Surprise result in punishing conditions
The fifth and sixth rounds of the Honda Formula 4-Stroke championship at Lowestoft over the weekend was one of the most spectacular since the series first visited the venue two years ago.
The day began with a home win in the 225hp class for the Lings team driven by David Cowley and Navigator Paul Barkshire. Leaving a tremendous gap between themselves and their main opposition, Team Williams they clearly won the race well before the finish.
Third place went to the German entered Power of Dreams Germany which mopped up the wake of their challengers to take the final victory in the morning heat. The afternoon saw the 150hp fleet take off with Octane leading the way until a freak wave relegated it to the back of the field. Hydrex then suffered mechanical problems forcing its retirement. Team Williams driven by Martin Campbell and Dale Williams, then took lead slot followed by Premier Cru and rookie, Team Fox from Jersey.
Rough weather conditions throughout the day left some teams with various issues both mechanically and physically. Four boats in the 150hp class remained in the pits due to stress of weather and two in the 225hp with broken engine mounts.
The day finally ended in the most spectacular finale as the remaining 225hp contenders took to the course. Heights of Abraham stole top position in the first lap before retiring with an unknown fault leaving Lings to repeat its morning form. However in an unexpected turn rookie team Double Six driven by Brian Caudwell and navigated by Sean Massey began a battle with the local team along the back straight despite a further deterioration in the weather. The team from Sarisbury Green in Southampton managed to push past Lings on the far corner to take a staggering uncatchable lead.
“We are new to the series and never expected to make such progression so early in our first season. We have been developing our team in the last four weeks and hoped to achieve better than we have previously. We are absolutely thrilled to have won our first race and the people of Lowestoft have been very friendly and we have thoroughly enjoyed our weekend”, said Neil Cadman – Team Manager of Double 6, on behalf of Brian Caudwell and Sean Massey.
This now throws the championship wide open for the next Grand Prix in Cowes on August 29 and with race results so close the championship looks set to become even more exciting for this tenth anniversary year of the Honda Formula 4-Stroke series.
The day concluded with a podium prize giving hosted by his Worship the Mayor of Lowestoft, Councillor Malcolm Cherry and the lady Mayoress.
