Ivinghoe Spring Trial

Barrie Parker debuted a Fiat 600 and sprung a surprise at the Invinghoe Car Trial by winning overall, having not driven front wheel drive for four years.

A capacity entry of fifty were met with dry conditions but rain during the last round transformed the sections, allowing Parker to take eleven points off a disappointed Shawn Franklin on one hill alone to win the class by ten, leaving Franklin third overall.

Round one winner Neil Mackay convincingly won the front wheel drive class for second overall from Derek Hunnisett.

The class battle of the day was in the rear wheel drives. Mark Hoppe returned with a new engine in his Melos to take the initiative on the first round, then tied with Steve Courts at lunch after Dave Oliver missed a gate. The fourth round saw Dick Glossop overhaul all from fourth in class with a fabulous round to win the class by three, more than doubling his score on the last round of eight hills. Courts and Hoppe tied with Courts taking it. Meanwhile reigning British champion Rupert North borrowed a Liege (as his Mini still isn’t painted) showing his all-round skill to finish fifth in class, just behind Oliver, having not driven rear wheel drive before.

1 Barrie Parker, Fiat 600, 58.3%

2 Neil Mackay, Citroen AX, 69.2

3 Shawn Franklin, Citroen Saxo VTS, 71.6

4 Dick Glossop, Liege, 93.9

5 Trevor Moffatt, Vauxhall Corsa, 99.5

6 Steve Courts, Hillman Imp, 100.9

7 Mark Hoppe, Dutton Melos, 100.9

8 Dave Oliver, Hillman Imp, 110.3

9 Derek Hunnisett, Ford KA, 118.3

10 Nick Pollitt, Suzuki Swift, 127.3