion Matt Astbury (LM112), class one, made for 11 cars lining up to compete for the men’s Championship title; three of which were Solway cars – Jason Ballantyne (SL22), class six, Penrith, Mark Johnston, (SL5) class 10, Whitehaven, and Paul Wilson (SL86) class five, Penrith.

The line-up suggested this was to be a very fast, thrilling race, and for all spectators the drivers did not disappoint. A staggered start according to class and engine size saw the Class one mini of Rachael Davis, (YD35), driving on a men’s licence, take the lead from the off, a lead which she was determined to hang onto, and managed to do so for five out of the eight laps.

Jason then took the lead on lap six having made his way through the field and took the chequered flag on the final lap chased with determination by Andy Jefferson (YD21), in his class seven.

Rachael held onto third place at the chequered flag, holding off all the other classes. Eight out of the 11 starters finished the race, the defending champion pulled off on lap four with the other two Solway drivers finishing seventh (SL86) and eight (SL5).

Ladies class final winners battling it out for the Cumberland open title saw defending champion Michelle Arnett (YD209) lead from the second lap, over the class one of Rosie Nairns. Julie Graham (SL15), Penrith, in her class five mini took over second place on lap three and pursued Michelle for the remaining five laps.

The junior Championship race saw the top four junior saloon cars of Kirby Johnston (SL55) Whitehaven, Daniel Talbot (SL6), Kendal, Cameron Doak (CS77) and Jack Shaw (SL912), Whitehaven, who replaced the absent SL24 car of Lauren Charlton plus the three junior specials of Matty Cobb (SL177), Ashington, Curtis McBride (SL118), Whitehaven, and Kieran Graham (YD100) compete for the junior Cumberland open title.

Having taken the lead in her class final, from the start to the chequered flag, Kirby was the early leader in the Championship race and maintained the lead for six of the eight-lap race while places constantly changed behind her as the faster junior specials made their way through the pack.

Matty took the lead for the last two laps, and the chequered flag on the final lap, while Kirby was chased over the line by Curtis, holding him back to take second and third respectfully.

Results

Class 1: 1st YD35 Rachael Davis 2nd LM112 Matt Astbury 3rd YD197 Alun Adams

Class 2: 1st YD30 Daniel Grufferty 2nd YD2 Liam Hilton 3rd SB93 David Ford

Class 3: 1st YD18 Stevie Bowes 2nd SL66 Mark Little 3rd CS54 Kevin Nichol

Class 5: SL86 Paul Wilson

Class 6: 1st SL22 Jason Ballantyne 2nd YD16 Aaron Cavagin 3rd SL11 Joe Threlkeld

Class 7: 1st YD21 Andy Jefferson 2nd YD49 Nick Constantine 3rd CS73 James Mulraney

Class 8: 1st SB8 Jack Rawlinson 2nd YD54 Tim Corner 3rd SL14 William Stuart

Class 9: 1st YD182 James Bowe 2nd YD143 Ben Wilson 3rd YD117 Dennis Raffel

Class 10: 1st SL5 Mark Johnston 2nd SL80 Phil Talbot 3rd CS1 Mick Nairns

Stock hatch: 1st SL626 Kevin Brough 4th SL38 Andrew Shaw (GF) 5th SL64 Lloyd Stephenson(GF)

F600: 1st SB20 Andrew Watson 2nd SB5 Tony Nicholson 3rd SL101 Jonny Dawson

Juniors saloon: 1st SL55 Kirby Johnston 2nd SL6 Daniel Talbot 3rd SL24 Lauren Charlton

Junior specials: 1st SL177 Matty Cobb 2nd SL118 Curtis McBride 3rd YD100 Kieran Graham

Ladies’ class 1: CS813 Rosie Nairns

Ladies’ class 2: 1st YD209 Michelle Arnett 2nd SL222 Leanne Huschka 3rd YD98 Suzy Alditt

Ladies class 5: 1st SL15 Julie Graham

Cumberland Open Junior Championship: 1st SL177 Matty Cobb 2nd SL55 Kirby Johnston 3rd SL118 Curtis McBride

Cumberland Open Ladies Championship: 1st YD209 Michelle Arnett 2nd SL15 Julie Graham 3rd CS813 Rosie Nairns

Cumberland Open Men’s Championship: 1st SL22 Jason Ballantyne 2nd YD21 Andy Jefferson 3rd YD35 Rachael Davis

The Solway Club are holding their ‘Grassfest’ meeting this week, which saw an evening meeting take place on Wednesday, the first Autograss evening meeting to be held in 21 years.

‘Grassfest’ continues over this weekend with racing on both Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11am on both days.

For more information on Solway Autograss Club visit www.solway-autograss.co.uk.

First published at 11:10, Thursday, 09 August 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk