BLUE CHALLENGE – CLEAL WINS FINAL ROUND AT LYDD
Despite all that the coronavirus could throw at the Blue Challenge, they managed to complete their 2020 Championship. The Final round took place at Lydd International Circuit on the south Kent coast. Anthony Cleal was totally dominant gaining pole with three flawless heats. His main Challenge coming from returnee Sam Dible and regular front runner Russell O’Neill.
Once the lights changed at the start of the Final, Cleal was off into the distance. Behind him Sam Dible and Russell O’Neill scrapped it out for 2nd place. Further back Serita Shone, having overcome her mechanical gremlins in the heats, was on a charge reaching position 7 by the end of lap 1
On lap 5 Sam Dible left the fray promoting the rest of the grid up one place. He was one of the few drivers still left using a metal rear bumper, which finally failed, leaving a shower of sparks behind, causing a mechanical defect flag to be displayed. The race stabilised over the next few laps, with Cleal well clear at the front and Russell O’Neill holding a safe 2nd place. Behind, a fantastic race was developing between Robin Stoddart-Stones, Dave Waldron, Paul Dible , Paul Alexander and David Goode. Thrown into the mix was Serita Shone having caught the group and trying everything to work her way through.
By lap, Serita accounted for Alexander, lap 11, it was the turn of Paul Dible, on lap 12 she passed Waldron , who was leading the group.
Cleal, by lap 12 had enough of a lead to start choking the carb and settled back to the finish. Not so far behind, disaster struck Russell O’Neill, who broke a cable, eliminating him from the race. Serita, now in 2nd, drew away from the group behind still racing it out.
Further back, Kevin O’Neill and Ron shone were having their own private duel, which Kevin eventually won, despite a couple of attempts from Ron to pass.
At the chequered flag, it was a dominant Cleal followed by Serita Shone. David Waldron held on to take 3rd place from Paul Alexander, Paul Dible, Robin Stoddart-Stones and David Goode.
Once the seasons’ points were totalled, Anthony Cleal was pronounced the winner from Mike Bell, Russell O’Neill, Serita Shone and David Waldron. In the Blue Master, sub-class, Cleal wins from Russell O’Neill and David Waldron. Cleal also takes the Blue Veteran group from Waldron and Alexander. The Blue Legend section was won by Ron Shone by a mere 3 points from Kevin O’Neill and David Waldron, who were also 3 points adrift.
In the last of the sub-groups, Blue Top Weight, Ron shone was a clear winner from Ben Joseph and Paul Dible.
The Challenge end of championship placings will now be translated into points and carried forward to the Grande Finals, which will be held at the Clay Pigeon Raceway on 11th October.
to view the points update please go to the results menu on the www. planetkarting.uk website or CLICK HERE