BTRDA Grand Final Car Trial

Event Report

Yorkshire's Henry Kitching won the coveted BTRDA Gold Star Car Trials Championship at his first attempt, driving his Vauxhall Corsa. Kitching trailed reigning British champion Mark Hoppe by a single point at lunchtime, but a small mistake by Hoppe let Kitching take the lead which was soon extended to eleven points following thirty two extremely long, testing sections. Hoppe made three slight errors during the day to Kitching's single error, ending in a very worthy winner. Hoppe and Kitching have had an extremely close yearlong battle.

 

Such was the leading two's performance, they finished eighty points ahead of Tim Beard who lead the chasing pack of five competitors in the new car class.

Early conditions were slippery, but as the day wore on the grass dried slowly, seeing scores drop. only beaten by four highly modified rear wheel drive cars.

 

Simon Harris was expected to challenge for overall and started the day in determined fashion, but front shock absorber failure for reigning BTRDA Allrounders champion Roger Holder saw the class depleted and no chance of overall, so a calculated drive saw Harris secure the Silver Star in fourth overall. Shawn Franklin changed class two days before, chasing the Bronze star championship following his good results in North Wales last weekend and was rewarded with second in class, which was enough to secure his targeted Bronze star in his first full season.

 

Barrie Parker, fresh from competing on the MCC Edinburgh overnight trial the preceding day, swapped cars to the Westfield and had a storming day in the rear wheel drive class dropping just nineteen points, twelve fewer than the nearest, Steve Courts, and thus snatched the Jack Williams trophy from Courts who had to be content with Silver Star runner up. Kevin Roberts' fourth in class was enough to secure runner up in the Bronze star on hills that didn't quite suit his Dutton.

1. Henry Kitching, Vauxhall Corsa, 52.6% GOLD STAR

2. Mark Hoppe, Citroen Saxo, 67.4%

3. Barrie Parker, Westfield, 75.4%

4. Simon Harris, VW Golf GTI, 100% SILVER STAR

5. Steve Courts, Hillman Imp, 123.9%

6. Shawn Franklin, Ford SportKa, 134% BRONZE STAR

7. Tim Beard, Citroen Saxo, 146%

8. Nigel Weeks, Hillman Imp, 150.8%

9. Kevin Roberts, Dutton Phaeton, 154.8%

10. John Wadsworth, Ford Ka, 151%