Zandvoort race summary

Goddard brings the Benetton home for three in a row!

Zandvoort, The Netherlands, Sunday 11th August 2002: A crowd of 48,000 were treated to a highly competitive and entertaining NDS EuroBOSS race at the prestigious Marlboro Masters festival in Zandvoort, The Netherlands. The victor, 22 year old South African Earl Goddard driving a Benetton Ford, impressed throughout the weekend with a string of sub 1:27 laps and kept the assembled mass of spectators enthralled to the end with a top class driving display.

The battle for the remaining two podium places was fought out by Ascari drivers Phil Andrews, Klaas Zwart and Harri Toivonen. Andrews, on the front row, was overtaken by his team mate Zwart on the opening straight after a superb start. Zwart held second place until the fourth lap, Andrews finally making the pressure tell, but his chances of winning the race were diminishing as front runner Goddard extended his lead, posting a series of very fast laps. The battle for third place remained until the end, with Finn Toivonen fast catching Dutchman Zwart as they started their penultimate lap, with Zwart holding Toivonen off to take the remaining podium place in front of his home crowd.

After stalling on the start line local hero Tom Coronel thrilled the crowd with a myriad of exciting overtaking manoeuvres as he looked to make his way back up to the front. He moved up ten places, eventually finishing fifth, pipping fellow Dutchman Pim van Riet on the final lap of the race.

In his third race, 16 year old Scott Mansell, driving a Reynard Mugen in the 3000 class finished tenth overall. Growing in confidence and familiarity with his powerful racing machine he put in a solid performance, once again mixing it with the big boys, some of whom have an extra 200bhp at their disposal.

Colin Stone, driving a Ram, consolidated his lead over Anthony Hansford in the NDS EuroBOSS Masters class, finishing eleventh place overall.

This win gives Earl Goddard his third victory of the season and in doing so consolidates his second place in the standings, behind Zwart, after five rounds.

Earl Goddard, Driver, Kockney Koi, Yamitsu:
"It is a wonderful feeling to win in front of such a large crowd at this prestigious race. My car has been running beautifully all weekend which is tribute to my team and all at Robin Hooker Racing who have prepared this car to near perfection. I concentrated on a quick start and opening up a gap. At mid-stage I could see no one in my mirrors and I could break earlier and concentrate on bringing the car home."

"I would like to dedicate this victory to Freddie Careca who sadly lost his life at Most."

"It has been a thoroughly satisfactory weekend, and the public have really enjoyed NDS EuroBOSS and the chance to see these cars at close quarters. I hope we can come back and excite the public again next year!"

Phil Andrews, Driver, Team Ascari:
"I made a good start and was looking to go down the inside of Earl when Klaas appeared from nowhere. He was flying and the next few laps were spent looking to overtake him. Having succeeded I tried to close the gap on Earl but it was too great. I am pleased with a podium place after two DNF's and will look to go one better at Donington Park."

Klaas Zwart, Driver, Team Ascari:
"This was a very competitive and tiring race and I am satisfied that I have finished in the top three and secured more Series points. It has been a fantastic event and performing in front of my home crowd is very pleasing. It seems that everyone has enjoyed the spectacle of NDS EuroBOSS and realised that this is a fast, competitive and exciting Series."

Tom Coronel, Driver, Team Ascari:
"I have had a lot of fun and hope that the crowd enjoyed the race... if not my start. I was not concentrating fully and stalled the car before the lights changed. The marshals seemed to take about 15 seconds to realise and then started pushing me backwards. I braked hard and made it clear that my car only goes forward. They then decided to bump start me."

"Before the start my intention was to race competitively and look for a top three finish but once I was on my way I had to just go fishing. One by one I was reeling them in and in the circumstances was satisfied to finish fifth. It was a great event for the crowd and I have been impressed by the cars and the talent of drivers, such as Earl Goddard. It was a one-off race for me, I enjoyed it and hope it has raised the profile of the EuroBOSS Series."

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