Ernest Owen Memorial

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Oliver and the Imp take round one win.

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Owen Motoring Club ran the opening round of the BTRDA and Motorsport UK championships with their Ernest Owen Car Trial despite the atrocious recent conditions that surprised many of the entrants that were enjoying the new class structure. The standard front wheel drive class saw reigning British champion Tim Dovey return in another Renault Clio Sport, this one in standard trim to take a very narrow two point class win over son Charlie. Third in class was former champion Mark Hoppe in his little light weight Suzuki Alto, the polar opposite to the Clio Sport, just a single point behind younger Dovey, all three continuing their epic battles from the Woolbridge Motor Club’s winter series. Trevor Moffatt returned in his Corsa Sport, taking fourth in class fifteen points back.

The wet conditions meant extremely slippery conditions the standard cars dropped lowest marks on the day, however the overall winner came from the modified rear wheel drive class and Dave Oliver in his faithful Hillman Imp. Oliver and Kevin Roberts were locked in battle till lunchtime, with Oliver trailing by a point, but Oliver’s determination and a superb third round saw him take the class lead which was extended to the end and take the first win of the year. Roberts finished second in class fifteen points back in sixth overall, similarly ahead of John Charles in his Suzuki engined Liege. Reigning ten time BTRDA Champion Barrie Parker returned in his 2012 championship winning Toyota MR2, fresh from competing in the Motor Cycling Clubs 100th Lands End Classic Trial last weekend to finish fifth in class behind stalwart Steve Courts.

The modified front wheel drive class saw two Saxo’s and a mk 1 Golf GTi battle, with Philip Buckle opening his West Midland and Cotswold Championship with a clear class win over the similar mounted Peter Hilleard who was just ahead of the Golf of Colin Reid.

With round one complete, two classes were unrepresented, the post 2009 front wheel drive and post 1990 rear wheel drive, which hopefully will be rectified soon. Round two is just two weeks with Falcon Motor Clubs Ivinghoe Trial, near Milton Keynes.

Ernest Owen Car Trial

Owen Motoring Club

Motorsport UK, BTRDA, AWMMC, ANCC, Cotswold Championships

21 entrants

Appley Park, Telford

Dave Oliver, Hillman Imp, 85%

Tim Dovey, Renault Clio Sport, 94%

Philip Buckle, Citroën Saxo, 95%

Charlie Dovey, Renault Clio Sport, 97%

Mark Hoppe, Suzuki Alto, 98%

Kevin Roberts, Dutton Phaeton, 99%

John Charles, Liege S, 113%

Steve Courts, Hillman Imp, 117%

Trevor Moffatt, Vauxhall Corsa, 118%

Peter Hilleard, Citroen Saxo, 120%