Coventry – August 4th 2012 Meeting Report

Craig Finnikin 55 made it two Coventry Finals in a row with another determined performance at the Brandon shale way. Dan Johnson 4 made an appearance in Luke Davidson’s 464 car with his best result being fifth in the Final.

Dan Johnson 4 in Luke Davidson’s 464 machine. Photo Colin Casserley

The evening opened with the usual tumultuous Whites and Yellows race with Ben Hurdman 207 having a good run to pick up the win with novice Simon Black 59 successfully avoiding the carnage to take the ninth and final finisher slot with over half the field finding themselves relegated to the infield.

Tim Warwick 307 and Lee Warner 290 in the opening heat. Photo Steve Botham

Ben Hurdman 207 put in another fine performance in the Whites and Yellows race. Photo Colin Casserley

Heat two soon followed with lower grader James Morris 463 snatching the lead, with Frankie Wainman jnr 515 climbing rapidly up the field but being pursued himself by blue grader Rob Tunnah 505. Yellow flags depleted the lead Morris had continually strived to obtain, but he triumphantly held on for the chequered flag. The evergreen John Lund 53 also had a good run to take third.

John Lund 53 and Paul Harrison 2 in Heat 2. Photo Steve Botham

Frankie Wainman jnr 515 finds himself under pressure from Rob Tunnah 505. Photo Steve Botham

James Morris 463 took the flag in Heat 2. Photo Colin Casserley

Heat three was a lively affair due in most part to a three way battle amongst Tom Harris 84, Craig Finnikin 55 and the ever ebullient Mick Sworder 150. Neil Holcroft 496 initially took up the running until superseded by Murray Harrison 97 with Sworder coming out on top of the ternion and trying his best to reel in Harrison but Harrison’s lead was to great to catch him before the flag.

Mick Sworder 150 and Tom Harris 84 had a great battle in Heat 3. Photo Steve Botham

Murray Harrison 97 won Heat 3. Photo Colin Casserley

After almost being rolled on his side in his heat by Mike Williamson 111, Daniel Wainman 212 took his second race win of the year in the Consolation. Tim Warwick 307 took up the early running with Tim Farrell 467 commandeering the lead for himself until going out in a turn one incident allowing Wainman through to speed off and take the win from Paul Harrison 2 and battling Mal Brown 34.

Daniel Wainman 212 took the Consolation victory. Photo Colin Casserley

The feature final saw thirty four cars take to the track with a lower grader battle at the front for the lead, won in the opening laps by Ian Noden 306 who tore off while those behind knocked lumps out of each other. It looked like Noden was going to be on for the win but star grader Will Yarrow 22 in a reversal of Coventry fortune was bearing down, fast.

Final action from Mick Sworder 150 and John Lund 53. Photo Colin Casserley

Craig Finnikin 55 in action. Photo Colin Casserley

Murray Harrison 97 was cutting through the field but did not take into account fellow blue grader Rob Tunnah 505 who lamped Harrison into the fence on three and four. Yellows were waved and Will Yarrow 22 having overtaken Noden, led them away but the field was stacked up close behind and Craig Finnikin 55 needed no second invitation to storm ahead with Wainman jnr and fellow star grader Neil Shenton 35, continuing his good form from red to take third.

Craig Finnikin 55 took another fine Coventry Final win. Photo Steve Botham

The last race of the night, the Grand National saw Garry Fox 48 fly off into the lead and never be caught before the flag. In the latter stages Ian Noden had a great battle with Frankie Wainman jnr culminated in a drag race to the line for second place but the major talking point involved Mick Sworder and Murray Harrison. Sworder picked up Harrison and forcibly drove him into Matt Newson 16 with Matt receiving some serious steel work damage.