Swaffham Speed Weekend GP midgets report

Andrew Bilby won the 'Final Charge' at the Swaffham speed weekend on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August, to take his first final win of the season. The 'Final Charge' was the reverse grid of the World Championship race that had taken place the previous day and it was also the final of the support races.

The first support race was won by Gary Bonner after a very close, race long battle with World Champion Andy Collins, and John Salter. Gordon Pooley and Harold Lowe also made quick starts. However it was Gary Bonner, Andy Collins, and John Salter who were making their way through the field, eventually swallowing up Gordon Pooley and taking the lead. Alan Buckland and Harold Lowe were also having a good battle, with Harold just able to keep Alan at bay and hang on to 4th position. Gary Bonner was just able to hold on and take the win, from Andy Collins, and John Salter, in what was the closest 1,2,3 of the season so far! Harold Lowe, Alan Buckland, Gordon Pooley, Gary Granger, and Ez Walker rounded off the top eight.

The second support race (last midget race of Saturday) was once again taken by a quick Gary Bonner. Brian Gough had had the initial lead from the white grade, before being caught by a quick-starting Dave Smith, who was in turn overtaken by an even quicker Gordon Pooley. Barry Goldsby had been up there, until contact caused a drive shaft joint to break, ending his weekend. Andy Collins was making his way through the field with Gary Bonner right behind him. Gary eventually made it past Andy to take the lead, however it was red grader Alan Buckland who appeared to be fastest man on the track, closing in on this front pair. Gary Bonner took his second win of the day, with Alan Buckland managing to take 2nd in the final few laps from Andy Collins in 3rd. Peter Bourne took 4th, Mark Hodges 5th, Daz Ryecroft 6th, Harold Lowe 7th, and Gary Granger 8th.

Andy Collins returned on the Sunday showing similar form to the Saturday, which had won him the World crown. He was able to take the race win by a considerable margin from Gary Granger in 2nd, and Gordon Pooley in 3rd. Alan Buckland had again looked quick, however a spin in the early stages of the race ruined his hopes of taking the win (although he did recover to 7th!). Andy Collins took the victory, from Gary Granger, Gordon Pooley, Peter Bourne, Ez Walker, John Salter, Alan Buckland, and Harold Lowe who round of the point's finishers.

The 'Final Charge' was the last race of the Swaffham Speed Weekend for the midgets, and with a reverse grid of the Worlds clear favourites were points leader Neil Clarke, and European Champion Daz Ryecroft, both of whom would now start from near the front. It was Andrew Bilby who got the quick start and the lead from second on the grid. From here he never looked back leading for the duration of the race and taking the win by a comfortable margin. Harold Lowe had also made a quick start overtaking Daz early on. Alan Buckland had looked to be going well having started from near the back of the grid, however contact between Alan and Mark Hodges (who was catapulted over the front end of Alan's Stealth) put Mark out of the race and left Alan a lap down. Andrew Bilby was able to take an easy victory, winning the 'Final Charge' from Neil Clarke, Ez Walker, Harold Lowe, Gary Granger, John Salter, Andy Collins and Dave Smith.

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