Pembrey – April 18/19

WHILE OTHERS GO SPINNING OLIVER KEEPS ON WINNING!

DOMINANT BALL ON THE BOIL IN CLASS ‘B’

The demanding Pembrey circuit in South Wales hosted rounds 3,4 and 5 of the 2009 Delphi British Truck Racing Championship – and with an excellent entry of 17 trucks and six races over the weekend there was plenty of thrilling action to entertain the healthy crowd enjoying the fabulous spring sunshine.

In Class ‘A’ it was ‘business as usual’ for reigning Champion Stuart Oliver – who pulled clear of all the action to take three straight wins.
But his rear view mirrors were certainly full, especially in the opening race on the first hairpin as Mat Summerfield (ERF) clipped Dave Jenkins – sending the MAN driver into a half spin and causing mayhem in the chasing pack.

Richard Collett (MAN) picked his way through to snatch the runner-up spot with young Terry Gibbon claiming a fabulous third in his “new for’09” MAN. Jenkins – despite taking a hefty knock – recovered well to finish fourth ahead of Summerfield, Graham Powell (ERF) and Roger Brookfield.

The second Class ‘A’ encounter brought further success for Oliver – while Gibbon profited from Richard Collett outbraking himself at the first turn to grab second. He then successfully fended off Summerfield and Jenkins all the way to the chequered flag while Collett – disgusted with himself – fought back to fifth.

The final outing for the big guns once more saw Oliver taking a start-to-finish straight win…but the fight for the runner-up spot really had the crowds cheering. After his previous disappointments Jenkins was absolutely determined to go home with one trophy from his weekend’s efforts –and he finally grabbed second spot, closely followed home by Summerfield, Collett, Gibbon and Powell.  The trio fighting for 2nd were seldom more than a few centimetres apart throughout, exchanging paintwork on several occasions!

CLASS ‘B’ - BALL ON THE BOIL

Dave Ball continued the winning form he displayed in the season opener at Brands Hatch – claiming another three victories in the fiercely-contested Class ’B’ Delphi British Truck Racing Championship races at Pembrey.

But behind the on-form Seddon Atkinson driver there were thrills and spills aplenty in the fight for the other podium places. The first race saw Steven Powell (Ford) grabbing the runner-up spot ahead of hard-charging Ben Horne (Volvo White) – a real ‘Little v Large’ encounter in terms of machinery. Just 0.147s. Separated the pair as they crossed the finishing line!

Garry George picked up fourth in his Foden with Adam Atkins (White) getting the better of Andy Lovenberry (Sisu) to complete the top six. New boy Oscar Clark brought his Volvo home a respectable 7th while poor Elton Boocock’s weekend didn’t start well –as the Seddon Atki driver was classified 8th. Trevor Martin had been struggling to negotiate the notorious Pembrey hairpin throughout practice – and he finally planted his ERF in the wall…bringing out the red flag.

Ball again cruised to victory in the second Class ‘B’ outing with Powell again claiming a strong second place. Boocock’s efforts in making an overnight drive to West Drayton and back for spare parts proved worthwhile as he stormed through the pack to finish third on Sunday morning – well clear of the Whites of Atkins and Brian Burt. Lovenberry – suffering turbo trouble – slipped back to finish 8th, just ahead of Clark.

The final Class ‘B’ event was another thriller – with plenty of hard-fought jostling for position…but no fewer than four retirements (Boocock, Clark, George and Burt). Ball was once again way out in front – to claim his ‘hat-trick’ of wins over the weekend. Ben Horne was in the thick of the action (again!) and finally grabbed the runner-up spot while Steven Powell’s excellent run of results continued with a fine third place. Lovenberry’s team was pleased to have him up and running again for the last race – and he brought the Sisu home in fourth while Atkins followed him home in 5th.

The Delphi British Truck Racing Championship now has a 3-month break until the next outing – at Nurburgring (Germany) in July. But many of the British drivers will still be in action before that major event… several are contesting the forthcoming French National events and of course Oliver and Levett will be in European Championship action over the coming months.
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